Sawgrass Spotlight: Exploring the Intersection of Hospitality and Technology with Jessica Gillingham
Post-Covid everyone has certainly seen the shift into more technology based interactions for the hospitality industry. According to a new research study, entitled “ Hospitality in 2025: Automated, Intelligent… and More Personal,” 95% of people plan to travel in the next six months. However, many want to eliminate the ‘touch’ from the high touch industry they once knew. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of travelers want to use their mobile device to manage their hotel experience, including checking in and out, paying, ordering food, and more.
Jessica Gillingham, the founder of Abode worldwide operates at the crossroads of hospitality and technology, and we had a wonderful conversation exploring how cutting-edge technology is transforming the hospitality industry– for the good. Join us for a peek into Jessica’s extensive contributions to the dynamic world of hospitality PR and marketing, and the groundbreaking work her company is doing in the field.
The Genesis of Abode Worldwide
Early in her career, Jessica worked in the Canadian travel industry before her entrepreneurial spirit took over, leading her to create a travel business aimed at brining UK and European guests to Canadia Cottage Country. This venture was just the beginning, as Jessica quickly discovered her true calling was in PR and marketing within the hospitality sector, especially at the dawn of Airbnb's rise. " At the dawn of Airbnb, when it was still about couch-surfing and rooms in homes, I realized my strength was more in PR and marketing than in running a travel business," Jessica recounted, leading her to pivot towards specializing in the vacation rental space.
The Role of Technology in Hospitality
Today, Jessica’s team at Abode Worldwide sits at the critical junction where property management, real estate, and hospitality meet technology. This unique position allows them to leverage technological innovations to transform how properties are managed, operated, and marketed—ranging from short-term rentals to multifamily living sectors.
"Our role is to understand the pain points of guests and property managers, which allows us to effectively market and run PR for tech companies looking to provide easier solutions for the industry," she explained. Jessica's deep understanding of the travel and accommodation sectors enriches her ability to guide tech companies in communicating their solutions to property management companies.
Short-Term Rental Index and the Impact of Technology
Jessica and her team have really outdone themselves by creating something pretty unique for the hospitality industry—the Short-Term Rental Index - an invaluable resource and the first of it’s kind. This index serves as a crucial resource for property managers, owners, and hosts, offering a comprehensive overview of the technology available to tackle various operational challenges—from guest experience enhancements to efficient property management solutions.
"The industry is incredibly crowded with tech solutions now, especially post-COVID," Jessica noted. "Our index helps those new to the space navigate these options, making it easier for them to find solutions that align with their operational needs without having to rely solely on platforms like Airbnb."
The Future of Property Management Technology
Looking ahead, Jessica emphasized the continuing role of AI and how it's reshaping the landscape of property management technology. AI's ability to analyze complex data sets is a game-changer, allowing for more sophisticated revenue management and customer personalization.
"We're seeing AI integrate more seamlessly into various aspects of property management, from content creation to operational efficiencies. It's about providing the bones upon which businesses can further develop their strategies," she added.
Engaging with the Hospitality Community
Want to learn more about Jessica's insights and the broader implications of technology in hospitality? You can check out her newsletter, Pillow Talk via the Abode Worldwide Website or follow their updates on LinkedIn. It covers the convergence of different lodging sectors—short-term rentals, hotels, and multifamily living—and discusses how these industries can learn from one another.
Technology will always be intertwined with the hospitality industry and we loved getting to chat with Jessica about her journey and the work Abode Worldwide is doing to highlight the innovative ways in which the industry continues to evolve, making every interaction more efficient, personalized, and memorable.