EP 267 The Retreat Venue Gap: Why Retreat Leaders and Venues Struggle to Find Each Other with Emily Johnson
Release Date: 04/23/2026
EP 268 The Power of Retreats for Midlife Women: Building Community, Healing & Business with SOL Women
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
There is a powerful shift happening - and it’s centered around midlife women. Women who have spent years building careers, raising families, and showing up for everyone else are now asking a different question: What do I want? In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down in person in Austin with the founders of SOL Women to talk about the rise of retreats designed specifically for midlife women - and why these experiences are more needed now than ever. SOL Women creates holistic, supportive retreat experiences that help women reconnect with themselves, prioritize...
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Behind the Scenes of the Retreat Industry Forum: Why Logistics & Operations Make or Break Your Retreat
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
There’s what your guests see at a retreat… And then there’s everything happening behind the scenes. In this special edition of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison and Erin (co-hosts of the Retreat Industry Forum) along with two of the Forum’s featured panel presenters - Matt Quinones and Daesha Donze - to talk about the operational side of running successful retreats. You can have an incredible concept, a beautiful location, and a powerful transformation… But if your logistics and operations aren’t dialed in, it will impact the entire experience. Matt...
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EP 267 The Retreat Venue Gap: Why Retreat Leaders and Venues Struggle to Find Each Other with Emily Johnson
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
One of the biggest challenges in the retreat industry isn’t marketing, pricing, or programming. It’s the gap between retreat leaders and retreat venues. Retreat leaders struggle to find the right venues. Venue owners struggle to fill their calendars with the right retreats. And somewhere in the middle, opportunities are missed. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Hospitality Collective, to talk about the disconnect between retreat leaders and venues - and how the industry can bridge that gap. Emily brings years of...
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EP 266 The Power of Proximity for Retreat Leaders and Entrepreneurs
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Success in business isn’t just about strategy. It’s also about proximity - who you’re around, the conversations you’re exposed to, and the standards of the rooms you choose to enter. In this solo episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail shares why being in the right rooms can dramatically accelerate your growth as a retreat leader and entrepreneur. For many years Shannon’s business was doing well. But about five years ago, something shifted. She started attending conferences, joining masterminds, and intentionally placing herself in rooms with other high-level...
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Special Edition: Stop Wasting Money on Ads: What Retreat Leaders Need Before Running Facebook & Instagram Ads with Jenn Possick
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Running ads to fill your retreat sounds like the obvious next step… But for most retreat leaders, it’s actually where they start losing money. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison, Erin, and Jenn Possick (The Ads Maven) to break down what retreat leaders really need to know before investing in Facebook and Instagram ads. Jenn specializes in helping coaches, wellness professionals, and retreat leaders run strategic, data-driven ad campaigns - offering both done-for-you and done-with-you services. And here’s what she makes very clear: Ads are...
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EP 265 The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Retreats with Joel Weldon
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Retreat leaders spend months planning the location, the schedule, the experiences, and the transformations they want their guests to have. But there is one skill that quietly determines whether your retreat truly lands with your audience. Your ability to communicate. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Hall of Fame speaker Joel Weldon to talk about the powerful role communication plays in the success of retreats - from filling the room to creating deeper breakthroughs for attendees. Joel has been paid to speak at more than 3,000 events and has coached over...
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The Future of the Retreat Industry: Why We Need Standards, Community & Leadership with Holly Porter
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
The retreat industry is growing so fast. Especially in the last 6 years. But here’s the problem: There has never been a central place for retreat leaders, venues, and professionals to connect, collaborate, and operate at a higher standard. Until now. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison, Erin, and Holly Porter, founder of the International Retreat Association, to talk about the future of the retreat industry - and why the timing for this shift couldn’t be more important. Holly shares her powerful personal story - from building 12...
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EP 264 Building Momentum: Staying the Course When Results Feel Slow
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
One of the hardest moments in the retreat business is the quiet period after you launch something. You announce your retreat. You post about it. You send emails. And then… crickets. In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail talks about why slow results are not a sign that something is wrong. In fact, momentum in the retreat industry is rarely sudden — it’s usually the result of consistent, focused action over time. Shannon breaks down the common traps retreat leaders fall into when results don’t appear quickly, including shiny object syndrome, comparison traps, and abandoning strategies too...
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EP 263 Trust Leaks in Retreat Businesses: The 5 Places Retreat Leaders Lose Credibility with Debbie Simmons
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Trust is the currency of the retreat industry. Guests invest their time, money, and emotional energy into retreat experiences expecting transformation, connection, and professionalism. But often, trust doesn’t break in big dramatic moments - it slowly leaks through small gaps in leadership, communication, and delivery. In this episode, Shannon sits down with Debbie Simmons to discuss the five most common “trust leaks” in retreat businesses and how retreat leaders can repair them before they damage reviews, referrals, and long-term loyalty. They break down where trust most often breaks...
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EP 262 Culture Building: How to Create a Retreat Experience That People Come Back To with Nathan Jamail
The Retreat Leaders Podcast
Most retreat leaders focus on the itinerary. But what makes guests come back year after year isn’t the schedule - it’s the culture. In this episode, Shannon is joined by leadership expert and culture strategist Nathan Jamail (whom she is biased to say is amazing) to break down how retreat leaders can intentionally build culture instead of just planning programming. They discuss: How culture impacts everything How to create loyalty beyond a single event Alumni communities that actually stay engaged Setting customer experience standards Why some retreats create raving fans -...
info_outlineOne of the biggest challenges in the retreat industry isn’t marketing, pricing, or programming.
