Alt Summit Recap 2023: Why every female Airbnb Host Needs to Attend
Why every female Airbnb owner should attend Alt Summit
Airbnb's bookings are down right now. Airbnb stated in March that they expected fewer bookings and lower average daily rates in the second quarter versus a year earlier, and that has proven to be a fact. If you aren’t getting the bookings you need, it’s time to invest in your brand and marketing. When my bookings are down, I spend time marketing my rentals and building my brand. I’m fortunate enough to have a background in marketing, but even with my base of knowledge, digital marketing, and trends are always changing. To keep up with these trends I invest in self-education and one of my favorite places I love to learn is Alt Summit. A conference for creative women.
Alt Summit is an annual event that brings together an amazing community of female designers, bloggers, influencers, and business owners. Basically, all the remarkable women you want to be best friends with, especially if you are trying to promote your snazzy short term rental and don’t have a marketing degree. In 2023 there was even a round table put on by a Short Term Rental Influencer. But outside the direct connection, Airbnb owners are running a business and many of you have Social media accounts, email lists, and very well-designed spaces that you are trying to figure out how to grow above and beyond the rental platforms that you are using. Alt Summit is an incredible place to learn and get creative.
What is Alt Summit?
Alt Summit is a woman’s conference that celebrates the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and digital marketing. It serves as a platform for creative professionals from various industries to gather, learn, collaborate, and find inspiration. The summit offers a diverse range of sessions, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities tailored to empower attendees to grow their brands and pursue their creative passions. Not to mention a bomb diggity gifting party, amazing tacos, and a colorful backdrop that any influencer would drool over and any Airbnb owner would get inspiration from.
Where is Alt Summit?
In 2023, Alt Summit took place in the stunning backdrop of Palm Springs, California (just a stone’s throw away from Joshua Tree, CA.) Known for its mid-century modern architecture, palm-lined streets, and desert landscapes, Palm Springs provided the perfect setting for attendees to immerse themselves in creativity and recharge their creative batteries. The conference is held at the Sugario Hotel, a rainbow-colored motel-style hotel with a fun pool in the middle and dioramas of Barbies in the lobby.
How much is Alt Summit?
The cost of attending Alt Summit varies depending on the type of pass you choose. In 2023, Alt Summit offered various pass options, including Full Conference, Mini-Conference, and Virtual Passes. The Full Conference pass, which granted access to all sessions and events, ranged from $1,500 to $2,000. The Mini-Conference pass, offering access to a limited selection of sessions, was priced at around $750. The Virtual Pass, designed for those unable to attend in person, was available at a more accessible price point. There are also early-bird tickets available for a big discount if you attended the year before. Tickets go on sale for 2024 in late summer 2023.
Who owns Alt Summit?
Alt Summit was founded by Gabrielle Blair, a well-known designer, author, and entrepreneur. With a passion for fostering community and empowering creatives, Blair established Alt Summit as a gathering place for like-minded individuals to connect, share ideas, and inspire one another. Under her guidance, Alt Summit has grown into a highly anticipated annual event that continues to push creative boundaries. No big deal, but I’ve gotten to talk to her every year, she’s awesome, and I have been a big fan of her blog Design Mom for ages. Also, check out her new book Ejaculate Responsibly #momgoals
Who Spoke at Alt Summit?
The 2023 Alt Summit lineup featured a diverse array of speakers, each bringing their unique expertise and experiences to the stage. From industry veterans to up-and-coming stars, the speakers offered valuable insights and actionable advice across a range of topics, including branding, marketing, social media, design, photography, and entrepreneurship. Some notable speakers from Alt Summit 2023 included Heather Carter, Alison Faukner, and Deanne Gustafson just to name a few. I almost forgot (not) the keynote speaker Bobby Berk, you know the guy from Queer Eye!
How to plan your Alt Summit Conference
Before I show up to Alt Summit, I make an agenda of each day and the workshops and sessions I want to attend. In 2023 some highlights of what I attended were:
The Instagram Success Plan given by The Design Twins
Main takeaways:
You need a personality on Instagram
Posting consistently is key
If you are in a rut, try something different
How I used it: I built out an Instagram strategy for my Airbnb Coaching Company
TikTok Secrets From a View-Count Billionaire given by Attentioneers Agency
Main takeaways:
Maximize watch time
Add value to the viewer
Be true to your values and voice
How I used it: I have been creating more value based content. Ie: This blog post
How to Make $10k/month as an Amazon Influencer given by Deanne Gustafson
Main takeaways:
Create Product Review videos
You don’t need a following
Almost everything is on Amazon and you can review it
How I used it: I made my rentals shoppable by creating curated Amazon idea’s lists and posted QR codes to them in my rentals.
The above are just a few highlights. I also made a macaroni necklace, learned about SEO, my relationship with money, how to monetize my blog, Facebook paid ads, attended a thrift shopping round table, and ate a lot of yummy food, mostly tacos.
Alt Summit Gifting Party:
One of the highlights of Alt Summit is the amazeballs Gifting Party. I was first in line this year, no big deal. The Gifting Party is probably my favorite event, where attendees are treated to a curated selection of products. For example, a 7-foot tall champagne floaty, coloring books, period journals, candles, and jewelry. It provides an opportunity for attendees to discover new products, build relationships with brands, and network with fellow attendees in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. The Gifting Party is a must-attend Alt Summit event, get in line early because the best stuff runs out quickly.
Why you are going to attend Alt Summit as a Female Airbnb Owner
Female Airbnb hosts should consider attending Alt Summit for several reasons:
1. Networking Opportunities: Meet your new Superhostess bestie. Attending the event can provide female Airbnb hosts with valuable networking opportunities, allowing them to connect with like-minded individuals and potentially form partnerships or collaborations. Building a strong network can lead to increased visibility, referrals, and support within the hosting community.
2. Skill Development: Need to up level your rentals branding, social media, photography, and or design, Alt Summit’s got you. Enhance their skills, gain new insights into promoting your listings, improving guest experiences, and creating visually appealing spaces. By attending Alt Summit, hosts can stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in the industry, giving them a competitive edge.
3. Inspirational Content: Alt Summit features inspiring keynote speakers and thought leaders who share their experiences, challenges, and success stories. These talks can be highly motivating and empower female Airbnb hosts to think creatively, think outside the box, and push boundaries in their hosting endeavors.
4. Industry Knowledge: Alt Summit often includes sessions specifically focused on the sharing economy, hospitality, and vacation rentals. Not to mention all the marketing info, you need this in your brain.
5. Community Support: Hosting on Airbnb can sometimes feel isolating. Attending Alt Summit allows hosts to connect with a supportive community of fellow entrepreneurs who understand their experiences and can provide valuable advice and support.
I hope to see you at Alt Summit 2024 you amazing Superhostess, you. It’s happening on March 17-24, 2024, mark your calendars.
One of the items that came about after my 2019 Alt Summit Conference was my Airbnb Etsy Shop - it’s full of printable signs that Airbnb hosts NEED. Check it out here.