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What happens when the boldest, brightest and best communicators get together? It’s limitless…
Experience an event like no other! This unique getaway is curated by Ragan for communications leaders looking to share ideas, forge new bonds and build on breakthrough thinking for their personal and business growth. The Women’s Business Summit and Retreat for Communicators is designed for those with a limitless mindset who value the collective wisdom of high-achieving peers who share a passion for learning, connecting and creating.
We’ve designed a 2.5-day summit that includes a healthy mix of candid conversations, problem-solving, workshopping ideas, sharing successes (and failures), plus great food, entertainment, relaxation and connecting at a level you just can’t get from your typical conference.
Space is limited to 60 executives; secure your unforgettable experience now!
Don’t miss your opportunity to:
- Make meaningful new connections
- Learn in an intimate setting of a small cohort of leading women
- Access exclusive content
- Gain actionable insights to implement back in the office
Who Will Be There? The summit is designed for communicators with 10+ years of experience in communications. We vet all registrants to ensure their experience aligns with the other delegates.
If you spend any time in the following areas, this summit is for you: internal communications, external communications, marketing, public relations, agency management, HR, or social media.
You’ll experience a mix of candid, curated conversations among top women in communications and inspirational guest speakers as we explore:
- Leading through change and uncertainty
- Comms strategies in the age of AI and short attention spans
- Talent retention
- Elevating your storytelling skills
- Next-level skills and competencies for leaders and their teams
- C-suite comms strategies
- The economics of comms – a new framework for tying your efforts to the bottom line
- Negotiation skills
- Managing up, down and all around
- PLUS: bring your challenges and questions to the group as we tap into the collective wisdom of leading women in comms
AgendaThis retreat is designed to help you think differently, make new connections and return with ideas and inspiration to lift your business and well-being. We’ve traded in the slide decks for peer-to-peer conversations and featured speakers with an outside and outsized view on enlightening topics, be it storytelling, business acumen, leadership, or creativity.
September 18
- Arrive by 2:30pm
- 3 - 3:30pm: Registration & Retreat Overview
- 3:30-5:30pm: Networking & Group Activities
Join us for a casual & inspiring start to the retreat with the following mini-sessions:- Creative Commons: Meet your fellow participants in a quick and creative connection session.
- Flex Your Body: Settle into the retreat setting with post-travel stretches, breath work and mediation exercises that help to bring you into the present.
- 6:30 - 8pm: Networking Reception
Enjoy drinks, food and fun during our opening night gathering at the resort. - 8 p.m. – Whenever: Meet-up at the hotel bar for cocktails, mocktails and fun tales. (optional)
September 19
- 7:30 - 8am: Yoga for All (no experience required – come stretch with your new friends!)
- 8:45 - 9:30am: Networking Breakfast
-
9:30 - 12:30pm: Salon Conversations
- Summit Open + Iron Sharpens Iron
Through the collective wisdom of your peers, discover new ideas, coping strategies and lessons learned on career and personal journeys of fellow attendees. - Lightning Round: Reinvention
Aspiring to incubate a bold business idea, take on a board position, or futureproof your work and life? During this candid conversation with Christie Hefner, we’ll share current communications challenges; threats and opportunities around the corner; how to master an adaptive leadership style; and new ways of approaching your biggest goals. - View from the Top:
Insights from a CEO & Board Member to help you elevate your position within your organization and beyond. - Meditation & Reflections
- Networking Break
- Lemonade Stand: A Personal Recipe for Turning Bitter into Sweet
Hear from one of our guest speakers about the experience and insights gained from tackling personal and professional obstacles of all shapes and sizes. - Group Reflection
Following the themes of the morning, you’ll huddle with your peers to dive deeper.
- Summit Open + Iron Sharpens Iron
- 12:30 - 1:30pm: Lunch with new friends
-
1:45 - 3pm: Salon Conversations
- Proximity Power: Who’s Your Who?
The people around you raise or lower the bar to your progress. This session focuses on your professional and personal space and explores where you can (and should) fine tune your peloton and how you can be a bar raiser for your teams, etc. - Lightning Round: Who, Not How
No one does it alone, especially leaders. Quick questions with leaders on what & how they learned on how to delegate, invest, and the work/life balance. - Small group discussions
Communicators on Communication: Immerse yourself in a peer-to-peer session tackling the toughest comms challenges facing you and your team in the months ahead. - Networking Break
- Proximity Power: Who’s Your Who?
