Inside the Airbnb APAC Community Leaders Summit - highlights and takeaways

[Dr-Jayanthi1]

Airbnb Leaders Summit

Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey filled with inspiration, learning, and shared experiences? Welcome to the Airbnb Community Leaders Summit for the Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand region (APAC)! Picture this – the bustling city of Bangkok serving as a backdrop, the historic Jim Thompson House Museum as our host venue, and a diverse group of 78 Airbnb community leaders from Australia, New Zealand,India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia,Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and beyond (Team Airbnb) coming together for a dynamic two-day event- Sept 5 & 6, 2024.

Get ready to dive into a listicle format that will take you through the highlights of this enriching summit! Here’s a glimpse of the magic that unfolded in the heart of Bangkok:

1. Embracing Cultural Diversity

At the core of the summit was a celebration of cultural diversity. Community leaders from various backgrounds gathered to share stories, bridge gaps and embrace the richness that cultural exchange brings on the aspect of hosting and use of Airbnb as a facilitator. The vibrant tapestry of voices resonated through the halls of the Jim Thompson House, creating an atmosphere of inclusivity and respect.

2. The Power of Connection

One of the key takeaways from the summit was the power of connection. In a digital age where interactions often feel distant, this event reaffirmed the importance of face-to-face connections. From sharing hosting tips and strategies to exploring mutual love for travel as hosts and guests, the summit emphasised the profound impact of genuine human connections.

3. Empowerment through Education

Education was a cornerstone of the summit, with a strong emphasis on the mantra of “educate, learn, empower.” Workshops and seminars empowered participants to enhance their hosting skills, expand their knowledge of the travel industry, and gain insights into creating exceptional guest experiences. The summit served as a platform for continuous learning and growth.

4. Sharing and Caring

The spirit of sharing and caring echoed throughout the summit. Participants shared personal stories, offered support to fellow hosts, and exchanged valuable insights that would enrich their hosting journey. The sense of community and camaraderie was palpable, reinforcing the idea that success is sweeter when shared with others.

5. Unveiling New Horizons

As the summit concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and a treasure trove of memories. New friendships were forged, fresh ideas were born, and a sense of anticipation for future collaborations filled the air. The summit was not just an event but a beginning of a new chapter in the ever-evolving Airbnb community. The power of being heard, the confidence of trust to handhold and the overwhelming hospitality by Airbnb were enriching. Our journey as a host is just not confined to business but to translate hospitality by all means across the globe. Geographies may vary but the voice was one, concerns unanimous and the deliverables are evident.

The summit was a testament to the transformative power of community, connection, and shared experiences. It was a reminder that in a world filled with bustling cities and digital connections, human interactions remain at the heart of what makes hosting on Airbnb truly special.

Let’s keep the Airbnb magic alive.

[Paula]

Wow, what a wonderful event, @Dr-Jayanthi1! We really appreciate you sharing all of this with our community. Did you get the chance to meet leaders from different countries? It sounds like such a lovely intercultural experience.

Thanks again for sharing!

[Dr-Jayanthi1]

@Paula I am so happy that I bought it up with the esteemed community. I am overwhelmed to see all the APAC CL’s bring out their personal experiences. I was an event worth the celebrations I see here. And a big shout out to all of you Community Managers for letting me bring it here. I am obliged. Always a Happy Host ❤️🤗

[Laurelle3]

@Dr-Jayanthi1 .

Thank you for sharing the highlights of the APAC Summit in 2024. I completely agree—it was an incredibly informative gathering of Community Leaders from nine countries across Asia, the Pacific, and Oceania.

As this was my first summit, it was both exciting and a little overwhelming at times, especially meeting up with my Australian colleagues who have attended two or three times before. I did feel like a fish out of water on occasion! Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to meet you in person, but now, after seeing your photo and reading your reflections, I do remember seeing you throughout the event. I hope you’ve taken away plenty of ideas to inspire your Airbnb journey!

Warm regards,

Laurelle Paton from Downunder

[Dr-Jayanthi1]

Hey @Laurelle3 , I am so glad you did recall my presence at the Summit. I was overly present with my traditional attire . My first summit as well. Completely agree with your views on the summit. We will surely catch up for more through the community centre and other forums for airbnb. I am already executing the ideas and insights taken from the summit. What a place to share and care for hosts. I am overwhelmed. Let us share our hosting experiences.

[Angela1496]

 

[Dr-Jayanthi1]

@Angela1496 Love the posing with the "Belo", it was the moment of attraction and celebration. Great to have spent the two days with great leaders like you. Hoping for more 😍

[Merrydith0]

@Dr-Jayanthi1 This year's CL Summit for Australia and NZ joined with SEA to become the APAC Summit and it was a game -changer!

