28 September – 2 October 2026 · Sintra, Portugal  ·  €3,800 early bird · Save €1,000 before 30 June  ·  Only 30 spots.
AJ&Smart Guides AJ&Smart Guide-Led Program

Facilitation Sustainably

A 5-day restorative retreat for facilitators who pour everything into others. And have nothing left for themselves.

Restore your energy. Reconnect with your craft. Return home ready to deliver for years, not months.

28 Sep – 2 Oct 2026 Sintra, Portugal 30 facilitators max

A week of restoration, practice, and peer connection in Sintra. Designed around the truth that facilitators who give the most need to restore the most. Leave recharged, with sharpened skills and the resilience to sustain your practice for the long run.

Apply Now · €3,800 Early Bird → Let's Talk First →
Your host Heidi Spurrell · AJ&Smart Guide · 1 of 25 worldwide
1 of 25
AJ&Smart Guides worldwide
7
Countries lived & facilitated in
200+
Workshops facilitated
$25k
Highest single engagement
Sound familiar?

You're good at this.
But you're running on empty.

You hold space for others every day. You bring the energy, the structure, the calm. But who holds space for you? The craft that built your reputation is the one you never stop to restore.

"

I've been delivering workshops for two years straight. I'm good at it. But I'm exhausted. I haven't had space to reflect or get feedback in months. I don't know if I'm growing or just burning out.

- Facilitator Pro community member
"

I teach other people to slow down and reflect, but I never do it myself. The irony is painful. I give so much energy to every room I walk into, and there's nowhere I go to get it back.

- Facilitator Pro community member
"

I love facilitation but the giving is relentless. I want to be around other facilitators who understand what it takes. To restore each other. To remember why I started.

- Workshopper Master graduate
From the community

You ask. You wait.
What if you could just… practise it?

Online communities are brilliant, but there's a ceiling. You post your question, wait for a reply, and still have to figure out the execution alone. At Facilitation Sustainably, you bring your actual pain point into the room, practise it with peers who've faced the same thing, and get real-time feedback that sticks.

Facilitator Pro · Skool Community · 849 Members
Ewa: "I'm running my first Strategy Signal on Thursday. What works well for in-person Lightning Demos - post-its or templates?"
Heidi: "Def templates, reduce your cognitive load by prepping! I had 6 tables of 6 people. Each table has their own post-it colours - easy to keep tab of each table. You need: 1 x A4 per person, 1 x long post-it for the title, lots of square post-its for answers..."
"ahhhh this is gold, thank you so much - exactly what I was looking for!" - Ewa, after using Heidi's approach the next day
Facilitator Pro · Skool Community
Rujuta: "Wow, I should have asked you when I did this last time, in person. I struggled with not having the screenshots - how will we print them in the room."
Heidi's detailed templates and colour-coded table system solved a problem that had been blocking facilitators for months. Practical, tested advice from real delivery experience.
"But this makes a lot of sense." - Rujuta, wishing she'd had this help sooner
Facilitator Pro · Skool Community
Community member: "Thanks for the inspiration @Heidi Spurrell - worked super nice!"
From Lightning Demos to Strategy Sprints, Heidi's posts regularly get the most detailed, actionable replies in the 849-member community. And the AJ&Smart founder himself has publicly thanked her contributions.
"@Heidi Spurrell thankkkkk youuuu" - Jonathan Courtney, Founder of AJ&Smart

Now imagine five days where every question becomes a practice rep, not a forum post.

No waiting for replies. No guessing alone. You practise the thing that's worrying you, get peer and expert feedback in real time, and walk away knowing it works.
Future Green community members at monthly meetup - a diverse group of sustainability professionals

Future Green Monthly Meetup · our community in action

✦
Facilitator Pro
practice
Community 1000
Classroom 208
Members 5
The word "practice" appears 1,000+ times in the Facilitator Pro community

The #1 thing facilitators are asking for isn't more theory, more modules, or more certifications. It's practice. Real, in-person, feedback-driven practice. And they can't get enough of it.

"Wanna practice?" - David "I need the practice." - Jason "Workshop Practice Sessions...Amazing!" - Graham "Getting to practice my facilitator voice" - Talia "Practice with mates?" - Anya "The practice I need to actually deliver" - Emma
"

Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell
Outliers: The Story of Success · The 10,000-Hour Rule
"

If you're constantly giving and pouring out, you've got to constantly be receiving and restoring. Or else you end up in a rest deficit.

Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Sacred Rest · Physician & Rest Researcher

Practice removes the anxiety. Restoration removes the exhaustion. You need both.

Five days to build the reps that make you confident and the rest that keeps you going.

In the age of AI, facilitation is the skill that can't be automated.

AI can generate slides, summarise meetings, and draft agendas. But it cannot read a room. It cannot hold space. It cannot create the feeling people get when they walk into a truly well-facilitated workshop. That is a fundamentally human skill. And it's more valuable now than ever.

Facilitation in action

This is what practice looks like

From corporate boardrooms to unconferences. Real workshops with real teams, every time.

Workshop in action
Future Green Monthly Meetup - large group of facilitators and sustainability professionals Future Green Monthly Meetup · Hong Kong
Wide shot of full workshop - participants collaborating in circle Tenant engagement workshop
Workshop participants engaged in roundtable activity with post-it notes
Four professionals engaged around table with sticky notes at workshop
Future Green sustainability workshop cards spread on a table
Full boardroom of engaged workshop participants at a corporate facilitation session Corporate boardroom workshop · full house
Close-up of participant writing on workshop materials
Participants in deep discussion during workshop
Participant taking notes during facilitation session
Heidi presenting at corporate workshop Heidi presenting to the room
Participants brainstorming with sticky notes during workshop Brainstorming in action
UnConference team photo - group in front of workshop wall with sticky notes and visual outputs Our Food Our Future UnConference 2024
Speed dating icebreaker activity at workshop Icebreaker · getting started
Sailboat retrospective exercise with participants during facilitation Sailboat exercise · live facilitation
Cross-industry collaboration at the UnConference with diverse teams Cross-industry collaboration
Workshop activity kit with materials laid out for facilitation
Full team photo after facilitation workshop Team workshop · Hong Kong
Heidi and Katie facilitating together Heidi & Katie · post-session
Teams creating sustainability roadmaps at UnConference workshop Building roadmaps · UnConference
Heidi Spurrell speaking with microphone at UnConference facilitation session Facilitating Q&A · UnConference
Group selfie after facilitation event - always remember to enjoy the moment Always remember to enjoy the moment
Remember when… highlights reel
Restore and sharpen

A Retreat That Restores You.
Practice That Sustains You.

Five days of intentional restoration, real practice, and bespoke feedback. You leave recharged and sharper than you arrived.

🎯

Real Business Cases, Not Role Play

Crowd-sourced challenges from real companies. You facilitate real problems with real stakes.

🔍

Expert Eyes on Every Move

Your AJ&Smart Guide watches your timing, energy, transitions, and room command. Then gives you feedback you can use immediately.

🔄

Learn by Teaching

We retain 5% from lectures but 90% of what we teach others. The mixed-level cohort is the method. Everyone grows faster.

What clients say

Heidi's facilitation in their words

Real feedback from workshops, strategy sprints, and unconferences Heidi has led across Asia and beyond.

★★★★★

"Getting a 2-day strategy sprint done with the leadership team definitely helped us drive our sustainability roadmap further. Being a member with Future Green connected us with various like-minded people, connecting dots across businesses!"

GL
Gigi Lau
Compass Group Hong Kong
★★★★★

"Heidi expertly facilitated the session, guiding us through a well-organised process where all participants could clearly identify key challenges and collaboratively prioritise solutions. The workshop culminated in a highly effective priority map of actions."

EJ
Eira Jarvis
British Chamber of Commerce
★★★★★

"A brilliant facilitator and host who creates belonging in her projects. Heidi's research, practical tools, and ability to energise crowds make her sessions both structured and genuinely transformative."

LM
Lorna McDowall
The Focal Mind
★★★★★

"The energy, the expertise in Sustainable Food Systems, and Heidi's ability to bring a group along on the journey in an inclusive way was outstanding. The 2-day Sprint sessions were very structured while allowing flexibility."

TB
Tom Brookes Burney
Compass Group Hong Kong
★★★★★

"I worked as a facilitator with Heidi during Unconference 2.0. It was very well-organised and structured. As Table Captain, I had all the tools and frameworks needed to guide my team through the innovation process."

MS
Mark Swinkels
Unconference 2.0 Facilitator
★★★★★

"A real pleasure to work with the Future Green team - very passionate, approachable and adaptable. They animated and engaged very well the teams into collaborative thinking and learnings!"