- 3 - 6pm: Solo Time or Optional Afternoon Activities
Take some time to relax by the pool or choose one of these activities to enrich your retreat experience:- Doubles Tennis Tourney
- Cooking Class
- Tai Chi & Body Health Conversations
Go with the flow during this low-impact, relaxing Tai Chi session, followed by a special Mind-Body Connection conversation in this optional afternoon activity with peers, where we’ll share well-being resources to fit your lifestyle, personality and unique energy level. - Your Time at the Miraval Spa (additional fee)
- 6:30 - 7:30pm: Networking Reception + Headshots
Grab a cocktail or mocktail and network with new friends before dinner. Also during this time slot you’ll have the opportunity to get a professional headshot taken. - 7:30 - 8:45pm: Networking Dinner + Featured Speaker
Time for delicious fare and fun conversations. We will be joined by Col. Christine Houser, Commanding Officer at the Camp Pendleton US Marine Base. She will share her leadership lessons learned in 20+ years in the military, including being a female leader (and working mother) while earning two degrees and being awarded seven medals. - After dinner - 10:00pm: Poker
Come sharpen your negotiation, communication, and risk-taking skills with some Poker Power. We bring in poker pros who will show us how to win at Texas Hold ‘Em, including how to win at losing and playing your best hand in life. (P.S. No actual money is needed to play).
September 20
- 7 - 7:45am: Morning Walk
Join us for a guided morning walk around the beautiful resort. Or, sleep in and join us for breakfast! - 8 - 9am: Networking Breakfast & Table Topics
Enjoy eggs over easy and easy conversations with your peers, including facilitated topical discussions at select tables. - 9 - 9:15am: Sound Bath session
Nurture your mind and body with this immersive full-body listening experience -
9:20 - 11:20am: Salon Conversations
- Open & Lightning Round
Around the room in 10 minutes, we share key takeaways from the day prior. - The Art, Tech, and Intuition of Storytelling
A former Oprah Show producer and now Creative Director for Microsoft execs, this is a master class in the assembling stories from multiple sources, making magic on deadlines, embracing AI, and trusting the guidance of your gut. - Networking Break
- Next Level Skills for Next Level Success:
“Work harder” isn’t a strategy. This conversation takes an up-close look at the skills, actions, and investments required to keep pace with the ever-evolving digital landscape. - You First:
It’s about time for it to be about you. NYU Professor, author, and speaker Minda Harts joins us to discuss how to drop the practice of people-pleasing and put self-advocacy on the mental menu.
- Open & Lightning Round
- 11:30am - 12:20pm: Deep Dive (Pick a Topic):
Groups divide into interest areas to dig in with the experts and get real with actions and inspiration by table hosts. - 12:20-12:30pm: Closing Salutations & Action Items
Post-retreat connections and intentions.
Post-Retreat Events (exclusive for retreat attendees):
- October meetup: this virtual meetup is for attendees only as we share updates, celebrate victories, workshop challenges of your peers.
- November Neuroscience Nerd Session: For this virtual 45-minute meetup, dive into the science behind energy and time management to discover your personal chronobiology, why multitasking is a myth, and common distractions in disguise.
- December: Mindfulness Session (virtual)
- LinkedIn private group: year-round!
Poker & Your Seat at the Table
Join us for an exciting Poker Power workshop! An expert instructor will guide you through the basics, from hand strength to bet sizing, so you can confidently sit at the table like a boss. You’ll learn the ins and outs of the game, when to hold, and when to fold, all while having a blast. But it’s not just about the game - the skills you’ll learn in this program can be applied to your career and life. You’ll develop strategic thinking, quick decision-making, and a competitive edge that will set you apart in any field. And the best part? You’ll get to put your newfound knowledge into practice right away by playing with your fellow participants. So don’t miss out on this unforgettable program - it’s your chance to level up your game and life!
