On October 19, Explore Brooklyn and Airbnb invited local businesses and Airbnb hosts to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for a night of networking. This was the seventh local tourism mixer, held in 2017. The evening continued with the enjoyment of Brooklyn drinks and foods, and speeches from Mariela Estrella, Director of Tourism for Explore Brooklyn, Kelly Lewis, Community Organizer from Airbnb, Josh Levin, Director of Business Development from the Borough President’s office, Nizjoni Granville, Chair of Community Board 8, Tremaine Wright, Assembly Member for the 56th District and Stephanie Hill Wilchfort, President and Chief Executive of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
Josh Levin, Director of Business Development from the Borough President’s office 
Nizjoni Granville, Chair of Community Board 8
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is the world’s first museum created with children in mind, with various areas focused on different sensory exploration and learning. There are rooms dedicated to water play and outdoor play, a rooftop garden, and soon a section for children to learn about the Brooklyn phenomenon of block parties.
Mariela Estrella, Director of Tourism for Explore Brooklyn
Networking next to a mammoth skeleton and a sensory room, where children can get hands-on, guessing objects by feeling them in the dark and pointing them out in a glass case in front of them, this is a prime example of the kinds of experiences children can have at the community-focused museum. By offering free Thursdays, after-school programs and opportunities for local artists to create new exhibitions at the museum, it prides itself on being a place for the local community and visitors to the area to relax, explore and have fun! Food was catered by Eat Morris and Rosco’s Pizzeria.
Kelly Lewis, Community Organizer from Airbnb
By promoting local businesses to their guests, Airbnb hosts support their local communities and economy, while the local businesses contribute to the visitors’ Crown Heights experience. The introductions between local businesses and hosts, allow for organic relationships and new connections, which result in hosts using the businesses’ information in their guest guides. By having a comprehensive list of recommendations for their guests, the hosts are able to provide helpful information while giving guests a better understanding of what there is to see and do in Crown Heights.
Stephanie Hill Wilchfort, President and Chief Executive of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
By learning about their combined economic impact, importance as a choice of place to stay for visitors, and how tourism dollars affect Crown Heights residents – from business and homeowners, to small business employees and apartment renters. The event’s attendees cheered as they realized the impact of their decision to host visitors with Airbnb in Crown Heights.
The next Airbnb and Explore Brooklyn event will be held at Park Asia Restaurant in Sunset Park in November, before the new year kicks off with a new series of tourism mixer events!