Executive Search ThinkTank

Sitges Retreat
10–11 November 2026

A private, invitation-based gathering of executive search firm leaders β€” two guest expert sessions, an unscripted peer forum, and a beachfront setting to actually think, not just network.

πŸ“ Sitges, Spain πŸ—“ Tue 10 (full day) – Wed 11 Nov (9am–2pm) 🌊 Beachfront venue, near Barcelona

The level-up conversation the usual industry events skip

This is a small, informal peer group of recruitment search firm leaders β€” not a trade conference. No rehashing turnover targets or platform comparisons. Instead: two hours each with two outside experts, and an open floor where everyone puts their real challenge on the table and the room works through it together.

Format

Sofas, not seminar rows

Lounge-style breakout space with a screen and Wi-Fi on hand β€” built for conversation, not slide decks.

Guests

A small, trusted room

An estimated 8–11 search firm leaders β€” enough for real depth, small enough that everyone gets airtime.

Self-funded

No sponsors, no pitch decks

Attendees split the cost of the room, food and guest speakers β€” kept honest and undiluted by outside agendas.

A full day, then a half day built for travel

Two dedicated 2-hour guest sessions, member spotlight slots, and plenty of unscripted open-floor time. Day two deliberately wraps at 2pm so people can travel that afternoon.

08:30
Arrivals & coffee

For anyone who stayed over Monday night, or arriving early Tuesday.

09:00
Welcome & framing

What this group is (and isn't) β€” the real conversation, not the basics.

09:15 – 11:15
Guest speaker
Rayhan Khan β€” AI in Recruitment

Practical, workflow-level AI adoption for search firms, plus extended Q&A.

11:30 – 13:30
Guest speaker
Richard van der Blom β€” Personal Branding & LinkedIn

90-minute session on personal branding, algorithm data and social selling, plus Q&A.

13:30 – 14:30
Lunch
14:30 – 16:00
Member spotlight slots

A handful of attendees share a genuine strength β€” community building, spin-off ventures, exit prep. Kept fresh, no repeats.

16:15 – 17:30
Open floor β€” "What's keeping you up at night?"

Unscripted round-table. Deliberately loose β€” this tends to run over, in a good way.

17:30 – 19:00
Free time / padel

Optional padel session, or time by the pool.

20:00
Group dinner

Sitges old town or hotel-arranged β€” venue TBC.

09:00
Coffee & regroup
09:15 – 10:30
Open floor, continued

Unresolved threads from Tuesday, and anything still to air.

10:45 – 12:15
Member-led session

A session led by one of the host firm's team.

12:15 – 13:00
Group wrap-up: commitments

Everyone names one thing they'll change as a result of the two days.

13:00 – 14:00
Closing lunch & departures

Barcelona airport is approx. 45–60 minutes from Sitges.

Two hours each, with plenty of room for questions

Two outside experts, each with a dedicated 2-hour slot β€” because in a room like this, the Q&A always runs as long as the talk.

RK

Rayhan Khan

AI in Recruitment

Built the AI systems and rollout for Agency Blueprint, now running his own practice helping recruitment firms deploy AI across their workflows β€” from what to automate first to what an AI-native agency's economics actually look like.

View LinkedIn profile β†’
RV

Richard van der Blom

Personal Branding & LinkedIn Algorithm

LinkedIn algorithm researcher and sales strategist. A 90-minute session on personal branding, the latest LinkedIn data, and social selling β€” tailored to what the room wants to cover.

View LinkedIn profile β†’

A wonderful setting, right on the Mediterranean

We're finalising the venue from three excellent beachfront options in Sitges β€” all within easy reach of the old town. No need to choose: we'll confirm the final hotel and handle the group booking directly once numbers are in.

Proposed venue

ME Sitges Terramar

Beachfront, private gardens and pool, relaxed lounge spaces β€” the leading option for both stay and sessions.

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Alternative

Hotel Calipolis

Front-line on Sitges' promenade with sea-view rooms and a dedicated events space.

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Alternative

Hotel SabΓ tic

A stylish Autograph Collection property in the heart of Sitges, with a distinctly relaxed, "everyday is Saturday" feel.

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Sitges: 30 minutes from Barcelona, a world away from the office

A Mediterranean seaside town of cobbled streets, beach promenades and easy evenings β€” close enough to Barcelona–El Prat for a simple journey, relaxed enough to actually switch off.

Sign up for the Sitges retreat

Tell us your travel plans and what you'd like to get out of the two days β€” it helps us finalise the hotel room block and build an agenda that works for the room.