What Is the Sell Out Retreats Summit?

The Sell Out Retreats Summit (SRS) is a three-day experience for retreat leaders who want to build profitable retreat businesses, not just host beautiful experiences. SRS 2026 brought together retreat leaders, speakers, and strategists in Tepoztlan, Mexico for three days of real frameworks, honest conversations, and the kind of proximity that changes how you think about your business.

Why I Am Writing This

I could write a highlight reel. Beautiful venue, stunning mountains, women crying happy tears. And all of that happened. But I promised myself I would be transparent about what I learned, because if I am going to serve this industry, I need to listen to it.

So after SRS 2026, I had conversations with fifteen retreat leaders. Some were attendees. Some were speakers. I asked them all the same question: What do you actually need most right now?

The Five Themes That Came Up Again and Again

Theme 1: "Give Me the Math"

This was the loudest and most consistent piece of feedback. Retreat leaders are tired of being told to "trust the process" or "follow your passion." They want to know the numbers. What should my margins be? How do I price so I actually profit? What does a break-even retreat look like versus a six-figure one?

One attendee said it plainly: "I can design a transformational experience in my sleep. What I cannot do is tell you whether it made money."

That hit me. And it confirmed what I have believed for years: the retreat industry does not have a creativity problem. It has a profitability problem.

Theme 2: "I Need Strategy, Not Just Inspiration"

Several leaders told me they have attended events where they left feeling inspired but had nothing tangible to implement on Monday morning. They wanted frameworks. Step-by-step. "Show me what to do in week one, week two, week three."

This is why I built The Retreat Planner the way I did. Inspiration fades. Methodology sticks.

Theme 3: "I Do Not Know How to Sell Without Feeling Gross"

This came up in almost every conversation. Retreat leaders love what they do. They are incredible at holding space, designing experiences, and creating transformation. But the moment they have to sell? They freeze.

The interesting part: they do not hate sales. They hate what they think sales is. When I reframed sales as an invitation, as a continuation of the relationship rather than a transaction, the energy shifted. Multiple people said that was the single biggest mindset shift from the weekend.

Theme 4: "I Want to Know What Others Are Doing"

There is real isolation in this industry. Most retreat leaders are solo operators. They do not have colleagues to compare notes with. They do not know if their pricing is competitive, if their marketing is working, or if their guest experience is on par.

The peer conversations at SRS were, for many people, the first time they sat across from another retreat leader and said, "Here is my actual revenue. Here is my actual guest count. What are you seeing?"

That kind of transparency is rare. And it is exactly what this industry needs more of.

Theme 5: "Help Me Build a Business, Not Just a Retreat"

This is the big one. Most retreat leaders do not have a business. They have a retreat. One event. Maybe two a year. No recurring revenue, no continuation model, no infrastructure.

The leaders who are building something sustainable? They have a methodology, a client journey, and multiple touch points beyond the retreat itself. That is the difference between a retreat and a retreat business.

What I Am Taking Away as a Strategist

What Worked at SRS 2026

The real, tactical sessions landed the hardest. When speakers shared their actual numbers, their actual processes, and their actual mistakes, the room leaned in. The intimate size of the group meant every person got airtime. The venue in Tepoztlan created an environment where walls came down fast.

What I Am Improving

More structured follow-up after the event. More tangible takeaways people can implement immediately. And more emphasis on the business model conversation, because that is where this industry needs the most support.

The State of the Industry

Retreat leaders right now are talented, passionate, and under-resourced when it comes to business strategy. The market is growing. Demand for retreats is up. But too many leaders are running retreats at a loss or breaking even, and they do not have the business infrastructure to change that.

That is the gap I am building for. Not more inspiration. More infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sell Out Retreats Summit?

SRS is a three-day event for retreat leaders focused on the business side of retreats. It covers pricing, sales, marketing, and building a sustainable retreat business with real frameworks and peer connection.

Who attends the Sell Out Retreats Summit?

Retreat leaders at all stages. From first-time retreat planners to experienced leaders running multiple retreats per year. The common thread is wanting to build profitability into their model.

Will there be another Sell Out Retreats Summit?

Yes. SRS 2027 is planned for San Diego, California in September 2027. Details are available at theretreatplanner.com.

What made SRS 2026 different from other industry events?

The focus on strategy over inspiration. Real numbers, real frameworks, and a small group format where every attendee got personal attention and peer feedback.

Do I need to have an existing retreat business to attend?

No. SRS serves both new and experienced retreat leaders. If you are planning your first retreat or scaling an existing one, the content applies.

This post pairs with Episode 2 of the How To Run Profitable Retreats podcast.

Want to build a retreat business with real strategy behind it? Book a 1:1 Strategy Call