Sarah Stahl is a hospitality marketing strategist and founder of Market Movers.
This page has bios, key facts, speaking topics, podcast and conference appearances, and published articles. To book her for an event or interview, use the speaker page.
Published: 40+ articles on Hotel Online
From August 2025 to September 2026, I wrote a weekly column for Hotel Online, the hotel industry news source founded in 1995 and part of HFTP. The archive covers direct bookings, creator programs, AI search visibility, and hospitality technology, and it remains online.
Select Sampling of Hotel Online Articles
Creator systems and trust
- A Creator Program for Vacation Rentals Only Works If You Treat It as a Trust Problem. Lake.com Did. Jun 2, 2026
- TikTok Go Just Did What Every Creator Program Has Been Building Toward May 26, 2026
Direct bookings and OTAs
- Why Direct Bookings Are Now Essential for Boutique STR Operators Oct 28, 2025
- The OTA Model Is Broken. One Platform Is Building Something Different. Aug 4, 2026
AI search and visibility
- Why PR Is the Smartest Investment You Can Make for AI Search Visibility Jun 16, 2026
- You Don’t Have a Marketing Problem. You Have a Visibility Problem You’ve Been Solving the Wrong Way. Jun 30, 2026
- Don’t Let Agentic Search Outpace Your Property’s SEO Strategy Oct 21, 2025
- Dear AI, Please Recommend My Hotel. An Open Plea to the Bots Aug 26, 2025
Technology and systems
Podcasts and Interviews
- The Vacation Rental Formula, episode VRS657. “When the Calendar Looks Full But the Business Is Bleeding.” Listen
- Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino (September 2025). A conversation on putting owners back in control and reducing OTA dependence. Watch
- The Art Of Hospitality Podcast. Working with travel content creators to help unique stays and vacation rental managersPodcasts and interviews. Listen
- Industry Chats, The Live Show by Affixify. Hosted by Jasmine Seliga, on hospitality marketing, social selling, and influencer marketing. Watch
- The Travel Foundry Podcast. Hosted by Trey Evans. Watch
- Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama, episode 71. “Relax at ReTreet: Luxury Glamping for Everyone.” Listen
Conferences and Webinars
- Hostaway’s Hostchella, Miami, November 2024. Customer Success Panel: From the Field. I shared how ReTreet Resort went from six treehouses, 100% OTA-dependent, to 21 units, an on-site spa, and a venue at 93% direct bookings: leveraging micro-influencers for word of mouth, building an integrated marketing tech stack, and partnering with DMO allies to amplify reach.
- Direct Booking Success Summit 2025, virtual, November 2025. Session: “The Micro-Influencer Blueprint Behind 93% Direct Bookings.” Covered finding and vetting creators without fancy software, a 3-post framework that turns eyeballs into bookings, and systems for tracking ROI and scaling repeat success.
- American Glamping Association (two appearances). Member webinars on creator marketing and hospitality growth, and a published feature for members.
- The Uprising. Short-form, TED-style session on micro-creators and the future of trust-based marketing.
- Foundry Talks. Virtual industry speaking engagement.
- Influence Forward, Alabama’s First Creator Conference. Partnered with North Alabama tourism leaders to conceptualize, host, and speak at the state’s first creator conference.
What Partners Are Saying
“"It was such a joy having Sarah on my show, Industry Chats, The Live Show by Affixify. Sarah shared such a wealth of education with our audience and never once tried to "sell" them. She left them wanting more! Her expertise in all things hospitality marketing, social selling, STR and of course influencer marketing was so inspiring. Anyone would be so blessed to have Sarah on their stage, podcast etc!"
”
Jasmine, Affixify CEO
"Sarah has quickly become one of my top recommendations whenever someone asks who to follow in the hospitality space. She brings a rare combination of sharp business insight and creative marketing savvy, consistently delivering actionable (and refreshingly contrarian) advice. What I appreciate most is that Sarah always brings real value. Every time I engage with her content, I walk away having learned something new."
Trey, Travel Foundry
"Sarah delivered a clear, engaging, and practical session for our AGA audience. Her real-world experience, ability to break down marketing strategy into actionable steps, and her fresh approach to hospitality marketing was the perfect fit for us. AGA members walked away with new insights and equipped to rethink how they connect with guests and grow their brand! It was a pleasure working with her!"
Amy, American Glamping Association
Hostaway’s Hostchella Conference
Panel: Customer Success Panel: From the Field (Miami, Nov 2024) On-stage, I shared how ReTreet Resort went from six treehouses (100% OTA) to 21 units, on-site spa and venue reaching 93% direct bookings:
Leveraging micro-influencers to supercharge word-of-mouth
Building a seamless, integrated marketing tech stack
Partnering with DMO allies to amplify reach
The Direct Booking Success Summit
Session: How a Micro-Influencer Strategy Delivered 93% Direct Bookings at a Glamping Resort
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Finding & vetting creators—no fancy software required
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A 3-post framework that turns eyeballs into bookings
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Systems for tracking ROI and scaling repeat success
