PRESENTS
INTERNATIONAL RETREAT MINI-CONFERENCE 2026
COME GROW WITH US
The Retreat Industry Is Growing. Are You Ready to Grow With It?
Join retreat leaders, venue owners, coaches, wellness professionals, travel experts, speakers, and industry innovators for one powerful online conference filled with education, connection, inspiration, and what’s next for the retreat industry.
OCTOBER 22, 2026 | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM MT | ONLINE | COMPLIMENTARY LIVE ACCESS
5 HOURS • 10+ EXPERT SPEAKERS • THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN EDUCATION • FREE LIVE ACCESS
The Retreat Industry Is Changing Fast.
Retreats are no longer a niche offering. They are becoming a powerful part of wellness, travel, leadership development, personal transformation, coaching, corporate culture, community building, and experiential business.
But creating a successful retreat takes more than choosing a beautiful destination. Today’s retreat professional needs the right education, stronger business systems, meaningful industry connections, and a clear understanding of what guests expect next.
That’s why we created International Retreat Conference 2026.
Attract and convert the right guests.
Price retreats profitably
Create transformational guest experiences
Build community before and after the retreat
Choose venues, destinations, and partners wisely.
Protect and strengthen the business.
Leverage collaboration and partnerships
Use emerging technology and AI
Create repeatable revenue
Prepare for 2027 retreat trends and guest expectations event sponsorship and planning
Enrollment
No Charge by Intention. Valuable by Design.
International Retreat Conference 2026 is Complimentary to attend live because we believe access to high-quality education, connection, and industry leadership should not be the thing holding retreat professionals back.
Throughout this five-hour conference, 10+ experienced leaders and experts will share strategies, insights, and education that could cost thousands of dollars to access separately.
The International Retreat Association exists to connect, educate, support, and elevate retreat professionals around the world. We want more people in the room, more collaboration, more successful retreat businesses, and ultimately more transformational experiences being created around the world.
Attend live at no cost. The complete replay package will be included with an International Retreat Association Essential Membership for $111.
Meet the Voices Moving the Retreat Industry Forward
10+ INDUSTRY EXPERTS. ONE POWERFUL ONLINE CONFERENCE.
Your Co-Hosts
Holly Porter
Keynote -
The SHIFT:
Turn Adversity Into Purpose -
Release What You Can’t Control and Step Into What’s Next
Danny Savage
How to Sell a Retreat:
The Conversation That Turns Enquiries Into Bookings
Holly Porter
"Come Grow With Us"
The Association Advantage for Retreat Professionals
Ed
Gehres
Protecting and Strengthening Your Retreat Business
Linda Schwader
Enrollment and Converting Interest Into Registrations
Caterina Rando
Pricing Retreats Profitably
Lainie Sevante Wulkan
Attracting the Right Guests
Sharon Hess
Business Scaling and Revenue Growth
Britanie Bolan
Event Sponsorship and Planning
Sara Chevere
Building Community Before and After the Retreat
Sonia Cruz Oro
Creating Repeatable Revenue Beyond the Retreat
Emily Johnson
Choosing Venues, Destinations, and Partners Wisely
Ali Christos
Using a Podcast to Grow Your Retreat and Business
Nikki Cali
Using Emerging Technology in Your Retreat Business.
Five Hours Designed to Move Your Retreat Business Forward
9:00 AM: Welcome + The Future of the Retreat Industry
Expert Sessions: Fast-moving, practical education from 10+ industry experts
Trend Conversations: What is changing in retreat travel, wellness, hospitality, business, and transformation
Business Growth: Marketing, profitability, sales, technology, and scaling
Leadership & Transformation: Creating experiences that genuinely change lives
Connection & Community: Meet the people helping shape the future of retreats
Closing: Come Grow With Us
Attend live at no cost. The complete replay package will be included with an
International Retreat Association Essential Membership for $111.
We’re Building More Than a Conference. We’re Building an Industry.
International Retreat Conference 2026 brings together the people creating, hosting, supporting, and shaping transformational retreats around the world.
Our vision is to create a place where retreat professionals can learn from one another, collaborate instead of compete, raise industry standards, discover new opportunities, and grow businesses that create meaningful transformation.
There has never been a better time to be part of the retreat industry.
COME GROW WITH US.
About the International Retreat Association
The International Retreat Association exists to connect, educate, support, and elevate retreat professionals around the world. Through education, resources, professional standards, community, events, partnerships, and industry leadership, we are helping create a stronger and more connected global retreat industry.
Meet Your Conference Host
Holly Porter | Founder & CEO,
International Retreat Association
Holly Porter is the founder and CEO of the International Retreat Association, created to bring education, standards, resources, connection, and community to the global retreat industry. A lifelong entrepreneur and community builder, Holly understands both the transformational power of retreats and the business strategy required to make them sustainable. Her work is centered on helping retreat professionals stop building alone, strengthen their leadership, and create meaningful experiences and businesses that last.
Your Complimentary Live Registration Includes
Live access to International Retreat Conference 2026
Five hours of education and inspiration
10+ expert speakers and industry leaders
Practical retreat-business strategies
Industry trends and insights
Resources from participating experts
Connection with the retreat community
GENERAL LIVE ADMISSION: FREE
Can’t attend every session live?
Essential Members receive the recordings included with their $111 membership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the International Retreat Conference really free?
Yes. International Retreat Conference 2026 is completely free to attend live. The conference is free by intention, not because it lacks value. You’ll receive five hours of education from 10+ experts, with content and insight that could cost thousands of dollars to access separately.
Who should attend?
Anyone who creates, hosts, supports, or wants to become part of the retreat industry, including retreat leaders, aspiring leaders, coaches, speakers, wellness professionals, venue owners, travel and hospitality professionals, service providers, and entrepreneurs.
Do I need to already be hosting retreats?
No. Some attendees will be experienced retreat leaders, while others will be preparing for their first retreat. If you are exploring retreats or adding them to an existing business, you are welcome here.
Is this only for retreat leaders?
No. The retreat industry includes an entire ecosystem of venues, travel professionals, wellness providers, coaches, speakers, hospitality experts, marketers, technology providers, insurance professionals, activity providers, and other partners.
Where is the conference being held?
The conference is fully online on October 22, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Mountain Time.
Will the sessions be recorded?
Yes. Sessions will be recorded. Recordings are not included with complimentary general admission. The replay package will be $47, and Essential Members receive the recordings included with membership.
How do I get replay access?
Purchase the replay package for $47, or become an International Retreat Association Essential Member for $111 and receive the conference recordings included with membership.
Will there be opportunities to connect with speakers?
The conference is designed to create connection between attendees, speakers, experts, and the larger retreat community. Add the final live interaction details here once Q&A, chat, networking, or speaker-resource plans are confirmed.
How can I become a member?
Essential Membership is currently $111 and includes ongoing education, resources, industry connection, member benefits, and the complete International Retreat Conference 2026 replay collection at no additional cost.
Can my company become a sponsor or industry partner?
Organizations that genuinely serve the retreat industry may inquire about sponsorship and partnership opportunities. Use a Contact Us About Sponsorship button or inquiry form unless a formal package is available before launch.
Why are you giving away so much education for free?
Because we are building something bigger than a single event. We are not giving the conference away because it lacks value. We are opening the doors because growing and professionalizing the retreat industry is part of our mission.
What will I learn?
Topics include 2027 retreat trends, marketing and sales, pricing and profitability, guest experience, scaling, travel rewards, leadership, technology and AI, community building, partnerships, and professional standards.
How long is the conference?
Five focused hours, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Mountain Time, in a one-day online format.
© 2026 International Retreat Association