[Celebration] Three years on the Host Advisory Board: A journey of growth, connection, and gratitude

[Claudia331]

This time three years ago, I was contemplating my selection to become a member of the Host Advisory Board, with great hope and curiosity, not thinking that I'd be eventually selected. I remember as if it were today—when I received the confirmation email at night during the Christmas period as a beautiful gift, all waiting to be unwrapped.

It is difficult to express exactly what these three years have meant to me. I feel like this time has been a watershed for me both personally and professionally.  Firstly I feel we have made a real impact. The role of Advisors is to inspire Airbnb teams, advocate for and represent our Host Community and share ongoing feedback about the platform. As Host Advisors, we meet regularly with Airbnb to give feedback on product launches, engage on policy, participate in Airbnb initiatives such as panels, summits, events, participating in Community Funds nomination and give feedback on areas such as Airbnb.org, advocate for sustainable hosting practices as well as provide input into diversity and inclusion matters.

In my role as a Host Advisory Board Member my personal passion was on projects and activities that contribute to the growth of our community while thinking about the values and focus on people.The contribution I tried to bring focused on the themes of community, sustainability, social impact, and hospitality in particular situations, such as humanitarian and social emergencies. These themes are what differentiate Airbnb from any other platforms, and is why I love and choose it.

  

For me, It has also been a family experience. My husband and children have supported me in every step and the opportunities that being on the board has offered me, experiencing fully my fears, my joys, my engagement. 

Paris with family

As I reflect,  I marvelled at the many things we have done and experienced. Here are some highlights from my time : 

• Representing and Involving the Italian Host Community by collecting their feedback through posts, personal messages, and during our meetings 
• Participating in meetups that focus on  social impact
• Implementing a project on sustainability and a column in Community Center
• Discussing about ideas to improve hospitality in emergency
• Meeting with Airbnb leadership including  Brian Chesky in Milano and Catherine Powell in Florence
• Sharing my thoughts on n "fighting post pandemic loneliness" bringing positive examples of how hosting can bring people together 
• Nominating two nonprofits that were selected for Airbnb Community Funds grants (Albergo Etico and La Grande Casa)
• Participating in a gathering with European host advisors
• Promoting an interregional meetup on hosting in villages and rural areas with the creation of a vademecum for new hosts
• Attending two Host Advisors Summits in San Francisco 
• Carrying the the Olympic torch in Cannes and participating in the Olympic opening ceremony in Paris 

With a smile and a lot of nostalgia, I always say that at midnight on December 3 of this year, my carriage turns into a pumpkin, and I will return to host in the mountains of Lake Como, forever grateful and proud to have been a Host Advisory Board and to have represented all Italian hosts.

Visit to La Grande Casa Meetup with La Grande Casa on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Inter-regional meetup in Grottole

 

[Karen4131]

Hi @Claudia331 ,

What an incredible journey you’ve had on the Host Advisory Board! Your dedication to community, sustainability, and social impact shines through in everything you’ve shared. I imagine representing so many voices—while balancing family and personal hosting—must have been both rewarding and humbling.

As someone who quietly celebrates being in the top 5% of hosts, I’ve often wondered what it would feel like to contribute on that level. Maybe one day, if Airbnb ever needs a Swedish perspective, I’ll get the chance to give back in small, thoughtful ways—because you’ve shown how much of a difference the little steps can make.

Thank you for sharing your experience and for inspiring us all. Wishing you all the best as you return to hosting in the mountains of Lake Como—it sounds like the perfect fairytale ending. ✨

Warm regards from Sweden,
Karen

[Daniel1651]

Without a doubt, this step through the Advisory Boardwill mark us all.

And how nice it has been to share it with people like you, @Claudia331 , who, as I always say, have inspired us in so many moments ❤️

Congratulations on this achievement and all the best in the future.

I hope to see you soon, in Lake Como, in Milano, in Tenerife or wherever the world finds us!

Daniel.-