Imagine brainstorming on the deck while dolphins swim next to you, then transitioning to impromptu workshops as your “meeting room” sails past an ancient Mediterranean town. This is the reality faced by attendees of the Barefoot Business Retreat on the Yacht, a first-of-its-kind business event on the water developed and produced by Liz Lathan and Nicole Osibodu, the innovators behind The Community Factory and Club Ichi.
This 15-cabin yacht is more than just a novel business retreat. The concrete business results it delivers surprise even veteran corporate event planners. Two senior executives attending the 2024 Best Business Events Virtual Summit shared their insights on Skift Meetings.
Why Yachting Changes Everything
While business retreats typically involve natural and remote settings, this event went a step further. The unique and ever-changing environment surrounding a charter yacht sailing the Croatian waters inspires creativity and fosters connections.
“Taking yourself out of your daily routine and immersing yourself in a new environment will stimulate more curiosity, more novelty, and make people more connected because we are all experiencing something new at the same time. stuff,” shared retreat participant Jill Ann Leithner, director of executive event production at Intel Corporation.
Former Accenture chief of staff Kafi Joseph also participated, highlighting the scientific basis of this approach through “attention restoration theory.” She explains, “A natural environment, not in artificial light, not in a structured space, allows your brain, cortisol stress to release, allows your brain to relax, and allows you to become more creative and Openness.
The natural environment of the Adriatic coast creates unique opportunities for connection. “It allows everyone to take away something that is very meaningful to them,” Lesnar noted. This format demonstrates that significant business impact can be achieved outside of the traditional meeting environment.
Build lasting connections
Preparations before the event are deliberately kept simple. It focuses on community building through pre-cruise chats where participants can connect before meeting in person. Organizers used “just the right message” to create what Leissner calls “elegant simplicity.”
Before setting sail, participants do sightseeing and socializing together, which Leissner noted helps create “a safe space with friends.” This environment encourages vulnerability and openness among participants, setting the stage for meaningful discussions during the yacht trip.
structured spontaneity
While maintaining a basic agenda, the event emphasizes flexibility and organic interaction. “Liz and Nicole really created these moments that were somewhat spontaneous, but they had a solid framework,” Joseph explains. As Lesner describes it, “The framework is loose. It’s almost like there are lines, but we are the crayons and the agenda is us. What we achieve is not the agenda that was set out for us. We come together and we open up. , we shared, and that was the end of the agenda.
The format includes innovative elements, such as sharing personal “superpowers”—unique abilities that are not necessarily work-related. This approach led to unexpected opportunities, such as an impromptu workshop on human design that Joseph held after sharing her interest in the subject matter.
Leissner emphasized that her biggest takeaway from the experience was “not to over-engineer each moment and really let the moment form and breathe,” noting that while careful planning has its place, it’s important to take a step back and Seeing things from an attendee’s perspective can make a difference.
The impact of this gathering extended beyond the retreat itself, with participants staying in active contact via WhatsApp. As Joseph reflected, “Join us and find a community you didn’t know you needed.”
