Martinhal Luxury Family Brand Event

Last week, I attended a blogging event with a twist. The twist was it was at a luxury family hotel in Portugal! Definitely the best venue of any brand event I’ve been too.

I was invited by Martinhal to speak at the event on the blogger’s panel and to bring my family along too. I’ll be sharing all of the juicy details about the hotel and what we got up to in a few days. Today, I wanted to focus on the brand event and give you an overview of the speakers and sessions.

After a yummy breakfast I waved goodbye to my family and headed to the conference room, meeting some lovely blogging friends on the way.

The event was opened by Chitra Stern, co-owner of Martinhal. She spoke about changes that Martinhal has undergone since the event in 2017. She also shared some information about Portugal in general.

• Portugal is the most peaceful country in Europe
• Called the California of Europe.
• Family values are very important.
• Healthcare and education are good, with private schools and hospitals.

The first speaker of the day was Andrew Dent from Family Traveller who shared how Family Traveller recently launched their magazine in the US. Andrew spoke about adaptability and not waiting for perfection, just getting things done and into the world.

• • Family sector is 30% of the travel industry.

• • Family travel estimated spend – £500 Billion per annum/ $200 Billion per annum (USA).

• Family travel is growing 26% faster than the travel industry as a whole.

Their primary audience are women aged 25-49 with children and a household income £100,000+. This is the most powerful consumer population by a wide margin.

Average deal size in US is significantly more then the same deal in the UK and you will be paying your staff 1.5-2 times as much in the US to the UK even for the same skillset.

Esther Goedegebuure founder of the popular high glossy magazine JAN Magazine speaks about being a mother of 3 and managing a successful business. Ester founded Jan Magazine for 30+ women, to both support and inspire this demographic. She wanted to show real women, real stories, but shot in beautiful ways as they would be in a high fashion shoot.

Esther spoke about how she practices self-care in order to be at her best. Whether that was cycling to work down the canals, going for a walk or even taking a holiday by herself. She shared how she feels it’s important to have these reset moments.

Tracey Gunn Mumager helps to balance the life of a mum. Tracey is passionate about helping mums successfully manage their return to work after Maternity leave. Via her Mumager services she offers advice on how to juggle babies, bosses and to-do lists while giving you techniques allowing you to banish guilt and keeping everyone happy. Mumager’s  aim is to share practical advice and tools that manage that transition – so that everyone – parents, children and bosses benefit.

Gracinha Viterbo renowned Interior Designer spoke about “How to design your own life“. Her talk ‘The art of looking sideways’ was delivered not from the stage, but from the side of the room.

• • Mindset provokes a shift in attitude – ‘Be a voice not an echo’

• Attitude creates emotions/Emotions create profound connections/Profound connections create positive associations and motivations/Motivation creates dedication/Dedication creates making it happen.
• ‘We are taught to blend in, when we were born to stand out’
• Creativity is the key to change.

Design an original life: 5 steps to Looking Sideways;

1. Look up, down, all around.
2. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing.
3. If people closest to you react, seem confused and don’t understand your shift, that means you are not behind, you are ahead.
4. No more roadmaps, you trace your path; every challenge will become an opportunity. Like a designer you will strategise a solution for every change.
5. Make a list of your 5 superpowers.

Believe in yourself and use your superpowers.

Rob Lawe spoke about the challenges he experienced as he founded Trunki. Trunki make fun, innovative travel gear for families on-the-go! They make every journey just as enjoyable as the destination. The ethos of his talk was the key to success is sticking at it. He actually went on Dragon’s Den and received five very public opt outs and some choice comments about his product. One calling it ‘wheelie crap’. Despite this, he pushed on and has a hugely successful business in over 100 countries.

After the lunch we heard from Melissa Elders from Nibble+squeak. Unique Dining Events with Pipsqueaks at the Table! Nibble+squeak hosts food events for babies, toddlers, and young children (and their caretakers) across the world! Their mission is to get new parents out, doing the things they loved to do pre-kids — in our case, eating! Such an interesting business to hear about.

Then it was time for the blogger’s Panel with myself and these fabulous blogger’s:

– Dominika Rotthaler – From Munich with Love
– Tracey Quinn – Love of living
– Sónia Morais Santos – Cocó na Fralda

Next up was Julia Augenstein who co-founded Elterngarten – Life is not a walk in the park.  Elterngarten translates to Parent Garden.

• Elterngarten are an institute for personal and professional development during parental leave.
• Their events can easily be integrated into parental leave: mornings, 90 minutes, with child.
• Formats: group coaching, individual coaching on request.
• Main topics: personal and professional development / positioning, re-entry into the world of work.

Last on the bill was the lovely Isabelle Moussiaux from Mini Marie Tea. Being madly in love with her kids, herbs and tea, Isabelle cherishes the after school tea time with her daughters. It’s their little moment. This was how she noticed the lack of infusions she could share with her kids with a clear conscience. Believing that kids deserve their teatime too and so created tea bags made from organic herbs which create ‘tea’ in bright colours with natural tastes for children to enjoy hot or cold.

The main themes of the day for me was the importance of doing something you’re passionate about and keeping the faith. Being persistent and it will pay off.

Another inspiring fact was the way Martinhal have diversified their business. Not only have they build and run multiple hotels in their chain, but they also have rental accommodation with a scheme to help families moving to Portugal seamlessly. They are even building an International school!

I’ll be back in a few days to share all about our family experience at the resort so check back then.

Disclosure: I was a guest at the Martinhal event & received accommodation for my family in order to attend.