Thu, Oct 8 – Sun, Oct 11, 2026
Chip Conley
Chip Conley is an entrepreneur, hospitality innovator, and New York Times bestselling author focused on midlife, wisdom, and multi-generational work. Per chipconley.com, he disrupted hospitality twice—first as founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality (then the second-largest boutique hotel operator in the U.S.), then as Airbnb’s Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy. In January 2018 he co-founded Modern Elder Academy (MEA), described as the world’s first midlife wisdom school.
24 events
20 upcoming
Coming up
See all 20 upcoming ↓
Mon, Oct 12 – Sat, Oct 17, 2026
Designing Your Best Decade for Couples (MEA Baja)
Sun, Oct 18 – Thu, Oct 22, 2026
Roar Into Midlife: Build Your Bold Second Act (MEA Santa Fe)
Sun, Oct 25 – Thu, Oct 29, 2026
Celebrating Life’s Wisdom: Share the Joy of What You've Lived and Learned (MEA Santa Fe)
Sun, Nov 8 – Thu, Nov 12, 2026
Your Next Chapter of Leadership: Purpose, Courage and Conviction (MEA Santa Fe)
Overview
Chip Conley is an entrepreneur, hospitality innovator, and New York Times bestselling author focused on midlife, wisdom, and multi-generational work. Per chipconley.com, he disrupted hospitality twice—first as founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality (then the second-largest boutique hotel operator in the U.S.), then as Airbnb’s Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy. In January 2018 he co-founded Modern Elder Academy (MEA), described as the world’s first midlife wisdom school.
A three-time TED speaker, Conley’s seventh book, *Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age*, reframes the 40s–60s as a chrysalis rather than a crisis. Earlier titles include Wisdom at Work, Emotional Equations, and Peak—books that connect psychology, culture, and business performance.
Why SUCCESS readers care
Conley’s lane is midlife reinvention, modern elderhood, and purpose after the first career chapter—topics SUCCESS readers hit when scaling companies, mentoring, or redesigning life after peak achievement. MEA destination workshops and online programs operationalize that message.
Proof points
- Founder, Joie de Vivre Hospitality; former Airbnb Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy
- Co-founder, Modern Elder Academy (8,000+ alumni / 60 countries per MEA site)
- NYT bestselling author; 7th book Learning to Love Midlife; 2023 TED on the “midlife chrysalis”
- Three-time TED speaker on business innovation, psychology, and spirituality
Sources
All upcoming events
In Person
Thu, Oct 8 – Sun, Oct 11, 2026|Multi-day
Career Transitions: Your Clear Path Forward (MEA Santa Fe)
Career strategist Carolina Lasso leads a three-night MEA workshop at Rising Circle Ranch for midlife professionals planning their next decade of work. Participants build a Career Blueprint for a chosen or unexpected career change and leave with concrete next steps.
From $2700Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Mon, Oct 12 – Sat, Oct 17, 2026|Multi-day
Designing Your Best Decade for Couples (MEA Baja)
Decade Game creator Carolyn Buck Luce and Collaboration Code author Robert Evans, founder of Ernst & Young's Accelerated Solutions Environment, lead a five-night MEA retreat for couples. Partners play through the Decade Game together and leave with a shared vision and plan for their next ten years.
From $4500El Pescadero, Baja California Sur
In Person
Sun, Oct 18 – Thu, Oct 22, 2026|Multi-day
Roar Into Midlife: Build Your Bold Second Act (MEA Santa Fe)
Former Hearst Magazines president and ROAR author Michael Clinton leads a four-day MEA workshop on his Life Layering method. Accomplished midlifers turn long-postponed ideas into a time-bound second-act roadmap with a small peer crew.
From $4000Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Sun, Oct 25 – Thu, Oct 29, 2026|Multi-day
Celebrating Life’s Wisdom: Share the Joy of What You've Lived and Learned (MEA Santa Fe)
MEA founder Chip Conley co-leads this four-day Santa Fe workshop with Ben Katt on metabolizing lived experience into wisdom you can share. Includes ranch lodging/meals at Rising Circle Ranch and a post-workshop group call with Chip.
