#8 BALI
10 - 13 March, 2026
Potato Head / Bali
A TRANSFORMATIVE IMMERSION, EXPLORING WELLNESS, LONGEVITY AND THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY
Sessions #8 arrived in Bali to explore one of hospitality’s most exciting frontiers: regenerative travel. Across three days, our programme examined how design, wellbeing, sustainability and community can come together to create hospitality experiences that leave a lasting positive impact on both people and place.
Our host venue, Potato Head Bali, provided the perfect setting for these conversations. More than a hotel or beach club, the Desa is a creative village where art, design, gastronomy, wellness and sustainability converge, guided by its philosophy of Good Times, Do Good. Woven throughout its many spaces, the programme invited guests to experience first-hand the ideas that have made Potato Head one of the world’s most influential hospitality destinations.
At the heart of Sessions #8, curated SYNC meetings brought together leading suppliers and specifiers from across Asia Pacific and beyond, creating exclusive opportunities to exchange ideas, build new partnerships and discover the products and solutions shaping the next generation of hospitality projects.
Our SYMPOSIA programme opened with Neil Jacobs, who shared his vision for the future of hospitality through the lens of his latest venture, Wild Origins. His keynote, ‘Where the Wild Things Are’, established the themes that would define the event, exploring how wellness, sustainability and purpose are redefining the industry.
Potato Head Creative Director Dan Mitchell followed with ‘Decoding the Desa’, offering an insight into the philosophy underpinning the venue and introducing the creative practitioners whose work continues to shape its evolving identity.
Further conversations explored the industry’s growing focus on holistic wellbeing, regeneration and health. ‘Is Longevity the New Luxury?’ brought together Nort Janssen of The Longevity Suite Asia, Ian di Tullio of Minor Hotels, Leo Altomar of REVĪVŌ Wellness Resorts and Ingo Schweder of GOCO Hospitality to examine how wellness is transforming hospitality, while ‘Bali & Beyond’ saw Ross Woods explore Bali’s own hospitality paradox, considering how destinations experiencing rapid growth can balance tourism with environmental stewardship and long-term resilience. The programme concluded with ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’, a conversation in which Verena Haller of Hyatt, Samuel Ding of Capella Hotel Group, Mark Schicker of Geonet and Catherine Chan of Marriott International discussed how sustainability, creativity can be delivered effectively and viably from a commercial perspective within luxury and lifestyle hospitality projects.
Beyond the SYMPOSIA programme, guests were invited to experience the rituals and creative practices that define daily life at the Desa. Day One saw an opportunity for exclusive behind-the-scenes ‘Follow The Waste’ tours of Potato Head’s pioneering recycling initiatives. Day Two opened with Morning Meditation and Movement sessions on Sunset Park whilst the morning’s talks opened with a ‘Rising Ritual’ led by Potato Head’s Director of Wellbeing Kim Herben. Later that day, SUSTENANCE workshops immersed guests in activities such as cocktail crafting, traditional jamu making, incense workshops and a fascinating exploration of a century of Balinese hotel architecture hosted by Radit Mahindro the founder of Paras, a digital platform dedicated to chronicling Bali’s tourism and hospitality evolution
Sessions #8 concluded with a contemporary interpretation of the Balinese ‘megibung’ communal dining tradition, before guests gathered one last time beneath lights bouncing off the giant mirrorball in Klymax, Potato Head’s purpose-built discotheque to celebrate three days of meaningful conversations, new partnerships and a shared vision for the future of hospitality.
