H&HT Presents

PORTLAND 2026

The inaugural Hosts & Home Teams™ Field Lab

 

The first Hosts & Home Teams™ Field Lab took place in Portland, Oregon, in July 2026.


It brought together nearly 40 tourism leaders representing destination organizations, short-term rental professionals, hospitality businesses, public leadership, and industry partners.


The Lab wasn’t designed to launch another conference. It was created to test a different approach to industry collaboration.


Participants spent the day working through the relationships, systems, and challenges shaping the connection between destination organizations and the short-term rental community.

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The format

The Portland Field Lab was designed for participation.

There were no traditional keynote speakers, long panel discussions, or passive audience sessions. Participants worked in facilitated groups and contributed their own experience, concerns, questions, and ideas.

The day focused on four core areas:

  • Identity and stakeholder roles
  • Shared data and market visibility
  • Promotion and funding
  • Community health
Who Was in the Room
Participants represented different parts of the visitor economy, including: - Destination organizations - Short-term rental operators - Property managers - Hospitality and tourism businesses - Public-sector leadership - Industry associations - Technology and service partners = Tourism strategists and advisors
What Portland Proved
The Portland Field Lab confirmed that there’s demand for a more structured and collaborative approach to STR and DMO alignment. It showed that people are willing to discuss difficult issues when the room is intentionally designed, the right stakeholders are involved, and the purpose is clear.
It Started in Portland
The first Hosts & Home Teams™ Field Lab was held in Portland, Oregon, in July 2026. Tourism leaders from destination organizations, the short-term rental industry, hospitality businesses, local government, and industry partners came together for an immersive day of facilitated conversation, collaborative working sessions, and systems thinking.

Participant Feedback

“I’ve spent the past week looking for my socks. They blew off at the Hosts & Home Teams Think Lab in Oregon. Can’t find them and I’ve been walking around looking like Bigfoot ever since.”
Nate Lee, CEO, VillaFact

“Very well done Think Tank.”
Kelly DeShaun, Executive Director, Visit South Padre

“Congratulations on an outstanding event. I hope this continues to grow because it’s filling an important space for our industry!”
Davis Meyer, Vice President of Government & Industry Relations, Visit Greater Palm Springs

Partners & Contributors

The first Field Lab was made possible through the participation and support of destination leaders, industry professionals, collaborators, advisors, and partners who helped shape the experience.

  • Sonoma County Tourism
  • Sea Ranch Abalone Bay
  • Beaux Maison
  • Visit South Padre Island
  • Padre Island Rentals
  • Kiwanda Coastal Properties
  • Tillamook Coast
  • Tillamook County
  • Travel Oregon
  • Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
  • Visit Cullman
  • Visit Greater Palm Springs
  • VillaFact
  • Annie & Co
  • Rent Responsibly
  • Explorabout
  • Key Data
  • Branson Family Retreats
  • Hospitality Heroes
  • VRM Intel
  • VR Nation
  • Becoming rentABLE
  • Destination Innovate

What comes next

Portland was the beginning of the Hosts & Home Teams™ Field Lab model.

Beginning in 2027, HHT will work with a limited number of destinations and regional partners to design custom Labs focused on local priorities and broader visitor economy research. We’re also hosting the 2nd Annual Hosts & Home Teams Annual Industry Field Lab in Kansas City, July 15-16. Stay tuned for all the details! 

Bring a Field Lab to Your Destination