What happens when the architects of unforgettable events—those who craft seamless conferences, dazzling weddings, and high-stakes corporate gatherings—find themselves crumbling under the weight of their own creations? In the high-pressure world of event planning, women professionals are disproportionately bearing the brunt of burnout, often sacrificing their health for perfection. A staggering 68% of women in the industry report experiencing chronic stress, according to recent industry surveys, spotlighting a crisis that demands urgent attention. Enter a revolutionary quarterly retreat, a sanctuary designed specifically for female and non-binary event professionals to heal, connect, and redefine what success looks like in an unforgiving field.
This initiative isn’t just a fleeting escape; it’s a bold response to a systemic issue that has long been ignored. With the inaugural event having launched at Tewinbury Farm in Hertfordshire, the retreat stands as a beacon of hope for those navigating the relentless 24/7 demands of event planning. It addresses not only personal wellbeing but also the stark gender disparities that amplify stress for women in the sector. By offering a space to pause and rebuild, this program challenges the industry’s “always on” culture, paving the way for a healthier, more equitable future.
Unmasking Burnout: Why Women in Events Are at Risk
Behind the polished facade of flawless events lies a grueling reality for many women professionals. The events industry thrives on tight deadlines, unpredictable challenges, and the expectation of constant availability, creating a perfect storm for exhaustion. Women, who often juggle additional societal pressures like caregiving alongside their careers, face an intensified burden, with studies showing they are 30% more likely than men to report burnout in this field.
This crisis has deep roots in a culture that glorifies overwork while offering little room for recovery. The post-pandemic recovery period has only heightened the strain, as event planners scramble to meet pent-up demand with limited resources. Recognizing this breaking point, a pioneering quarterly retreat has emerged as a lifeline, providing female and non-binary professionals a chance to step away from the chaos and focus on their own needs.
The retreat, hosted at a serene countryside venue, isn’t merely about relaxation—it’s about redefining how success is measured. By prioritizing mental and emotional health over endless productivity, it seeks to empower participants to return to their roles with renewed energy and perspective, challenging the notion that burnout is an inevitable rite of passage in the industry.
Beneath the Glitz: A Hidden Wellbeing Crisis
While the events industry often dazzles with its outward glamour, a darker truth persists beneath the surface. Gender disparities remain a significant barrier, with women holding fewer than 25% of leadership positions despite making up a large portion of the workforce, according to recent sector reports. This imbalance creates unique pressures, as many grapple with imposter syndrome and a lack of mentorship to navigate their ascent.
Compounding these challenges is the struggle to maintain work-life balance in a field that rarely sleeps. The absence of supportive networks leaves many feeling isolated, unable to voice their struggles or seek guidance. Research highlights that women in events are twice as likely as their male counterparts to cite a lack of peer support as a key stressor, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.
This retreat steps into that void, offering a critical space where personal health isn’t an afterthought but the foundation of professional growth. By addressing both systemic inequities and individual wellbeing, it aims to spark a broader conversation about how the industry can better support its most vulnerable contributors, ensuring that talent isn’t lost to preventable burnout.
Redefining Support: A Tailored Retreat Experience
Unlike typical industry conferences focused on networking or skill-building, this retreat carves out a unique niche with a holistic approach designed specifically for women in events. It operates on a seasonal framework, aligning activities with natural energy cycles—winter for quiet introspection, spring for fresh ideas, summer for vibrant energy, and autumn for reflective gratitude. This innovative structure offers a refreshing counterpoint to the relentless pace of the sector.
Participants engage in a range of restorative experiences, from sacred circle discussions that build authentic connections to women’s tea ceremonies that honor shared stories. Physical and emotional renewal are central, with gentle yoga, forest bathing, and grounding meditations woven into the program. Seasonal cuisine, crafted to nourish body and soul, pairs with expert-led sessions on self-care and sustainable career strategies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to wellbeing.
The retreat’s impact extends beyond its physical space through ongoing community support via digital platforms like WhatsApp and Zoom follow-ups. With early registrations reflecting strong demand, this initiative stands as a promising model for balance in a high-stakes field, demonstrating that prioritizing health can coexist with professional ambition. Its focus on lasting bonds and practical tools ensures participants leave equipped to thrive, not just survive.
Voices Driving Change: Founders and Early Feedback
At the heart of this transformative movement are co-founders Lucy Eden and Gabby Austen Browne, whose combined expertise in wellness and event planning fuels a powerful vision. Eden speaks passionately about reclaiming space for feminine essence in a field often dominated by aggressive, masculine energy, advocating for intuition as a professional strength. Browne complements this by emphasizing inclusivity, ensuring the retreat resonates with non-binary professionals who also face unique industry challenges.
Though the program is still in its early stages, the anticipation among participants signals a deep hunger for change. Early registrants have shared a collective yearning for spaces where vulnerability isn’t a weakness but a bridge to connection. One prospective attendee noted the relief of finally finding a community that understands the toll of constant performance, hinting at the retreat’s potential to fill a long-standing gap.
Their insights, paired with emerging data revealing that over 70% of women in events experience moderate to severe stress, highlight the urgency of this initiative. The founders’ commitment to redefining rest as a cornerstone of success could catalyze a cultural shift, inspiring others in the industry to rethink outdated norms and prioritize wellbeing as a non-negotiable asset.
Building Lasting Wellbeing: Practical Takeaways
For event professionals eager to sustain the retreat’s momentum, actionable strategies can help integrate wellbeing into everyday life. Aligning personal and professional goals with seasonal rhythms offers a natural framework—dedicating quieter winter months to strategic planning or tapping into summer’s vitality for ambitious projects can create balance. This cyclical approach mirrors the retreat’s ethos of working with, rather than against, one’s energy.
Incorporating small, intentional habits also makes a significant difference. A brief five-minute meditation between client calls or a short walk to reset after a hectic day can prevent burnout before it takes hold. Building or joining peer networks, inspired by the retreat’s community model, combats isolation by fostering ongoing support and shared learning, ensuring no one navigates challenges alone.
Advocacy within workplaces is equally crucial. Proposing flexible schedules or wellness programs, using the retreat’s blueprint of sustainable success, can drive systemic change. By championing these shifts, professionals can help reshape an industry culture that too often equates value with overextension, proving that thriving careers need not come at the expense of health.
Reflecting on a Movement’s Beginnings
Looking back, the launch of this quarterly retreat marked a pivotal moment for women in the events industry, offering a rare space to step away from unrelenting demands and focus on restoration. It stood as a testament to the power of community and intentional design in addressing deep-seated challenges like burnout and gender inequity. The stories shared and connections forged during those early sessions laid a foundation for something greater.
Moving forward, the challenge lies in scaling this impact—ensuring that more professionals gain access to such transformative experiences. Industry leaders might consider adopting similar models, integrating wellbeing into corporate structures to prevent talent loss. For individuals, the next step involves carrying forward the retreat’s lessons, weaving self-care into daily routines with deliberate intent.
Ultimately, the ripple effect of this initiative could redefine how success is perceived in events, shifting the focus from sheer output to sustainable growth. As momentum builds, it becomes clear that supporting women and non-binary professionals in this way isn’t just a temporary fix but a vital step toward a healthier, more inclusive future for the entire sector.
