Gozo affiliate retreat sets the tone for Euro-Med
As the exclusive prelude to the SiGMA Euro-Med Summit in Malta from September 1 to 3, the SiGMA Affiliate Retreat in Gozo was a unique gathering. It brought together a select group of 50 tier-1 affiliates for a three-day, all-inclusive programme on Malta’s serene sister island from August 28 to 30. Powered by the Ministry for Gozo and Invest Gozo, the retreat was conceived as a high-level, relationship-first environment ahead of a significant week that is expected to draw 12,000 delegates and more than 1,000 sponsors and exhibitors to the Mediterranean Maritime Hub.
Hospitality with intent
Delegates were based at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, a five-star resort that afforded a serene setting for strategic conversations and leadership-level introductions. By design, the guest journey blended premium hospitality with high-value networking touchpoints, enabling decision-makers to meet off-grid before the main summit.
Georgi Vladimirov, Affiliate Consultant from Betsson Group, said, “From the moment we came in, everything was so nice, the connections started immediately, networking all over the place.”
Programme highlights
Across three days, the agenda combined authentic Gozitan experiences with high-level networking touchpoints designed to foster connections in a relaxed, premium setting.
The retreat opened on 28 August with a sophisticated meet-and-greet at the Baldakkin Gastrobar in the Kempinski Hotel, where delegates enjoyed their first networking reception and had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Ministry for Gozo. This set a refined tone before affiliates immersed themselves in the island’s unique rhythm.
Day two, 29 August, was a full day of adventure and culture. The day began for delegates with a private charter to the Blue Lagoon in Comino, where they experienced towering cliffs, stunningly clear turquoise waters, and lounged on the beach or took a dip in the sea on a perfect day on the water. Lunch was served on board, accompanied by an open bar and a local DJ, JJoy, who entertained everyone to make it an exceptional experience.
On the second day, delegates also enjoyed a nostalgic ride on traditional Xarabank buses travelling from Kempinski St. Julians to Terrazzo, a lively restaurant and beach bar, for a curated dining experience that evening. After dinner, delegates hopped back onto the Xarabank to attend the village feast in Għajnsielem. Delegates thrived on witnessing fireworks, colourful processions, and sampling traditional sweets, as well as experiencing the authentic vibrancy of Maltese culture.
Ronald Sultana, Director at the Ministry of Gozo, added that “It’s the first time that we’re collaborating with SiGMA and hosting an excellent team of affiliates here in Gozo. I’ve been networking with them and I have truly learned about how they operate and all the potential that Gozo has to further implement our strategy with affiliates.“
The final day, 30 August, ended with a farewell lunch at Xerri il-Bukkett, overlooking the Blue Lagoon, providing delegates an opportunity for some last-minute socialising as well as taking pictures of the incredible panoramic views before departing for the Euro-Med Summit in Malta.
Strategic alignment with Malta’s long-term vision
In addition to its high-quality location, the retreat progressed more policy-level priorities. It illustrated the changing face of Gozo within the overall international digital economy, while building on relevant national policy frameworks, specifically Malta Vision 2050 and the Gozo Regional Development Strategy. Both of which utilised notions of innovations led industries, skills, and sustainable territorial development. By spotlighting Gozo as a base for high-value knowledge work and investment, the retreat provided a practical case study in place branding that ties tourism, tech, and talent into a single narrative, making all participants part of a larger, impactful initiative.
Lotte Kempe, Sales Director at Affiliate Alliance, said, “What I think is really great about this retreat is that you’re bringing different cultures together so you get different business ideas!”
Why Gozo, why now
For performance-driven affiliates, time is the scarcest resource. Being adjacent to Malta facilitates effective transit, and the relaxed pace of Gozo provides the space for energising conversations. The combination of access and calm is a competitive advantage, mainly when applied just before a major industry-affiliated week. With Euro-Med staged at the Mediterranean Maritime Hub in Marsa, the retreat effectively served as an offsite onboarding, priming attendees to enter the summit with warm intros and more precise objectives.
Value creation for delegates and hosts
From an affiliate perspective, the ROI thesis was straightforward. Smaller cohorts mean more face time with the stakeholders, a shorter path to partnership and fewer missed connections when the conference floor opens up. The partners and hosts of the retreat, including the Ministry for Gozo and Invest Gozo, produced a retreat that showcased the island’s ability to provide C-suite level hospitality and helped tell Malta’s overall economic growth story. The Malta conference week in 2024 alone generated more than €100 million in tourism revenue, signalling the sustained economic momentum that well-executed business events can develop for the destination. Not only is your participation beneficial, but it is also critical to the success of these kinds of events.
Looking ahead to Euro-Med
With relationships in play and agendas synced, the momentum propels delegates to the Euro-Med Summit. Expect increased conversions from the plenaries of the show, engagement on the expo floor, and after-show networking, all made possible through the size and infrastructure of the Mediterranean Maritime Hub. For Gozo, the retreat sets a benchmark for future pre-events that fuse place, policy and pipeline in a single, high-impact format. For more information, visit the SiGMA Website.
