While home stays might have fuddy-duddy connotations of boy scout troops or travelling bible groups, the Salone del Mobile in Milan—the annual international furniture fair that ends today—would have a hard time doing anything that isn’t cool. Which includes a Bed Sharing programme that kicked off this year.
The Bed Sharing project aims to show the host city's most hospitable side, and actively involves Milan residents by inviting them to open up their homes to (young) conference attendees who haven't been able to find or can't afford regular accommodation in hotels. Shared bedrooms needn’t be palatial: "2 square meters are enough to put up a designer."
It's a simple way to add a personal touch and human scale to massive conferences and events, while helping local professionals expand their networks by meeting colleagues from abroad. One to set up for every major conference? Since almost everything can be arranged online, coordination costs aren't high. And given most events’ very specific target audiences, sponsors should be easy to find. (Bed Sharing’s main partners were easyJet, Samsung and Italian mattress manufacturer Ennerev.) A related organisation is SpaceShare, which we'll feature soon.
Website: www.bedsharing.org
Contact: info@bedsharing.org
Spotted by: Yasmina Haryono
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The city of Hanover has been doing that for years and years given there is so littel hotel space. If you ever try to attend the Cebit Messe, chances are you will be put up in someone's house.
Due to the documenta every 5 years Kassel accommodation gets scarce, since more than a half a million visitor come to see the exhibitions. Similar to bedsharing this site offers accommodation seekers and supplier a platform.
Specially designed for a once in a while event this site offers private accommodation suppliers a platform which they can use for a registration fee without paying any more brokerage. Accommodation seekers can choose from a wide variety to find what suits their needs.
Hi Martina,
which site are you actually talking about? There was no URL in your comment. I am searching for something like you mentioned in Germany. Thanks in advance!
Michael
Hi Michael,
The website is
http://www.documenta12-accomodation.com/en
For a moment I thought that they would be offering the beds in the furniture fair - now there's an idea!
This is a great way of expanding on the idea (and revenue-making potential) of sites like http://www.globalfreeloaders.com/, which is not conference-specific. I stayed with a lovely couple in Paris a few years back via Global Freeloaders, became firm friends and later had them come to visit me in my city.
Kelly | April 24, 2007 12:11 PM