Keep scrolling to see the full programme…
Schedule
Tues 10 March
All Day Arrivals & Check-In14.00 ‘SUSTENANCE’ Optional Follow The Waste Tour / Sustainability + Cultural Workshops19.00 ‘SOCIAL’ Opening Reception – A Relaxed ‘Come-As-You-Are’ Welcome Reception At Desa Potato Head Sunset Terrace
Weds 11 March
06.30 'SUSTENANCE' Optional Yoga / Meditation Sessions (must be pre-booked)07.00 Breakfast At Dome & Courtyard09.15 'RISING RITUAL' – Opening Ceremony in Klymax09.30 ‘SYMPOSIA’ Keynote: Klymax. Neil Jacobs - Six Senses Founder10.30 Coffee Break10.45 ‘SYNC’: Specifier – Supplier Meetings Programme: Studio Eksotika & Gallery12.45 ‘SOCIAL’ Lunch: At Dome & Courtyard14.00 ‘SYMPOSIA’ Panel: Klymax15.00 Coffee Break15.20 ‘SYNC’: Specifier – Supplier Meetings Programme: Studio Eksotika & Gallery17.00 ‘SUSTENANCE’ Optional Sustainability & Cultural Workshop Sessions19.30 ‘Social’ Dinner At Bamboo Garden
Thurs 12 March
07.00 Breakfast At Dome & Courtyard09.30 ‘SYMPOSIA’ Panel: Klymax10.30 Coffee Break10.45 ‘SYNC’: Specifier – Supplier Meetings Programme: Studio Eksotika & Gallery12.45 ‘SOCIAL’ Lunch: Dome & Courtyard14.00 ‘SYMPOSIA’ Panel: Klymax15.00 ‘SYNC’: Specifier – Supplier Meetings Programme: Studio Eksotika & Gallery16.30 Coffee Break16.45 ‘SUSTENANCE’ Optional Sustainability & Cultural Workshop Sessions19.30 ‘SOCIAL’ A Taste Of Kaum Grill: Amphitheatre22.00 ‘SOCIAL’ After Party At Klymax
Fri 13 March
AM Breakfast, Departures & Check-Out
* Please Note All Timings Are Subject To Change.
VIDEO
GALLERY
AGENDA
ALL DAY
Arrivals & Check-In
14:00
SOCIAL: ‘FOLLOW THE WASTE’ TOUR
An optional ‘Follow The Waste’ tour for early arriving guests offering an exclusive opportunity to see behind-the-scenes and learn about Potato Head’s industry-leading, agenda-setting sustainability initiatives and recycling programme. Includes complimentary Upcycling Workshop.
*Must be pre-booked via our MeetMatch App or direct with our team*
19:00
SOCIAL: SUNSET SCENE-SETTING
Our programme officially opens with drinks and sunset aperitivo overlooking the Indian from Potato Head’s Sunset Park.
06:30
SUSTENANCE: MORNING MEDITATION AND MOVEMENT*
Optional sessions allowing you to Immerse yourself in Potato Head’s Gentle Daily Rituals offering Yoga (at 6.30am) or an ‘Under The Rising Sun’ Energy Activation and Meditation (at 7am).
*Must be pre-booked via our MeetMatch App or direct with our team*
07:30
BREAKFAST – Dome & Courtyard
Beachfront breakfast served indoors in Dome, or outdoors in the Courtyard.
09:15
'RISING RITUAL' - Klymax
09:30
SYMPOSIA – Klymax
‘WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE’ – Neil Jacobs, Founder, Wild Origins, in Conversation
Having steered Six Senses’ growth during his 13-year tenure as CEO, Neil Jacobs is now exploring new territory with his creative advisory and collective Wild Origins. Discover how this purpose-lead pioneer took Six Senses from 8 to 27 hotels (with a further 30+ in the pipeline). Find out what’s happening at the forefront of sustainable hospitality development, wellbeing and personal growth, design and lifestyle.
10:30 - 10:40
COFFEE BREAK
10:45
SYNC MEETINGS – Studio Eksotika / Gallery
6 x 20 minute meetings between specifiers and suppliers
12:45
SOCIAL: Lunch – Dome & Kaum
A light and nourishing lunch break across two of the Desa’s local produce-driven restaurants
14:00
SYMPOSIA – Klymax
‘DECODING THE DESA’ – Dan Mitchell, Creative Director, Potato Head Bali
For over fifteen years, Potato Head Bali has continued to evolve, driven by its mantra of ‘Good Times, Do Good’. Creative Director Dan Mitchell will explain the ethos of this cultural village rooted in craft, community, and regeneration, whilst introducing some of the creative practitioners and collaborators who bring the Desa to life each day.
15:00
COFFEE BREAK
15:20
SYNC MEETINGS – Studio Eksotika / Gallery
5 x 20 minute meetings between specifiers and suppliers
17:00
SUSTENANCE: Across the Desa*
Optional Workshops
Cocktail Crafting
Learn the secrets of Balinese liquor Arak as Potato Head’s Head Mixologist guides you to create different cocktails using this coconut flower based ingredient. Session takes place in Dome Restaurant.
