Guest Presenter Introduction to AOLRC Marketing

OUR STORY

For more than a decade, the Art of Living Retreat Center has welcomed seekers, teachers, and visionaries to a sanctuary dedicated to meaningful transformation. Perched high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina, our campus offers a serene, light-filled setting where your teachings can flourish and your community can deepen. We invite you to bring your program to a place designed to support profound experiences—for you, and for every participant who joins you.

A Sanctuary for Transformation

Our beautiful campus offers an environment intentionally designed for deep rest, reflection, and renewal. Surrounded by 380+ acres of forest and panoramic mountain views, the Center provides the ideal setting for participants to fully immerse in your teachings.

A Partner in Your Purpose

We collaborate closely with guest presenters to ensure your retreat is supported at every level. From planning and promotion to on-site logistics, our team works with you to create a seamless, nourishing experience for you and your participants.

VEDIC ARCHITECTURE

The Art of Living Retreat Center campus has been designed based on the principles of Vedic architecture. Rather than a style of construction, it is founded upon a set of principles that recommend building in accordance with the organization of the universe to promote the health and happiness of the inhabitants within.

There are subtle effects—orientation, proportion, and room placement—as well as distinguishing features such as

• A Brahmasthan, an empty space in the center of a building that corresponds to the silent field of pure consciousness at the source of life.

• The ornamental rooftop kalash

• A Vastu fence to define the building space

Most importantly, Vedic architecture places emphasis on the orientation of the brain in relation to the cosmos. A key principle is that the sun’s energy is most nourishing when it is rising, so orientating a building to face east bestows health, happiness, harmony, wealth and spiritual growth upon its occupants.

ELEVATE YOUR EVENT

In addition to incredible views and the peaceful, natural beauty of our surroundings, the Art of Living Retreat Center offers expert customized support and an atmosphere of community that insures an immersive experience for your group.

From your first contact through the final day of your event, our staff is here for you. Hosting your event with us means one-stop planning—from registration to housing to dining to activities.

We’ve hosted thousands of guests here on the mountain and we love what we do. You’ll see that in the care and attention we put into your event and insuring your satisfaction.

PRESENTER EXPERIENCE

A Seamless, Supported Teaching Environment

Our goal is to make teaching here feel effortless. We handle the details so you can stay focused on delivering your work with clarity and presence.

Nourishment for Body and Mind

Enjoy chef-prepared vegetarian meals, peaceful spaces to unwind, and the opportunity to immerse in nature between sessions.

PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE

A Retreat That Lives On

Participants consistently share that their time here remains one of the most memorable, meaningful experiences of their lives. The combination of your expertise and our environment creates the conditions for profound insight and transformation.

Accessible for All Levels

Whether you're teaching seasoned practitioners or those just beginning their journey, the Center offers a welcoming space for everyone.

WHO TEACHES HERE?

Industry-leading teachers, thought leaders, authors, and experts from around the world choose the Art of Living Retreat Center as the perfect environment to host their highly successful retreats.

Recent guest presenters include

Katy Bowman

Cheryl Strayed

Marianne Williamson

Angelo Dilullo

Paul Selig

Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Thomas Hübl

Jeff Warren

Shiva Rea

The Ruiz Brothers

Dr. Arielle Schwartz

Nedra Glover Tawwab

Iyanla Vanzant

Jeff Warren

Jedidiah Jenkins

Rebecca Campbell

Eluna Noelle

Seane Corn

"Teaching at the Art of Living Retreat Center is a gift. The support, the environment, the kindness—everything elevates the experience, for me and my students."

"My participants were able to go deeper than ever before. The setting truly amplifies the work."

