We’re so excited to welcome long-time member Massimo Bennardo to the Couchsurfing team. Massimo joins us as a Community Manager, where he’ll work with the rest of the Community team to develop a strong connection between HQ and our members. We’ll let him introduce himself; please join us in wishing him a warm welcome (that’s what the comments are for!).
I come from Sicily, a place where hospitality is sacred, almost a law.
Since before Couchsurfing even existed I have always traveled on a low budget, meeting new people and accepting their generous hospitality.
When I found out about Couchsurfing in 2007 I was living alone in enormous Tuscan villa on top of a hill surrounded by olive trees.
Tuscan Hilltops
Couchsurfing was perfect for me: meeting people from all over the world, sharing my home, my passions and the prospect of traveling freely.
So I started hosting many people, sometimes up to ten at a time! After a few months I attended my first International Couchsurfing meeting, Midsummer Night in Latvia, where I met some of my best friends:
- Baiba, who lives in Australia. I introduced her to her partner and am now godfather to her daughter
- Florian, my little brother. He and I have visited sixteen different countries together.
- Filippo, from Sicily. He is now married and has a beautiful little boy who has already traveled to Norway, China and Iran.
Since then I have dedicated the majority of my time to being a hyper-active Couchsurfer.
Massimo hosting four cyclists and their bicyclesWhen the CEO, Tony, contacted me with the opportunity of actually working for Couchsurfing, I thought I was dreaming!
I accepted immediately. Being part of the Couchsurfing crew is the completion of 6 years of dedication to the project. I can finally help improve this wonderful tool we have and continue my Couchsurfing life through traveling, hosting, surfing and meeting great people!