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What if you could sit inside Airbnb HQ and hear directly from Brian Chesky about where the platform is headed?
In this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Eric Moeller (CEO of Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry) and Kaye Putnam (Head of Marketing at Freewyld) share exclusive insights from Airbnb’s invite-only Host Summit, where the company revealed its biggest transformation in over a decade.
They uncover Airbnb’s renewed focus on Pro Hosts, quality, and experience-driven hospitality, and explain how these changes will redefine what it means to succeed as a host in 2025 and beyond.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• What Airbnb’s “Pro Host” strategy really means for professional operators
• Why quality and trust are now the top drivers of Airbnb rankings
• How storytelling, design, and brand presence influence guest experience
• What Gen Z and Latino travelers expect from modern hospitality
• How global events like FIFA 2026 will create new demand waves
Why It Matters:
Airbnb is no longer just a booking platform. It is becoming a global hospitality ecosystem, and only hosts who lead with brand, design, and experience will stand out. If you manage short-term rentals at scale, this conversation will help you understand how to adapt and stay competitive as Airbnb raises the bar for hosting worldwide.
We Also Talk About:
• The new tools Airbnb is launching to support Pro Hosts
• Why “relentless hospitality” is the real growth advantage
• How better merchandising improves conversion and ranking
• The design principles that make listings unforgettable
• Why Brian Chesky believes “heads in beds” hosting is over
🔥 Favorite Takeaway:
“Quality is everything. Airbnb will reward the hosts who obsess over hospitality, design, and storytelling, not the ones chasing more listings.”
👉 Ready to build the kind of brand Airbnb celebrates? Visit freewyldfoundry.com to elevate your hosting experience and join the next generation of Pro Hosts.
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Kaye Putnam:
Welcome back to another episode of Get Paid for Your Pad. I’m Kaye Putnam, Head of Marketing at Freewyld and Freewyld Foundry. I’m joined by Eric Moeller, CEO of both companies.
Eric Moeller:
Hey Kaye, great to be here. This episode is a special one. We just got back from Airbnb’s invite-only Host Summit, and what we learned there could change how people think about hosting.
Kaye:
Exactly. It felt like we were getting a preview of Airbnb’s next decade. There was a lot of focus on what they’re calling the “Pro Host.”
Eric:
Yeah. Airbnb wants to elevate the hosting experience. They’re focusing less on quantity and more on quality, great design, great service, and a consistent brand experience. They’re trying to build a global hospitality ecosystem, not just a platform for listings.
Kaye:
Brian Chesky said something that stuck with me. He said, “We want guests to trust Airbnb the way they trust their favorite hotel brand.” That’s a big shift.
Eric:
Totally. It means hosts who invest in hospitality, storytelling, and design are going to win. Airbnb is rewarding hosts who deliver at that level. You can already see it in search results. Beautifully branded properties with high reviews are getting priority placement.
Kaye:
It’s interesting because it validates what we’ve been building with Freewyld. We’ve always said that the future of short-term rentals isn’t about having more units. It’s about creating memorable experiences.
Eric:
Exactly. At the summit, the energy in the room was amazing. These weren’t casual hosts anymore. These were CEOs of hospitality brands. Airbnb’s team kept saying, “You’re the professionals now.” They’re giving more attention to hosts who operate like businesses.
Kaye:
They also talked about new tools for Pro Hosts, like better analytics, dedicated account reps, and new education programs. It’s clear they want to support operators who are scaling with intention.
Eric:
Yes, and that’s what makes this so exciting. Airbnb is setting a higher bar, but they’re also giving hosts the structure to reach it. Think of it as the next phase of the platform, Airbnb 2.0.
Kaye:
What do you think are the biggest takeaways for hosts listening right now?
Eric:
First, the concept of relentless hospitality. That phrase came up a lot. Airbnb wants guests to feel cared for by real people, not just automation. Second, design matters more than ever. Your space tells your story. And finally, quality is the new currency.
Kaye:
I love that, quality as currency. It reminds me of the moment when Brian Chesky said, “The hosts who obsess over the guest experience will define the next generation of Airbnb.”
Eric:
That’s exactly it. If you’re still playing the heads-in-beds game, you’re going to be left behind. The winners are building brands, not just running properties.
Kaye:
And from a marketing perspective, that shift opens the door for differentiation. It’s not just about price anymore, it’s about emotion, design, and storytelling.
Eric:
Right. One of my favorite insights from the summit came from Airbnb’s data team. They’re seeing huge growth from Gen Z travelers and Latino families. These groups care deeply about design, culture, and values. That’s where hosts can really stand out.
Kaye:
So the takeaway for listeners is clear. Focus on quality, consistency, and brand. Airbnb is moving upmarket, and hosts who do the same will grow with them.
Eric:
Absolutely. We’re entering a new era of professional hosting, and it aligns perfectly with what we’ve been building at Freewyld and inside the Foundry.
Kaye:
If you want help turning your Airbnb business into a true hospitality brand, visit freewyldfoundry.com. You can learn more about our Pro Host initiatives and how to optimize your listings for this new phase.
Eric:
Thanks for listening. This was a powerful conversation. We’ll be back next week with another episode of Get Paid for Your Pad.
Kaye:
See you then.
