Inside the First VINCI Journey Georgia Mastermind

Where Global Leaders Gathered to Build Legacy Beyond Borders

Twenty influential leaders from across the globe gathered in the heart of Georgia for an experience that blended leadership, culture, strategy, wellness, and human connection into one unforgettable five-day immersion.

Founded by Israel Pons, VINCi JOURNEY curated the first-ever VINCi JOURNEY Mastermind in Georgia from May 9 to May 14, 2026.  This exclusive event was curated for a delegation of members from the Optimum Elite Club under the leadership of Count João de Lima Ginés and Count Will de Lima.

This was a carefully orchestrated environment where entrepreneurs, philanthropists, investors, global ambassadors, and visionary leaders could exchange ideas, deepen relationships, and sharpen their approach to leadership and business expansion.

Participants flew in from countries including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, India, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Norway, Croatia, Spain, Russia, the UAE, and Georgia. 

The Vinci Mindset

Yet despite the diversity of backgrounds, industries, and cultures, there was remarkable alignment around one shared pursuit: building lives and businesses rooted in purpose, imagination, execution, and legacy.

Those four principles formed the philosophical backbone of the retreat.

Every session, activity, conversation, and cultural experience was intentionally aligned with the VINCi mindset: Imagination, Purpose, Legacy and Execution.

From the moment participants arrived, the experience felt different. The setting itself carried an atmosphere of elegance and reflection. 

Embodying Presence

Nestled among expansive vineyards, historic architecture, rolling hills, and luxury villas, the environment encouraged people to slow down enough to think deeply, connect meaningfully, and evaluate the direction of their lives and businesses.

The mastermind sessions focused heavily on presence, clarity, communication, and authentic leadership.

Participants were coached on how to embody presence in rooms that matter. They explored how to communicate ideas with confidence and emotional intelligence while remaining authentic to their mission. 

One of the standout sessions centered on pitching dreams and visions to funders in a way that felt genuine rather than performative.

The discussions challenged the participants to think differently about meetings and strategic relationships.

Redeeming Time

Time, participants learned repeatedly, is one of the most valuable assets in leadership. Meetings should therefore carry intentionality. 

Leaders were encouraged to approach conversations with clarity: defining what they hoped to accomplish, what outcomes mattered, and whether the alignment justified further investment of time and energy.

That same philosophy extended into branding, gifting, hospitality, and presentation.

Making Gifts Unforgettable 

One lesson emphasized that gifts should never feel transactional or forgettable. Presentation matters. The experience surrounding a gift matters. 

A thoughtful gift, carefully delivered, has the power to deepen emotional connection, reinforce mission, and leave a lasting impression associated with the giver’s values and identity.

Yet some of the most transformative moments happened outside the conference-style discussions.

The retreat incorporated wellness and group immersion activities designed to strengthen trust and deepen relationships among participants. 

Morning yoga sessions overlooking the vineyards, hiking, spa experiences, water aerobics, meditation sessions, and group reflections created a rhythm that allowed participants to connect as human beings before connecting as business leaders.

The Cold Plunge

One particularly memorable experience was the cold plunge challenge.

Each participant stepped into freezing water while reflecting on a personal commitment they intended to uphold long after the retreat ended. 

Some committed to greater financial discipline. Others pledged consistency in health and fitness. Some committed to remaining open to new partnerships, ideas, and opportunities.

The exercise became symbolic, a physical reminder that commitments require endurance, discipline, and follow-through.

Food also became part of the leadership experience.

Meals throughout the retreat were intentionally curated to engage memory, mindfulness, and presence. During one breakfast session, participants were challenged to identify a flavor and a food that stood out most vividly to them. The day’s thematic focus was Earth, following a previous day centered around Water and later experiences connected to Air.

These themes encouraged attendees to become more aware of sensation, environment, emotion, and reflection rather than rushing through experiences mechanically.

Georgia itself became an extraordinary classroom.

Participants explored Tbilisi through historical tours, cultural storytelling, culinary experiences, and artisan traditions that revealed the country’s deep heritage. One fascinating stop included viewing what locals describe as the world’s smallest clock, a reminder of Tbilisi’s layered historical identity and architectural character.

Exploring Wine Museums and Wineries 

The group also toured wine museums and ancient wine-making facilities, learning about Georgia’s globally respected wine culture, which dates back thousands of years.

At the renowned Schuchmann Wines Château, Villas & Spa, participants experienced wine tasting sessions, vineyard tours, and an in-depth exploration of traditional Georgian qvevri wine fermentation methods, where wine is aged underground in clay vessels for months or years before bottling.

The process sparked conversations about patience, craftsmanship, discipline, and long-term vision, principles that mirrored the leadership lessons explored throughout the retreat.

Baking Shotis Puri

The cultural immersion continued through bread-making sessions, where participants learned to prepare Shotis Puri, one of Georgia’s most beloved traditional breads. Baked inside deep clay ovens called tones, the bread carries a crisp golden crust and smoky interior that reflects centuries of culinary heritage.

These activities were more than entertainment. They created shared memories and authentic conversations among participants who may otherwise never have formed such strong personal bonds.

Strategic Networking

Networking happened naturally throughout the retreat because the environment removed the pressure and superficiality often associated with traditional business events.

Conversations unfolded during vineyard walks, group dinners, spa sessions, morning workouts, and long bus rides across Georgia’s breathtaking landscapes. Leaders discussed partnerships, philanthropy, expansion strategies, publishing, investments, media, wellness, and legacy-building in ways that felt more strategic.

Participants frequently described the experience as refreshing precisely because it allowed people to encounter one another beyond titles and status.

The mastermind also reinforced the importance of joy, creativity, and emotional connection in leadership.

Butterfly symbolism, thoughtful gifting, cultural appreciation, music, robes for mastermind sessions, and moments of laughter all contributed to an atmosphere that balanced sophistication with warmth.

Impacted

By the closing days of the retreat, the participants expressed that they were leaving with renewed perspective, deeper friendships, stronger clarity, and a more intentional vision for the future they hoped to build.

The first VINCi Journey Georgia Mastermind established a powerful foundation for what is set to become one of the most distinctive private leadership experiences available to global visionaries.

For those seeking more than surface-level networking, leaders searching for meaningful collaboration, cultural depth, strategic growth, and transformational experiences, the VINCi Journey offered a compelling glimpse into what leadership gatherings can become when human connection is placed at the center.