The recently established trade association for Maine vacation rental managers, Vacation Rental Professionals of Maine (VRPOMe), will hold its first all-day annual meeting and conference on Thursday, Dec. 3 at the Augusta Country Club.

Professional vacation property managers and affiliated private home owners will gather to hear updates on local, state and national legislation and other issues impacting the industry, and to share their expertise regarding a variety of property management concerns. Several software and supplies vendors will also be on hand with displays and information for the participants.

“We’re really delighted to have come so far so fast!” said VRPOMe president Audrey Miller, owner of Cottage Connection in Boothbay. “Vacation rentals are an extremely vital part of Maine’s economy, and an owner’s right to rent must be preserved.

“We mobilized VRPOMe (pronounced ‘Ver-Pom’) quite hastily in 2013, when we had to act fast to fight legislation that could have decimated Maine vacation rentals. Then we had to fight again in 2015. Fortunately, we were successful both times, but we have to stay vigilant. We believe that a large, active association of professional rental managers is the way to achieve that, and we’re hoping this conference will become a tradition in the Maine vacation rental industry.”

In addition to an update on rental-related legislation in Maine and around the nation, the conference will include presentations on vacation rental marketing and best practices in health and safety considerations. All Maine vacation rental managers and individual rental property owners are welcome to attend, with advance reservations requested. For more information, please visit www.vrpome.org.