As the year draws to a close, now is the time to reflect on the year that’s been and turn our minds to the opportunities offered by a fresh start in 2020. To that end, we’re thrilled announce the venue for the much anticipated Champions Retreat on 25-27 March 2020 – Spring Bay Mill in Tasmania.
The breathtaking landscape and truly unique story connected to this venue will provide the perfect backdrop for what will be a brilliant few days of learning, community and inspiration.
Spring Bay, Tasmania
But before I get to the reason why we made this choice, some of you may be asking…
What’s a Champions Retreat anyway?
The Champions Retreat is a gathering of the B Corp community where you can connect, learn and collaborate with more than 200 leaders of the B Corp movement, as well as other influencers and leaders from all walks of life. B Labs around the world host Champions Retreats with recent successful events in Los Angeles, Mendoza and Amsterdam. Our last Australian Retreat was in 2017, and we’re well overdue our next.
Designed for owners, CEOs, B Keepers and key senior management, attending the Retreat means you help set the direction for the B Corp community and drive impact in your business through hearing from other B Corps on leading operating practices and impact business models. Most importantly, the Retreat is a chance to connect with people across industries, people who share a passion for using business as a force for good, and to connect with an ancient place with a very modern history.
Our last Champions Retreat in 2017, Alice Springs
So to our venue: Spring Bay Mill
We found Spring Bay Mill thanks to Sally Hill (of WildWon and Purpose fame) who has been instrumental in putting together a brilliant plan for Champions Retreat 2020. Spring Bay is on the lands of the Paredarerme tribe and is a place of extreme beauty and the stark, rugged landscapes that Tasmania is known for – a beautiful, remote location, close to nature and appropriate for deep reflection and connection.
After the working mill was decommissioned in 2011, environmental philanthropist Graeme Wood purchased the property soon afterwards and the stunning site has been transformed into an event and accommodation space like no other. An hour from Hobart, opposite Maria Island, the Mill is placed squarely on the Bay and is a commanding presence, with rusting hulks of machinery a stark and strangely beautiful reminder of the damage once wrought by the wood chip industry in Tasmania.
I was lucky enough to visit Spring Bay Mill a few weeks ago as we planned the Retreat and was struck by the beauty of the site and the new owners’ passion for restoring the natural environment whilst preserving the relics on site to tell a story of place. The idea of reinventing an industrial site seemed to me to be so close to our mission, as we seek to redesign our economy to create a shared and durable prosperity for all.
Some remains of the pulp mill, Spring Bay Mill
We’ve got plenty planned for you
There will be accommodation both on-site (glamping anyone?) and nearby in the town of Triabunna. Plenary sessions will be held in a brand new conference facility and the Tin Shed – a magnificent space, once the centre of the wood chip production line, now hosting musical and artistic performance, and the amazing night sky will play host to some star-watching and brilliant fireside chats.
We’re working on a program that will set the scene for future collective action amongst the B Corp community, as well as to help you drive impact innovation in your business. Those who attended the 2017 Champions Retreat in Alice Springs speak fondly of the power of gathering people together who share a vision and a passion, and I encourage all in the B Corp community to lock in the dates, plan a budget, and be ready to buy tickets soon as we go on sale in mid-December (with special advance access rates for a short time only!). Details on transport, accommodation and other logistics all coming soon.
Special thanks to Intrepid Group, who have come on board early as our Principal Partner, as well as Australian Ethical and Small Giants (Major Partners). These B Corps have backed the event financially with early commitments, making the Retreat possible. Thanks also to Local Peoples for their design work.
Tickets go on sale in mid-December, watch your email for an invitation, or get in touch with me to explore sponsoring, presenting or just sharing your thoughts.
I hope to see you in March next year!
Full retreat details: https://www.bcorporation.com.au/champions-retreat-2020
Andrew
+61 402 087 895
andrew@bcorporation.com.au
> For more on Spring Bay Mill head to their website here.
