[Celebration] An unforgettable journey: My experience on the Host Advisory Board

[Daniel1651]

This week is a special one as I conclude my time on the host advisory board, and I want to share my journey as a membe—an incredible experience that has shaped the past three years of my life and coincides with my 12th anniversary as a host on Airbnb.

It all started with an email. One ordinary morning, I received an email from an unknown sender. I almost deleted it, thinking it wasn’t real. But something made me open it.

The invitation was clear: They were requesting a conversation as a part of the selection process for the Host Advisory Board. Could this be real? Before getting too excited, I did something simple but crucial: I verified the sender’s email address to ensure it was legitimate. And that’s how it all began.

I started hosting in December 2012, I’ve witnessed its evolution—from the early days of air mattresses to major milestones like going public (IPO) and creating the Host Advisory Board.  I secretly admired the members of the first Host Advisory Board, and I still remember a newsletter featuring Omar Covarrubias from Mexico posing in a colorful space with a vibrant sofa. Back then, I never imagined that one day I would be part of that same group!

My first official meeting took place … in an airport! I was traveling between Argentina and Spain, and due to the time, I had to join the meeting from Madrid-Barajas Airport. There I was, full of excitement, meeting my future travel companions: 22 hosts from all over the world, each bringing unique experiences and an incredible cultural background to represent the global community. At first, I must admit it was hard to speak up. But I was fortunate to have the guidance and support of the more experienced members, along with the courage and enthusiasm of those who, like me, were just starting this journey.

Time flies. One day you’re the newcomer, and the next, you’re the veteran. In 2023, we said goodbye to several members of the Board and welcomed new faces. I found myself in the role of a mentor, just as others had been for me. Helping the new members find their voice was one of the most rewarding experiences of this journey.  My experience on the Host Advisory Board  has given me the opportunity to express my feelings directly to Airbnb about being a  host in a real-world situation. It has shown how Airbnb is committed to directly listening to the sentiments of our host community. This journey has also taught me to see things from a global perspective, considering the many factors that impact the operations of a global platform such as Airbnb.  I learned that Airbnb is firmly committed to listening to real hosts. That’s why in 2020, it announced the creation of the Host Advisory Board, which is now a working group of 23 Hosts from 17 countries, each bringing unique expertise with the main goal of providing candid, clear, and constructive recommendations to the company.

 
Over the past 3 years we have met regularly to provide feedback and 2024 has been a truly special year for many reasons, one being that our relationship with Airbnb teams became stronger. We reunited in San Francisco, where we saw once again how our suggestions and feedback were being heard at all levels. The highlight was the CEO Q&A, which put the Board on center stage!

Now, the time has come to say goodbye. It’s time to make room for new voices, fresh ideas, and different perspectives. I leave with a heart full of gratitude because this journey has not only transformed me as a host but also as a person. I’ve learned so much from colleagues worldwide—their unique ways of understanding hospitality, their dedication to their communities, and their inspiring perspectives. I also grew alongside an incredible professional team that helped the Host Advisory Board participate in countless meetings with internal teams, bringing our voice to many projects that are now part of current or upcoming launches. Beyond professionalism, this team provided us with constant support and taught us how to share our opinions clearly, honestly, and constructively. 

As a child, I dreamed of racing in Formula 1. Although I achieved some success on a national level, I never made it to the big leagues. However, life has a way of reshaping dreams, and for me, these years on the Host Advisory Board have been the Formula 1 of Hospitality.

What an incredible journey it’s been!