About the Event

Connections Adventure connects luxury buyers with suppliers who offer extraordinary travel experiences with a strong adventure element.

Following the success of our inaugural adventure event in Slovenia last October, Connections launches the second event of the series in the untouched Azores.

One of Portugal’s best-kept secrets, the Azores archipelago is still largely unknown. Far-flung in the Atlantic, nine exotic islands abound with crater lakes, steaming volcanic waters and dramatic landscapes are scattered 800 miles west of the mainland.

Home to some of the country’s greatest natural wonders – abound with crater lakes, steaming volcanic waters and dramatic landscapes – Portugal is a destination that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of adventure.

When & Where

27 - 30

The Azores
The Azores
Agenda
)
Content
Dress Code
Experiences

Agenda

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

Day Four

Sunday, 27th October

VIP transfer to Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel

Duration: All day

Upon arrival, please look out for a Connections logo – your driver will be waiting for you. The transfer gives you the opportunity to relax after your flight and take in the scenery.

Check in at Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel

One of the most iconic hotels in Ponta Delgada, well-known for its prime location, is close to the historical center, facing the marina and boasting amazing ocean views.

The décor of classic inspiration evokes the European style of "Grand Hotel" and Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico is considered as the 5-star landmark of the main Azorean city, meeting all the standards of quality and level of service expected of a hotel of this caliber.

Informal welcome cocktail reception

Duration: 1 hour

Location: VAPORE Bar

A “Bistro” at the reception level, ideal for a late-day drink or a lighter meal that can be served inside or outside in a comfortable and cozy terrace space, protected by the arches of its main façade.

Connections Informal dinner

Duration: 2 hours

Location: Balcony Restaurant

Restaurant inspired by the gastronomy and quality of Azorean products, located on the first floor overlooking the Ponta Delgada Marina

Monday, 28th October

(Optional) Make it a Weekend

Location: São Miguel Island

Arrive early to Connections Adventure. Enjoy a personal weekend and explore the highlights of São Miguel Island with Official DMC Futurismo. [Discover more](http://epidm.edgesuite.net/TravelWeekly/Connections/Make it a Weekend - Azores%2C Portugal.pdf).

For more information, please contact Carlos Picanço.

Opening welcome

Duration: 45 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel: -E-bikes, Nature walks, Graffiti tour, Harbor Front and Historical Quarter tour and many more!

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose an Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel: -E-bikes, Nature walks, Graffiti tour, Harbor Front and Historical Quarter tour and many more!

Free time - your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office

Duration: 15 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel: -E-bikes, Nature walks, Graffiti tour, Harbor Front and Historical Quarter tour and many more!

ConnecTalk with Matthew Jackson, Managing Director, ALP Media Limited and National Geographic Traveller UK

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections Lunch

Duration: 1 hour

Enjoy a networking lunch whilst on a fun boat trip to see and learn more facts about the majestic Whales and playful Dolphins, and the great Marine Wildlife diversity of Turtles, Fish and Birds! It is a recommended opportunity to unveil the beautiful coastline of these extinct volcano islands, and the best kept secrets of the sea life in the middle of the Atlantic.

Transfer meeting to Sete Cidades

Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Meet a new business partner and enjoy the stunning green landscape surrounding the Sete Cidades hike is probably not like anything else you’ve ever seen and it’s a part of Sao Miguel island that is not to be missed.

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose an Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place Sete Cidades: Coastal walks, Sport fishing, E-bikes, Geotourism, Trekking to the King’s View Lookout and many more!

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place Sete Cidades: Coastal walks, Sport fishing, E-bikes, Geotourism, Trekking to the King’s View Lookout and many more!

Coffee break

Duration: 30 minutes

Free time - your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose an Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place Sete Cidades: Coastal walks, Sport fishing, E-bikes, Geotourism, Trekking to the King’s View Lookout and many more!

Transfer meeting to Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel

Duration: 1 hour

Free time

Duration: 1 hour

Transfer to Connections Dinner

Duration: 15 minutes

Connections dinner

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Transfer to Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel

Duration: 15 minutes

Tuesday, 29th October

Transfer to Plantações de Chá Gorreana

Duration: 1 hour

Welcome briefing and ConnecTalk

Duration: 45 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Plantações de Chá Gorreana: Tour of the plantation, tea tasting, the art of packaging, and a visit to the making process.

