PAST PURSUITS & CHALLENGERS

Since the inaugural PURE Pursuit in Iceland in 2016, PURE Pursuits have ventured into Idaho, Norway, Italy, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Portugal, Colorado and Australia…

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

BEYOND THE BEACHES

LOCATION

AUSTRALIA

DATES

8 – 13 MARCH 2020

PURE Pursuits Australia brought together a group of senior visionaries within the industry at a critical time for us all. It provided an incredible landscape to discuss and workshop the current landscape and provided invaluable learnings for everyone to move forward with in their businesses. It proved – as we all know – that we are #allinthistogether.

PURE Pursuits 2020: Australia

Alan Mandic
Owner and Director, Secret Dalmatia
Andy Lark
Marketing & Digital Leader, Group Lark
Assefa Azene
CEO, Kibran Tours
Becky Harris
Owner, Viaventure Central America
Debra Carr
Director, Helloworld Travel Surrey Hills
Ennio Gonzalez
Director, Brickell Travel Management
Jen Murphy
Freelance Travel Writer
Jesse Desjardins
Strategist, The Guest Experience Map
Lucas Kambic
Managing Partner, Designer Trips Argentina
Maria Lilly Flakk
Co-Owner & Business Development, 62°NORD
Mark Sariban
Travel Editor, Vogue Australia
Nicola Billens
Group Marketing for Concierge Travel Group, Alquemie
Penny Rafferty
Global Manager, Tourism Australia
Jessica den Boer
Head of PURE Pursuits, This is Beyond Ltd

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

INTO THE
MOUNTAIN PASS

LOCATION

USA

DATES

29 SEPTEMBER – 4 OCTOBER 2019

PURE Pursuits Colorado was perfectly timed as the leaves started to turn, while our group of industry leaders journeyed through the mighty peaks of Colorado. We cycled, rafted and hiked along the way, including the once in a lifetime hike from Aspen to Crested Butte. Along the way there were expert-led workshops as well as thought-provoking discussions from the Challengers.

Alejandra Ramírez
Founder & CEO, ÛNIK
Andrea Grisdale
CEO, IC Bellagio
Benedetta Mazzini
Founder, Ultimate Places
Enrique Velasco
Director, COLTUR Peru
Jen Deacon
Founder, Quench Trip Design
Mark Hehir
CEO, The Small Maldives Island Co
Monika Valentini
Sales Manager, Dolomite Mountains
Murray Gardiner
CEO, Giltedge Travel
Nicola Billens
Group Marketing for Concierge Travel Group, Alquemie
Raul Buenaventura
Founder & CEO, VM Elite
Simon Court
CEO & Founder, Value Partnership
Thomas Serrano
President, Havas
Zoran Pejovic
CEO, Paradox Hospitality
Joe Solomon
CEO, Iconic Adventures
Jessica den Boer
Head of PURE Pursuits, This is Beyond Ltd
Serge Dive
CEO & Founder, This is Beyond Ltd

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

WHERE THE STARS MEET THE SKY

LOCATION

PORTUGAL

DATES

2-7 JUNE 2019

PURE Pursuits Portugal took 18 Challengers deep into the untouched Alentejo region of Portugal where we slept under a dark sky reserve, hiked along Europe’s largest lake and cycled through ancient olive groves. Along the way there were countless discussions and two guru-led workshops topped off with a hot air balloon ride over the region.

Avi Lugasi
Founder/CEO, Windows to Japan
Benedetta Mazzini
Founder, Ultimate Places
Bernhard Stingl
GM/Owner, Top Tours GmbH
Christianna Teixeira
Owner/Partner, Hotel Casa dos Arandis
Eunice Schleier
Director, Alles Blau Viagens E Turismo LTDA
Gina Forte
Principal, Atelier Group
Ishwar Kumar Basnet
Responsible Tourism Manager, Tiger Mountain Nepal
Jemima Mann Baha
Co-Owner and Communications Director, Palais Amani
Jessica Pugh
Founder & Director, Blue Moon Escapes
Kristin Valdimarsdottir
Iceland/Greenland Chief Executive, Luxury Beyond
Lindsy Terry
Sales & Marketing Manager, Ellerman House
Marianne Suh
Managing Director, Jason Travel Service
Marit Miners
Co-Founder & Director of Sales and Marketing, Misool
Matias Schwab
Managing Partner, Designer Trips Argentina
Nathan Sharma
Managing Partner, Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa
Palma Michel
Leadership & Mindfulness Consultant
Rohit Kohli
Managing Director, Creative Travel
Senta Slingerland
Brand Strategy & Creative Consultant
Pedro Quaresma
Co-owner, Portuguese Ways
Jessica den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

LAND OF THE LONG WHITE CLOUD

LOCATION

NEW ZEALAND

DATES

3-8 MARCH 2019

The first Pursuit of 2019 saw our most global mix of Challengers yet converge in New Zealand: hiking Ben Lomond, rafting grade 4 rapids, cycling, jet boating and camping under the stars. Dynamic discussions and guru-led workshops took place along the way, with incredible backdrops and in bright sunshine, before the guitars came out to wrap up each day.