AO
Audrey Onofolo
Moët Hennessy Diageo HK
★★★★★

"Heidi is a really experienced and inspiring trainer. I'm pleased with the positive impact on our team dynamic - the workshops helped everyone align on shared goals and feel energised about sustainability."

CW
Catherine Wong
British Consulate-General Hong Kong
★★★★★

"We partnered with Future Green Global to organise capacity building workshops engaging 70+ F&B tenant representatives. Heidi's facilitation made complex sustainability topics accessible and actionable for every participant."

PL
Phoebe Leung
Swire Properties
★★★★★

"Heidi facilitated the bridge between concepts and action beautifully. My students loved the experience - she brought real-world examples and engaging exercises that made sustainability leadership tangible."

MB
Dr. Margaret Burnett
Programme Director, Sustainability Leadership
Collected via Senja · 99 reviews · 5.0 average
Trusted by leading organisations across Asia Pacific
Swire Properties Sodexo Pret A Manger InvestHK Airside EY wavespace City'super Jacob's Creek Ceder's Chivas Lillet Klimato B Lab Cornerstone Strategies Swire Properties Sodexo Pret A Manger InvestHK Airside EY wavespace City'super Jacob's Creek Ceder's Chivas Lillet Klimato B Lab Cornerstone Strategies
Urban Spring Komune Treehouse Emmer Tosca Duddell's The Apothecary ZZURA Buonasera CTS CUL West Villa Restaurant Chinese restaurant Chatterbox Express Swire Properties Urban Spring Komune Treehouse Emmer Tosca Duddell's The Apothecary ZZURA Buonasera CTS CUL West Villa Restaurant Chinese restaurant Chatterbox Express Swire Properties
Lounge and bar area at Quinta da Bufala with farm views
The Lounge

Where the conversations continue after the session ends.

Boardroom workshop space at Quinta da Bufala
The Workshop Room

Where the real work happens. Forest views. No distractions.

Open practice space at Quinta da Bufala with artwork
The Practice Space

Room to move, experiment, and try things you wouldn't dare in a client session.

What you'll master

Restore. Practise. Sustain.

Three proven workshop formats you'll practise in a setting designed to recharge you. By the end of the week, you'll have the confidence, the reps, and the energy to sustain your practice for the long run.

Deep practice to build lasting confidence Bespoke feedback after every session you lead Resilience strategies for the entrepreneurial long game
LDJ
Workshop 01

Lightning Decision Jam

40–90 min workshop · Problem-solving & decisions

Replaces unproductive meetings with structured decision-making. From chaos to action steps in under an hour using silent ideation, dot voting, and effort/impact mapping.

Free LDJ Resource →
Plan-O-Rama
Workshop 02

Plan-O-Rama

60–120 min workshop · Planning & alignment

Turns strategy into actionable roadmaps. From vague goals to clear ownership, timelines, and priorities. Collaboratively, not top-down.

Strategy Signal
Workshop 03

Strategy Signal

Full-day workshop · Strategic direction

Helps leadership teams define their North Star, identify success metrics, and choose the best strategic direction. This is where facilitation becomes premium consulting.

Your week

Restore in the Morning.
Practise in the Afternoon.

Every day is bookended by wellness. Restoration in the morning to arrive grounded, restoration in the evening to recover. The practice happens in between, when you're at your best.

The thing stopping most facilitators isn't lack of knowledge. It's the fear of not being perfect. The only cure for that is reps in a space safe enough to be messy.

Programme details are indicative. We may adjust the schedule to best serve the cohort.

