Synergy – The Retreat Trade Show unveils speaker line-up for Croatia 2026
The Synergy – The Retreat Show 2026 in Croatia is shaping up to be a landmark gathering for the wellness travel industry.
Theme & Setting
- Theme: The Healing Power of Nature — exploring how the natural world influences wellbeing, transformative travel, and hospitality.
- Venue: Newly opened Pical Resort, Valamar Collection in Poreč, Istria, featuring ESPA’s first signature spa in Croatia.
- Dates: 29 September – 2 October 2026.
- Attendees: Up to 300 retreat leaders, wellness practitioners, travel advisors, hospitality brands, and destinations.
Key Speakers
- B. Joseph Pine II (The Experience Economy) — on designing retreats for lasting transformation.
- Florence Williams (The Nature Fix) — science behind nature’s impact on cognition, mental health, and physiology.
- Alastair Humphreys — redefining adventure in a sustainability-conscious world.
- Dr. Erica Oberg — biology of nature-led healing and its effects on longevity.
- Andrew Gibson — 30+ years of global wellness hospitality insights.
- Damian Chaparro (Aro Ha, NZ) — blending ancient wisdom with modern wellness practices.
Programme Highlights
- Themes: Healthy Hedonism, healing power of water, experience design, mindfulness, regenerative relationships with nature, transformation economy.
- Global Retreat Report 2026: First-ever industry research unveiling what retreat travelers truly seek, challenging assumptions and identifying future opportunities.
- Immersive experiences: Workshops, experiential sessions, and networking built into the natural surroundings of the resort.
Vision
Founder Laura Montesanti emphasized moving beyond seeing nature as just a backdrop — instead, integrating it into how retreats are designed, how healing happens, and how destinations evolve.
This event positions Croatia as a rising hub for wellness travel, blending Mediterranean culture with cutting-edge retreat innovation.
