Why Retreats Matter for VACEOs Roundtables and Forums
Retreats are not just a tradition—they’re a powerful and enjoyable best practice for VACEOs Roundtables and Forums. We strongly encourage every group to take a two- to three-day retreat each year. Forum expert Mo Fathelbab puts it best: “A single retreat can have as much value for group growth as six to 12 months of meetings.”
These retreats aren’t just casual getaways. They’re thoughtfully planned with a formal agenda, often including the same updates and presentations you’d expect at a regular meeting. Many groups also incorporate exercises designed to deepen understanding and strengthen connections among members. Some even bring in outside facilitators to guide development or learning sessions.
But retreats aren’t all business—play is a key ingredient to their success. Over the years, our CEOs have bonded through activities like fishing, biking, off-roading, climbing, shooting, baking, gaming, racing, wine tasting, attending NBA and NFL games, factory tours, and more. Cooking together and exploring unique dining experiences have also become favorite traditions for many groups.
Each group makes the experience their own. One VACEOs Roundtable gathers annually at a member’s house on the Chesapeake Bay. Another Forum explores a new city each year, leveraging member connections to visit interesting businesses or entrepreneurs.
Ultimately, retreats offer our CEO peer groups a chance to recharge, reconnect, and come away with deeper, more meaningful relationships.
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