Incense Invention
In Bali, the scent of burning incense is believed to awaken the gods, signalling the start of worship. In this session, you’ll learn more about the uses of incense while crafting your own, using natural and locally sourced ingredients. Session takes place in Sweet Potato.
100 Years of Balinese Hotel Architecture
Potato Head’s Radit Mahindro moonlights as Co-Founder and Writer for Paras and spent five years researching, interviewing and collaborating with publisher Atelier International to create his book Paras: Documenting 100 Years of Hospitality and Hotel Architecture in Bali. Join Radit in the Dome for a journey from the first Balinese hotel in 1924 to the present day. Session takes place in Dome Restaurant.
Jamu is one of the best and most ancient health remedies from Indonesia. Familiarise yourself with this Indonesian healing method based on the medicinal properties of plants. Join us to learn more about its secrets and benefits. Session takes place at Jamu Bar.
*Must be pre-booked via our MeetMatch App or direct with our team*
19:30
SOCIAL: BAMBOO BANQUET
A laidback family-style feast in the Bamboo Garden to refuel, replenish and revitalise after your day’s meetings.
06:30
SUSTENANCE: MORNING MEDITATION AND MOVEMENT*
Optional sessions allowing you to Immerse yourself in Potato Head’s Gentle Daily Rituals offering Yoga (at 6.30am) or an ‘Under The Rising Sun’ Energy Activation and Meditation (at 7am).
*Must be pre-booked via our MeetMatch App or direct with our team*
07:30
BREAKFAST – Dome & Courtyard
Beachfront breakfast served indoors in Dome, or outdoors in the Courtyard.
09:30
SYMPOSIA – Klymax
‘IS LONGEVITY THE NEW LUXURY?’
Nort Janssen – Founder & CEO, The Longevity Suite APAC
Ian di Tullio – CCO, Minor Hotels
Leo Altomar – Director of Wellness & Longevity Strategy, Revivo Resort Nusa Dua, Bali
Ingo Schweder – CEO, GOCO Hospitality
From tech billionaires to world leaders, longevity is the word on everyone’s lips. But should longevity be the preserve of the few or available to all? How is this trend being reflected in hospitality from the advent of medical tourism, integrated wellness resorts and hospital / hotel hybrids, to more spiritual and sustainable approaches on a smaller scale?
10:30
COFFEE BREAK
10:45
SYNC MEETINGS – Studio Eksotika / Gallery
6 x 20 minute meetings between specifiers and suppliers
12:45
SOCIAL: Lunch – Dome & Kaum
A light and nourishing lunch break across two of the Desa’s local produce-driven restaurants
14:00
SYMPOSIA – Klymax
SNAPSHOT: ‘BALI & BEYOND’ – Ross Woods – Founder & CEO, Hotel Investment Advisory
Hotel investment advisor and strategist Ross Woods takes a deep dive into the data to explore how Bali’s tourism future will depend on designing for uncertainty and how trends such as risk and resilience, over tourism and global volatility will impact the wider region.
14:30
SYMPOSIA: ‘ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL’
Verena Haller – Global Head of Design & Creative Services, Hyatt Lifestyle Group
Samuel Ding – SVP, Design & Technical Services, Capella Hotel Group
Mark Schicker – Head of Developments, Geonet
Catherine Chan – Senior Director, Interior Design, Marriott International
Exploring how holistic hospitality looks now and in the future. Our speakers’ differing perspectives give a well-rounded view of the creativity and commerciality required to deliver a full-service hospitality package – welcome and wellbeing, society and sustainability, people and purpose.
15:15
COFFEE BREAK
15:30
SYNC MEETINGS – Studio Eksotika / Gallery
The final 4 x 20 minute meetings between specifiers and suppliers
17:00
FREE TIME / FOLLOW THE WASTE
19:30
SOCIAL – THE FINAL FEAST - Amphitheatre / Beachfront
Potato Head’s contemporary take on a traditional Balinese ‘megibung’ communal dining custom.
22:00
SOCIAL – After Party – Klymax
Dive into the discotheque for our climactic after-party at Klymax, a purpose-built space designed in collaboration with world-renowned DJ Harvey, and graced by many of dance music’s most celebrated artists and DJs.
07:30
Breakfast, Check-Out & Departures
Please note all timings are subject to change.
SPEAKERS
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