Event Agenda
General Introduction
Join us on Sunday at 6:30 pm at The Gilded Iguana as BLISS Summit 2025 kicks off with the Cooking Madness Dinner. Six chefs from around the world will showcase their signature dishes, and guests are invited to break the ice by participating in the cooking experience. It's the perfect way to connect, collaborate, and set the tone for the exciting days ahead.
Monday begins at 6:00 am with energizing activities such as surfing, yoga, mountain biking, or a peaceful beach walk, fostering a deeper connection with both ourselves and nature. At 9:30 am, the day's talks will inspire fresh ideas, followed by a shared lunch. The afternoon offers a dynamic exercise designed to spotlight transformative projects advancing freedom and democracy in their communities worldwide. The day winds down with an evening of celebration for the BLISS Makers ecosystem’s impact and an award ceremony for courageous activists shaping a freer future.
Tuesday follows a similar rhythm with morning activities, inspiring talks, lunch, and workshops. The evening culminates in a by-invitation dinner experience; you will be assigned your dinner location at the event. We’ll close the night with a closing ceremony, celebrating new connections, shared purpose, and the spirit of BLISS Makers as we look toward the future we are creating together.
Dress Code for BLISS
The recommended attire for BLISS is casual and comfortable, ideal for Nosara's warm February weather, with daytime temperatures around 92–94°F (33–34°C) and nighttime lows between 71–77°F (22–25°C). Light, breathable fabrics like linen or cotton will help you stay cool throughout the day.
For the Freedom and Peace Dinner, we encourage all attendees to wear all-white attire as a symbol of unity and solidarity.
Remember to bring comfortable shoes or sandals suited for uneven terrain, along with essentials like a hat, sunglasses, bathing suit, and sunscreen for protection against the sun. While evenings are generally warm, a light shawl or jacket could come in handy for post-sunset activities. Embrace Nosara's relaxed beach-town spirit and stay cool and connected!
ÀNI Art Academies Silent Auction
Duration: Throughout the Summit
Location: Reception and Restaurant of The Gilded Iguana Hotel
The ÀNI Art Academies Silent Auction seamlessly integrates into the Summit’s festivities, providing a meaningful opportunity to support young artists from the ÀNI Art Academies. This transformative program not only equips students with exceptional artistic skills but also offers them a sense of purpose and pathways to sustainable income, empowering the next generation of creators and changemakers.
Bid at your leisure during the Summit, with a minimum starting price for each piece.
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Day 2
Morning Activities: A Rejuvenating Start to the Day
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 AM
Each morning at BLISS begins with activities designed to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit while fostering connections with nature and fellow attendees.
Activities and Locations
Surfing: Catch some waves! (Please note, if you are a beginner the availability of this activity will be subject to tides/conditions).
Yoga: Find your flow with a revitalizing yoga session.
Mountain Biking: Explore the breathtaking trails around Nosara on two wheels. (Please note, there will be a guide for more beginner bikers and one for intermediate/advanced)
Beach Walks/Runs: Start your day with a refreshing walk or run along the beautiful Playa Guiones.
Cold Plunges: Invigorate your senses with a cold plunge.
What to Wear: Come ready to move in comfortable athletic wear.
Tuesday Morning Talks: Solutions That Last.
Time: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM.
Location: The Gilded Iguana Surf Club.
Dress Code: Light casual wear.
Focus on forward-looking strategies to create sustainable freedom and address the evolving challenges to democracy. This session is dedicated to innovative solutions, impactful investments, and transformative ideas that shape the future of liberty.
Thor Halvorssen: An Innovative Approach to Making Freedom Investible.
Obi Nwosu: Anti Fragility as a Human Right.
Panel - Making Freedom Profitable: Moderated by Alex Gladstein, featuring Jeff Booth, Jack Mallers, Matt O’Dell, & Roya Mahboob.
Sebastián Lombardo: How Family Offices Can Lead The Way.
Renee Kaplan: Unlocking Possibilities for the New Human Era.
Panel - Conversations on Innovation, Freedom, & Investments: Moderated by Rachel Rield, featuring Keren Yarhi Milo & Soumitra Dutta.
Gabriel Calzada: The ROI of Freedom Education.
Álvaro Salas Castro & Ross Stevens: Freedom and Finance – Aligning Financial Strategies with The Fight for Human Dignity.
Alex Gladstein, Jhanisse Vaca Daza, & William Leonard Pickard: The Alchemy of Human Potential.
Tuesday Afternoon Workshop: The Power of Music to Liberate The Soul.
Time: 1:30 - 2:00 PM.
Location: The Gilded Iguana Gardens.
Unleash your creative spirit and discover the transformative power of music for personal and social change. Join visionary artist and Grammy Award Winner Carlos Vives for “The Power of Music to Liberate the Soul,” an immersive workshop exploring the profound connection between music and freedom.
Experience how rhythms and melodies can inspire, heal, and empower individuals and communities. Vives, celebrated for his innovative blend of musical traditions, will share his unique perspective on using artistic expression as a force for liberation. Embrace your creativity and join the movement!
Tuesday Afternoon Workshops: Preparing for the Fight.
Time: 2:30 – 3:30 PM.
Location: The Gilded Iguana Gardens and Workshop Rooms.
Dress Code: Comfortable attire for active participation.