From $3200Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Sun, Nov 8 – Thu, Nov 12, 2026|Multi-day
Your Next Chapter of Leadership: Purpose, Courage and Conviction (MEA Santa Fe)
True North author Bill George and MEA founder Chip Conley co-lead this four-night leadership retreat at Rising Circle Ranch near Santa Fe. Participants clarify core values, reconnect with purpose and build the courage to lead authentically in their next chapter.
From $4400Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Thu, Dec 3 – Sun, Dec 6, 2026|Multi-day
Jumpstart Your Next Chapter: Finding Purpose, Passion, and a New Path (MEA Santa Fe)
Encore Career Handbook author Marci Alboher and career-transition strategist Kerry Hannon run a three-day Santa Fe workshop for people weighing a new role, consulting, a business or retirement. Participants test one direction with small experiments and put the money questions on the table.
From $3000Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Thu, Dec 10 – Sun, Dec 13, 2026|Multi-day
Chip’s Wisdom Weekend: Turn Experience into Impact (MEA Santa Fe)
Accelerated weekend with MEA founder Chip Conley at Rising Circle Ranch in Santa Fe. Chip teaches his metabolized-experience wisdom method across three days for midlifers ready to turn hard-won lessons into purpose and impact.
From $2100Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Mon, Dec 14 – Sat, Dec 19, 2026|Multi-day
MEA Film Fest 2026 (MEA Santa Fe)
Five-day Owning Wisdom workshop facilitated by Chip Conley at Rising Circle Ranch, pairing a light MEA core curriculum with curated films and conversation for people 50+. Commuter and on-site rates available.
From $2500Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Mon, Dec 14 – Sat, Dec 19, 2026|Multi-day
Cultivating Awe with Dacher Keltner (MEA Baja)
UC Berkeley psychologist Dacher Keltner, director of the Greater Good Science Center, co-facilitates a five-night MEA retreat on the science of awe at the oceanfront Baja campus. Sessions explore how wonder builds connection, cooperation and a sense of belonging.
From $4500El Pescadero, Baja California Sur
In Person
Sun, Jan 31, 2027 – Thu, Feb 4, 2027|Multi-day
The Action Brief: Your Time Is Now with Bonnie Wan (MEA Santa Fe)
Brand strategist and The Life Brief author Bonnie Wan leads a five-day, four-night Santa Fe workshop that turns reflection into a one-page personal Action Brief. Participants leave with a bold declaration, first daily actions and a support team.
From $3200Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Mon, Mar 1 – Sat, Mar 6, 2027|Multi-day
Who Are You Now? Embrace Your Emerging Self (MEA Baja)
Brand strategist Jill Nykoliation leads a five-night MEA retreat on Baja's Pacific coast for midlifers whose old roles no longer fit. Participants release outdated identities, clarify who they are now and step into their next chapter with a plan.
From $4000El Pescadero, Baja California Sur
In Person
Thu, Mar 18 – Sun, Mar 21, 2027|Multi-day
Chip’s Wisdom Weekend: Turn Experience into Impact (MEA Santa Fe)
MEA founder Chip Conley hosts a long weekend at Rising Circle Ranch on turning hard-won life experience into clarity, purpose and impact. The small-group retreat suits midlifers mapping a meaningful next chapter.
From $2400Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Sun, Mar 21 – Thu, Mar 25, 2027|Multi-day
Repacking Your Bags: Lighten Your Load for the Good Life (MEA Santa Fe)
Purpose pioneer Richard Leider brings his bestselling Repacking Your Bags framework to a four-day Santa Fe intensive. Working with a purpose partner, participants sort place, people, work and purpose into a personal Good Life map.
From $4000Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Mon, Mar 22 – Sat, Mar 27, 2027|Multi-day
Designing Your Best Decade for Couples (MEA Santa Fe)
Decade Game creator Carolyn Buck Luce and Collaboration Code author Robert Evans, founder of Ernst & Young's Accelerated Solutions Environment, lead a five-night MEA retreat for couples. Partners play through the Decade Game together and leave with a shared vision and plan for their next ten years.