It’s the gap between retreat leaders and retreat venues.
Retreat leaders struggle to find the right venues.
Venue owners struggle to fill their calendars with the right retreats.
And somewhere in the middle, opportunities are missed.
In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Hospitality Collective, to talk about the disconnect between retreat leaders and venues - and how the industry can bridge that gap.
Emily brings years of experience in the hospitality industry, working with boutique hotels and retreat centers to help them attract wellness travelers and retreat leaders. Her work focuses on helping venues improve their positioning, marketing, and sales strategies so their spaces can move from empty calendars to thriving retreat businesses.
Together, Shannon and Emily explore the rapid growth of the wellness travel sector - projected to become a trillion-dollar industry in the coming years - and what both retreat leaders and venue owners need to understand to take advantage of that growth.
They also discuss practical strategies for retreat leaders who are selecting venues for their retreats and the common mistakes that create friction between hosts and properties.
If you host retreats, run a retreat center, or are thinking about entering the retreat industry, this episode will give you a deeper understanding of how successful retreat partnerships are built.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
• Why there is often a disconnect between retreat leaders and retreat venues
• How boutique hotels and retreat centers can attract more retreat leaders
• The role hospitality strategy plays in filling retreat venues
• Why the wellness travel sector is growing so rapidly
• What retreat leaders should look for when choosing a venue
• Why boutique hotels can be a great starting point for new retreat leaders
Key Takeaways
The Retreat Industry Has a Partnership Gap
Many retreat leaders struggle to find the right venues while many retreat venues struggle to attract retreat leaders.
The challenge often comes down to positioning, communication, and expectations.
Retreat Centers Often Wear Too Many Hats
Many retreat centers operate with small teams that are responsible for:
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marketing
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sales
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operations
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guest services
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event management
Specialized support can help these venues better position themselves and attract the right retreat leaders.
Wellness Travel Is Growing Rapidly
The wellness travel sector is projected to become a trillion-dollar industry in the next 5–7 years.
Retreat venues and retreat leaders who understand this shift will be better positioned to take advantage of the growing demand.
Venue Selection Matters
Emily and Shannon also discuss why retreat leaders should carefully consider where they host retreats.
They highlight:
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why boutique hotels can be a great starting point
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why specialized retreat venues may offer stronger alignment
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why platforms like Airbnb or VRBO often create legal and insurance challenges for retreats
About Emily Johnson
Emily Johnson is the founder of Elevate Hospitality Collective, a consultancy that helps boutique hotels and retreat centers attract wellness travelers and retreat leaders.
With a background in hospitality strategy, Emily works with venues to improve their positioning, marketing, and sales strategies so they can move from empty calendars to thriving retreat businesses.
Her work focuses on bridging the gap between retreat leaders and retreat venues, helping both sides build stronger partnerships and more successful retreat experiences.
Learn more at:
www.elevatehospitalitycollective.com or https://elevatehospitalitycollective.substack.com/
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TIMESTAMPS
Emily’s Background & Hospitality Experience (00:01:20) Emily shares her 20+ years in hospitality, her companies, and her transition into the retreat space.
Identifying the Gap: Retreat Leaders vs. Venue Owners (00:01:50) Discussion about the disconnect between retreat leaders seeking venues and venue owners struggling to fill their spaces.
How Emily Bridges the Gap (00:03:21) Emily explains her approach to helping venues define their brand, market effectively, and connect with facilitators.
Wellness Travel Industry Growth (00:05:28) Shannon highlights the explosive growth of the wellness travel and retreat industry, emphasizing its vastness and opportunities.
Matching Venues & Retreat Leaders (00:07:53) Emily discusses the importance of clear branding, storytelling, and ensuring the right fit between venues and retreat leaders.
Challenges for Small Venue Owners (00:08:05) Emily describes the struggles of small retreat centers, often run by owners wearing many hats, and the need for commercial strategy.
Importance of Proper Venue-Facilitator Match (00:09:03) The risks of mismatched bookings and the need for clear communication and expectations between venues and facilitators.
Retreat Industry Forum Promotion (00:10:09) Shannon briefly promotes the upcoming Retreat Industry Forum event in Denver.
Contracts, Structure, and First-Time Retreat Leaders (00:11:09) Discussion on the importance of contracts, understanding venue policies, and advice for new retreat leaders.
Hotels vs. Retreat Venues for Beginners (00:12:31) Emily explains why hotels can be a good starting point for new retreat leaders due to flexibility and lower risk.
Warning Against Using Airbnb/Vrbo for Retreats (00:14:27) Shannon strongly advises against using Airbnb or Vrbo for retreats due to legal and insurance issues.
Venue Options & Flexibility (00:15:29) Discussion about different types of venues, buyouts, and the value of expert help in finding the right space.
Niche Marketing & Facebook Groups (00:16:02) Emily talks about the importance of niche marketing and the challenges of finding the right venue via Facebook.
Corporate Retreats & Experiential Travel Trends (00:17:11) Emily notes the rise of corporate retreats seeking unique, wellness-focused venues and the shift from traditional meeting spaces.
How to Connect with Emily (00:19:14) Emily shares where listeners can find her online and her focus on experiential travel and wellness venues.
Sales Strategy: Sell Before You Open (00:20:20) Emily and Shannon stress the importance of having a sales plan and booking venues before opening.
Episode Wrap-Up & Farewell (00:21:43) Shannon thanks Emily, wraps up the episode, and encourages listeners to subscribe and access resources.