Casago is pleased to welcome the Smoky Mountains to our premier network of vacation rental destinations! This idyllic eastern Tennessee landscape of mist-covered valleys, breathtaking forests, and rolling mountains is an inviting spot for a cabin getaway, and plenty of family-fun adventure. It’s no wonder the Smoky Mountains is home to the most visited national park in the country! Casago is thrilled to embrace the lush Smoky Mountain forests filled with music, tradition, spectacular sunsets, and top-tier hospitality.
In welcoming the Casago Smoky Mountains team, we had an opportunity to learn more about their extensive background.
Meet the Casago Smoky Mountains team!
Casago: Who is at the heart of the Casago Smoky Mountains leadership team?
Abe Dehart is a founding partner of Peace of Mind Lodging, which merged together with the Vacasa portfolio to become Casago Smoky Mountains.
Blake Dailey is a prior Air Force officer who has been buying and managing vacation rentals and boutique hotels since 2019.
And Austin Williams is a 6th generation Sevier County native and the CEO of Compass Ventures – a real estate developer in East Tennessee.
Casago: Please describe your background prior to getting into the vacation rental industry.
We’re operators and owners first. Our leadership cut their teeth building and running small businesses, serving in the U.S. Air Force, and managing complex real-estate projects before turning full-time to hospitality.
Casago: How long have you been in the vacation rental industry?
We’ve been hosting and managing properties in the Smoky Mountains since 2021, growing to hundreds of homes and hotel keys across the region. In 2025, we joined Casago to bring our proven local playbook together with national technology and support.
Casago: What do you most enjoy about hosting and managing?
Hospitality is stewardship. We love caring for each home like it’s our own—and treating every guest as a reflection of the homeowner who entrusted us. The wins that matter most to us are simple and measurable: faster fixes, better reviews, healthier calendars, and homeowners who sleep easier because they know a local teammate has it handled.
We are excited to welcome Casago Smoky Mountains to our extensive network of vacation rental destinations!
Become a Casago Franchise
Why become a Casago Franchise? Competition in the vacation rental industry is fiercely competitive. As a partner of Casago, you will have access to a breadth of technology, resources, and support. Furthermore, we work to ensure your business has all the tools necessary for success. Plus, with 20+ offices worldwide, we are able to leverage our purchasing power for the best prices on products you use daily.
Casago is a team of people who are passionate about the Vacation Rental Industry and love helping each other. If this sounds like something you have been missing, then a Casago franchise may be right for you. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a franchise, contact us.
