Hosted at Finolhu, A Seaside Collection Resort and .Here – Baa Atoll Maldives across 24–25 August 2026, the invitation-only event brings together a private luxury travel community, where connections are formed through Maldivian culture driven experiences.
Owners, directors and senior executives from the global private luxury travel trade community come together in a setting designed not simply for meetings, but for meaningful exchange.
At its core, I Was There is built around authentic Maldivian experiential networking.
To ensure productivity from the very first handshake, the event is supported by a pre-event familiarisation process. This includes exclusive digital webinars, detailed partner profiles hosted through Concierge, and experiences designed to lead directly to opportunities.
As the event unfolds, its structure moves fluidly through a series of moments.
At the centre is the Inner Circle, an invitation-only session bringing together select leaders from the private luxury travel community for meaningful conversations. Designed as a closed-door exchange, it encourages open dialogue, shared perspectives and genuine connection through headline talks, curated panels and open Q&As.
As the day transitions, the experience moves towards its defining moment.
The Sunset Soirée unfolds under the stars, where, amidst music, the industry gathers to celebrate a story of shared achievement, a proud moment to remember. It is here that the recipients of Circle of Luxury will be revealed, recognising a select guild of master travel designers and destinations verified as true masters in their craft.
The following day continues through Networking Breakfast & Luncheon sessions, creating space for conversation, introductions and meaningful exchange.
Rather than separating conversation from environment, the event is shaped through Maldives culture-driven experiences, where every interaction is rooted in shared experience and genuine engagement. Moments throughout the experience bring Maldivian culture to life through artistry and cultural expression, allowing connections to form naturally through participation and shared experience.
Across two days, I Was There unfolds not as a traditional industry gathering, but as a more immersive and meaningful way for the global private luxury travel community to connect.
When it’s over, one sentiment will echo across the industry: I Was There.
Apply to attend: iwasthere.luxury/events/
