The Shared Economy: Doing Business with the Joneses

Lisa Gansky, Author, The Mesh: Why the Future of Business Is Sharing
Shelby Clark, Founder and Chief Community Officer, RelayRides
Leah Busque, Founder and CEO, TaskRabbit
Cory Smith, CEO, Hub Bay Area and SOCAP
Nate Blecharczyk, CTO and Co-founder, Airbnb
Liz Gannes, Senior Editor, AllThingsDigital – Moderator

Walk a block and borrow your neighbor’s lawn mower. Co-work in a friendly office space with other companies. The one time a month you actually need a giant SUV, just jump in the one parked down the street. Born from the woes of a struggling economy, folks everywhere are reverting to the age-old mantra – sharing is caring. The last five years have seen an upsurge in companies and groups that are pooling resources to increase savings, efficiency and green-friendly practices. Peer-to-peer marketplaces like RelayRides and TaskRabbit have the potential to revolutionize how we view both business and personal pursuits, with an emphasis on accessing rather than owning. Hear leaders from the shared economy dish on their visions for the future of collaborative consumption, and how we can all contribute and benefit.

Afterwards, INFORUM is hosting a Trading Post, for an even more comprehensive look into The Shared Economy, featuring Shareable, Burning Man Project, TechShop, Getable, Solar Mosaic, TrustCloud, LiquidSpace, thredUP, Vayable, Mesh Labs, RelayRides, TaskRabbit, Hub Bay Area, and Airbnb. Chill in a VIP airlounge with Airbnb, play Mario Kart with RelayRides, test your wits with TechShop’s laser and fume extractor, and so much more.

 
Location: SF Club Office
Time: 6 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program, 7:30 p.m. trading post and reception
Cost: $20 standard, $12 members, $7 students (with valid ID)
Also know: Photo courtesy of Nicholas Blechman. Part of the Future of Work series, sponsored by Wells Fargo and Ernst & Young. Thanks to The Right Blend and Galvan Wine for donating the wine to our Trading Post.