La Concha Conversations

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Marbella Club

10 - 12 November 2024

Through La Concha Conversations, we are dedicated to bringing together visionary leaders to share the Marbella Club’s journey of growth and stewardship. Our goal is to create impactful dialogues that inspire actionable change, promoting a harmonious coexistence with nature and fostering a sustainable future rooted in interconnectedness, wellbeing, and the enrichment of our local community.

Central to our mission are the pillars that define us: culture, heritage, wellbeing, sustainability, and culinary experiences. These elements are integral to the Marbella Club’s identity and renowned hospitality and guide our efforts in aligning luxury with practices that preserve our environment and ensure the wellbeing of future generations.

Our Mission

To honour 70 years of the Marbella Club’s legacy, we are committed to sharing our expertise in sustainability while engaging with innovators and thought leaders to drive impactful change. We also emphasise the importance of youth participation in shaping a future where luxury, sustainability, and hospitality coexist in perfect harmony.

Advisory Board & Committee

ADVISORY BOARD
María Ángeles Muñoz, Mayor of Marbella
Kisum Chan, Founder, Rice Inc
Louis Albert de Broglie, Owner, Deyrolle
Nicholas Foulkes, Writer
Ben Goldsmith, Founder, Manhaden
Santiago Iñiguez de Onzoño, President, IE
Louise Mabulo, Founder, Cacao Project
James Thornton, Founder, ClientEarth
Diana Verde Nieto, Founder, Positive Luxury
Professor Lee Howell, Director, Villars Institute

COMMITTEE
Isabela del Alcazar, Chief Purpose and Sustainability Officer, IE Sustainability
Carlos Díez de la Lastra, Global CEO, Les Roches
Fiona Drummond, Conservation Landowner, Cadland Estate
Lisa Neuberger, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, SharpBrains Advisors
Alejandro Orioli, Founder, Arboretum
Victor Wilhelmi, Managing Director, Buchinger Clinic
Karen Wilson, CEO & Founder, GV Partners

Programme

Sunday, 10 November
Speaker Afternoon Arrival
5 PM | OPO Garden Meditation with Chris Connors Speakers
7 PM | Welcome Dinner for Speakers
Cabinet de Curiosité. Access through the hotel main entrance parking

Monday, 11 November
8 AM | Rise Cold Water Wild Swimming with Fee Drummond, Founder of Wilding Tribe
Meeting point: Beach Club parking
9 AM | Registration & Breakfast for delegates
Finca Ana María Pool
10 AM | Welcome from Jennica Arazi, owner of the Marbella Club
Beach Deck
10:15 AM | Keynote: Protecting the Mediterranean with James Thornton, President and Founder of ClientEarth
Beach Deck

11:15 AM | Panel: WATER
Our panellists will assess water scarcity and drought, water pollution, climate change impact, and coastal restoration.

Nick Steiner, Water restoration expert
Alpha Lo, Founder of the Climate Project
Lisa Neuberger, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, SharpBrains Advisors
Neal Spackman, Founder and CEO at Regenerative Resources Co

Moderated by Fee Drummond, Conservation Landowner, Cadland Estate
Beach Deck

12:00 PM | Break

12:30 PM | In Conversation: Building a Culture in Sustainability
Marbella Club’s Director of Sustainability converses with Diana Verde Nieto, Positive Luxury’s Co-Founder, on how organisations can embed environmental stewardship into their DNA – from reshaping workplace behaviours and incentives to fostering innovation that drives purpose.

Diana Verde Nieto, Co-Founder of Positive Luxury
Leigh Barrett, Director of Sustainability at the Marbella Club
Beach Deck

1:30 PM | Rain Garden Experience with Nick Steiner and Heritage Garden Lunch

3:00 PM | Panel: LAND
An in-depth exchange uniting farmers, soil scientists and conservation practitioners on frontline challenges and proven strategies for healing degraded landscapes, restoring biodiversity, and building resilient food systems that work in harmony with nature.

Jade Brudenell, Executive Director of The Conservation Collective
Alejandro Orioli, Founder of Arboretum
Louise Mabulo, Founder of The Cacao Project
Fee Drummond, Conservation Landowner, Cadland Estate
Louis Albert de Broglie, Sustainable Landscaper and Owner of Deyrolle

Moderated by Diana Verde Nieto, Co-Founder of Positive Luxury
Storytelling Tree

4:00 PM | Panel: Sustainable Innovation in Hospitality
We bring together leaders shaking up the status quo in hospitality on how their brand DNA reimagines luxury through the lens of responsibility; from transparency in the production cycles to fostering the concept of caring from the early stages of educational careers.

José Luque García, General Manager of Fuerte Group Hotels
Carlos Diez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches
Clara Mori, Corporate and Sustainability Manager of Möet Hennessy
Victor Wilhelmi, Managing Director at Buchinger Wilhelmi

Moderated by Alejandra García Farfán, Head of Marketing & Communications, Luxury Hotel Partners
Storytelling Tree

From 5 PM: Late afternoon at leisure

5:00 - 6:00 PM | Dedicated workshops by students of IE and Les Roches (attendance is recommended)
Cabinet de Curiosité

5:00 - 7:00 PM | Finca Ana María Garden Tour with Louis Albert de Broglie, game of pádel, Sound Meditation, aerial yoga, or free time by the pool.