Alejandra Burro
Founder, Boarding Pass
Alexandra da Sacco
Partner, Beyond Dracula
Andy Lark
Marketing & Digital Leader, Group Lark
Angie Bradbury
Managing Director, Dig & Fish
Benedetta Mazzini
Founder, Ultimate Places
Caroline Ferguson
Founder, Luxury Bound
Daniel Brown
Managing Director, dmAFRICA
Darren Humphreys
Owner / Founder & CEO, Travel Sommelier
Don Martinson
Director of Travel Industry Relations, Natural Habitat Adventures
Gonçalo Alves
Sales Manager, Vila Monte Farm House
Hiran Cooray
Chairman, Jetwing Hotels
Joost Tania
Owner & Founder, Thika Travel
Maria Alzamora
Vice President Marketing, Mashpi Lodge / Metropolitan Touring
Miguel Cunat
CXO, The Fabulous Getaway
Silvia Rico
CEO & Founder, Enigma
Sisinio Alvarado
Co-Founder, Origen Escapes
Soliman Ma
Founder, LE Travel
Stavros Kapnias
Director of Sales & Charter, Abberley Yachts
Virgi Schiffino
Owner, Lux Voyage
Zoran Pejovic
Owner & Founder, Paradox Hospitality
Amy Cahill
Marketing & Community Director, This is Beyond
Jessica den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

JUNGLE OUT THERE

LOCATION

COSTA RICA

DATES

25-30 NOVEMBER 2018

The final Pursuit of 2018 saw challengers joining forces to hike through puma-populated jungles, raft down 20km of grade 4 rapids, cycle, climb and swim through some of the most remote and magnificent parts of Costa Rica. Along the way, we had Discussions and Workshops in some of our most incredible locations to date on any Pursuit including a thermal hot spring and in the ocean while the sun set. Pura vida!

Alex Malcolm
Managing Director & Founder, Jacada Travel
Chase Poffenberger
Executive VP and Co-Owner, Academic Travel Abroad, Inc.
Dominik Babel
Owner, Elegant Travel GmbH
Gabbi Cahane
Chairman, Multiple
George Koletsos
Founder and MD, Kudos Life Experiences
Isabella Nardini
Experience Leader, MESA
Jay Ahmed
Managing Director, KMX Global
Justin Wateridge
Managing Director, Steppes Travel
Karina Moreton
Director, Panoramic Journeys Ltd
Luke Brown
Co-Owner, Vayeni
Maria Nikolakaki Koletsou
Founder and MD, Beyond Spaces Villas
Penny Rafferty
Excutive Officer, Luxury Lodges of Australia
Rana Dababneh
Owner, Pomalo Travel
Rebecca Dixon
Director of Sales & Marketing, Crafted Ireland
Siobhan Byrne Learat
CEO, Adams & Butler
Stuart Campbell
CEO, The Lodge at Blue Sky
Jessica den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond
Ryan Wallace
Managing Director, We Are Africa

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

LA DOLCE VITA

LOCATION

ITALY

DATES

20-25 MAY 2018

The second Pursuit of 2018 saw our global group of challengers live La Dolce Vita, winding through the sun-baked Puglia countryside on foot, by bike and even vintage car. With days punctuated by burrata making, afternoon hikes and candlelit dinners in ancient caves, the discussions and workshops that followed were among our most productive (and provocative) to date.

Agustina Lagos Marmol
Founder & MD, Dolomite Mountains
Alexis Vincent
Founder, Dive Butler / Life Butler
Andrew Wallas
Founder & CEO, Business Alchemy Limited
Caroline Wallace
Owner, Caroline Travels the World
Daniel Fraser
Owner, Smiling Albino
Emilio Heredia
Director, Papayaplaya Project
Eva Stelzer
Founder, Evia Active Travel
George Dominic
Executive Director, CGH Earth
Joe Solomon
President, Iconic Adventures
Katherine Usher
Director of Sales and Guest Services, Trek Travel
Lila Fox
Owner, Lila Fox Travel Co.
Maria Victoria Saiz
Owner & CEO, MVS Travel
Marlene Soto
Sales Director, Inkaterra
Rhett Lego
CEO, The Conjoint Marketing Group GmbH
Rohit Kohli
Managing Director, Creative Travel
Scott Morrison
Founder, The Boom!
SJ Lee
Executive Director, The Travel&Leisure
Sunita Hedaoo
Founder, Kora Journeys Powered by Frosch
Jessica Den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond
Serge Dive
CEO & Founder, This is Beyond

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN

LOCATION

NORWAY

DATES

8-13 APRIL 2018

The first Pursuit of 2018 took our most global group of challengers to date to the land of the midnight sun where they kayaked, cycled and ski toured their way through Norway, all the while pushing themselves and their businesses forward together.