From $5000Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Mon, Mar 29, 2027 – Sat, Apr 3, 2027|Multi-day
The Bonus Round: Crafting a Meaningful Post-Work Chapter (MEA Baja)
Hudson Institute of Coaching co-founder Pam McLean, with Joy Leach and Tom Pollack, leads a five-day MEA retreat in Baja for professionals stepping back from demanding careers. Participants look back to design forward and leave with a concrete plan for their post-work years.
From $3500El Pescadero, Baja California Sur
In Person
Thu, May 6 – Sun, May 9, 2027|Multi-day
Chip’s Marathon Walking Weekend (MEA Santa Fe)
Chip Conley and seven-time world champion endurance athlete Rebecca Rusch guide a supported 26.2-mile walk across two days on Rising Circle Ranch's high-desert trails. Circles and conversation on the limits we accept about age and ability run alongside the miles.
From $2400Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Thu, May 27 – Sun, May 30, 2027|Multi-day
Chip’s Wisdom Weekend: Turn Experience into Impact (MEA Santa Fe)
MEA founder Chip Conley hosts a long weekend at Rising Circle Ranch on turning hard-won life experience into clarity, purpose and impact. The small-group retreat suits midlifers mapping a meaningful next chapter.
From $2400Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Thu, Sep 30, 2027 – Sun, Oct 3, 2027|Multi-day
Chip’s Wisdom Weekend: Turn Experience into Impact (MEA Santa Fe)
MEA founder Chip Conley hosts a long weekend at Rising Circle Ranch on turning hard-won life experience into clarity, purpose and impact. The small-group retreat suits midlifers mapping a meaningful next chapter.
From $2400Santa Fe, NM
In Person
Mon, Oct 4 – Sat, Oct 9, 2027|Multi-day
Designing Your Best Decade for Couples (MEA Baja)
Decade Game creator Carolyn Buck Luce and Collaboration Code author Robert Evans, founder of Ernst & Young's Accelerated Solutions Environment, lead a five-night MEA retreat for couples. Partners play through the Decade Game together and leave with a shared vision and plan for their next ten years.
From $5000El Pescadero, Baja California Sur
In Person
Thu, Dec 2 – Sun, Dec 5, 2027|Multi-day
Chip’s Wisdom Weekend: Turn Experience into Impact (MEA Santa Fe)
MEA founder Chip Conley hosts a long weekend at Rising Circle Ranch on turning hard-won life experience into clarity, purpose and impact. The small-group retreat suits midlifers mapping a meaningful next chapter.
From $2400Santa Fe, NM
Past highlights
In Person
Sun, Oct 4 – Thu, Oct 8, 2026|Multi-day
Cultivating Purpose (MEA Santa Fe)
Modern Elder Academy workshop featuring Mary Hofstedt. Midlife wisdom and personal development at MEA Santa Fe.
View DetailsSanta Fe
In Person
Wed, Sep 23 – Sun, Sep 27, 2026|Multi-day
Reboot: Leadership & the Art of Growing Up (MEA Santa Fe)
Modern Elder Academy workshop featuring Chip Conley and Jerry Colonna. Midlife wisdom, leadership, and personal development at MEA Santa Fe.
View DetailsSanta Fe
In Person
Sun, Sep 20 – Thu, Sep 24, 2026|Multi-day
Navigating Transitions (MEA Santa Fe)
Modern Elder Academy workshop featuring Christine Sperber. Midlife wisdom, leadership, and personal development at MEA Santa Fe.
View DetailsSanta Fe
In Person
Sun, Sep 13 – Thu, Sep 17, 2026|Multi-day
The Art of Moving On: How to Let Go and Embrace What’s Next (MEA Santa Fe)
Modern Elder Academy workshop featuring Bruce Feiler, Chip Conley and Kari Cardinale. Midlife wisdom, leadership, and personal development at MEA Santa Fe.
View DetailsSanta Fe