Tech Startup: Gogobot

Each month at San Francisco Travel Massive, we profile a community member in our latest newsletter. This month, we meet Keane Li, Social Media and Community Manager at Gogobot San Francisco.

Travel Massive is such a nurturing and fun community that’s really unlike any other in the various industries I’ve worked in.

How did you begin to work in the travel industry?

I was working in marketing for a number of startups while writing for an independent music magazine. After an epic trip to Europe, I decided I wanted to focus on the travel industry, writing about wonderful places that would serve as inspiration for others. I took up an editorial internship with Gogobot, a travel startup based in Menlo Park. Since then, I’ve become their SF Bay Area Community Manager and Social Media Manager for the global accounts. I’m very fortunate to work alongside other passionate travelers who really care about the product.

Two lifetimes ago, I left a finance job at the Federal Reserve Bank and started working with startups. But a few years in marketing can eat at one’s soul and after an epic trip to Europe I decided I wanted to focus on what I loved most: writing and travel. I took up an editorial internship with Gogobot, a travel startup based in Menlo Park. Since then, I’ve become their SF Bay Area Community Manager and Social Media Manager. I’m really fortunate to work with a team of passionate travelers who care so much about improving the way we travel.

How does Gogobot help make travel better?

Gogobot is particularly useful for travelers because users can search for hotels, attractions and restaurants based on their specific travel preferences, like budget or style (foodie anyone?). The unique Questions tool means travelers can ask for recommendations for any destination in the world.

The Gogobot app (which is free) also lets users create and share Gogobot Postcards with cool, exclusive filters. You can even find weekly events happening in a destination.

What does your current role entail?

As the SF Bay Area Community Manager, I host events for local Gogobot members. On the social media side, I manage the company’s online content and write the local weekly newsletter.

What I love most about my position with Gogobot is that I get to meet a lot of local travelers and business owners at travel industry events in San Francisco. The Community Manager role has connected me deeply with the city that I love so much.

What benefits have come from attending Travel Massive meet-ups?

I’ve been attending Travel Massive events for years, and I’ve met so many great people through the meetups. Many of the people I’ve met are now my close friends. Travel Massive is such a nurturing and fun community that is really unlike any other in the various industries I’ve worked in.

What changes do you hope to see in the travel industry?

It always seems like technology advances far beyond policy. I love reading about disruptors who make travel easier for everyone (like Airbnb did for rentals many years ago). I’m waiting for a savvy startup that’ll revolutionize cellular phone use while abroad.

If you could go anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?

If the universe offered me a ticket I would say Italy! It’s my favourite country and I have yet to visit Cinque Terre, a place many tell me is one of the most beautiful in the world.

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Stephanie Uniacke is the co-chapter leader of San Francisco Travel Massive. When she is not organizing meet ups in her city she blogs over at Just Cherished, proving you can still have travel adventures with a 9-5 lifestyle. Follow her on Travel Massive.