A major difference between Connections and the other events, is that we offer diversity.

We listen to the call from our clients, we move with the times, and we will continue to evolve and adapt to their needs.

Since we began in 2014, we have created new event series’ to connect decision makers in travel: Connections Luxury, Connections Meetings, Connections Bespoke and Connections Wellbeing.

And, this year, we answered their call for adventure.

Adventure travel is a thriving sector that will only continue to grow, and I was thrilled to have launched this exciting new event series with a bang.

Slovenia’s epic landscape – lakes, forests, mountains – set the scene for our launch event, and we couldn’t have asked for a more diverse destination packed full of things to discover.

We were in very good hands with Mladen from the Slovenian Tourist Board (our country partner) and Mattej and Matej from Luxury Slovenia (our official DMC). Not only were they passionate professionals who worked tirelessly to showcase the best of their country, but they were an absolute joy to work with!

During the event, I immersed myself with adventurous-minded buyers and suppliers who offer some of the most extraordinary travel experiences on this planet.

Here’s what some of them had to say about their time at Connections Adventure in Slovenia:

“Truly amazing… Slovenia is a true hidden gem, I was happy to have the opportunity to visit there.” – Yoav Gal, Israel My way

“Connections works on the premise that if two people share a special experience together, they are likely to bond together and hence more likely to pick up the phone and do business with each other. How true that seems now! I met, shared fabulous experiences with, and made friends with so many awesome people from around the world.” – Loveleen Multani, Travelati Luxury Trips 

As with any Connections event, I experienced many firsts. I had lunch inside a cable car while travelling up a mountain. I learnt how to be a horse whisperer with the gorgeous Lipizzan horses and I shook hands with a Slovenian Olympic Gold medalist – who really put delegates through their paces with the rowing experience at Lake Bled!

Want to see our adventures in Slovenia? Check out the amazing event video created by ActionVideo – Giovanni and Luca, thank you for doing a sterling job of capturing our time together!

Connections Adventure in Slovenia was made possible by our unbelievable sponsors and partners – a heartfelt thank you to each and everyone of them for putting on such a spectacular show: the Slovenian Tourist Board, Luxury Slovenia DMC, InterContinental Ljubljana, Visit Ljubljana, Vipava Valley, Goriska Brda, Lipica Stud Farm, Julian Alps, RTC Krvavec, Euromonitor International and The Telegraph. Thank you also to our ConnecTalk Speaker, Natalia Cohen, whose inspirational story left a huge impression on us all.

Natalia’s captivating talk about how she and her crew rowed across the Pacific in nine months touched every single person in the room. Not only did she paint such a vivid picture – you felt like you were on that boat with her –but she made each of us really think about how we can better face our own challenges, and stay mentally strong when it’s most difficult. Natalia, you are a truly incredible person, and your zest for life was infectious!

Also, Caroline from Euromonitor led a compelling session about the future of adventure travel, which certainly packed a punch and got the roundtable discussions going! Previously, I hadn’t made the connection between the role the sector has to play in leading the way with sustainable travel, and I leave having heard some fascinating things delegates are doing to future-proof their companies. Caroline, thank you!

I’m really looking forward to returning to Slovenia for Connections Wellbeing next year, and for some other exciting plans that are in the making…

Ciao!

Micaela