Insights from our 2024 Cornerstone Leadership Retreat

Growth, Vulnerability, and Connection

Enjoying time with fellow CEO’s and owners in Golden, Colorado

As the sun sets on our first leadership retreat, we find ourselves filled with inspiration, reflection, and a renewed sense of purpose. Over several days in April, CEOs and business leaders from member organizations gathered to delve deep into the challenges and opportunities of our industry. Here are some key takeaways from our time together:

Building Bonds and Community

Peer Support 

CEOs and business leaders need a space to be themselves, discuss difficult topics, and find camaraderie among peers. The retreat provided this space, allowing leaders to let go, problem-solve, and connect with like-minded individuals facing similar challenges. It really brought to our attention that leaders need more opportunities like this to be free to problem-solve, discuss opportunities, and be vulnerable. Our organizations are better for it! 

Community Matters

The bonds formed between business leaders are invaluable. Not only do they foster business growth and scaling, but they also provide a sense of support and understanding. But It can be challenging to find these types of communities, particularly with organizations that may occupy similar or competing industries. One thing we know for sure – business owners need to know that they’re not alone. Having a community that uplifts one another brings peace of mind and empowers leaders to tackle challenges with confidence.

Embracing the Risk “Balance” 

We're in the business of risk management, not risk elimination. Understanding industry standards and best practices is crucial for navigating the complexities of our field. Embracing calculated risks while prioritizing safety and well-being allows us to continue developing and innovating. During our retreat, it was inspiring to see business leaders strengthening their connections, discussing opportunities for collaboration, and innovating their evolving organizations.  

Honesty & Vulnerability 

A central pillar of Cornerstone’s mission is to create a community where no organization feels isolated or alone in tackling the complexities of domestic and international travel experiences. This retreat validated the success we’ve already accomplished and inspired us to continue doing the hard work needed to serve our members. We’re proud to be a facilitator for fostering honest, impactful connections via the contributions of attendees. 

Cultivating Leadership & Growth 

Prioritizing People

In light of the high incidence rate of sexual assault that’s occuring in our industry, we focused a panelist session to help business owners understand the complexities of preventing and responding to these type of events. At the forefront, businesses must always prioritize participant safety and well-being over actions that focus solely on “protecting the business”. Taking care of individuals and showing empathy goes a long way in crisis response and risk management, as we saw in our case studies and shared experiences. The retreat emphasized the importance of putting people first, both in business and in life.

Crafting Pathways

Effective leadership involves crafting pathways for team members' professional growth and development. This is something our industry has historically found challenging - people in the field don’t often have opportunities to transfer into HQ positions due to a lack of qualifying skills. Those already in the office don’t often have pathways for advancement and career growth. By understanding and mitigating turnover and burnout, leaders can create environments where employees thrive and excel. Investing in team development leads to stronger, more resilient organizations - and one of our guest presenters, Founder and CEO of NovaHR, Megan Martins, showed us ways to do it!

Budgeting is the Foundation of Success

A solid financial plan is essential for seasonal businesses. However, this stability can be difficult to maintain given global events, fluctuating enrollments, and the many challenges facing travel organizations. Our guest presenter and fractional CFO, Chris Hartshorn, facilitated a great conversation discussing budgeting techniques, considerations for entering new markets, and gave space for our attendees to share financial challenges.

Embracing Leadership in Action

Leadership isn’t about power; it's about understanding, aligning, and empowering those you lead. Effective leaders keep the mission in focus, nurture team culture, and encourage innovation. By embracing leadership in action, organizations can foster growth and success.

As we reflect on the insights gained and connections forged during this retreat, we look forward to the future with optimism and determination. Our journey doesn't end here; it's just the beginning of a new chapter of growth and collaboration.

Looking Ahead to 2025

We're excited to announce that plans are already underway for our 2025 retreat! We invite you to join us as we continue to explore, learn, and grow together. Together, we'll chart a course for success and create lasting impact in our industry. Stay tuned for more details, and we hope to see you there!