The Symposium was really cutting-edge in how holistic and thought-provoking it was, while at the same time striking a great balance between sessions, networking and field visits.  Partnering with Maliasili and all the amazing sessions, site visits, and conversations, and opportunities to discuss and network, really cut across all the pressing topics, ideas and challenges facing us all.  In addition, after 2 years of keeping our collective heads down and prevailing through the pandemic it was wonderful to see everyone, and have some well-earned laughs and chats with people I now consider friends, colleagues, mentors and inspirations.  Lastly, to have in the Mara–somewhere that’s always been on my bucket list–was amazing and so great to see it and all the wonderful work being done here.

My most enjoyable experience here was day 3. The visit to Naboisho Conservancy. It was most inspiring for me how the community has taken total ownership and it may not be perfect but it is admirable and way further in community involvement in conservation than I have ever seen anywhere else. A true inspiration.

The workshops were extremely professionally fulfilling. They challenged me to think about a number of topics in different ways and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing from perspectives across Africa.

Guest speakers from outside the industry. It was the perfect mix of targeted conservation discussions and outside perspectives or presenting elements of the industry that may not appear to be directly relevant to each organisation.