SplitStay | Remote | Fractional / Advisory
SplitStay is a travel-tech platform helping solo attendees share accommodation safely and affordably around conferences, congresses, and major events.
We are increasingly focused on the association & congress market, where delegates typically book and pay for accommodation themselves — creating strong demand for smarter, more social, and more affordable lodging solutions.
We are looking for a Strategic Partnerships Advisor with deep experience in the association ecosystem to help open doors, shape our approach, and secure pilot collaborations with associations, PCOs, destinations, and related partners.
SplitStay has been recently featured in international news outlets, including:
* PhocusWire: https://www.phocuswire.com/startup-stage-splitstay-accommodations
* BizBash: https://www.bizbash.com/event-tech/new-event-tech-tools-for-november-2025
* Conference & Meetings World (CMW): https://www.c-mw.net/belgian-start-up-launches-platform-for-shared-event-accommodation/
* Boardroom: https://boardroom.global/splitstay-launches-shared-stay-platform-to-make-event-travel-more-accessible/
* Event Tech Live: https://eventtechlive.com/splitstay-wants-event-attendees-to-share-hotel-rooms-and-it-might-actually-work/
🎯 Your role
You will help SplitStay connect with:
* Professional and scientific associations
* PCOs and congress organizers
* Convention & Visitor Bureaus (CVBs)
* Event-tech and registration platforms serving associations
Your core contribution will be:
* Making warm introductions to relevant decision-makers
* Helping identify high-potential association congresses for pilot use cases
* Advising on how associations think about accommodation, inclusion, and delegate experience
* Supporting founder-led partnership conversations when helpful
* Acting as a strategic thought partner as the association GTM strategy evolves
This is not a traditional sales role. It is a senior, trust-based connector role focused on ecosystem access.
🧭 What success looks like
Within the first 3–6 months:
* Warm introductions to association executives, PCOs, or bureau decision-makers
* Pilot discussions with 1–3 association events underway
* Clear insights into association decision cycles and constraints
* Refined messaging tailored to delegate-paid congresses
✔️ You are a strong fit if you
* Have hands-on experience with associations or congresses
* Understand how association events are selected, funded, and organized
* Already know decision-makers inside:
* associations or federations
* PCOs
* CVBs focused on congresses
* Enjoy connecting people, ideas, and ecosystems
* Are comfortable working with early-stage startups
* Are confident you can create value quickly through your network
🌍 Geographic focus
Priority markets:
* Austria
* Benelux (especially Brussels)
* Italy
* Spain
* France
* Germany
* United Kingdom
Secondary interest:
* Nordics
Candidates may be based anywhere, provided they have relevant association-market access.
💬 Compensation & collaboration model (important)
SplitStay is an early-stage startup. We believe in fair, transparent, performance-driven collaboration.
Our preferred approach:
* Performance-based compensation for qualified warm introductions to relevant decision-makers
* Success-based rewards tied to concrete outcomes (e.g. pilot conversations, active partnerships)
* As the relationship proves successful, we are open to evolving the collaboration toward:
* a retainer model
* and/or a small equity stake for senior profiles with sustained involvement
We care less about rigid structures and more about mutual trust, delivered value, and long-term alignment.
📩 How to express interest
Please send a short message to Ruben Vanhees on LinkedIn or email hello@splitstay.travel, briefly outlining:
* your background in associations or congresses
* the types of organizations or events you know
* how you could realistically add value in the first 90 days
If this role isn’t for you, feel free to share it with someone in your network who might be a strong fit.
🌐 Learn more: www.splitstay.travel