Pricing
Your Summit Ticket Includes:
- 2 hotel nights at the 4-star property
- All content/programming
- All meals
- All networking and cocktail events
- Entertainment and activities
- Unique group experiences
- Swag bag
- Private LinkedIn group
- Post-summit virtual meetups and events
- And more!
| Join us for the Women’s Business Summit and Retreat: | REGISTRATION FEE (all-inclusive) |
|---|---|
| Per Person includes all items listed above including a 2-night stay at the luxurious Park Hyatt Aviara Resort | $4,499 |
Would you and your colleagues like to attend? Group pricing for 3 or more is available when going through the registration process!
Our Luxurious Venue
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort
We selected the luxurious, AAA Five-Diamond Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, CA as the backdrop to our Women's Business Summit and Retreat for Communicators as the quintessential setting for this gathering of top women. Join us and you’ll see why it was ranked by US News & World Report one of the Best Hotels in the USA in 2024 and one of the Top 9 Resorts in Southern California by Conde Naste Traveler. The resort also offers the first Miraval Life in Balance Spa in North San Diego, offering globally inspired services and award-winning wellness experiences.
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort
7100 Aviara Resort Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Unplug at the Business Summit and Retreat!
Nurture your mind, body and soul with these wellness activities during the Summit:
Mini meditations to cultivate mindfulness
Learn breathing exercises that reset thinking and leave you feeling energized
All-levels yoga to open the body and start the day with intention
Quiet your mind and move stuck energy with the basics of Qi Gong
Slow down with a soothing sound bath that leaves you feeling rejuvenated and grateful
Enjoy guided walks with your new friends
Who Should Attend
If you spend any time in the following areas, this summit is for you:
- Internal Communications
- External Communications
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Agency Management
- HR
- Social Media
Here’s what past attendees are saying about the Women’s Business Summit for Communicators:
It was a relaxing, rewarding, motivating, holistic and intimate conference that brought senior women communications professionals together to share best practices and ideas. It was wonderful!
The retreat was well-planned and the speakers were stellar.
Loved connecting with so many women across so many industries. It was refreshing and relatable.
This was an incredible experience to meet with like-minded colleagues from all types of industries - share best practices, help each other solution, learn and laugh with each other.
It was very fulfilling. I had the opportunity to talk with like-minded female leaders who understood many of the issues I was experiencing or challenges I needed to overcome.
A great opportunity to step out if my day to day and connect with women who understand both work and personal challenges.
Who Attends
Communications and marketing professionals from these organizations have attended the Women's Business Summit and Retreat:
WOMEN’S BUSINESS SUMMIT & RETREAT
SEPTEMBER 18-20, 2024
CARLSBAD, CA
A 30-minute drive from the
San Diego International Airport
EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE EMPOWERMENT EVENT
We’ve designed a 2.5-day summit that includes a healthy mix of candid conversations, problem-solving, workshopping ideas, sharing successes (and failures), plus great food, entertainment, relaxation and connecting at a level you just can’t get from your typical conference.
The September 18-20 summit at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Carlsbad, CA, is the quintessential setting for this gathering of leading women communicators. This world-class resort is set on 250 acres overlooking Batiquitos Lagoon on the Pacific Ocean and offers an array of activities. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to play tennis at one of the top-ranked tennis resorts worldwide according to Tennis Resorts Online, or play a round of golf at the only Arnold Palmer signature-designed golf course in coastal California. The resort also offers the first Miraval Life in Balance Spa in North San Diego, offering globally inspired services and award-winning wellness experiences.
Space is limited to 60 executives; secure your unforgettable experience now!
Pricing
| Join us for the Women’s Business Summit and Retreat: | REGISTRATION FEE |
|---|---|
| Per Person includes all items listed above including a 2-night stay at the luxurious Park Hyatt Aviara Resort | $4,499 |
Why A Women’s Business Summit and Retreat?
Diane Schwartz
CEO
Ragan Communications
It gets lonely at the top, or on your way to the top. You have the brainpower, you have the job title and you have the courage. Now you’ll have the community.
We created the Women’s Business Summit as a chance to meet other women in leadership positions who appreciate the power of connecting, sharing and learning from one another.
Please join at our Women’s Business Summit and see for yourself why our first cohort of attendees told us this was one of the best events of their career.
By attending, you are investing in yourself, your team and your organization. I hope you’ll join us for this unique adventure at a beautiful resort with your fellow communicators.
