Sponsored by Wanderlux Journeys and Ursula Kordis

These experiences are design exclusively for TRANSCEND attendees and will take place on both October 8-9 as well as October 12-13. These experiences are to be booked directly with Wanderlux by contacting Ursula at ursula@wanderlux.si. There are additional costs associated with these trips.

Experience 1: Jezersko Alpine Valley Experience

Experience 2: Vipava Wine Country Experience

Experience 3: Bites & Beats of Goricko Experience

SOLD OUT Sponsored by Visit Good Place

October 7th - 8th 2022

Two days of cycling on the new Slovenia Green Wellness Route which connects green-certified spas across the eastern half of Slovenia.

This will be approximately 20 miles cycling/day with an overnight stay at Thermana Laško (spa resort) with dinner and wellness experience. Here you will experience home-cooked breakfasts and lunches with local guides to answer questions and provide a deeper context for the experience

View Trailer Here

10:00 AM: Attendees are picked up from Ljubljana airport

11:00 AM: Attendees are picked up from downtown Ljubljana

12:30 - 1:30 PM: Attendee Arrival

Attendees arrive to their accommodations and check in settle into the energy of the land and space.

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Lunch and Registration

Gathering attendees arrive to Hotel Plesnik and check in to the event

Upon check-in receive your locally crafted wooden name badge, your TTC Journal for the event, and a welcome card

Gathering Opening

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Opening Ceremony

Welcome address by TTC Co-Founder and CEO Jake Haupert

Opening address by Event Sponsor Slovenia Tourism Board

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Opening Ritual

Ursula Kordis from Event Sponsor Wandelux Journeys opens the ritual and explains what we will be doing

As a group we will walk in nature surrounding the hotel and gather up natural materials from the ground. We will then reconvene at a space outside to engage in an opening ritual

By taking the materials we have gathered from the natural environment we will construct a version of "Forma Viva" or living sculpture to represent our collective intentions for the gathering

We will gather around the Forma Viva and participate in a guided meditation by Jose Manuel Elias Verdera of Maya Cosmos Travel Group to send our collective energy for healing and gratitude to Mother Earth

The ceremony will end with the playing of traditional Ukrainian music and a silent reflection for peace in the region

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Local Welcome Ceremony

Walking from the main hotel to the nearby traditional barn, we will enjoy an introduction by the Municipality of Solcava welcoming us to this traditional ceremony

The group will sample local artisan foods including goat cheese and jams, as well as a local Gin tasting

This will be followed by a traditional Slovenian musical performance before heading back to the hotel for dinner

Evening Festivities

8:00 PM - 9:30 PM: Dinner and Words From Logar Valley

Dinner will start with Nina Plesnik, owner of our host hotel, telling the story of the land and the valley and her families connection to the place

Sponsor Sharing: WeTravel

Then we will enjoy a full service dinner of local foods.

9:30 PM -

Networking and socializing for the evening

Morning Rituals

7:oo AM - 8:00 AM: Wellness Activities

Guests can choose from three optional wellness activities to begin the day connecting with the self and to the essence of the land

1. Guided Yoga/Meditation

2. Breathwork Session

3. Nature Walk and Forest Bathing

8:00 AM - 9:10 AM: Breakfast Sponsored by RARE India and Postcard - Mindful Luxury Travel

Sponsor Sharing: RARE India Statement and Amit from Postcard.

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM: Morning Brief In The Conference Room

Morning agenda, knowledge sharing presentation and Sponsor Addresses

Morning Knowledge Sharing

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Morning Sessions, guests choose one of the sessions to attend

Anthony Lorubbio: The Transformational Power of Quiet Experiences in Travel

A conversation on the transformational impacts of experiencing truly quiet spaces and activities in travel. Anthony will facilitate a discussion and share with you what he has found through his own experiences with quiet. Anthony also will bring in many of the principles created by TTC Soul Coalition Partners "Quiet Parks International."

Elinor Fish: Value Setting, Pricing, and Messaging of Transformational Experiences

One of the biggest challenges we face as experience creators at the forefront of a global movement toward transformation is how we convey the value we create. This manifests in challenges in how to price our creations and how to reach and speak to those who are looking for what we offer. In this session we will explore ways to set value, how to convey that value, and how to speak to our travelers.

