How Airbnb is Quietly Positioning Itself to Disrupt the Meetings Industry
Photo Credit: Airbnb's new Business Travel Ready initiative attempts to pair business travelers with hosts who understand their needs. Airbnb
Skift Take
More meeting planners are considering Airbnb as a viable accommodation option, based on new partnerships and programs that dramatically increase the value proposition for themselves, their clients, and their attendees.
Airbnb has been very vocal in recent years about its rising popularity during large international events, such as the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, the New York Marathon last year, and Super Bowl 50 last weekend in San Francisco.
The specific message has focused on the room-sharing company's value in fulfilling the demand for bedrooms that the hotels themselves alone could not.
By doing that, Airbnb has also slowly been positioning itself as a more viable hospitality product for business travelers attending conferences and large events who want an alternative, more personalized travel experience.
The vast majority of meeting planners and conference organizers have been slow to embrace room-sharing companies. The reasons are many. They range from a lack of consistent room product for large groups to questions about security and insurance, billing and payments, room block management and general logistics, etc.
That's beginning to change. As Airbnb bookings grow exponenti
