EO Paris Chapter Retreat 2026 | 11–13 March 2026 | Beaune, France
What happens when entrepreneurs step away from their daily routines to connect with peers, challenge their perspectives and explore new ways to grow?
From 11 to 13 March 2026, members of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Paris Chapter gathered at the historic Abbaye de Maizières in Beaune, France, for a three-day retreat focused on human connection, leadership development and artificial intelligence (AI).
Through meaningful conversations, experiential learning and expert-led sessions, members explored opportunities to grow as individuals, strengthen their leadership skills and bring new perspectives to their businesses.
The retreat brought to life a belief at the heart of EO: We grow by embracing diverse perspectives and life experiences.
Building trust through authentic connections
The retreat began on Wednesday with a session facilitated by Julie Subotky, an EO Paris member, who invited participants to explore the experiences that shaped them as individuals.
The room was initially reserved. But as Julie encouraged members to look beyond their professional identities and reflect on memories from childhood, curiosity quickly replaced hesitation.
Members paired up to share personal experiences before moving on to new conversation partners. With each exchange, the atmosphere became warmer and more open.
Something interesting happened in the room. At first, members stood relatively close together. As the conversations became more personal, pairs gradually moved farther apart, finding quieter spaces where they could listen more closely to one another. Smiles became more frequent, and conversations grew deeper.
The exercise demonstrated how quickly meaningful connections can develop when someone is willing to share something personal.
That spirit carried into the afternoon’s Mashup Forums.
Unlike regular EO Forums, where members build trusted relationships with the same small group over time, these sessions brought together entrepreneurs who were largely unfamiliar with one another.
The EO Paris organizing committee intentionally created groups that encouraged new connections across chapters and countries. Participants came from France, the Philippines, the United States, Colombia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Bulgaria.
Each group spent three hours together, drawing on EO’s Forum principles of confidentiality, trust, respect and experience sharing rather than advice-giving.
For entrepreneurs who often face the pressure of making difficult decisions, Forum creates space to share experiences openly and learn from peers who understand the entrepreneurial journey.
The impact was visible later that evening. At dinner, members who had participated in the same Mashup Forums continued talking openly and comfortably with one another. People who had been unfamiliar at the start of the day were now engaged in conversations that extended beyond the structured Forum experience.
It was a reminder of how quickly meaningful connections can develop when entrepreneurs come together with openness, curiosity and mutual respect.
Exploring leadership through the art of opera
Thursday introduced a different approach to leadership development.
At the historic Hospices de Beaune, Caroline MacPhie facilitated Unlocking Leadership Through the Art of Opera, an experiential session that challenged members to step outside their comfort zones.
Members divided into small groups to learn excerpts from La Bohème, building their performances one line at a time. Participants brought different levels of musical experience and spoke different languages, creating an opportunity to collaborate beyond familiar ways of communicating.
Once the groups had learned their parts, members dressed in costumes and brought the opera to life through singing and acting.
The performances were met with laughter, smiles and applause. What began as an unfamiliar challenge became a shared celebration of creativity, teamwork and the willingness to try something new.
The experience continued to generate conversations long after the performances ended, with members enthusiastically discussing the session afterward.
The session received an average participant rating of 9.8 out of 10, reflecting the value members found in this approach to experiential learning.
For entrepreneurs accustomed to leading teams and making decisions, the experience offered a different perspective on leadership: Breaking complex challenges into manageable steps, embracing different abilities and creating an environment where people feel supported can help teams achieve more together.
Understanding the science behind sustainable performance
The afternoon continued with Charline Goutal’s session, Hacking the Entrepreneurial Brain: Neuroscience for Peak Performance.
Charline explored the relationship between everyday habits, personal well-being and entrepreneurial performance, sharing perspectives on sleep patterns, nutrition, fasting and daily routines.
Some of the ideas challenged members’ expectations. Her discussion of fasting, for example, focused on a relatively accessible 12-hour period without food rather than the extended fasting periods some participants had anticipated.
The session encouraged members to look more closely at the habits that influence their energy, focus and ability to perform.
Participants left with practical ideas to consider for their own routines, reinforcing EO’s commitment to supporting the whole entrepreneur, in business and beyond.
Shared experiences beyond the learning sessions
The retreat also created opportunities for members to connect through the history, culture and traditions of Burgundy.
Members gathered for lunch at La Chambre du Roi and explored the 15th-century Hospices de Beaune during a guided tour.
Later, they descended into the underground cellars of the Cave des Patriarches, where rows of wine bottles and barrels provided the setting for an introduction to Burgundy’s winemaking traditions.
During a guided tasting, members sampled several wines and learned how vineyard locations and growing conditions contribute to their characteristics and value.
