Leadership - Business Chicks

Leadership
GATHERING
4-8 JULY 2016
For as long as I can remember, all I’ve ever wanted to do
is bring amazing people together for life-changing
experiences – there’s nothing more important to me than
watching people grow and feeling like I’ve played some
small part in that.
I’ve been lucky enough to spend time on Necker Island
twice now. After my first experience I knew immediately
it was something I wanted to share with you, our
members: the heart and soul of Business Chicks. Being
on Necker lifted my thinking, awoke me to new ideas,
and challenged me on a whole other level - which is why
we’ve teamed up with Virgin Unite and Richard to create the
Business Chicks Leadership Gathering.
You could call it the holiday of a lifetime, or the event of the year, but
this experience is so much more than that. Sure, there’ll be jaw-dropping
scenery and all the fun you can poke a paddle board at, but that’s just the
start.
Your whole life you’ve put your heart and soul into everything you do
to get where you are today, and not a second of it has come by chance.
You’re proud of what you’ve achieved (not that you’d often admit it), but
somehow you still feel the silent pull of that voice inside of you: the one
that knows there’s something more out there. The 12-month goals, the
five-year plan … maybe you’ve even got your next decade blueprinted
out – but what then? Just how big a splash will you make?
You owe it to yourself and to the world to sit at this table. You were made
to change lives; to break the ground on which everything you thought
you believed was built on.
It’s your time and your space to expand your mind, give, love, seed,
create, stretch, open, wonder, and learn. So while you know you’ll be
surrounded by a team of extraordinary leaders, some of the world’s most
powerful entrepreneurs, nature, sun, sand, and the offerings of paradise,
you know that this time is really about you.
We’re gathering bright minds and big hearts; people who are ready to
create some waves.
You’ve come this far because you’re a risk taker. You’re not like everybody
else. Are you ready?
Emma Isaacs
Founder/Global CEO, Business Chicks
Over the years, our Virgin Unite Leadership Gatherings have
become incubators for brilliant ideas, as all kinds of thought
leaders come together to debate new ways to create a better
world. They are an intoxicating mix of pleasure and purpose,
reflection and relaxation. Our latest gathering in partnership
with Business Chicks will take place 4-8 July 2016 on Necker
Island. We’d love to see you there.
I can promise you plenty of food for thought, insights, and
inspiration. You’ll meet extraordinary people with extraordinary
vision. And you’ll have an amazing time in one of my favorite
places on Earth.
You’ll stay four nights all-inclusive in the newly rebuilt Great
House or in one of my private Bali Houses. There’s plenty
of downtime to enjoy the island, with activities like paddle
boarding, kite boarding, sailing, snorkeling, and much more.
I look forward to welcoming you to my home on Necker Island!
Richard Branson
Founder, Virgin Group
BUSINESS CHICKS
At Business Chicks, we believe that when like-minded souls band together,
brilliant things can happen – and our 35,000 members believe this too. We’re
Australasia’s largest network for women, with a growing following in North
America too. We hold 100 events each year with world-class superstars such
as Diane von Furstenberg, Dr Brené Brown, Candace Bushnell, Rachel Zoe,
Sir Richard Branson, Arianna Huffington, Sir Bob Geldof, Jame Oliver, Nigella
Lawson, and Seth Godin. We also have a buzzing online network where
members can connect and collaborate, and we publish a premium women’s
magazine, Latte, that tells the stories the world needs to hear. At Business
Chicks, we’re all about challenging the status quo and lifting women higher.
VIRGIN UNITE
Virgin Unite is the entrepreneurial foundation of the Virgin Group. We unite
people and entrepreneurial ideas to create opportunities for a better world.
We do three things. We shine a spotlight on unacceptable issues using the
strength of the Virgin family and the brand’s convening power. We incubate
disruptive collaborations, such as The Elders, Carbon War Room and The
B Team, bring together the best people and organizations from all sectors
to change business for good, protect the planet and create better global
governance. And we empower entrepreneurs to change business for good by
providing the skills, opportunities and inspiration they need to start, grow and
sustain their businesses.
Since our launch in 2004, we’ve grown a network of people who want to
make a bigger difference in the world – and by joining us on this Leadership
Gathering, you too can become part of our Virgin Unite community.
Virgin Unite’s overheads are covered by Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin
Group, so 100% of donations received go directly to the frontline where they
are most needed.