Discover diverse strategies for advancing freedom through holistic and innovative approaches. You will then be encouraged to self-select into the following workshops for the remainder of the afternoon:
Aging Parents & Death: Alicia Navarro & Marcelo Valansi explore how personal challenges shape resilience in leadership.
Psychedelics & Trauma Healing: Moderated by Noemi Boyer, featuring Kuauhtli, Leonard Pickard, & Thor Halvorssen examine mental health and resilience solutions for empowering advocates.
Family Office Perspectives on Freedom: John Pfeffer, offers insights into driving investments that promote freedom.
Longevity & Wellness: Michael & Tabita Wright, Dr. Natalia Tanzi, & Stephan Rechtschaffen share strategies for sustainable health for leadership and activism.
Youth & Civic Engagement: Yulia Navalnaya discuss empowering the next generation to champion civic participation with Elena Vives, Manuela López, & Valentina Salas Castro.
Tuesday Evening: Dinner & Closing Ceremony
Location and Time: Determined by invitation; details will be shared at the event.
Dress Code: Formal evening wear.
End the summit with an evening of reflection, celebration, and inspiration. The evening begins with an invitation-only dinner, thoughtfully curated to foster meaningful dialogue and connection.
At 8:30 PM, all participants reunite at Astra for the Closing Ceremony, featuring:
Commitment Wall: Share your personal pledge to the cause.
Special Performance: A soulful and uplifting finale to the summit.
Call to Action Toast: Unite in shared purpose and set the stage for the path ahead.
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Day 1
Morning Activities: A Rejuvenating Start to the Day
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 AM
Each morning at BLISS begins with activities designed to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit while fostering connections with nature and fellow attendees.
Activities and Locations
Surfing: Catch some waves! (Please note, if you are a beginner the availability of this activity will be subject to tides/conditions).
Yoga: Find your flow with a revitalizing yoga session.
Mountain Biking: Explore the breathtaking trails around Nosara on two wheels. (Please note, there will be a guide for more beginner bikers and one for intermediate/advanced)
Beach Walks/Runs: Start your day with a refreshing walk or run along the beautiful Playa Guiones.
Cold Plunges: Invigorate your senses with a cold plunge.
What to Wear: Come ready to move in comfortable athletic wear.
Monday Morning Talks: Setting the Global Context of Freedom
Time: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Gilded Iguana Surf Club
Dress Code: Light, breathable casual wear.
Dive into a morning of transformative talks and thought-provoking dialogues that illuminate the challenges and opportunities in advancing freedom and democracy. Together, we’ll tackle the pivotal question: “What does it mean to make freedom investible?”
This session sets the global context, providing a clear-eyed view of where we stand and exploring the groundbreaking idea of investing in freedom. Though still in its infancy, this concept holds immense potential to drive lasting, meaningful change in the fight for freedom worldwide.
Noemi Boyer-Salas: Welcome to BLISS and Our Mission.
Álvaro Salas Castro: What Do We Mean by Making Freedom Investible?
Leopoldo López: A Personal Perspective on Fighting Autocrats.
Damon Wilson: A Global Endowment for Freedom.
Alberto Trejos: The Context of Costa Rica as the Final Frontier.
Panel - Stories from the Front Line of Freedom: Moderated by Nia Demming, featuring Jhanisse Vaca Daza, Nataliya Melnik, Paul Rusesabagina, & Tanele Maseko.
Panel - Global Security & Freedom Conversation: Moderated by Anmol Singh, featuring Daniel Twining, General H.R. McMaster, Max Reynolds, & Mary Beth Long.
President Iván Duque: The Case of Colombia.
Esther Perel & Noemi Boyer-Salas: The Human Ties That Bind-Exploring Relationships, Trust, and Freedom.
Monday Afternoon Workshop: Speed Dating For Freedom
Time: 2:00 – 4:15 PM
Location: Astra Hotel
Logistics: Buses will take guests from The Gilded Iguana to Astra, where lunch will be provided
Dress Code: Light, breathable casual wear.
Speed Dating for Freedom is an action-oriented workshop designed to mobilize resources, foster collaboration, and catalyze commitment within the pro-freedom movement. This session is where inspiration meets action—join us to make a tangible difference.
Monday Evening: Freedom & Peace Dinner - Celebrating Courage
Time: 6:30 - 10:00 PM
Location: Gardens of The Gilded Iguana
Dress Code: All white attire
Celebrate the Freedom Movement under the stars
BLISS Impact Report Video
Laura Chinchilla Prize for Civic Participation and Freedom: Honoring female freedom fighters.
Special Conversation: Featuring Céline Assaf Boustani and Yulia Navalnaya on Activism Rooted in Love.
This elegant evening seamlessly blends celebration and reflection, inspiring attendees to recommit to the cause of freedom and democracy.
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Cooking Madness
Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: The Garden of The Gilded Iguana Hotel
Dress Code: Casual Chic Dinner Wear
Kick-off BLISS with an unforgettable evening that embodies our culture of gratitude, togetherness, and action.
Guests will enjoy a family-style meal crafted by world-class chefs at six unique cooking stations, featuring regional dishes and the captivating stories behind them.
Discussion Topic: How will we fight dictators and promote freedom in 2025?
Groove to 80s hits, disco vibes, and cumbia as you connect with fellow guests. This evening combines culinary artistry, storytelling, and camaraderie. Share, connect, and celebrate the start of BLISS in a setting designed to inspire action and community