Community Council
the gathering of gatherers
Community Council brings together Founders and Executives who put community
at the heart of their work.
This is for leaders who see beyond transactions and are dedicated to building relationships that last.
Join us October 14-17, 2025 in Normandy, France
Welcome In
As a community leader, you dedicate your career to creating spaces where others can connect, learn, and grow. But who creates that space for you?
At Community Council, we take you out of the day-to-day so you can immerse in an experience focused on mastering community building while experiencing the power of connection firsthand.
Over four days at the historic Château de Courtomer in Normandy, France, a curated group of 20 Founders and Executives of community-first businesses will come together to exchange transformative ideas, tackle real challenges, and build meaningful relationships.
This isn't a theoretical workshop or surface-level networking event. It’s a hands-on, live-the-principles-we-teach kind of gathering. You’ll leave with actionable strategies and a community that extends far beyond your time in France.
Oh, and don’t worry—no one’s going to make you go around the room and share a “fun fact” about yourself. We’re better than that. 💛
There’s a special kind of magic when you can skip the small talk and get straight to “here’s what I’m really wrestling with.”
WHO IS IT FOR?
Community Council is invite-only—curated to bring together leaders who care deeply about connection, and are ready to go deeper, faster.
That rare moment when a room of strangers feels like your favorite group chat? Yeah, it’s kind of like that.
You’re in the right place if any of the following ring true:
Founders & Leaders building relationship-driven businesses – You know that strong communities aren’t just nice to have—they’re the backbone of your business. You’re here to double down on what’s working (and rethink what’s not).
Seasoned Community Professionals seeking peer learning – You’ve been at this long enough to spot a fluffy insight from a mile away. You’re here for nuance, depth, and peers who challenge your thinking in the best way.
Community Architects designing impactful programs and events – You obsess over the little details that make gatherings magical. You’re here to sharpen your approach and design moments that create awe, belonging, and lasting impact.
Directors of Community & Executives shaping large-scale initiatives – You’re juggling strategy, systems, and spreadsheets—and still making space for real connection. You want smart ideas and people who get the juggle.
If you're reading this and thinking, “Finally”—pull up a chair. You’re in the right place.
OK, but what is it?
4-day bespoke retreat
Immerse yourself in a three-night, four-day retreat at the stunning Château de Courtomer in Normandy, France.
You’ll be part of a hand-selected group of 20 community leaders coming together, alongside experienced mentors.
Expect deep discussions, fresh strategies, and a few “why didn’t I think of that?!” moments—all in a setting fancy enough to be the envy of your LinkedIn feed.
Beyond the Chateau
We’re creating a gathering of community leaders - you best believe there will be a post-retreat community element (try and stop us!)
The retreat is just the beginning. After the event you'll join an exclusive post-event space where the conversations continue, the learning deepens, and the connections solidify.
Think of it as your go-to community brain trust, your sounding board, and your new favorite corner of the internet—all rolled into one.
quarterly peer groupS
An optional add-on after our 4-days in France, you can join a peer group of five other community leaders and a dedicated facilitator (think executive mastermind) to work through your biggest challenges—meeting virtually every quarter to share insights, problem-solve, and grow together.
And because sometimes you just need a wise sage on speed dial, you’ll also get expert 1:1 mentorship matchups throughout the year—ensuring that when you hit a roadblock, you have the right person to help you break through it.
Wondering about details?
We’ve got you. Find everything you need to know about pricing and what’s included on our FAQ page—because the only mystery we’re interested in is how the croissants taste that good.
“Christina has a way of making the world feel smaller and more connected through her remarkable ability to bring the right people and ideas into your path just when you need them."
Ricard Garriga, Founder of Trioteca
“Christina is the most well-networked person I know. I've found myself working with incredible companies in Barcelona, landing clients in Brooklyn, and having dinner with tech leaders who previously wouldn't have picked up my call— all because Christina is in my corner.”
Sarah Stockdale, Founder of Growclass
“Christina has a rare gift for facilitating meaningful experiences that not only elevate and connect those around her but also drive real, meaningful change for their businesses and lives. Her empathy, industry expertise, and strategic insight make her programs not just inspiring, but transformative.”
Katherine McDonald, Former COO of CreativeMornings
“This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive.”
-Alice Waters
About your host
Community Council is created by Christina Hug, founder of BoardingPass and a community strategist who’s spent the last 15+ years designing experiences that bring people together in meaningful (and sometimes slightly over-the-top) ways.
Things you should know. She’s:
🎺 Not to be trusted with an airhorn. (But that hasn’t stopped her.)
🥁 Firmly believes that kicking off an event with a marching band is a reasonable choice.
📖 A big fan of Unreasonable Hospitality—IYKYK.
☕ A lover of spreadsheets, good coffee, and a well-placed pun.
Throughout her career, Christina has helped launch and scale global communities, working with organizations like CreativeMornings, Engineers Without Borders, and Mozilla Foundation to design programs that don’t just look good on paper but actually work. She’s built frameworks that help community teams measure their impact, developed strategies that keep people engaged long after the novelty wears off, and led initiatives that turn groups of strangers into thriving, connected networks.
With Community Council, she’s bringing that same hands-on, real-world approach to the retreat—no vague advice, no "just start a Slack channel" solutions, just real conversations, actionable insights, and a space where community leaders can show up, participate, and make meaningful connections.
What’s included
Here’s what’s waiting for you when you join Community Council:
3 nights stay at Chateau de Courtomer in Normandy, France
Private room with en-suite bathroom
All meals and drinks (including wine and signature cocktails)
Coach transfer to and from Paris to the Chateau
Lifetime access to private community platform post-event
Option to join Quarterly Peer Group program (one-year commitment)
Includes 1:1 mentor matching.
our chateau
Breakout rooms but make it chateau
A place to peel back our ideas...at the Orangerie
Bird's-eye view of where 'networking' meets 'pretending we're in a period drama.'
Because even world-changing ideas require a good night’s sleep.
Deep thoughts, power naps, and possibly a dramatic stare out the window.
Right on cue, a perfect spot to rack up ideas and unwind.
Join Us
To ensure the best connections, Community Council is invite-only.
This allows us to curate each group based on business needs and compatibility.
Learn More
Submit your details and our team will follow up to answer your questions or book an info call.