The second annual Airbnb hospitality conference took place on the 11th and 12th November, 2015. The event, Airbnb Open, gathered 5 000 hosts from 110 countries and brought them together at La Grande Halle of la Villette in Paris. There were two days of member meetings, talks from founders Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia and Nate Blecharczyk as well as Strategy Director, Chip Conley. There was also a series of workshops which I was honoured to participate in as a speaker!

 

Indeed, I was one of two French people asked to go on stage as Host Educators. As a consultant in interior design for seasonal rentals with BnbStaging, the workshop that I conducted, in English, was entitled "How interior design can boost guest satisfaction and revenue"

  Airbnb Open event in Paris with host educator Katia BlanchardKatia Blanchard's workshop, Airbnb Open 2015

 

Nearly 500 hosts signed up to learn how to improve their rental’s comfort, generate better comments and boost their income through an interior design that has the traveller in mind. This session, held at the Paul Delouvrier Pavilion, notably covered ideas for decoration, tips on organization and storage, advice on design and segmentation of space, guidance on colour choices and lighting, and reminders of essential equipment.

 

"As an interior design consultant, Katia specializes in rental interiors

and gives practical advice for creating a sense of wellbeing in your home”

Airbnb

 Host educator Katia Blanchard in Halle de la Villette with the Airbnb Open symbol