Hostel Summit 2020 (Our 7th Annual Conference) North America

Dear Fellow Hostel Operator,

Back In 2013 a few staff from Indy Hostel, Hostel Detroit, and The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel casually threw around the idea of getting our people together to meet, network, share information, work together, and socialize.  The following year the team at Indy Hostel in Indianapolis put the work in to make it happen and the first North American Hostel Summit that is both run by, and designed for hostels, was born.  Meeting face-to-face proved to be valuable and a network of lifelong friends has formed along the way.

Each year a different hostel volunteers to host and organize the conference.  This is not a profit generating event for the host and the fees charged to attend reflect exactly the cost to produce discussions, transport attendees to sessions, and provide meals and experiences that showcase the host city.  Traditionally, the host hostel also offers steeply discounted accommodations for attendees, also at cost. It has grown over time since that first meeting in Indianapolis (2014), we have come together in Chattanooga (2015), Cleveland (2016), Toronto (2017), Chicago (2018), and Detroit (2019).  This year Robbie and I have thrown our hat into the ring here at The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel in Columbus Ohio and will be hosting the 2020 Hostel Summit (our 7th annual, as a group).  We would like to cordially invite you to attend.

What is It?

A three day conference where present and prospective hostel owners, management, staff, and interns will gather, network, socialize, and learn.  The first two days will focus on a variety of discussion sessions relating the day-to-day operations of a successful hostel and these four three-hour sessions are open to both established hostel operators as well as prospective hostel operators.  The final three-hour session on the last day is dedicated to established hostels and will focus on ways we can work together as peers in the hostel sphere as well as methods to facilitate sending more business directly to each other.

What does it Cost?

Conference

The fee to attend is $110 (USD) per person and this includes 9 meals, entrance to all of the summit sessions, and transportation between all of the summit sessions and planned social activities (whenever walking is not feasible).  The host hostel does not make any profit from this fee.

Accommodations at the Host Hostel (Optional)

Staying at the host hostel will cost $15 per person per night ($45 total). The host hostel does not make any profit from this fee. The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel is the smallest hostel to host this annual summit to date so space will be limited and beds will be given on a first come, first served basis. Once the hostel is full, conference attendees may still plan to attend but must secure their own accommodations.  Please do not delay your registration.

When?

Arrive Sunday April 5th, 2020 for dinner (6:00 pm) and networking.

Depart Wednesday April 8th, 2020 after lunch (approximately 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm).

Traditionally the summit is scheduled in the spring each year, prior to the beginning of peak season.  We ask that you RSVP before March 25th (sooner if possible) to give us ample time to make reservations and adequate plans.

Where?

This year it will be at The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel in Columbus Ohio.

How do I Attend?

Please fill out the Registration Form and Robbie (the Manager at The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel) will call you to finalize your conference reservations and confirm your accommodations (if applicable).  To keep everything organized, we ask that you use the form to register instead of contacting us directly, but if you have questions or problems registering please let us know at [email protected].

We hope that you will join us for what we now consider to be one of our highlights of the year.

Sincerely,

Mathew Dietrich

The Wayfaring Buckeye Hostel