Early morning
Morning Restoration: Body & Mind
Every day begins with your body, not your inbox. Forest walks through Sintra hills, guided yoga, breathwork, or a forest gong bath. You arrive at the workshop table grounded, clear, and restored. Not caffeinated and catching up.
Guincho beach at dawn - your morning coastline walk Sintra forest - misty morning walk through ancient woods Gong bath in the forest - morning sound healing
Optional but encouraged
10:00 AM
Workshop Practice: Session One
Facilitate one of the three core workshops using real business cases. Your Guide watches every move: timing, energy, transitions, room command.
Impact-effort matrix exercise with sticky notes on whiteboard Participants collaborating on impact-effort prioritisation Workshop facilitation kit - Sharpies, sticky notes, tape
Core programme
Midday
Farm-to-Table Lunch at Quinta da Bufala
Local, seasonal, and organic lunch from the 21-hectare regenerative farm. Not conference food. Real food under ancient tree canopies.
Included
Afternoon
Workshop Practice: Session Two
Lead a different workshop or give structured peer feedback as an observer. Both roles build mastery.
Now-Next-Later roadmap exercise with post-it notes Workshop participants collaborating on group exercises Facilitator presenting workshop outputs to the group
Core programme
Late afternoon
Open Floor: Test Your Own Material
Got an icebreaker you've never tried? A warm-up that needs refining? This is your slot. Bring something of your own and test it on a room full of facilitators who'll tell you what landed and what didn't. No stakes, just reps.
Core programme
Early evening
Evening Restoration: Wind Down & Recover
Every day ends the way it began, with your wellbeing. One-to-one treatments (three included across the week): massage, bodywork, or restorative therapies. Plus group sound healing, forest gong baths, or guided meditation. You process the day's practice through your body, not just your mind.
Meditation and mindfulness practice Group wellness practice - yoga & stretching Somatic fascial massage - personalised bodywork treatment
Optional · Included in price
Evening
Tastings, Hangouts & Connection
Local beer, wine, and gin tastings. Welcome drinks at Heidi's home. A silent disco. Business Q&A sessions. Personalised surprises. And plenty of unstructured connection time.
🎯
💡
⚡
✨
🔥
Max 30 people. Real connections.
Optional evenings
Cherry tomatoes ripening on the vine at the farm
Grown on Site

Picked that morning. Zero food miles.

Outdoor communal table set with wildflowers and seasonal food
Local and Seasonal

Set with wildflowers. Eaten in good company.

Long communal dining table set under pine trees in the forest
Lunch Under the Pines

Not conference food. Real food, real conversation.

Our approach

Grounded in what actually works

Designed using proven frameworks for how adults learn and how gatherings create lasting impact.

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker Inspired by The Art of Gathering · Priya Parker

Intentional by Design

We curate the cohort, personalise every detail, and protect the space so everyone contributes equally. No passengers. No generic experiences.

The Power of Moments by Chip & Dan Heath Inspired by The Power of Moments · Chip & Dan Heath

Peaks, Not Plateaus

The breakthrough when your facilitation clicks. A silent disco after deep work. Personalised touches you won't see coming. You'll remember this week for years.

Make It Stick - The Science of Successful Learning Rooted in Make It Stick · Brown, Roediger & McDaniel

Teach It to Own It

We retain 5% of lectures but 90% of what we teach others. That's why this programme is built on practice and peer teaching. The mixed-level cohort is the method.

Animated carousel of bespoke participant cartoon portraits - personalised feedback for every participant
Your secret weapon

Bespoke Feedback.
For You.

This is not generic group coaching. Every time you facilitate, your AJ&Smart Guide is watching: your timing, your energy, your transitions, your room command. Then you get personalised, written feedback you can actually use.

✓ Real-time observations on your facilitation style, presence & delivery
✓ Structured peer feedback from your cohort after every session
✓ A personalised takeaway report with your strengths, growth areas & next steps
Heidi Spurrell excitedly holding Planet Possible cards - Future Green's sustainability game
Your Guide

Heidi Spurrell

One of 25 AJ&Smart Guides worldwide. Founder of Future Green (B Corp certified). Facilitator across 7 countries. Proof that having a niche is not a limitation. It is your competitive edge.

★
AJ&Smart Guide · 1 of 25 worldwide ($6,000/year programme)
★
Facilitated across Hong Kong, Portugal, Spain, UK, USA, Japan & more
★
Charged $25,000 for a single Strategy Signal engagement
★
B Corp certified consultancy · Future Green
"No matter what niche you're in, facilitation is the skill that unlocks everything. I built my entire consultancy on these three workshops. This programme exists to help you sustain and sharpen that edge for the long run."
The science behind the method

Why practice beats theory, every time

Anders Ericsson's research on deliberate practice shows that expertise isn't built by repetition alone. It requires structured practice with immediate expert feedback. That's exactly how Facilitation Sustainably is designed. No slides. No lectures. Just the cycle that builds mastery.

Deliberate practice + expert feedback = accelerated mastery.