Benedetta Mazzini
Owner, Ultimate Places
Cornelius O’Shaugnessy
Founder, Bodhi Maya
Daniel Brown
Managing Director, dmAFRICA
Emily Brooke
Founder & CEO, Blaze
Fernanda Martin Del Campo
Independent Travel Advisor, International Travel Group
Giulio Da Sacco
Entrepreneur, Beyond Dracula Travel
Greg Norris
Director / Founder, OneNineFive
Nick DiBartolomeo
Vice President - Finance, Blackberry Farm
Nicolas Ramirez
Founder & Director, Tanit Trails
Nicole Krenzien Ellison
Vice President, Paul Klein Travel
Pedro Quaresma
Co-owner, Portuguese Ways
Soliman Ma
Founder, LE Travel
Stavros Kapnias
Director of Sales and Charter, Abberley Yachts
Steve Mitchell
Co-Founder & CFO, Angama
Yvonne Verstandig
Co-Founder - Head of Leisure, Executive Edge Travel
Amy Cahill
Marketing & Community Director, This is Beyond
Emma Squire
Event Director, This is Beyond
Jessica den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

FRONTIER THINKING

LOCATION

IDAHO, USA

DATES

4-9 JUNE 2017

Our next group of challengers journeyed into the vast terrain of America’s Wild West, floating off-grid down the Salmon River and swapping WiFi connection for personal connection.

Aldo Melpignano
Founder, San Domenico Hotels
Alexis Vincent
Managing Director, Dive Butler International
Antonello Losito
President & Founder, Southern Visions Travel
Benedetta Mazzini
Owner / Managing Director, Ultimate Places
Craig Beal
Owner, Travel Beyond
Don Martinson
Director, Natural Habitat Adventures
Felipe Artinano De Bedout
Co-Founder & VP Operations, Origen Extraordinary Escapes
Inderpal Kochhar
Founder, Sewara
Jef Moons
CEO, Knai Bang Chatt
Jen Murphy
Freelance Travel Writer
Jody Shield
Author
Justin Huxter
Owner, Cartology Travel
Justin Wateridge
Managing Director, Steppes
Knut Flakk
Founder & Owner, 62º Nord
Louise Beveridge
Communication & Advisory
Luca Franco
CEO & Founder, Luxury Frontiers
Reid Bader
VP, Ker & Downey
Rodrigo Garza
President & Owner, Lozano Travel de Mexico
Wendy Davis
CEO & President, Zebrano Travel
Emma Squire
PURE Event Director, This is Beyond
Jessica Den Boer
PURE Pursuits Manager, This is Beyond
Serge Dive
CEO & Founder, This is Beyond

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

FIRE AND ICE

LOCATION

ICELAND

DATES

2-6 MARCH 2016

The inaugural Pursuit took the first brave group of challengers to the land of fire and ice: Iceland, as they touched base off-road, hit the ground ski-dooing, took the dive into the blue sea thinking and got (their ice-axes) stuck into new ideas.

Aldo Melpignano
Founder, San Domenico Hotels
Ana Bru
Owner, Bru & Bru Exclusive Travel
Barkley Hickox
Co-Owner / Partner, Local Foreigner
Benedetta Mazzini
Owner / Managing Director, Ultimate Places
Jessica Cook
Director of Sales, The Ranch at Rock Creek
Joyce Choi
Senior Travel Designer & Product Manager, Jacada Travel
Karl Olafsson
Co-Founder, Nordic Luxury
Kate Corey
Founder, Nomadic Souls
Kevin Callaghan
President & CEO, Mountain Travel Sobek
Marc Telio
President, Entrée Destinations
Marina Safonova
CEO & Founder, Nordic Luxury
Mark Lakin
Co-Founder, Epic Road
MPS Puri
Chief Exective, NIRA Hotels & Resorts
Quentin Desurmont
Owner, Peplum
Sarah Bisa
Global Director of Leisure & Luxury Sales, Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Steve King
Editor-at-large, Condé Nast Traveller UK
Thierry Teyssier
CEO, Maisons des Rêves
Tom Marchant
Co-Founder, Black Tomato
Emma Squire
PURE Event Director, This is Beyond
Serge Dive
CEO & Founder, This is Beyond