Paul Walsh, the Irish Opportunist

The Chateau in the picture is the actual venue we’re going to use.

What could be more fun than a focused business retreat in a stunning 17th century Chateau with 3 swimming pools?!

There’s no point in just having an idea, you need to execute! Two friends launched a new travel company recently called pure escapes, so I decided to take a look at the site to see if it was appropriate to pimp to my Twitter followers - within seconds the site made sense and it got me thinking about how we could organise a business related event at one of their fantastic venues.

So, I’m doing it - all decided in an hour. Actually, I won’t be doing it. ‘We’ will be doing it - it’ll be under the new networking events company I’m setting up with Caroline Whitmey and Mike Fletcher.

The trip is heavily subsidised so we hope it’s accessible to everyone. There’s room for 24 entrepreneurs at a cost of just £449 per person - that includes:

• Flights (from Luton, London - people from other countries are welcome!) £349 if you don’t want to use the flights we’re putting on - this will help those flying from a different country/city
• 3 nights accommodation
• 3 course meal each night including wine. The chef and staff will prepare the meal, serve it and clear away
• Welcome pack of food to cover breakfast and lunches while we are there
• Daily maid service
• Access to likeminded people for 3 days - people who will share ideas and help to resolve real business issues

This is a business retreat that will be fun, creative, productive and unforgettable. It might even end up being the first of many retreats abroad. It doesn’t stop when the retreat is over - you will receive post-event help from at least 2 people to you generate new business.

More about the venue

Within an hour’s drive are the wonderful towns of Bordeaux and La Rochelle. Bordeaux is known for its beauty and historical background, with elegant boulevards and countless boutique cafes.

The interior consists of 18 bedrooms, 13 spacious bathrooms, an intimate salon, a snooker room, 3 equipped kitchens, a large 30 seat indoor dining room or an outdoor dining terrace for those warm evenings, BBQ area and 3 swimming pools.

Our thanks go to pure escapes for subsidising the trip to help make it very accessible to everyone.

Travel itinerary

The flight details are - London Luton to Bordeaux on Saturday 9th May, departing at 13.35 and arriving at 16.20. Returning on Tuesday 12th at 16.50 arriving at 17.35. Transfer - 1 1/4 hour drive to and from the chateau. Attendees flying from a different airport can discount £100 from the total price.

We’re looking for sponsors to help reduce the price per person even further. Please get in touch if you’re interested. Please get in touch if you’re a journalist and would like to cover the story. Don’t we need more of this?

Feel free to leave a comment if you have ideas on how we could run the retreat - even if you don’t want to come. All ideas are most welcome. We already have a bunch of cool people who want in. We even have two potential sponsors already!

To apply for this unique and unrivaled networking opportunity, please email me at paulatsegala.com and provide as much background about yourself as possible.

Sign up to the mailing list if you want to be the first to hear about this, OpenSoho and other cool events in the future.

Sponsored by:

Please get in touch if you’d like to support/sponsor this event - paulatsegala.com

I will continue to update this post as details become available.