an events series by best brands on earth
A refuge is a noun defining a state of safety; a place providing protection. It acts as a haven from the chaos.
Each curated installment offers a place where attendees can simply show up, be taken care of, be vulnerable, enjoy themselves, and truly connect with other remarkable humans seeking growth and forward momentum.
This series represents networking's antithesis.
Networking, we find, is grossly underrated. However, it, too, has a branding problem. You can't spell networking without 'work'.
Networking is often perceived as a chore and is left until last, when in fact one's community is their most powerful professional asset. The strength of one’s personal brand depends upon the strength of one’s community, how they show up for others, and the investments they make in themself.
That hasn’t existed in our industry. Until now.
We stripped away everything that got in the way.
An experiential dinner and wine pairing in a cave; Hot air ballooning over Mt Rainier; A full-day retreat hidden in the Berkeley Hills—full of sound bathing, hiking, sauna; And so much more. Something you’ll never forget with contemporaries who become fast friends.
Refuge started as a question:
What if networking didn’t feel like networking at all?
We've sat in a lot of rooms that called themselves "networking events." Name tags with titles on them. Small talk that was really just a pitch waiting for an opening. Networking always felt awkward, uncomfortable—because it was.
This eventually evolved to something slightly different and more comfortable: meeting people online or at these massive conferences. The problem? Well, a few. You don’t meet people from your city. You don’t get to know one another on a personal level because everything is focused on “work talk”. And the environment is completely chaotic, with the onus still on you to, you know, make it happen.
think:
No hidden agendas, presentations, forced work discussions, awkward entrances. Just an intimate group of interesting people who can relate to one another professionally, given the opportunity and space to experience something new without any pressure. Completely curated, free, unique, and inviting.
When you come to Refuge, we’re facilitating the development of your personal brand.
You pay nothing, but leave with something priceless. And just as with a brand, it’s not always easy to measure, but when it’s working you can feel it.
Who is refuge for?
Refuge is an invite-only event series for senior marketing, business, creative, and cultural leaders who want something different—a peer instead of a pitch; a real conversation instead of a stack of business cards; an experience instead of a panel.
If that sounds like relief more than networking, you already know why we built this.
Request Your Invitation
Refuge is by invitation only, and we keep each installment small and intimate on purpose.
If you'd like to be considered for an upcoming gathering, please tell us a bit about yourself below. We read every request personally.
Know someone who belongs in the room? Nominate them here.
