The Future of the Retreat Industry: Why We Need Standards, Community & Leadership with Holly Porter

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 companies while raising a family to a life-altering 70-day hospital stay during COVID that led to a deeper calling to create something meaningful for the retreat industry. That calling became the International Retreat Association . Together, they dive into: Why the retreat industry has lacked structure and standards The need for a global association to support growth and professionalism How the Retreat Industry Forum, platforms like WeTravel, and associations are creating a full ecosystem Why collaboration - not competition - is the future of this industry What Holly is building with her membership model and long-term vision This episode also marks an exciting milestone as Holly and the International Retreat Association officially join the Retreat Industry Forum as a sponsor, further strengthening the movement to elevate the industry. This is not just a conversation about retreats. This is a conversation about where the entire industry is headed. What You'll Learn in This Episode • Why the retreat industry has lacked a central governing or support structure • The role of associations in building credibility and standards • How the Retreat Industry Forum fits into the larger ecosystem • Why collaboration is key to industry growth • What the International Retreat Association is building for retreat leaders Key Takeaways The Retreat Industry Has Been Fragmented Until now, there has been: no central hub no global standards no unified ecosystem This has created inconsistency across the industry. A New Ecosystem Is Emerging The combination of: events (Retreat Industry Forum) platforms (like WeTravel) associations (International Retreat Association) creates a more complete, connected industry. This Is About Growth - Not Policing Holly makes it clear: This is not about controlling the industry. It's about: elevating standards supporting leaders creating connection building credibility Community Will Define the Future The retreat industry is built on: connection transformation human experience And now it's building a foundation to support that at scale. Leadership Is Required As the industry grows, leaders who step up, collaborate, and operate at a higher level will shape its future. About International Retreat Association The International Retreat Association is led by a 17x best-selling author, international speaker, host of the All Things Retreat Podcast, and founder of 12 startup companies with a track record of building purpose-driven businesses. After surviving a 70-day hospital stay with COVID that included time on a ventilator, her perspective on life, impact, and legacy shifted in a profound way. That experience became the catalyst for creating a global movement within the retreat industry. The Association was founded to bring together retreat leaders, venues, and aligned professionals into one collaborative ecosystem focused on growth, integrity, and shared standards. With a vision to elevate the entire industry, it provides connection, education, and strategic opportunities for those shaping the future of retreats worldwide. Learn more: About the Retreat Industry Forum The Retreat Industry Forum brings together retreat leaders, venue owners, and industry professionals who are serious about building profitable and sustainable retreat businesses. Hosted by Shannon Jamail, Alison, and Erin , this is a room designed to elevate the entire industry. 📍 Denver, May 🎟️ Or jump on the Paris list: The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links: Learn to Host Retreats Join our private Facebook Group Top 5 Marketing Tools Free Guide Get your legal docs for retreats Join Shannon in Denver at the Retreat Industry Forum Join our LinkedIn Group Apply to be a guest on our show Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to

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The Future of the Retreat Industry: Why We Need Standards, Community & Leadership with Holly Porter is an episode from Happy Hour Podcast with Dee and Shannon by Shannon Jamail.

This episode is 18:01 long.

This episode was published on Apr 8, 2026.

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