Development and nature go hand in hand. This is the motto of the Annual Members Meeting 2025 of The Long Run network, which will take place from October 26 to 30, 2025 at Ibiti Projeto, in Minas Gerais, bringing together some of the most committed destinations on the planet with conservation, culture, community and conscious commerce: the 4Cs that guide the network's philosophy.
Founded under the umbrella of the Zeitz Foundation, The Long Run connects and supports enterprises that act as guardians of ecosystems and agents of social transformation. Today, the network protects millions of hectares of natural areas around the world and influences policies, practices and investments aimed at positive impact tourism.
The central theme of this year's meeting is “Resilient Commerce for Lasting Impact Across the 4Cs” - Resilient trade for lasting impact on the 4Cs. For five days, Ibiti will be the setting for panels, immersions and experiences that unite business and nature, exploring themes such as “Entrepreneurship and inclusion as drivers of regeneration”, “Connecting landscapes and leaders for systemic change”, and “Ethics, integrity and the future of conservation”.
Participation
Among the confirmed names are Stephan Bruckner (Wolwedans, Namibia), Roberto Klabin (Caiman Pantanal, Brazil), Thais Corral (Sinal do Vale, Brazil), Michael Dyer (Borana Lodge, Kenya), Philippa Roe (Six Senses Laamu, Maldives) and Wouter Jordaan (Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa), as well as representatives of biological reserves, private islands and regenerative initiatives from Latin America, Africa and Asia.
The meeting's experiences include sunrise yoga, trails through Ibiti's waterfalls and forests, visits to Vila de Mogol, meetings with local entrepreneurs and a special stop at Casa dos Muriquis, where biologist Fabiano de Melo presents the pioneering assisted reproduction project for the largest primate in the Americas.
The “Beyond the Obvious” panel will feature Claudia Baumgratz (Ibiti Engenho Lodge), Joaquim Monteiro (Sertões MTB) and Alex Soderberg (Ibiti Vegan), discussing how Ibiti extends its mission of regeneration through events and experiences that inspire different audiences.
On the right track
“Hosting The Long Run meeting in Ibiti is confirmation that we are on the right track. We share with this community the belief that regenerating is a verb that is conjugated with actions, and that tourism can be a powerful force for transformation.”
“Regenerative destinations lead by example, showing that tourism can be a force for good. Our members aren't afraid to ask tough questions, talk about failures, share lessons learned and build on them, because real progress requires honesty and courage. After all, the value we offer guests lies in the uniqueness of our landscapes and the authenticity of our connections, which makes us natural guardians of ecosystems, cultures and the communities that protect them.”
On the future and impact of the event, Johanna Barba says: “We hope that participants will leave Ibiti inspired by both the place and the people. The program has been designed to reflect Ibiti's bold spirit, its creativity in building community, its deep respect for nature and its celebration of culture in all its forms. These days are designed to spark new ideas and challenge us to think differently about regeneration in practice. But more than that, we hope everyone leaves with a renewed sense of connection to each other and to the shared mission we have as members of The Long Run. What makes this community special is its authenticity: a space for honest exchanges, without ego or pretension, where we can reconnect, recharge our energies and strengthen our collective capacity to create positive change.”.
The closing ceremony will be marked by a speech by Hugo Cambraia, CEO of Ibiti Projeto, presenting the Ibiti Regenera program, a long-term initiative that symbolizes the project's commitment to the next 2,000 years of regeneration.
The Long Run meeting in Ibiti represents the convergence of a community that collectively dreams, works and plans for the future.
