Elevated Experiences: Inside YPO’s Bespoke Leadership Retreat in Santa Fe

Our Client

YPO is a global leadership community of chief executives, united by the shared belief that the world needs better leaders. The organization provides a platform for more than 30,000 members in 142 countries to engage, learn, and grow.

Through a peer network built on trust and confidentiality, YPO helps leaders make a significant impact in their businesses, communities, and beyond. Their events are designed to foster deep personal connections and provide unique, world-class learning opportunities.

Designing a Retreat Where Experience is Everything

For this YPO chapter, a standard offsite wouldn't suffice. The group’s goal was to invest in an unforgettable, high-end experience, even asking vendors to charge more to ensure a premium outcome. Acting as the group’s sole event coordinator, Offsite was tasked with designing and executing every detail of a logistically complex, luxury retreat in Santa Fe, NM.

Setting the tone for the experience was Bishop’s Lodge, a stunning mountain resort in Santa Fe lauded for having a staff that was described as "the best ever seen." The guest journey began at the airport, where members arriving on the main flight were greeted with cocktails and custom luggage tags before being escorted to luxury shuttles. Upon arriving at the lodge before official check-in, guests bypassed the front desk entirely with a satellite check-in process while they began their opening vulnerability exercise.

Curated Moments of Connection and Wonder

The three-day agenda was a carefully orchestrated series of unique moments. The first evening’s welcome reception featured a talk by the mayor of Albuquerque, Tim Keller, and a live mariachi band before the group dispersed for the first of two “Dine Around” nights. These were intricate, multi-restaurant dinners at Santa Fe’s top culinary spots, with pre-arranged seating and curated conversation topics to foster deeper connection.

The second day began with a powerful Wim Hof meditation and breathing experience, culminating in members plunging into ice baths set up on the event lawn. The afternoon offered a menu of bespoke optional activities, including glass blowing, a private O’Keeffe Museum tour, and a food tour with the highly rated Wander NM. The retreat’s grand finale was a private party at the iconic interactive art museum, Meow Wolf. The experience included a talk from Meow Wolf’s founder, an open bar, and local ice cream, creating a truly exclusive and memorable conclusion to the trip.

Earning Trust Through Flawless Execution

This event pushed the limits of logistical complexity, but the result was an overwhelmingly successful retreat that achieved all its goals. The meticulous planning did not go unnoticed; next year’s event coordinator was an attendee and commented on how well-planned everything was.

The positive word-of-mouth has already begun to spread. At least one member has forwarded Offsite’s information to their COO to plan a company offsite, and another promised to give a plug to his fellow members. By delivering a flawless, high-touch experience for a discerning client, Offsite demonstrated its ability to execute bespoke events at the highest level, building a strong foundation for future partnerships.