Our mixed-level cohort amplifies this: teaching others is the deepest form of learning.
🎯
Structured Practice
Facilitate real workshops with real business cases, not roleplay
🔁
Immediate Expert Feedback
Your AJ&Smart Guide watches every session and gives bespoke notes
👥
Peer Calibration
Structured peer feedback from your cohort after every session
🧘
Built-In Recovery
Wellness isn't the product. It's the performance infrastructure that sustains your edge.
PEAK
Ericsson
Based on Anders Ericsson's Deliberate Practice
Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise
What changes after this week

You leave with three sellable workshops
and the confidence to charge premium

Not a PDF and a certificate. A repeatable practice system, documented feedback, and an upgrade path for your facilitation business.

15+ Hours of Facilitation Practice

Lead, observe, and debrief across all three workshop formats. Every session uses a structured feedback framework: your peers and guide score you live on timing, energy, clarity, and room management. You get written notes after each rep so you can track your growth across the week.

Test Your Own Warm-Up or Icebreaker

Got a new opener you've been wanting to try? Bring it. You'll get a dedicated slot to test your own warm-up, icebreaker, or activity on a room full of experienced facilitators who'll give you honest, constructive feedback.

3 AJ&Smart Workshops Mastered

Lightning Decision Jam, Plan-O-Rama & Strategy Signal

Bespoke Feedback from an AJ&Smart Guide

Personalised notes on your facilitation style, timing & presence

Workshop Materials & 'Recipes' Library

Report templates, landing pages, email templates & ready-to-sell workshop formats

Personal AI Facilitation Chatbot · 12 Months

Your own customer-facing chatbot, built and maintained for you for a full year

AI Workshop Assistant During the Week

Access a chatbot trained on all AJ&Smart materials as a live reference tool

3 One-to-One Wellness Treatments

Personalised massage or bodywork sessions throughout the week

3 Group Wellness Practices

Forest walks, beach hikes & guided yoga in Sintra's natural landscape

Local Farm Tastings

Beer, wine & gin from surrounding Sintra farms and producers

All Meals Included

Local, seasonal, and organic farm-to-table lunches, welcome drinks at Heidi's home

Real Business Case Practice

Crowd-sourced challenges from participants & Heidi's consulting portfolio

Personalised Keepsakes & Surprises

Bespoke materials crafted just for you. We cannot say more, but you will want to keep these

Quinta da Bufala - modern sustainable building nestled in Sintra hills with guests gathering on terrace
Water buffalo grazing with Sintra's Moorish Castle on the hilltop behind
Indoor-outdoor terrace with vineyard views at golden hour
Design boardroom with sculptural wall - where you'll run workshops
Restaurant with panoramic nature views - farm-to-table lunches here
Lounge bar with vaulted ceiling and art, evening connection space

15 minutes from the farm

Guincho Beach - dramatic Atlantic surf beach Guincho Beach
Santa Marta Lighthouse, Cascais Cascais
Atlantic coastline near Sintra Atlantic Coast
The venue

Quinta da Bufala,
Sintra, Portugal

A 21-hectare regenerative farm in the Sintra hills. Ancient tree canopies, citrus orchards, and the Atlantic coast 15 minutes away.

✈️
45 minutes from Lisbon airport
🌊
15 km from the Atlantic coast & Sintra's beaches
🌿
900+ native trees planted over 10 years of regeneration
🍽️
Local, seasonal, and organic farm-to-table lunches
Getting there: Lisbon airport is 40 minutes away. We can help with local transport recommendations.
Lisbon Atlantic Ocean Sintra ✈ 45 min from Lisbon airport 🌊 15 min to the coast 50 km Spain
Quinta da Bufala · Sintra, Portugal
Farm-to-table dining room at Quinta da Bufala with panoramic nature views
Farm to Table

Local, seasonal and organic lunches from the farm

Water buffalo grazing with Pena Palace visible on the Sintra hilltop
21-Hectare Farm

Buffalo, orchards and Pena Palace on the hilltop

Aerial view of Quinta da Bufala property with guests gathering outdoors
Your Workshop Space

Where deep practice meets coastal Portugal

Facilitating sustainably

Practice meets purpose.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This retreat doesn't just teach facilitation. It models what sustainable professional development looks like, grounded in a recognised global framework.

2

Zero Hunger

Local, seasonal, and organic farm-to-table meals from a 21-hectare regenerative farm. Zero food miles.