8:30 PM | Dinner for Speakers and Delegates
Villa del Mar

Tuesday, 12 November
8 AM | Rise Cold Water Wild Swimming with Fee Drummond, Founder of Wilding Tribe
Meeting point: Beach Club parking
9 AM | Registration & Breakfast for delegates
Finca Ana María Pool
10 AM | Keynote: Sustainable Finance with Karen Wilson, Founder of GV Partners
The Sustainable Finance talk will examine the essential role of finance and strategic planning in scaling impactful initiatives, with insights on mobilizing resources to accelerate sustainable growth.
Beach Deck

10:30 AM | Panel: AIR
This will be a space for examining critical air pollution issues affecting the Mediterranean basin, from industrial emissions and maritime transport to desert dust events, while exploring solutions through regional cooperation, niche solutions and policy innovation.

James Thornton, President and Founder of ClientEarth
Flávio Ribeiro Salgado, Instituto Terra
Lisa Neuberger, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, SharpBrains Advisors
Neal Spackman, Founder and CEO at Regenerative Resources Co

Moderated by Karen Wilson, Founder of GV Partners
Beach Deck

11:00 AM | Closing Keynote with Professor Lee Howell, Director of the Villars Institute
Professor Lee Howell will conclude the discussions by examining our current position within planetary boundaries and outlining key actions for progress.
Beach Deck
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Closing Remarks from Jennica Arazi, owner of the Marbella Club
Beach Deck

Due to the participative dynamic of La Concha Conversations, we ask that you please remain present for the duration of the event.

Our Speakers

James Thornton, President and Founder, ClientEarth

A leader in global environmental protection through litigation, founding his organization in 2007 after success at NRDC.

Lisa Neuberger, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, SharpBrains Advisors

An innovator in sustainability solutions through SharpBrainsAdvisors, following 27 years leading strategy at Accenture and teaching roles.

Neal Spackman, Founder and CEO, Regenerative Resources Co.

A leader in regenerative development globally, co-founding projects to restore ecosystems and combat desertification in Makkah.

Fiona Drummond, Conservation Landowner, Cadland Estate

A conservationist and photographer, Fee combines adventure and entrepreneurship while promoting nature-based living from her UK base.

Diana Verde Nieto, Co-Founder, Positive Luxury

Diana pioneers sustainable business growth through Edify Collective, educating workforces and advising global organizations.

Leigh Barrett, Director of Sustainability, Marbella Club

A marine biodiversity conservationist, Leigh oversees sustainability strategy and implementation for the Marbella Club group of hotels.

Jade Brudenell, Executive Director, The Conservation Collective

Jade leads Conservation Collective, co-founded with Ben Goldsmith in 2020, supporting 20 local environmental foundations globally.

Alejandro Orioli, Founder, Arboretum

Gathering 24 years of experience, an ecologist focused on food production and social regeneration.

Louise Mabulo, Founder, The Cacao Project

Louise empowers Filipino farmers and champions climate-smart agriculture. She’s recognised by National Geographic and the UN for her impactful work and cultural diplomacy.

Louis Albert de Broglie, Sustainable Landscaper & Owner, Deyrolle

A lifetime dedicated to biodiversity conservation and environmental education, Louis Albert has played a pivotal role in the co-creation of the Finca Ana María project at the Marbella Club.

José Luque García, General Manager, Fuertegroup Hotels

Provides máximum oversight for the hospitality group in rapid expansion, the first and only Andalucian company to join the UN Global Compact for Sustainable Development.

Carlos Díez de la Lastra, Global CEO, Les Roches

With a focus on the international expansion of the institution, Carlos champions sustainable practices as an integral part of hospitality education.

Clara Mori, Corporate Sustainability Manager, Möet Hennessy

Clara leverages 12 years of experience to promote responsible sourcing and initiatives to reduce carbon emissions across operations.

Victor Wilhelmi, Managing Director, Buchinger Wilhelmi

One of the most renowned figures in wellbeing. Leading initiatives like CSA-Clinic Supported Agriculture and the "House of Inspiration" for holistic therapies.

Alejandra García Farfán, Head of Marketing & Communications, Luxury Hotel Partners

Alejandra oversees communications strategy, positioning and special projects for the collection of hotels.

Karen Wilson, Founder, GV Partners

A sustainability and impact strategist, Karen has led at OECD, taught at top institutions, and was named a 2022 Global Impact Leader.

Flávio Ribeiro Salgado, Instituto Terra

A cook at the Marbella Club, Flávio brings a unique perspective on insights shared from his family’s decades-long dedication to environmental reforestation in Brazil’s Rio Doce basin.

Professor Lee Howell, Director, Villars Institute

Lee is a global leader in sustainability, systems leadership, and education, with past roles at WEF, USAID, and UNHCR.

Alpha Lo, Founder, Climate Water Project

Alpha hosts Climate Water Project media and leads water cycle restoration initiatives, combining permaculture and physics expertise.

Nick Steiner, Water restoration expert

Nick teaches water management and regenerative practices globally, working with farmers through Water Stories and Red Cross.

Useful Information & Leisure Time

We want to make sure you fully enjoy your time with us at the Marbella Club. For reservations, special requests, dietary requirements or changes to transfers, just reach out to our Guest Relations team through WhatsApp on +34 649 15 43 95 (9am-10pm daily) or our Concierge on +34 690 81 95 25 (24hrs) and they will be delighted to help.

The Marbella Club is home to various restaurants, swimming pools, and a beachfront thalassotherapy spa. For beauty, hair and barber shop appointments, or even personal training sessions, we have you covered!

And for a little extra excitement, we’ve lined up a range of special activities for your leisure time during the programme: OPO meditations, cold-water swimming, aerial yoga, padel tennis, and beachside cycling.

Make a reservation

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