Top level itinerary
DAY ONE MONDAY JULY 4
DAY TWO TUESDAY JULY 5
DAY THREE WEDNESDAY JULY 6
4PM GUEST ARRIVAL
5PM FREE TIME ON
NECKER ISLAND
7PM WELCOME DRINKS
8PM GROUP DINNER
8AM BREAKFAST AT THE TEMPLE
9AM SPEAKER-LED DISCUSSIONS
12.30PM LUNCH
2PM FREE TIME ON NECKER ISLAND
6.30PM SUNSET COCKTAILS
8PM DINNER
8AM BREAKFAST AT THE TEMPLE
9AM SPEAKER-LED DISCUSSIONS
12.30PM SAILBOAT RACE TO PICNIC LUNCH
2PM FREE TIME ON THE ISLANDS
6.30PM SUNSET COCKTAILS
8PM GROUP DINNER ON THE
GREAT HOUSE ROOF
DAY FOUR THURSDAY JULY 7
DAY FIVE FRIDAY JULY 8
8AM BREAKFAST AT THE TEMPLE
9AM SPEAKER-LED DISCUSSIONS
1.30PM SUSHI LUNCH AT THE
BEACH POOL
2.30PM WILDLIFE TOUR
6.30PM SUNSET COCKTAILS
8PM BALI HI BEACH BBQ
7.30AM BREAKFAST
12PM GUESTS DEPART BY
NOON
ITINERARY SUBJECT TO
CHANGE.
FUN IN THE SUN
LEARNING FROM THE BEST
Leadership Gatherings are all about tackling some serious issues (and having some
serious fun along the way!). We’ve laid on some world-class speakers from all walks
of life. You’ll be part of the lively discussions and brainstorming in the mornings, as
our intimate group will meet each day to participate in carefully curated sessions.
You’ll be inspired by speakers that have gone above and beyond to follow their
passions, hear from radical innovators who have disrupted entire industries, and be
moved by spiritual leaders that will inspire you to look deep within.
There are all kinds of activities available for guests — from the energetic to the
totally laid back. You can enjoy the crystal-clear water with an endless array of
watersports, play tennis or volleyball, work out at the gym or bliss out at the spa.
Water skiing, sailing, wind surfing, and kite boarding are just some of the few
examples! Or just fall asleep in a hammock underneath the palm trees.
WINING AND DINING
Lunches and dinners with the group are always an incredible experience – each
mouth-watering meal is held at a surprise location around the island.
Your host – Sir Richard Branson himself – will be actively involved in sessions and
meals. Yes, that’s right – you can pick his brain and be his dinner companion!
The afternoons on Necker are your chance to take in the island
and enjoy some spectacular R&R. It’s an opportunity to meet
great minds and make new connections well away from it all.
With its soft trade winds, warm turquoise waters, beautiful trails
and an average monthly temperature of around 86°F (30°C)
in July, Necker Island is the perfect playground in which to
relax and unwind. Explore the island and its rich wildlife, from
flamingos, scarlet ibis and iguanas, to the famous red-footed
tortoise and Madagascan lemurs.
The finer details
YOUR INVESTMENT
This experience includes four nights and five days of inspiration
and enjoyment, and charitable contributions to Virgin Unite.
Business Chicks will in no way profit from this trip (just call it
a big member perk that we work on creating for you!). Your
fee is a split between Necker Island costs and a donation to
Virgin Unite, for which you will receive a tax-deductible receipt.
Please contact [email protected] for room
availability and pricing.
Note: Your fee includes all on-island activities, food, alcoholic
and non-alcoholic beverages on the island, and transfers to and
from Beef Island Airport, Tortola, to Necker Island. It does not
include à la carte spa treatments, gift-shop purchases or flights.
GETTING THERE
Regardless of where you’re traveling from, the best place to fly
into is Beef Island, Tortola (airport code EIS). From there your
boat will be waiting to make the short trip over to Necker Island.
The group will plan to check in any time after 4pm on
Monday July 4 and out at 12pm on Friday July 8. The first
sessions will be held the morning of July 5.
There is no place in the world like Necker
Island. From the moment you arrive to
the minute you leave, you feel energized
for what’s possible in your life. I loved
being immersed in the experience – to be
surrounded by world and business leaders
who provoked conversation and new ways
of thinking was beyond inspirational.
Carolyn Creswell
Founder, Carman’s Fine Foods
Don’t take our
word for it
The Business Chicks Leadership Gathering
on Necker Island is best described as
humbling, thought provoking and unusually
grounding. Spending time with some of the
best entrepreneurial minds on the planet and
connecting with them socially reminded me of
the importance of giving back, playing a bigger
game, learning, sharing, and being there for
my team, colleagues, friends and family. I was
inspired by how generous my real-life business
idols were of their time and knowledge. A
magical location, where I made friendships with
like-minded humans that genuinely want to
make a difference in the world. It was a priceless
experience that is hard to put into words!
Sue-Ellen Watts
Founder and CEO, wattsnext
The Business Chicks Leadership Gathering 2016 is an exclusive Premium member-only event, available
only to a very select and intimate number of guests. You will need to be an active Premium member at
the time of application and at the time of the trip. To apply to join us for this experience, please email
[email protected] and we’ll be in touch straight away.
Photography: Jack Brockway.