3

Good Health & Well-being

Wellness treatments, mindfulness, yoga, gong baths, and sound healing woven into every day.

8

Decent Work & Economic Growth

Building facilitation-led businesses. Professional development that creates sustainable livelihoods.

12

Responsible Consumption & Production

Local sourcing from surrounding farms. Organic production. Minimal waste. No imported ingredients.

13

Climate Action

Regenerative farming practices. Local supply chains. Hosted by a B Corp certified consultancy.

15

Life on Land

Quinta da Bufala: 900+ native trees planted over 10 years of active land regeneration.

17

Partnerships for the Goals

Cross-industry collaboration. Community-driven learning. Local partners and producers.

Delivered by Future Green · B Corp Certified · Facilitating Sustainably

Is this for you?

This is a selective programme.
Here's who it's built for.

Before

Running on fumes. Repeating, not growing. No feedback loop.

After

Three sellable workshops mastered. A practice system that prevents burnout. Charging premium with confidence.

We mix experience levels deliberately because both groups benefit. Haven't done the Workshopper Master programme yet? It is included in your ticket as essential preparation.

✅ This is for you if…

  • → You've completed the Workshopper Master programme (or will complete it before arriving: it is included as essential preparation)
  • → You've studied the workshops but haven't had enough chances to practise them live
  • → You want to invest in your own practice and sharpen your delivery
  • → You want structured, honest feedback on your facilitation delivery
  • → You're building (or want to build) a facilitation-led consulting business
  • → You're an experienced facilitator who wants to sharpen your edge by teaching and mentoring others

🚫 This is not for you if…

  • → You're looking for a theory course or certification (this is pure practice)
  • → You're not willing to complete the Workshopper Master pre-arrival prep before arriving (it is included, you just need to do the work)
  • → You want to observe without participating (everyone facilitates here)
  • → You're looking for a holiday with some workshops on the side

Three levels. One room. That's the magic.

We deliberately mix experience levels because everyone grows faster that way. Identify where you are and see what you will leave with.

🌱 Emerging

You've facilitated a few times. Now you want real reps.

You understand the theory behind the workshops and have run a few sessions, but you want more reps and structure. You're ready for honest feedback that accelerates your growth.

🎯 You'll leave having facilitated all three workshops multiple times with growing confidence
⚡ Practitioner

You've run these workshops several times. Now you want to get sharp.

You know the steps and can run a session, but you want to refine your delivery, handle curveballs with ease, and learn the subtle craft of reading a room. You're ready to go from "good" to "great."

🎯 You'll leave with polished technique, advanced facilitation instincts, and a toolkit of pro moves
🔥 Expert

You're comfortable facilitating. Now you want to teach it.

You've got strong reps and can lead workshops confidently. This week, you will practise coaching and mentoring others through their facilitations. This is the highest level of mastery and where the deepest learning happens.

🎯 You'll leave able to teach, mentor, and elevate other facilitators. The ultimate competitive edge.

What types of sessions can facilitators be most helpful in?

These are the real-world scenarios where facilitation creates the biggest impact, and exactly what you will practise at Facilitation Sustainably.

Team building Decision-making & problem solving Strategic planning Kick-starting a new project or program Retrospectives & performance reviews Prioritising solutions in a standardised way Validating new products Onboarding teams & negotiating roles Offsites: leadership & strategy retreats
Investment

Your seat at the table

30 spots. One week. The restoration, practice, and connection that sustains your facilitation for the long run.

Early Bird · Save €1,000

Facilitation Sustainably · 5 Days in Sintra

Everything included: training, meals, wellness, and all materials.

€4,800
€3,800
Save €1,000 · Book by 30 June
Apply Now →

Application takes 3 minutes. You'll hear back within 48 hours.
Split-pay and invoicing available for corporate bookings.

Only 30 spots · Early bird ends 30 June

After 30 June · Full Price

€4,800
🛡️

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

If by the end of Day 2 you don't feel this is right for you, we'll refund you in full. No questions asked. We're that confident in the experience.

Everything you walk away with:

Workshopper Master pre-arrival prep (included)
15+ hours facilitation practice
Personal AI chatbot · 12 months (included)
Bespoke Guide feedback
Certification of completion
6 months continued online coaching
3 one-to-one wellness treatments
3 group wellness practices
All lunches (local, seasonal & organic) + welcome drinks at Heidi's
Sunset wine tasting & canapés on the farm porch
Real business case workshops

One welcome evening to get you acquainted with your peers: A guided tasting of local whites, reds and rosé from partner wineries, hosted on the sunset porch overlooking the farm and Sintra hills, with views toward Pena Palace. Paired with seasonal canapés.

