Skift Take
We've always seen Conley as the adult in the room at Airbnb, someone who can explain the meaning of hospitality to the upstarts while also having enough creative entrepreneurial experience to fit in at a startup.
Chip Conley, who has held the role of Global Head of Hospitality and Strategy at Airbnb since April 2013, is cutting back his involvement with the short-term rental giant, Skift has learned.
Conley's diminished role was confirmed by Airbnb and by Conley himself.
"When I was asked almost four years ago by the [Airbnb] founders to join them to help them demonstrate hospitality with Airbnb, it was supposed to be a part-time role," Conley told Skift. "It was very clear, very quickly, there wasn't a part-time role at Airbnb and it was very immersive. At this point, I feel really good about the accomplishments we've made there. There's a chapter here that's ending, but I'm still just as passionate and committed to Airbnb. I'm not leaving entirely, but cutting back to a strategic advisor role where I'll be a consultant to the company with much more limited hours."
In a press statement from Airbnb, the company said: "In his four years at Airbnb, Chip has always taken on new opportunities and challenges, and we're excited for him to start his next chapter at Airbnb as our new Strategic Advisor for Hospitality and Leadership. Through his work starting the hospitality team, creating the business travel program, and launching the Airbnb Open he has raised the standards of our platform and been a constant champion for our community. He has been an integral part in making Airbnb the company that it is today, and we're grateful that as he scales back his day-to-day role, he'll continue to be part of Airbnb's future."
In his new role, Conley will continue to be focused on hospitality, as well as the newly launched Airbnb Trips, and other verticals, he said. "There may be other verticals we're getting into where I can be a thought leader in the company and give strategic advice." One such vertical, as reported previously, may be Airbnb Lux, a new category focused on luxury accommodations and experiences.
Conley also said he has "no interest in being an advisor to other companies," and that the next things on his agenda involve "getting more sleep" and "writing my next book." "I think just mostly relaxing a bit more, which is somethin