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM: Break

11:15 AM - 12:45 PM: Meaningful Networking Activity

At the TTC we believe that transformations of all kinds are rooted in deep, meaningful connections to self, to others, and to the world around us. For this networking activity, we will provide paper and markers, colored pencils, or other drawing utensils and encourage individuals to draw a flag that represents themselves. After everyone is finished we will search out other's flags that share something in common with ours and share why we created it. This will allow for meaningful connections to be created and lead to transformational collaborations.

12:45 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch and Sponsor Sharing

Lunch will be served to the group.

Local Immersion Experiences

2:15 PM - 4:45 PM: Local Experiences Sponsored by the Municipality of Solcava and Executed by Wanderlux Journeys

At Transcend it is not just about learning or connecting with others, it is about connecting to the spirit of the place we are and the essence of the location. We will choose one of two groups of activities:

Cultural Connections: Crafts, History, and Gastronomy

• Hands-On Workshop With Women's Empowerment Group - Bicka

• Tour of Franc and Liza Wool Studio

• Short Cooking Class with a Local Women's Group

• Visit the Rinka Center and a 15th Century Church with Traditional Organ Music Concert

Nature Connections (choose a group to start with)

• Hike to the Rinka Waterfall at the Head of the Valley

→ Stop over at charcoal burning hut

→ Engage in a guided waterfall meditation

→ Enjoy Local Snacks

→ Take a Bicycle back to Hotel Plesnik

• Bicycle to Rinka Waterfall at the Head of the Valley

→ Stop over at charcoal burning hut

→ Engage in a guided waterfall meditation

→ Enjoy Local Snacks

→ Hike back to Hotel Plesnik

Reflection and Re-centering

4:45 PM - 5:15 PM: Snacks and Reflection Sponsored by the Municipality of Solcava and Upper Sovinja Valley

We will take this time to reflect on our experiences of the day and re-center our energy for the evening sessions

Using the provided TTC Journal, we will reflect on these things:

1. What is the experience of life you are having now?

2. What are the limiting beliefs that you have and want to leave behind after this event?

This page will be used in the closing ceremony so hold on to it!

5:15 PM - 5:45 PM: Evening Brief In The Conference Room

Evening knowledge session overview as well as sponsor addresses

Sponsor Share: Jana Apih from Visit Good Place and Maria Jose Andrade from Tierra del Volcan

Evening Knowledge Sharing

5:45 PM - 7:15 PM: Concurrent Sessions on Transformational Travel (choose one to attend)

Shay Sane: How Travel Heals Your Soul

"Like a rare diamond, true healing is hard to find. Since 2014, Shay Sane has been working to empower women to explore how Travel Heals Your Soul." This guided conversation seeks to explore the intersections of travel with Mental Health and Wellness. By creating space, intention, and compassion travel can be a tool for overcoming trauma and as a companion to therapy and counseling for all things mental health. Shay seeks to break down the stigmas and social norms that prevent us from having these important conversations.

Lars von der Wettern: Transformational Leadership & connecting to Regenerative Partners

Leadership:
Lars has grown into hospitality the paternalistic style. Enjoying the industry, but not feeling sure about it´s traditional ways, he started his own journey 18 years ago to drive change himself. No idea did he have how transformation really works. But by now, an enterprise has been transformed and everyone is affected – team, clients, including himself.

In this workshop; get an insight about real struggles and successes in leadership, capital, and also in searching those meaningful bookers and gaining visibility.

Regenerative partners:
Once established our purpose internally – how do we network? how do we select our regenerative partners? Join in, share and let´s help each other by discussing and please bring your own experience. We agree upfront that there is no perfect path. But we will get everyone into our way of doing business, becoming part of something much larger.

Session:
Be ready to open about those fears and pains. This session is about hope, support, hugs and laughs, and how to reconnect to mother earth. It´s better to see the shift as a journey, everyone will find their own solution, but we all have common goals.

Jose M. Elias Verdera: Engaging with Ritual and Ceremony as a Catalyst for Transformation in Travel

In this engaging session we will explore the power of engaging with ritual and ceremony when we travel. How can we facilitate healthy interactions with ritual and ceremony? How do we ensure that the positive impacts are shared amongst the visitor and the visited? What outcomes can we expect from incorporating these experiences into both our travels and our designs?