The experience continued beyond the tasting itself. Members gathered around the wine barrels, sharing conversations over a glass of wine and enjoying time together outside the formal learning sessions.
A gala dinner brought the day to a close, offering another opportunity to strengthen relationships.
These shared moments are an important part of the EO experience, creating space for entrepreneurs to connect as people, beyond their businesses.
Exploring practical AI strategies for entrepreneurial growth
The final day shifted the focus toward innovation, business transformation and the growing role of AI.
In Entrepreneurs, Transformation and Performance: Practical Use of AI, Sébastien Bouvier explored how entrepreneurs can integrate tools such as Microsoft Copilot into everyday business workflows.
The session encouraged members to consider how AI could support their teams, improve efficiency and create new opportunities for business growth.
Jason Barnard followed with Start with the Asset You Already Have: The 10 Stages of AI Implementation.
Jason introduced a structured approach to AI adoption, encouraging entrepreneurs to think beyond individual tools and consider how AI systems can develop alongside their businesses.
His framework outlined three phases of implementation:
- Stages 1–3: Building the foundations. Learning to communicate effectively with AI, progressing from individual prompts to structured instructions and more consistent interactions.
- Stages 4–6: Developing specialized capabilities. Exploring specialist AI systems, separating creative and critical functions, and understanding how AI retrieves and generates information.
- Stages 7–10: Creating integrated AI systems. Establishing a single source of truth, improving accuracy through correction processes and developing modular systems that can evolve with business needs.
Jason also introduced the concept of large language model (LLM) personalities, exploring how different AI systems can support specialized business functions, from analysis and marketing to operational execution.
From AI learning to practical action
One of the most valuable insights for members was the importance of organizing information effectively when working with AI.
Rather than simply providing more information, Jason emphasized the value of maintaining a clearly structured, consistent source of information that AI systems can use reliably.
Another practical takeaway was the importance of giving AI constructive feedback.
Members explored how telling an AI system what is wrong is only part of the process. Explaining what a better response would look like, and explicitly confirming when an answer is correct, can help guide subsequent interactions.
These seemingly simple changes gave entrepreneurs practical ideas they could begin applying immediately.
The impact was visible even before members left Beaune. While waiting for the bus after the final morning’s sessions, conversations continued as members exchanged ideas about organizing business information, improving AI interactions and encouraging adoption across their teams.
The learning also extended beyond the retreat.
At subsequent EO gatherings, members continued to discuss how the sessions had encouraged them to explore AI more actively in their businesses, including ways to help employees and departments integrate AI into their daily work.
What began as a learning session had become an ongoing conversation about how entrepreneurs could put emerging technology to work in their organizations.
Jason Barnard’s session “Ten Stages of AI Implementation for entrepreneurs” received an average participant rating of 9.92 out of 10, reflecting strong member appreciation for its practical approach.
Member perspectives: Turning AI learning into action
Guillaume Bakouch, EO Paris Chapter president, shared his experience:
“Jason’s training is a must for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of AI. His deep knowledge and hands-on experience shine through every part of the session. Whether you’re a beginner or already experienced, the 10 steps of AI implementation give you a clear picture of what to focus on. The insight on LLM personalities is a game changer. Everyone walked away having learned something incredibly valuable.”
Gilberto Crombe, EO Global Chairman FY2015/2016, also reflected on the session:
“Jason’s training was amazing about AI. I’ve been to many, many other workshops about AI, about all the things it can do, about the overwhelming that we feel when we are in AI world. But the distinction with Jason is that he was precise, practical, pragmatic, to the point, taking us step by step of the things that we really need as entrepreneurs and business owners and key executives. So I really liked it. I think it was very valuable. As a matter of fact, we grade them 9.92 [out of 10], which is a difficult grade to get. So I’m very, very grateful.”
Both reflections highlighted the value of making emerging technologies more accessible and actionable for entrepreneurs at different stages of their AI journeys.
Growing together, in business and beyond
Over three days in Burgundy, EO Paris members experienced the many ways that connection and learning can contribute to entrepreneurial growth.
From sharing childhood memories with fellow entrepreneurs to performing opera, exploring personal well-being and discovering practical approaches to AI, the retreat encouraged members to step beyond familiar experiences and embrace new perspectives.
The connections began in personal conversations, developed through shared challenges and continued long after the formal sessions ended.
And the learning did not stop in Beaune. Members returned to their businesses with fresh ideas, new relationships and practical approaches they could share with their teams.
The retreat reflected what lies at the heart of EO: A trusted community where entrepreneurs learn from one another, challenge themselves and grow together.
Thank you to the facilitators, organizers and EO Paris members who made the experience possible.
Together we grow.