Celebrating 9 years of the Community Center

[Emilie]

Hello everyone, 

This year marks the ninth anniversary of the Community Center, and we’re excited to celebrate with all of you! 🎂

Whether you’ve been a part of our community since the beginning or joined recently, thank you for helping shape the Community Center.  

Together, we’ve shared joyful news, supported one another during challenging times, and met wonderful people from around the world. We’ve grown from just over 2,000 hosts in November 2015 to more than 1.8 million today. Along the way, we’ve adapted to changes in both the Airbnb platform and the world. And we’ve come together for three Sustainability Festivals, five  Hospitality Festivals, and 8 end-of-year  celebrations.

We’d love to hear about some of your favourite Community Center moments from the past nine years. It could be a newfound friendship, a heartwarming experience with a fellow host, or even a silly joke that has stuck with you.

We’re looking forward to another fantastic year with you. Here’s to more memorable moments, thoughtful discussions, and meaningful connections! ✨

Once again, thank you for everything you do.

—Your Community team 

[Peter1]

Congratulations to nine years of facilitating communication, exchange and community.  These are immensely important values for the Host Community and the work that this team has put into promoting these values is heroic and much appreciated.  I am grateful for all that the Community Center and the Managers have achieved over these years.  Thank you.

[Elisa]

Hi @Peter1 😊, 

Thank you so much for these kind words, they are so touching.‌😍‌

How long have you been in the community?

Warm regards🌻,

[Peter1]

@ElisaI've been a member of the Community Center right from start, so I'd say around 9 years.

[Elisa]

Hi @Peter1 😊, 

Thank you for letting me know, it's a lot of time!

Have you met many hosts since you started?

Warm regards🌻,

[Peter1]

Yes @Elisa , I started what Airbnb says is the first ever Host Community Support Group (Home Sharers of San Francisco) about 12 years ago.  Since then, I've been to all the Airbnb Opens, and served on the Airbnb Host Advisory Board.  I also started a political arm of Home Sharers of SF, called Home Sharers Democratic Club (we send out monthly eNewsletters and hold monthly Zoom meetings) as well as Golden Hosts, for senior Hosts in San Francisco.  I'm also the co-manager of the San Francisco Airbnb Host Community Facebook Group.  So, yes, I have met many Hosts since I started. 😊

[Vinícius0]

Thank you all guys!

[Elisa]

Hi @Vinícius0 😊, 

Thank you very much, it's a pleasure to support you every day.

Do you have any nice memories about the community that you would like to share?

Warm regards🌻,

[Felicity11]

Congratulations on 9 years of the Community Center. Thank you for keeping this community going. My favourite part is sharing my knowledge about how host can take steps to become more sustainable in the way they set up their homes and help guests to reduce the emissions  and waste they create.  It has been great to see the introduction of video content to help bring topics to life and better understand the hosts behind the message. Thank you for facilitating this. 

[Elisa]

Hi @Felicity11 😊, 

Thank you very much for these kind words and for sharing what brought you here.

The community is lucky to have hosts like you.

Have you had the chance to meet other hosts from here in real life?

Warm regards, ‌🌻‌

[Felicity11]

Hi @Elisa, I have been very fortunate to meet many hosts worldwide.  I run the Sydney Airbnb host club, and we hold regular in-person meet-ups where we can meet one another.   During our Airbnb summits, I have also met most of the other host leaders from Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. I have also met a few hosts on my travels.  My family took a holiday to Huskission on the NSW South Coast, and I reached out to a host I have only chatted with in the Community Centre called @Laurelle3, as we would be staying close to her.  We connected, and our family was invited to an incredible BBQ with Laurelle and her husband. We had a wonderful evening with them. Since then, Laurelle has become a community leader, and we have got to know each other better.  - The connections here are fantastic. 

[Daniel13993]

Congrats on nine amazing years! 🎉 Being part of this community has been so rewarding. One of my favorite moments was during the first Sustainability Festival—seeing everyone come

[Elisa]

Hi @Daniel13993 😊, 

Thank you so much for this lovely comment!

We’re glad you enjoyed the first Sustainability Festival. How long have you been hosting and a part of this community?

Warm regards, ‌🌻‌

[Laurelle3]

   @Emilie Happy 9th Anniversary to you and the Community Center.

Our paths have crossed over the 4 years since I found the Community Forum when I first started Airbnb Hosting. This was my go-to page as I was always wanting to find out more.

You and the Community Centre team have guided Hosts asking questions, what direction to take that involved other Hosts to participate. I have met and made several Host friends from this community who live around the world and live Downunder.  We are often overlooked by time zones, smaller populations, no other country attached to our borders.

However, we share common ground with some of the hosts who dealing with effects of the changing climate. Such as bush fires, floods, landslides, Governments, States and Councils changing rules for STRA.

We are fortunate that we live in a country where peace prevails, but it’s also difficult to witness the changes and traumas impacting others around the world, including Airbnb Hosts striving for sustainability and harmony in their neighbourhoods.

I look forward to continuing on this journey with you and participating in many more activities within this wonderful community.

Laurelle from Downunder.

[Emilie]

I couldn't help but smile when reading your words, @Laurelle3 , what a great summary of what we've built together and its value! ✨

The Community Center would not be as welcoming, warm and interesting if it weren't for you and all the other members contributing over the years. How long has it been since you started hosting and joined the community? I definitely knew this, but it's slipped my mind now. 🤗

Emilie