Meet at the supplier's table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Plantações de Chá Gorreana: Tour of the plantation, tea tasting, the art of packaging, and a visit to the making process.

Coffee break

Duration: 30 minutes

Free time - your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office

Meet at the supplier's table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Plantações de Chá Gorreana: Tour of the plantation, tea tasting, the art of packaging, and a visit to the making process.

Connections picnic lunch

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Plantações de Chá Gorreana

Transfer meeting to Terra Nostra Garden Hotel | Furnas - São Miguel

Duration: 45 minutes

Connections Group Discussions

Duration: 1 hour

Meet at the supplier's table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel | Furnas - São Miguel: Wellness experiences, Gardening tours, Bike tours, and cooking experiences.

Coffee Break

Duration: 15 minutes

Free time - your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office

Meet at the supplier's table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel | Furnas - São Miguel: Wellness experiences, Gardening tours, Bike tours, and cooking experiences.

Meet at the supplier's table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel | Furnas - São Miguel: Wellness experiences, Gardening tours, Bike tours, and cooking experiences.

Cocktail reception

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel | Furnas - São Miguel

Enjoy an exceptional local cocktail whilst surrounded by the beautiful surroundings of the Terra Nostra botanical garden.

Connections closing dinner

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Location: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, in the heart of São Miguel Island, is often considered to be the best Hotel in the Azores, having won many international accolades. Located in Furnas Valley, Terra Nostra Garden Hotel is nestled in one of the World’s best “Green Retreats,” as deemed by Condé Nast Traveler – the 18th century Terra Nostra Garden exudes a breathtaking atmosphere of exoticism in perfect harmony with nature.

Transfer to Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel

Duration: 30 minutes

Wednesday, 30th October

VIP transfer from Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico to Ponta Delgada airport

Your driver will be waiting for you at your scheduled time in the hotel lobby.

Buyers' Breakfast

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes

We will be hosting a leisurely breakfast meet up from 8-9.30am. This will be a final opportunity to connect with your fellow buyers before departure.

Check out at Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel

Save Agenda as PDF

Speakers

Matthew Jackson

Managing Director

Matthew Jackson, Managing Director, APL Media Limited and National Geographic Traveller UK. Matthew has been with APL Media since 1999. He began his career developing travel trade magazines and in...

Image Gallery

View Full Album

Dress Code

​The Connections way works best when you embrace the experiences on offer. During the day we would advise that all delegates dress in comfortable/casual attire.

Suits and ties are not required – we all like you to look your best, but with our programme being active, suits may not work!

Think carefully about heels – heels can be a problem if you want to join some of the activities on offer, so if you’re going to wear heels, consider bringing some flats too so you don’t miss out.

For this specific edition we also recommend:comfortable shoes such as trainers and loose fitting clothes or gym kit.

Weather: the average temperature is likely to be 10°C, with highs of up to 16°C and lows of 7°C. There may be some rainy days, so bare showers in mind when you pack.

We do advise that all delegates take their own necessities, which may include, insect repellent, medical supplies, etc.

Connections Experiences

Here at Connections Adventure, we’re dedicated to creating the best possible environment to help our buyers and suppliers create deep, lasting business relationships with each other.

​We put a significant amount of thought into the planning of the schedule to ensure ample time to meet as many people as possible. Even our lunches, dinners and transfers are geared toward relationship forming opportunities. Connections Experiences are intended to act as an enhancement to the tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try and activity together. However, the choice is yours!

Here is a list of activities, to give you an idea of what to expect:

Connections Experiences at Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel:

-E-bikes

-Bicycles

-Nature walks

-Graffiti tour

-Massages

-Harbor Front and Historical Quarter tour

Connections Experiences at Sete Cidades:

-Paddling

-coastal walks

-sport fishing

-Short hikes

-Guided nature walks

-E-bikes

-Geo tours

-Mountain bikes

-Canoeing

-trekking to the King’s View Lookout

Connections Experiences at Tea Plantation:

- Visit the tea plantation

- Tea Tasting

- Explore the tea making process

- Overview the packaging process

Jacobs Media Group is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

Connections is the international private community for trusted decision-makers in luxury travel.

Privacy PolicyTerms & ConditionsContact Us