The Power of YPO Chapter Retreats: Strengthening Bonds and Gaining New Perspectives 

YPO chapter retreats have become an important highlight on the annual calendar. These experiences go beyond just travel—they are about connection, shared exploration, and building lasting memories with fellow members. As passionate travellers, we relish any opportunity to explore new places and cultures, and there’s something incredibly special about doing so with your YPO chapter or forum. 

I consider it as one of my greatest privileges to help fellow YPOers when Southern and East Africa are on their chapter retreat radars. Whether it’s curating experiences that connect us to nature, culture, or conservation, these retreats offer a chance for personal growth and collective bonding. 

I have fond memories of hosting the Austin, Texas chapter during their annual retreats. I was fortunate to join their rhino tagging conservation experience at a safari lodge in South Africa. While the rhino tagging was a deeply humbling experience, I’ve come to realise that the real highlight of these retreats is bonding with the people you are travelling with and the deep connections you make.  

I asked my friend, David Robshaw , to share some thoughts about his YPO chapter retreat experience. Dave is the YPO Austin Gold Chapter Chair and Area Chair of the Western Region. He has been a YPO member since 2013 and Chaired the YPO Texas Couples’ Retreat to South Africa last year. 

INTERVIEW WITH DAVE ROBSHAW: 

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What made your YPO Chapter Retreat in South Africa particularly memorable, and why would you encourage fellow YPO members to attend their chapter retreats? 

The theme of my learning year was called The Journey Beyond. There was not a more appropriate place, nor adventure, nor host, than the trip we planned with Timeless Africa in Cape Town and Kruger. The membership-and-spouse group participated in what truly was an ‘only-in-YPO’ event. The trip was designed in a manner to expose the participants to an engaging, compelling, mind-opening, valuable experience with extraordinary resources beyond every participant’s expectation. 

We grew individually, as couples and as a group from our time in Cape Town through exposure to the resilience of impoverished communities; our tour of an innovative elementary school that was inspiring children; and our participation in an after-school program teaching music and dance, delivering hope within these communities; to the amazing V&A Waterfront visit and the culinary delights only enjoyed in South Africa. 

Our time in the bush was unlike any other any of our members had experienced. The accommodation was absolutely second to none, private and delivered with the finest service. The safari experiences are best left alone, you simply must see it to believe it. 

How did the connection-centric focus of the retreat in Africa enhance your experience and your relationships with your fellow members, and what unique benefits do these types of retreats offer? 

Most YPOers are globally well travelled, however, there are no locations, venues or hosts that deliver the attributes of a great member-couples trip like the one conducted in South Africa. Marco and his team are well experienced, proactive, prepared and fully engaged in ensuring the entirety of our experiences were delivered at a level that exceeded everyone’s expectations.  

The strongest proof for chapter and forum retreats is the fact that four of the members on our trip have been in the same forum for over a decade. That group learned, grew and experienced life in ways they have never encountered in the past. 

Can you share specific lessons or highlights or experiences from the Africa retreat that have positively influenced other aspects of your YPO experience, life or work? 

The power of listening and seeing over speaking! As leaders, we speak frequently and in volumes. The African safari and Cape Town retreat forced us out of our element and to use these other senses in an amazingly broadening manner. 

In your opinion, what characteristics make a destination ideal for a chapter retreat, and what aspects of Africa contributed to its effectiveness as a retreat location? 

While it is a long way to travel, the orchestration and management of travel, logistics, accommodations and the added ‘only-in-YPO’ touch provided by Marco, Laura and the rest of the Timeless Africa Safaris team made it seamless and thoroughly enjoyable. Most YPOers are looking for the trip of a lifetime. Look no further - this is it. The one common perspective offered by every single person on the trip, was that they would be back and that they would do so with their children. 

What learnings around YPO chapter retreats could you add? I would be interested to hear your thoughts and any questions you may have.