Poonam Rawat-Hahne and Kolena Allen: Co-Creating Transformational Experiences with Local Communities

Through decades of experience working with local communities in tourism activities, Poonam and Kolena will share some best practices to building and creating travel experiences that are both impactful for travelers and contribute to thriving for communities. How can we ensure that our tourism work not only does no harm but contributes to positive change in communities?

Evening Festivities

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM: Special Dinner

For dinner this evening attendees will be treated to a meal created by Hotel Plesnik head Chef Nenad and world renowned Slovenian chef Bine Volčič. Graduate of the famed Le Cordon Bleu culinary academy and executive chef at Monstera Bistro in Lubijana, Chef Volcic will be preparing this amazing meal for us, finding his inspiration in nature and cooking on an open fire.

Morning Rituals

7:oo AM - 8:00 AM: Wellness Activities

Guests can choose from three optional wellness activities to begin the day connecting with the self and to the essence of the land

1. Guided Yoga/Meditation

2. Breathwork Session

3. Nature Walk and Forest Bathing

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast Sponsored by RARE India and Postcard -Mindful Luxury Travel

Morning Knowledge Sharing

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Morning Sessions 1, choose one of the sessions to attend

Dawnielle Tehama, Marina Laurent, Jillian Dickens: Destination Regeneration Through Tourism

Marina and Jillian are the co-facilitators of the TTC's "Transformative Destinations Program" that seeks to infuse destinations with regenerative principles to increase thriving and catalyze transformation. Having completed our most recent pilot destinations in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and Whidbey & Camano Islands in Washington, we will dive into the practices, tools, and mindsets that are needed to transform not just tourism activities, but a destination as a living system.

Tanner Colton: Transformation By Design Sponsored by Slovenia Tourism Board

Traveler’s desire for more connection, meaning, and authenticity in travel has never been more apparent. As we emerge from over two years of challenges, travelers are seeking to reconnect to themselves, others, and to nature. The opportunity to curate and guide those experiences is in front of us. Based on our flagship 14-week recognition program, our ‘Transformation by Design’ workshop will help you deepen the relationship with the traveler, and design and deliver experiences that hold the potential to transform them and the people and places they visit.

Chris Doyle: How Much Is Enough?

Chris suggests that Transcend participants ponder this question from both personal and professional lenses. He will characterize and contextualize this question to address both perspectives, all while engaging participants in how to dig deep to address this practical and philosophic question. As we design our lives for our families and friends, and for our businesses, our partners and guests, reflecting on this profound question, “How much is enough?”, most assuredly affects how we can transform our futures – as individuals, tourism professionals and leaders.

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM: Break

11:15 AM - 12:45 PM: Morning Sessions 2, choose one of the sessions to attend

Jake Haupert: Meeting the Transformation Economy

Building on principles learned from thought leaders like TTC Advisor Joseph Pine and lessons gleaned from "The Experience Economy," Jake Haupert will take us through some ways that being future ready for the Transformation Economy that has begun to bloom puts us at the forefront of a revolution. How can we, as a movement, not be reactionary to what is coming but be proactive and visionary in how we see our work and the impact it can make?

Alex Crevar: Transformational Storytelling Sponsored by Slovenia Tourism Board

TTC Herald leader Alex Crevar will facilitate a discussion about how tourism professionals, journalists, and travelers can craft narratives based on respect for destinations first.

Donna Bond: “I Am” and Activating Your Higher Self

Anything you think or say after the two little words “I AM” is initiating creation into action. What you reveal to the world in a statement of “I am” is backed by your personal power and is an activation for the higher part of yourself. Learn to recognize the unconscious limiting programs that perpetuate undesirable experiences in your life and how to update them. Align your whole self with the empowering discovery of how “I am” beautifully re-shapes your life.

