Off-Season Tech Decisions That Shape Your 2026 Season
As operators look ahead to 2026, the off-season offers a valuable opportunity to step back, assess what the past year revealed, and make intentional decisions that set the stage for smarter growth. Peak season often exposes hidden inefficiencies — from reservation workflows and accounting processes to reporting gaps that quietly drain time and revenue.
In this blog, Nic Gramstad, Director of Sales at Staylist, explores how to use these insights to evaluate your current tech stack before planning for the year ahead. Which operational decisions are worth addressing now? Which can wait? How can the right systems can reduce staff workload while also unlocking new revenue opportunities? Read on to learn more!
To see the full session, check out the AGA Library featuring this exclusive session!
How do you recommend operators prioritize what to fix first in the off-season when everything feels broken?
I think it’s a business-by-business situation. Each property is going to have different priorities regarding how they operate and what means the most to them. Really, you need to decide what was the worst pain point, or what they feel is going to solve their biggest issues. Create the list and go from there!
How do you balance improving systems without overwhelming staff with too much change at once?
Get buy-in. Make sure that the staff is involved or, at least, aware of the changes you are looking to make. Ultimately, it’s your decision, but getting buy-in or allowing them to help in the decision-making process will increase adoption and ownership.
What’s a realistic off-season timeline for making meaningful tech or process changes?
Once the doors close, start the process or create a timeline for this process. Do you have weeks or months to make the changes? Ask the questions when going through product demos and the sales process. What is their onboarding schedule? How easy is it to learn? What resources are available to you after implementation? Be sure to know these things before signing up for anything.
Do you see more revenue impact from guest-facing improvements or internal operational fixes?
Honestly, both. It depends on the business and what they have. Adding new amenities or new accommodation can improve revenue. But so can the guest-facing booking flow. Do you have high drop-off rates or abandoned carts? Also, time saving operational fixes can help, as well. More time saving means more time improving the park, keeping guests happy and upselling opportunities!
How should owners think about ROI when the benefit is reduced stress or staff burnout, not just dollars?
Such an important question. ROI is not just driving revenue, it’s also more time, less stress and less turnover of staff. Are you stuck in a system or with processes that cause more friction with your staff than ease stress? A happy, motivated employee is more valuable all day, every day!
What’s one mindset shift operators need to make heading into 2026?
Heading into 2026, operators need to view their tech stack as a tool for efficiency, not overhead. The right systems should reduce manual work, eliminate duplication, and simplify daily operations. When tech runs smoothly in the background, staff can focus less on screens and more on guests. That shift leads to better experiences, happier teams, and stronger long-term performance.