The spirit of sharing started early when ANZ CM Tess Taylor set up a WhatsApp page for participants. That page went off straight away. Everyone was keen to share and learn. 

Someone suggested we do a sharing table at Summit and share our sweet treats. This was so popular that on Day 1 the Treat Table was overflowing with treats from across South East Asia and ANZ! The sugar was addictive and we couldn't learn enough about each other from then on.

The WhatsApp page also ensured that early arrivals got to do an amazing AIrbnb Experience (Hidden Bangkok) run  by Ohm who is also a Thai CL. Ohm has made it his mission to show visitors to Bangkok, the original capital, an area once only accessible by canals. In the process Ohm is showing his friends and neighbors how to revitalize their neighborhood by turning run down canal houses into Airbnbs and bring some of the tourist $$ there too. 

i loved the Hidden Bangkok Tour, it was a highlight of my time in Bangkok. We saw massive monitor lizards, lots of birds and kids all taking a dip in the canals. Plus tiny pole homes right next to mansions all side by side in the vibrant canals. The icing on this tour are the temples and the giant buddha which shows itself slowly as you get closer. The guides are so informative and made us all thirsty to know more about our temporary home, Bangkok.

The night before Summit we all had a casual meetup at a great nightclub- Tropic City - the cocktails were wonderful and the place was humming with connections and re-connections happening at a rate of knots! It was loud, it was colorful, it was wonderful. Some participants didn't want the night to end, and followed SEA CLs into the backstreets to find tasty delights in restaurants we would never have found on our own. 

The Summit was jam-packed from the beginning - the venue itself (The Jim Thompson Museum) was incredible. So many tourists do the tour of this facility and we got to spend two days there. 

The interaction between participants was an explosion of joyous sharing. Getting to know each other, learning our differences and our similarities - oh and we did some structured learning as well. Actually the APAC CMs put together a fantastic itinerary of interactive learning, interspersed with great food, all rolled up in the most colourful and interesting environment. Wow wow wow!

I made so many connections with both ANZ and SEA CLs and now feel closer to people in all these countries. I so hope we get to do this again next year, because the value of what we did can't be counted just in what we learned, it goes much deeper into inclusivity and diversity and the joy of having fun together. This type of connection is what Airbnb is all about at its core, helping people 'belong' anywhere, and we did. 

Two weeks later the WhatsApp page is still going crazy with messages from participants sharing their listings and other information. I can't say enough about this year's APAC Summit. It was incredible and so much more. A real life highlight for me and so many other CLs, and we can't thank Airbnb enough for the experience. 

[Dr-Jayanthi1]

@Merrydith0 Your vibes and the wisdom are so contagious. I resonate with you on the connections, interaction and the discussion that are rocking our community leader forums. Thank you for enhancing my version of APAC.

[Helen427]

@Merrydith0 @Dr-Jayanthi1 @Amy2584 @Sarah5000 @Geoff7 @Hari-Chand0 
Curious to know Do you have a WhatsApp page  as @Merrydith0  mentions this in her post?

Do you also use WhatsApp with your communications with your day to day interactions with your Airbnb Guests?

"Two weeks later the WhatsApp page is still going crazy with messages from participants sharing their listings and other information."

[Merrydith0]

We have an APAC WhatsApp Page which was set up by Airbnb staff for the CLs who attended the APAC Summit in Bangkok. I don't use WhatsApp with my guests because I like to keep all communication with guests on the Airbnb App. 

[Sarah5000]

I don’t actively use What’s APP with my guests as I try to keep everything on the platform but I fellow my guests’ preferences if they request. 

[Amy2584]

Hi Helen, 
I don't use WhatsApp for guest comms. Everything is either through the airbnb app or during their stay it can sometimes move to general text or calls depending on what's happening. 😁 But I did find it useful during APAC when we were in Thailand and even now I read through things when I have a chance. 

[Dr-Jayanthi1]

Hey @Helen427 , the comment from @Merrydith0 regarding our whatsApp interaction is in the group that was formed among the Community Leaders to exchange information on travel, arrival, commute and other information regarding APAC summit at Bangkok. The participants had a great interaction during the summit that the group is still continuing friendly chats, greets and ideas on hosting. The APAC summit for us community leaders has created a connect that continues to grow everyday - Hospitality at its best with Comrades of the show. Thanks for asking. Nostalgic. Happy hosting and everlasting hospitality.😍

[Geoff7]

yes, we do. Tess our CM in Australia created it a couple of weeks before we went over - very helpfully - great community building - the conversations are still going on.