12:45 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch

Sponsor Share: Tourism Ljubljana, Chris Doyle from Tenson, and a video share from Whidbey and Camano Island Tourism

Local Immersion Experiences

2:00 PM - 4:45 PM: Local Experiences Sponsored by the Municipality of Solcava and Executed by Wanderlux Journeys

At Transcend it is not just about learning or connecting with others, it is about connecting to the spirit of the place we are and the essence of the location. Attendees will engage in whichever activity they did not do in the previous day:

Cultural Connections: Crafts, History, and Gastronomy

• Hands-On Workshop With Women's Empowerment Group - Bicka

• Tour of Franc and Liza Wool Studio

• Short Cooking Class with a Local Women's Group

• Visit the Rinka Center and a 15th Century Church with Traditional Organ Music Concert

Nature Connections (choose a group to start with)

• Hike to the Rinka Waterfall at the Head of the Valley

→ Stop over at charcoal burning hut

→ Engage in a guided waterfall meditation

→ Enjoy Local Snacks

→ Take a Bicycle back to Hotel Plesnik

• Bicycle to the Rinka Waterfall at the Head of the Valley

→ Stop over at charcoal burning hut

→ Engage in a guided waterfall meditation

→ Enjoy Local Snacks

→ Hike back to Hotel Plesnik

Local Connections

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Farmers Market and Snacks

Before we dive into the evening knowledge sharing the local community will be setting up a traditional Slovenian farmers market for attendees to enjoy. Sample local treats. Peruse local crafts. Meet local artisans. This is a time to reflect, re-center, and enjoy before the evening activities.

Evening Knowledge Sharing

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Concurrent Sessions on Transformational Travel (choose one to attend)

Tanner Colton and TBD: Growth, Equity, and Healing Through Transformational Travel

The TTC's "Unpacking Us" initiative seeks to explore the intersections of travel with topics such as equity and diversity, racial healing, inclusion, and healing between people. What can travel be as a tool for radical human solidarity? What work do we need to do as individuals and as an industry to create a more inclusive world of travel? This facilitated conversation will seek to explore inwardly in order to make an outward impact.

Aniseh Dalju: Balancing the Need for Business with the Desire for Transformation

How can travel companies balance the need to "get back to business" while also looking into the future to ensure that our practices, business models, and approaches promote thriving and regeneration for traveler, community, and planet? We are all eager to get back to it, but let's not be short sighted and miss an opportunity to be part of a seismic shift in how travel and tourism operates in the world. Aniseh will take us inward to look at how we can shift our own mindsets, and then outward with some ways you can be future ready for the transformation economy.

Ingrid Asoni: Mindful Brand Building and Marketing

How can we shape conscious and impactful narratives that connect to a conscious community. This session will focus more on connecting to the subconscious of your consumer to cultivate transformational travel experiences and attract the right customers to your creations.

Evening Festivities

7:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Dinner

8:30 PM - 9:15 PM: Concert and Lights Performance with Desert Sponsored by Wanderlux Journeys

9:30 PM - 10:30 PM: Closing Ritual

To begin our closing events we will engage in a beautiful ceremony of ancestral/contemporary Mayan Indigenous wisdom, to open our hearts and be able to connect with our inner & higher self and with each other. This will be lead by Jose M. Elias Verdera, Founder of Maya Cosmos based in Guatemala

This activity involves making a fire and a cacao ceremony with the best and pure intentions of thanking both the Great Spirit and our ancestors for the magic of being alive, the ancient spirits of Slovenia for being our hosts, the TTC as organizers and all the other guests as tight-knit family, in addition to strongly reaffirming our path towards transcendence and transformation, both personal and planetary.

For our final act together we will gather by the fire and return to the reflections from the first day of our time together. Taking the limiting beliefs we recorded that we wanted to leave behind, we will rip the page from our journal and ceremonially throw them into the fire, sending our limitations, self doubt, and fear into the heavens to weigh us down no more.

TTC CEO Jake Haupert to offer the final remarks of the gathering

10:30 PM - : Music and drinks

Farewell and Departure

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Breakfast

8:00 AM departure from Hotel Plesnik lobby to AIRPORT

10:30 AM departure from Hotel Plesnik lobby to downtown Ljubljana Parking: Tivoli II Celovška cesta, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Sponsored by Wanderlux Journeys and Ursula Kordis

These experiences are design exclusively for TRANSCEND attendees and will take place on both October 8-9 as well as October 12-13. These experiences are to be booked directly with Wanderlux by contacting Ursula at ursula@wanderlux.si. There are additional costs associated with these trips.

Experience 1: Jezersko Alpine Valley Experience

Experience 2: Vipava Wine Country Experience

Experience 3: Bites & Beats of Goricko Experience