Reconnect. Reimagine. Rediscover.

Airbnb

Early Elders:

Cultivating Purpose Retreat

Dates
April 20-25, 2026
location
MEA’s Baja Campus

Join Chip Conley & Thérèse O’Neill for a 5-day oceanfront escape for Airbnb pioneers

Reserve Your Place in Baja

Reconnect with the visionaries who shaped Airbnb.

Our shared experience in Airbnb's early days was incredibly special, in large part because of the extraordinary people who were part of it. 



To celebrate and reconnect, you and your partner are invited to MEA’s beachfront Baja campus, where Chip Conley, Airbnb’s former leader in hospitality, and Thérèse O’Neill, MEA's lead facilitator, will guide a week of purpose and connection.



At the nexus of purpose, play, and shifting identities, we'll explore who we've been and who we're becoming. What new ideas and projects are percolating? How can we collaborate to rediscover our early passions and bring new purpose-driven initiatives to life at this stage of our journeys?

This five-day retreat is designed to rekindle connections, harvest wisdom, and reimagine purpose together, all in the beauty of a seaside paradise.

Recharge with adventure, learning, and connection.

From quiet reflection, outdoor exploration, and creative play, the week is designed for balance. You’ll have plenty of time to reconnect while also practicing yoga, hiking, surfing, horseback riding, soaking in the hot tub, sharing meals, and telling stories under the stars.
Days 1 & 2
Settle into Baja and enjoy the retreat together.
Optional activities include:
  • Hiking
  • Yoga
  • Massage
  • Surfing lessons
Flexible classroom spaces

Wondering what’s next for you?

We offer guided sessions with MEA Lead Facilitator Thérèse O’Neill to explore past passions and dreams. How do we bring these forth in alignment with our current identities, desires, and values? What can we create next?

Using practical exercises, the framework of ikigai, and journal prompts, this is a supportive and nourishing space to dream.

Join the Idea Collab Lab

For those who want time for collaboration and feedback, we offer sessions for putting theory into practice.

Those ideas and dreams you’ve been shaping? Bring them for discussion and feedback from fellow Airlumni.

Share your expertise to support others in the ideation phase as they shape purpose-driven projects or passion pursuits.
Baja, MEA, silent retreat
Days 3 to 5
Take part in MEA’s Cultivating Purpose Workshop, a curriculum co-created by Chip and Thérèse to help you:
  • Reconnect with your true self and what's calling you now
  • Clarify what matters most
  • Define what a meaningful life looks like beyond your career
  • Dream into new projects and collaborations

From Reflection to Action: Shape Your Next Chapter

Over five days, you’ll explore:
  • Clarifying your values and identity
  • Reframing old stories into empowering narratives
  • Strengthening your inner guidance and trust
  • Deepening relationships and community rooted in shared values
  • Defining your vision for a meaningful next chapter and committing to first steps 
By week’s end, you’ll head home with sharper clarity, a concrete action plan, and the backing of your Airbnb peers – plus the joy of Baja’s food, ocean, and sky.

Guided by experts in people + purpose.

Chip Conley

Chip Conley, hospitality entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author, built Joie de Vivre into the second-largest boutique hotel brand in the United States before serving as Airbnb’s Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy.

He later founded the Modern Elder Academy, the world's first midlife wisdom school. His latest book, The Midlife Manifesto, was released in March 2025.

Thérèse O'Neill


As the facilitator lead for MEA’s Baja campus, Thérèse O’Neill is a longtime educator in California and Mexico, and has worked with Nest Global to provide education access to young asylum seekers and refugees.

She holds degrees from UC Berkeley and Stanford, with a background in trauma-informed education and psychology. She’s a resident of Baja, where she makes textiles and travels in her free time. 

Your invitation to Airbnb @ MEA.

This retreat is exclusively for Airbnb alumni who were part of the company before 2017, along with their partners. In addition to reconnecting with your fellow early Airbnb community members, this workshop is designed to explore your potential and deepen your self-understanding.

We encourage you to join us for the full week, though we understand scheduling constraints. Weekly pricing applies whether you stay five nights or fewer, so come for as many days as you can.

Everything you need for a restorative, inspiring week:

  • Luxury accommodations at our oceanfront retreat in Baja, with meals, snacks, drinks, and amenities included
  • All meals from Chef Geraldo, featuring fresh produce from our organic garden
  • Beer, wine, and cocktails throughout your stay
  • Wellness amenities including three pools, two hot tubs, two steam rooms, movement studio, and massage rooms
  • Guided mindfulness practices to calm your nervous system and bring clarity
  • Yoga, surfing, hiking, bocce, plus optional shamanic experiences
  • Ground transportation to and from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
  • All workshops and group activities
  • Intimate gatherings to deepen connection and celebrate life together

Reserve Your Place

in Baja

Exclusive all-inclusive rate for Airbnb alumni: five days of connection, reflection, and renewal, with everything included.
Private stay
from

$4,000

per person
Shared stay
from

$3,000

per person

Your rate includes

  • Oceanfront accommodations
  • Chef-prepared meals, snacks, beer, wine, and cocktails
  • Daily workshops and activities
  • Wellness, movement, and mindfulness sessions
  • Ground transportation to and from Los Cabos International Airport
  • Rare opportunities to reconnect with Airbnb colleagues while shaping your next chapter
Reserve Your Spot Now

Give Back

If you're inspired to support others, consider contributing to MEA's scholarship fund in partnership with AGE to support the Airbnb Early Elders Cultivating Purpose Retreat. These scholarships open doors for a diverse and inclusive community - expanding the circle of wisdom for all.
Find out more here

Frequently Asked

Questions

What will a typical day look like?

Each day balances structured workshops with free time for rest and adventure. Mornings often start with movement or mindfulness, followed by group sessions. Afternoons leave space for activities like yoga, surfing, hiking, or simply relaxing by the pool. Evenings include shared meals, fireside conversations, and time to reflect.

Do I need to participate in every activity?

Not at all. The schedule is designed to be flexible. You can choose what feels most supportive – whether that’s joining a surf lesson, journaling by the ocean, or taking time for quiet reflection.

Will my partner feel included?

Yes. Partners are warmly welcomed to participate in all workshops, meals, and activities. Many couples find this shared experience deepens their connection and sparks new conversations about purpose and future vision.

How do I get to MEA's Baja campus?

Fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) - it's about a 45-minute drive from there to our beachfront location. We provide ground transportation from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), so don't worry about navigating unfamiliar roads or arranging rides. Just let us know your flight details and we'll have someone waiting for you at the airport.

How does payment and registration work?

  • Deposit: 50% due upon application
  • Acceptance: Confirmed within 3-5 business days
  • Final Payment: Balance due 30 days before workshop start
  • If we're unable to confirm acceptance, your deposit will be automatically refunded

What is your cancellation policy?

  • 24-Hour Grace Period: Full refund if cancelled within 24 hours of registration
  • 30+ Days Prior: One-time credit to move to new workshop within 3 months (with $125 change fee), or refund minus 5% administrative fee
  • Less than 30 Days: Deposit non-refundable and non-transferable

Should I purchase travel insurance?

We highly recommend purchasing Allianz travel insurance or comparing options at Square Mouth for coverage of illness, travel complications, flight interruptions, and other emergencies.

What happens if MEA needs to cancel?

In the unlikely event MEA must cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund.

Let's connect.

Have questions or are you ready to reserve your spot? Email [email protected] – we'd love to hear from you and help you plan this reunion experience.