'This will be potentially the most pretentious social networking event of 2008!'

International hospitality exchange conference

where

Amsterdam. A location is to be secured with open space for presentations and debates, and a smaller area for workshops and ad-hoc collaborations.

why

This will be potentially the most pretentious social networking event of 2008. (marketing slogan)

With an increasing ease of mobility and communication, we also experience a growing number of networks facilitating hospitality exchange. What are these networks? What is their history and their merits and dismerits?. Should the members be concerned how these networks are organised or is consuming enough? Is a 'perfect democratic organisation' feasible or even desirable?

We believe in the concept of sustainable hospitality exchange (SHE) and in the wealth of networks. Sustainable Hospitality Exchange is the result of the interaction between host and guest, facilitated by transparent trust-networks. How can these trust-networks best be implemented to facilitate sharing nicely among 'strangers'?

In addition, we also aim at tackling topics such as sustainable traveling, volunteer empowerment, interculturally exchange, Hospitality Exchange Communities and Real-Life Campaigns link, trust metrics, gift economy and pre-modern roots of hospitality exchange.

We call for members of Servas, Hospitality Club, CouchSurfing, BeWelcome, and Pasporta Servo (or any other hospitality exchange network) to put forward their ideas for presentations, debates and workshops in the agenda.

when

• 27-29 June.