Be a Host, together
A few new ways the Airlumni community is coming to life.
Last month, I wrote about the idea of “being a host, still.”
That even after leaving Airbnb, a part of that spirit stays with us.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on how that spirit is showing up inside the Airlumni community today.
Sometimes it means being a host to one another: making thoughtful introductions and helping alumni reconnect in meaningful ways.A big part of what we try to do is exactly that: creating thoughtful 1:1 connections between members. #DoThingsThatDontScale
Sometimes it means hosting together: creating gatherings where conversations and friendships can continue.
And sometimes it means being a host to the world: extending that spirit beyond our own circle.
Here are a few ways that spirit is coming to life.
Milan: Hosting the World
A few weeks ago, a group of Airbnb alumni gathered in Milan as part of a three-day event organized by Airbnb.org, centered around the 10,000 Nights initiative (you’ll hear more about it soon).
The gathering brought together people who care deeply about the broader idea of hosting the world, and how that spirit can continue through initiatives like Airbnb.org.
Not only was it an incredible way to reconnect but also a rare opportunity to spend time with the Airbnb.org team and better understand the work they’re doing to provide emergency housing to people in need around the world.
From the early days of Airlumni, we’ve felt there were natural connections between the alumni community and Airbnb.org. I remember discussing this with Mark Levy early on, how many former Airbnb employees still carry that instinct to contribute to something bigger than themselves.
Moments like the one in Milan make that connection feel tangible.
Airlumni exists first and foremost to bring alumni back into conversation with one another, but moments like this also show how naturally the community can stay connected to initiatives like Airbnb.org and the work they’re doing in the world.
And perhaps most importantly, gatherings like this remind us of something we all experienced during our time at Airbnb:
Hosting can extend far beyond our homes.
San Francisco Meetup
On April 16th, we’re hoping to organize an Airlumni meetup in San Francisco.
Nothing formal. Just alumni reconnecting over a drink and good conversation.
If you’re based in SF and interested in joining, we’ve created a WhatsApp group to coordinate the meetup.
Airlumni Fireside Chat
After the success of our last online gathering, we’ve decided to turn it into a monthly ritual.
Our next Airlumni Fireside Chat will explore a topic many alumni have been thinking about lately:
Navigating career transitions in the age of AI.
No presentations. No panels. Just conversation.
The Défi Monte Cristo Race in Marseille - June 6th
It’s confirmed. We’ve secured 10 spots for the 2km race.
The distance is very approachable. Many participants complete it without serious swim training.
It’s really about the experience more than performance.
The idea is simple.
Spend a weekend together in Marseille
Swim the race on Sat June 6th.
Enjoy the city with good food, drinks, and conversations.
The race also supports charitable causes, which makes it a great way to combine community, sport, and purpose.
And we may even have a few surprises around the weekend, so stay tuned.
Opening our homes to one another
One of the ideas behind Airlumni is simple:
Hosting doesn’t stop when we leave Airbnb.
Some members are already extending that idea in a very concrete way.
Inside Circle, we’ve created a section called “Stays” where members who host on Airbnb can list their place and offer a small alumni discount if they wish.
It’s completely optional, just another way to host one another inside the community.
If you’d like to take part, send us your Airbnb listing URL and the discount you’d like to offer at team@airlumni.co.
If you’re new to Airlumni or want to better understand how the community works, we recently updated our FAQ.
👉 Read the Airlumni FAQ
A small question for you
Before we close, one thing we’d love to know:
What would make this community more valuable for you right now?
A conversation
A local gathering
A project or collaboration
A meaningful introduction
Just reply to this email - we read every message.
When we started Airlumni, the idea was simple:
Stay connected to the people who shaped such an important chapter of our lives.
What’s been encouraging to see over the past few months is that this community is beginning to move in many directions at once.
Some members are reconnecting through introductions.
Others are gathering in cities around the world.
Some are sharing their homes, their projects, or their ideas.
In different ways, we’re all continuing the same instinct that brought us to Airbnb in the first place:
being a host.
To one another. Together. And sometimes, to the world.
Clément
If this newsletter made you think of a former Airbnb colleague, feel free to forward it to them.
Many Airbnb alumni still don’t know the community exists, and this is often how they find it.