ABOUT Vacation Rental Professionals of Maine

Our Mission

To provide support and leadership for the Maine vacation rental industry through effective collaborative influence in the marketplace while promoting professional standards for our members.

Our Goals

• The Voice of VRPOMe: Advocating for and protecting the interests of vacation rental companies and the vacation rental industry.
• Service to VRPOMe: Providing an advantage for members through benefits, services, and events.
• The Image of VRPOMe: Promoting the positive impact of vacation rentals on the Northeast economy and community.
• The Future of VRPOMe: Maintaining the resources and leadership essential to advancing the VR industry interests.

Our Guiding Principles

• Clear communication between VRPOMe leadership, members, and government representatives.
• Prosperity and economic security with best practices.
• A code of ethics and trust among members.
• We promise to deliver quality services and value to members as we protect and promote a prosperous future for the Maine vacation rental industry.

About the Organization

The Vacation Rental Professionals of Maine (VRPOMe) began as an informal group of six vacation rental agencies in Maine in 2006. This group of visionary small business owners wanted to network and help each other with issues in an unregulated industry. They were aware that as agencies they needed to self-regulate. Membership in the VRMA (Vacation Rental Managers Association) helped them do this. Legal and operational issues were regular topics of discussion on a statewide basis as they met in different locations around the State.
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In 2013, the group reached out to the 80 or more agencies in the state after a DHHS inspector came to Boothbay and asked Cottage Connection to produce a DHHS license. This was how vacation rentals first became aware of the bill, LD330, a bill to require Vacation Rentals to have a DHHS license. It became quite clear that Maine urgently needed a voice for vacation rental companies to communicate with our legislative leaders. The group rallied and created a grass roots effort to testify in Augusta, meet with lobbyists, and talked to legislators and the media. This helped result in the defeat of this bill and several others.
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Today, our memberships are increasing year after year, and we have been successful in advocating for Vacation Rentals. We received our first significant donation of $5,000 from LiveRez software in December of 2015 in recognition of our success and momentum here in Maine. We are very active with legislation and are working with Deb Hart of Hart Public Policy to stay on top of legislation at both the Regional, State and local levels. We have an active, committed volunteer Board of Directors developing great educational programs to help our industry.