Chip Conley

Chip Conley is an American entrepreneur, author, and hospitality industry leader. He is best known for being the founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, a boutique hotel chain that he founded in 1987 and grew into the second-largest boutique hotel brand in the United States. He is also the author of several books, including Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow and Emotional Equations: Simple Truths for Creating Happiness + Success.

Chip Conley began his career in the hospitality industry in 1987. He was the founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, a boutique hotel chain he grew to become the second-largest in the United States with more than 40 properties. As CEO, he led the company for over two decades, transforming it from a startup to a widely-recognized leader in the hospitality industry. In addition, he played a crucial role in introducing boutique hotels to the American market, demonstrating that superior customer service and a unique experience could be provided at a fraction of the cost of a traditional hotel.

In 2010, he stepped down from his role as CEO to become the company's Executive Chairman. He then became the Global Head of Hospitality and Strategy at Airbnb, where he played a key role in developing the company's hospitality strategy and helping to create a more positive relationship between Airbnb and the hospitality industry.

Throughout his career, Chip has advocated for employees and guests, believing that a positive customer experience is the key to success in the hospitality industry. He is also an author and speaker and has written several books on the topics of hospitality and business, including Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow, Emotional Equations: Simple Truths for Creating Happiness + Success, and Wisdom@Work: The Making of a Modern Elder.

Chip Conley has been recognized for his accomplishments in the hospitality industry, including winning the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. He is also a sought-after speaker, giving talks at TEDGlobal, the World Economic Forum, the Skoll World Forum, and SXSW.

Chip Conley is also the founder of Fest 300, a website that celebrates the world's 300 best festivals. The site covers a wide range of festivals, from music and film festivals to cultural festivals and art installations. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Global Wellness Institute, a non-profit organization that works to advance the global wellness movement.

In addition to his work in the hospitality industry, Chip Conley is an active philanthropist. He is the founder of the Conley Family Foundation, which provides grants to organizations that support education, the arts, and the environment. He is also the co-founder of the Burning Man Project, an organization dedicated to developing and growing the Burning Man culture and community.

Chip Conley is also a successful venture capitalist and has invested in several startups. He is a Managing Partner at Structured Ventures, a venture capital fund focusing on early-stage technology startups. He is also a founding partner of the Tiny Capital Fund, a seed-stage venture capital fund.

Chip Conley is an active member of the board of advisors of several organizations, including the Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Hospitality Industry Leadership Institute, and the Skoll World Forum. He also serves on the boards of the Burning Man Project, the Global Wellness Institute, and the Conley Family Foundation.