Why practice beats theory: Anders Ericsson's deliberate practice research shows mastery requires structured practice + immediate expert feedback. That's exactly what this week is built around.

Not included: Flights and accommodation. Lisbon airport is 40 minutes away.

Recommended Stays in Sintra

Glamping in Sintra hills
⛺ Glamping
Unique Airbnb stays in nature. Bell tents, treehouses and eco-lodges in the Sintra hills
~€60–120/night
10–20 min from venue
Boutique hotel in Sintra
🏨 Mid-Range Hotel
Comfortable boutique hotels in Sintra town with easy access to the venue
~€100–160/night
5–10 min from venue
Pestana hotel in Cascais
✨ Pestana Cascais
Premium coastal hotel in the heart of Cascais. Seafront dining, spa and rooftop pool
~€200–300/night
25 min from venue

We'll send a curated accommodation guide with direct links and group booking options when you secure your spot.

30 Spots · Early Bird Ends 30 June

Ready to make the move?

Secure your place now or book a call if you'd like to talk it through first.

Apply Now · €3,800 Early Bird → Let's Talk First →
Questions

Frequently Asked

Access to the full Workshopper Master programme is included in your ticket (€5,000 value). You must complete it before arriving in September 2026. We accept both fresh graduates and experienced practitioners already running these workshops with clients.

Not at all. The mixed-level cohort is intentional. Newer facilitators learn from experienced ones, and your Guide provides bespoke feedback throughout. Everyone benefits from the practice and peer exchange.

Two AI tools: a shared chatbot trained on all AJ&Smart materials for quick reference during the week, plus your own customer-facing business chatbot, built and maintained for 12 months (€3,000/yr value).

Accommodation is not included in the ticket price. We recommend three options: glamping-style Airbnbs in the Sintra hills for nature lovers, comfortable mid-range hotels in Sintra town, or the Pestana in Cascais if you want a premium coastal experience. We'll send a full accommodation guide with links when you book.

It's an intensive professional development programme in an extraordinary setting. Structured facilitation practice is the core. Wellness and tastings support sustainable high performance. Your L&D budget should cover this.

Yes. We provide invoices, programme outlines, and learning outcomes documentation suitable for L&D budget approval. Many participants fund this through their employer.

September 2026 is our inaugural edition. Future editions may run in Spain, Hong Kong, and Japan, but this first cohort will always be the smallest and most personal.

Late September in Sintra is ideal. Warm but not hot, with daytime temperatures around 22-25°C and cooler evenings (14-16°C). Expect mostly sunny days, fresh coastal air, and the occasional misty morning. It's perfect for outdoor sessions, but we recommend bringing a light layer for the evenings.

Not ready to apply yet?

Start here, for free

Get a taste of the frameworks you'll master at Facilitation Sustainably. These free resources from the AJ&Smart ecosystem are where every great facilitator starts.

📖

The Ultimate Guide to Facilitation

The complete breakdown of workshop facilitation: what it is, core principles, and how to run sessions that actually produce results.

Read the guide →
🎯

The Workshopper Playbook

The free book that started it all. The antidote to busy-work, endless meetings, and pointless discussions. Essential reading before Portugal.

Get the playbook →
👥

Join the Facilitator Club

A 9,000+ strong free community where facilitators share workshop tips, ask questions, and connect. Many of your future cohort members are already here.

Join for free →
🚀

How to Run a Strategy Sprint

Watch exactly how AJ&Smart run a Strategy Sprint from start to finish. The step-by-step process you will practise live in Sintra.

Watch the video →

30 Spots · Early Bird Ends 30 June

Ready to join us in Sintra?

Secure your place or book a call to talk it through first.

Apply Now · €3,800 Early Bird → Let's Talk First →
28 September – 2 October 2026 · Sintra, Portugal

Restore your energy.
Sustain your craft.

28 September – 2 October 2026 · Early bird ends 30 June

30 spots. Five days of restoration and practice that sustain your facilitation for the long run.

Apply Now · €3,800 Early Bird → Let's Talk First →

€3,800 early bird · €4,800 after 30 June · Only 30 spots