Airbnb and the Sharing Economy Are Energizing the Knowledge Economy
Photo Credit: This Airbnb apartment listing during IMEX Frankfurt cost $61 per night. Skift
Skift Take
Airbnb and other room-sharing companies have the ability to drive increased attendance to conventions, but there seems to be a lack of awareness among many planners about the overall user experience and value proposition.
Some of the biggest challenges in the convention industry could potentially be less challenging if more conference organizers started incorporating Airbnb into their room blocks.
That was one of the central themes of a panel at the IMEX Frankfurt meetings industry trade show last week, called: "How Can We Work With the Sharing Economy." During the session, which Skift co-moderated, the audience supplied questions to panel members via a digital participation tool provided by Abbit Meeting Innovation.
Meeting planners have long looked sideways at sharing companies. Our panel was a platform to begin a more comprehensive and nuanced conversation around the value proposition of sharing companies selling group accommodations, venues, transportation, and dining.
First, here are a few of the growing challenges facing conference organizers and convention destinations today. Airbnb has the potential to impact all of these:
The rising cost of meeting venues, hotels, food a
