We are pleased to report that the 5th edition of our Summer Retreat, which took place from 13-15 July 2023 in Vienna, was an outstanding success. This year's theme was "Change," and the event lived up to its promise by offering a transformative experience for all attendees.

Who Was There?

The retreat was aimed at arbitration practitioners under 40, including attorneys, arbitrators, in-house counsel, and academics. We were thrilled to host a diverse group of professionals from around the world.

Focused Sessions on Change

The retreat was structured around interactive modules that delved into the complexities of change:

• Involving People in Change: Eytan Gellis led this session, focusing on how to engage teams and stakeholders in the change process.
• Overcoming Opposition to Change: Henrik Wehrs provided strategies for navigating resistance to change, whether it comes from within an organisation or from clients.
• Legal Design Workshop: Anna Balmes offered a hands-on workshop on how legal design thinking can be a catalyst for change in the way we approach legal services and arbitration.

Networking and Relationship Building

The relaxed setting of Hotel Schloss Wilhelminenberg was perfect for networking, allowing attendees to strengthen existing relationships and make new friends.

Highlights of the Event

• Welcome Reception: The retreat began with a casual welcome reception at Heuer, Karlsplatz, setting the tone for the interactive sessions that followed.
• Interactive Workshops: The workshops were the core of the retreat, providing actionable insights and tools for embracing change in professional settings.
• Group Discussions: These allowed for a more intimate exchange of ideas and experiences, adding depth to the workshop themes.

Check out photos of the event here: https://www.arbitrationsummerretreat.com/gallery

Participant Feedback

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees particularly appreciating the practical, hands-on approach to managing change in their professional lives.

We are already in the planning stages for next year's retreat and look forward to building on the success of this year's event. Save the date for 11-13 July 2024. The location will be announced soon!

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this year's retreat a memorable experience.