The Boostly Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: The PMS That Does It All: Eviivo on the Boostly Spotlight with James King
Date: September 28, 2025
Host: Mark Simpson (with Liam Carolan)
Guest: Jamie King, Senior Marketing Manager for Eviivo, US & Canada

Overview

In this episode, the Boostly Podcast dives into modern property management technology for hosts looking to reclaim their independence and boost direct bookings. Jamie King of Eviivo joins host Mark Simpson and co-host Liam Carolan to unpack how Eviivo's all-in-one PMS (Property Management System) can empower short-term rental (STR) owners and managers—from automation to integrations and direct booking strategies. They explore industry trends, U.S. vs. European markets, essential tools, and the importance of guest experience in generating repeat business and positive reviews.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What is Eviivo and Who Do They Help?

Timestamps: 00:52–01:47

• Eviivo offers an all-in-one property management solution catering to a spectrum from independent hosts to enterprise vacation managers.
• The platform is not limited to STRs but extends to boutique hotels, B&Bs, motels, and diverse accommodations.
• Core focus: Saving time, simplifying operations, enabling business growth, advanced automation, and seamless integrations.
• “Our goal is to help you as the owner, operator, as a vacation manager is to save time and… simplify your operations.” — Jamie King (01:07)

2. Market Differences: US vs Europe

Timestamps: 02:16–05:11

• The U.S. market is characterized by immense diversity and scale, accommodating everything from RV parks to tiny houses and sprawling vacation homes.
• Eviivo’s hybrid approach supports hosts with varied portfolios—something less common in the more space-restricted European context.
• The platform simplifies management for hosts juggling multiple property types in different locations.
• “We’re seeing an opportunity to have a full large vacation management company on one block and three blocks down… five to seven smaller property managers… It’s very unique.” — Jamie King (02:48)

3. Driving Direct Bookings and Reducing OTA Dependency

Timestamps: 06:40–09:36

• The recent increases in OTA (Online Travel Agency) commissions (e.g., Airbnb) are motivating hosts to pursue more direct bookings.

• Eviivo prioritizes:

  • Integrated payments
  • Mobile-friendly booking experiences
  • Real-time management of rates and availability
  • Tools to maintain guest relationships and build brand loyalty for repeat stays

• The PMS’s automation relieves hosts so they can focus on operations without missing booking opportunities.

• “Direct booking should be effortless… you want to manage your tools, rates, your availability, and do it in real time.” — Jamie King (06:55)

• “If you’re going to book direct, how do you keep those guests in your booking funnel?” — Jamie King (08:08)

4. The Role of Integrations and the All-In-One PMS

Timestamps: 10:11–13:34

• Eviivo Suite serves as the "core hub"—centralizing bookings, channels, communication, reporting, and rate management.
• Deep integrations are available for:
  • Smart locks
  • External pricing tools (e.g., PriceLabs)
  • Accounting software
• The Suite plays well with others but can enable hosts to manage everything from one dashboard.
• Strong Booking.com integration—a notable advantage for European hosts and those expanding from direct bookings to OTAs.
• “Avivo Suite is designed to be the core hub of the brains behind your everyday usage.” — Jamie King (10:20)
• “As your listeners grow… turning on booking.com… should be a simple toggle.” — Jamie King (12:41)

5. Common Tech Slip-Ups & Underused Opportunities

Timestamps: 13:34–16:09

• Two critical host mistakes:
  1. Not synchronizing inventory across all channels, leading to double bookings or missed opportunities.
  2. Underutilizing automation—particularly auto-messaging, AI-powered communication, invoicing, and dynamic pricing.
• Automation saves hours each week and prevents critical errors.
• “A lot of different owner-operators, hosts, are underutilizing automation.” — Jamie King (15:16)
• “AI is everywhere, and those who embrace it love it.” — Jamie King (15:23)

6. Foundations for New Hosts: Nailing the Guest Journey

Timestamps: 16:39–19:02

• First priority for newcomers is to optimize every step of the guest journey: from initial search, through booking, stay, and post-stay communication.
• Repeat business is driven by memorable guest experiences and brand loyalty.
• “You want those guests to go back and say, boy, I was with Liam at Myrtle Beach; what an amazing host.” — Jamie King (17:23)
• “People forget what you said and what you did, but they remember how you made them feel.” — Liam Carolan (18:37)

7. Winning Integrations & Industry Trends

Timestamps: 20:03–22:20

• Dynamic pricing tools, especially with partners like PriceLabs, are increasingly popular and powerful for revenue management.
• Easy integration with tools for payments, smart locks, reporting, and multi-property management are highlighted.
• Revenue management (ADR, RevPAR, occupancy rates) is elevated through these integrations.
• “Dynamic pricing is absolutely huge right now… partners like PriceLabs… to help maximize revenues.” — Jamie King (20:19)

8. What’s Next for Eviivo?

Timestamps: 22:36–23:47

• Upcoming focus: The award-winning Eviivo Mobile App.
• Run day-to-day operations at a glance: view inventory, instant notifications, manage payments, guest messaging, and a unified AI-powered inbox for all communication and reviews.
• “What I love about it is it gives you everything you need to run your day to day at a glance…” — Jamie King (22:47)

9. Jamie’s Core Advice for Hosts

Timestamps: 24:32–25:49

• Overwhelmed by tech? “Keep it simple.”
• Tech should make your life easier, not more complex.
• Focus on efficiency, automation, and above all, guest experience: “If your guests aren’t having experience, they’re not coming. If you’re not coming, you don’t have a business.” — Jamie King (25:19)
• Growth follows excellent guest experiences and operational simplicity.

10. Final Takeaway and Personal Mantra

Timestamps: 26:42–27:42

• Jamie’s closing challenge: Pick one actionable idea from industry events or podcasts, implement it, and stick with it for one year—then see what changes.
• “Find one takeaway… be dedicated to it for one year… then tell us how it changed your business.” — Jamie King (26:57)

Notable Quotes

• “Direct booking should be effortless… you want to manage your tools, rates, your availability, and do it in real time.” — Jamie King (06:55)
• “AI is everywhere and those who embrace it love it. Those who are afraid of it are missing out.” — Jamie King (15:23)
• “You want those guests to go back and say, boy, I was with Liam at Myrtle Beach; what an amazing host.” — Jamie King (17:23)
• “People forget what you said and what you did, but they remember how you made them feel.” — Liam Carolan (18:37)
• “The simplest profound—keep it simple.” — Jamie King (25:42)

Useful Timestamps

• 00:52 — What is Eviivo and who do they help?
• 02:16 — US vs Europe: how property management differs
• 06:40 — Direct bookings: reducing reliance on OTAs
• 10:11 — The role of integrations: what hosts need in a PMS
• 13:34 — Common tech slip-ups and missed chances
• 16:39 — First steps for new hosts
• 20:03 — Favorite integrations and tools for hosts
• 22:36 — The next big thing: Eviivo's Mobile App
• 24:32 — Jamie’s key advice: Keep it simple
• 26:42 — Final personal mantra and growth challenge

How to Learn More

Visit eviivo.com or connect on LinkedIn.
Jamie King attends industry events throughout the U.S. — look out for Eviivo at upcoming conferences!

This episode is a must-listen for hosts aiming to streamline operations, boost direct bookings, and leverage integrated tools to offer a standout guest experience.