WHAT WE OFFER

• Turnkey Program Support

• Dedicated program manager

• Registration and participant communication

• On-site logistics and room setup

• Audio/visual support

• Staff assistance throughout your stay

ELEVATED ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

• Comfortable guest rooms

• Ayurvedic-inspired vegetarian meals

• Walking trails and scenic overlooks

• Access to the award-winning Shankara Ayurveda Wellness Spa

LOGISTICS MADE SIMPLE

• Flexible program lengths and formats

• Multiple lodging options for participants

• Campus-wide Wi-Fi

• Proximity to several aiports including Charlotte-Douglas International, Tri-Cities Regional, and Piedmont Triad International

• Fully staffed Front Desk and Guest Services

PURPOSE-BUILT SPACES

• Light-filled yoga halls

• Intimate meditation rooms

• Large-capacity meeting spaces

• Outdoor gathering areas overlooking the mountains

PROPS AND A/V

• Yoga mats

• Meditation cushions

• Blocks & straps

• Back jacks

• Blankets

• A/V Equipment

MARKETING & PROMOTION

Our Audience

The Center hosts over 250 retreats and 12,000 guests annually. In the last 13 years, we have served more than 110,000 visitors to our retreat center.

Guests visit from around the country. Our primary markets include Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Washington DC, Atlanta, and the full eastern seaboard.

Demographics

70% female | 30% male

18–24 16%

25–34 25%

35–44 21%

45–54 18%

55–64 12%

65+ 8%

EXTEND YOUR REACH

Your program will be featured on our website, in email promotions, and social media channels to help you reach an engaged audience seeking growth, wellness, and inspiration.

Digital Advertising

• Ad platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Google, Youtube, and digital display ads

• 31,000,000 impressions and over 500,000 site visits annually; ads 365 days/year

• Custom audience targeting and retargeting, leveraging our database of 363,000 contacts

• Guest Presenter registrations are driven by both Art of Living brand ads and ads promoting our guest presenter programs.

Social Media

Our social media support includes a featured post and a reel on our channels, plus a dedicated Facebook Event to boost visibility. We also create a Google Business event listing for your program to strengthen local discovery.

Email Marketing

Monthly Emails

Two AOLRC-Focused Content includes articles from our blog, Ayurveda wellness tips, and upcoming program announcements.

Two Presenter Event-Focused Content includes program highlight.

Automated Emails

AOLRC has a very robust and successful abandoned cart and follow-up automated email process.

Bring Back Emails

When you return to the Art of Living Retreat Center, we notify past participants of your new upcoming programs with us.

EMAIL LIST

35K ENGAGED MARKETING CONTACTS

Marketing Kits

We support our guest presenters with creative assets that you can easily share with your community.

Flyers & Handouts

Retreat Marketing Guide

Receive our 32-page digital guide— a strategic roadmap for filling your retreat with expert advice on what to do, why it matters, when to do it, how to do it, and the benefits.

Print & Digital Materials Program Guide

Our print catalog goes out once a year to more than 20k subscribers, and is placed at various locations throughout North Carolina and surrounding areas, as well as being part of festival goodie bags and conference handouts.

On-Campus Monitors

Current and upcoming programs are also highlighted on campus via digital screens throughout the property.

Brochures

Distributed at the Center and various conferences and festivals throughout the year.

PR & Media

We coordinate year-round media outreach, hosting FAM trips, individual media visits, and influencers securing coverage in local, regional, national and international publications.

Represented by Eleven Six PR, an award-winning firm representing some of the top organizations in the hospitality industry.

Awards & Accolades

Google

• Most positive reviews of any retreat center in the US

• 1700+ reviews; 4.8 out of 5 stars

TripAdvisor

• Annual Travelers’ Choice Award Winner

• 650+ reviews; 4.7 out of 5 stars

USA Today

• Ranked Top 3 Wellness Retreat in the US annual 10Best Readers’ Choice

• Ranked #2 meditation Center and #3 Wellness Retreat Center in the US in 2025

VENUES & MEETING SPACES

Host workshops or conferences for 75 to 1,000 on our versatile campus. From the sunlit Main Hall to hilltop Veda Halls and secluded Shakti Hall, each venue is thoughtfully designed to inspire connection and focus.

THE MAIN HALL

Size: 17,500 sq ft

Ideal for large groups, the Main Hall features stunning natural light and a spacious grand room. A granite stone foyer leads to a natural wood interior and striking multi-tiered skylight that gives the venue a surprising coziness.

The space also has a performance stage with professional lighting and an advanced audio-visual system.

Special features of the Hall include two small atmospheric multi-tier spectacular wood-worked

Located on a hillside, the hustle and bustle the rest of the center, ideal place for a quiet sounds to break the silence of leaves in the wind and of the local mountain

HALL Size: 5,000 sq ft

the spacious Shakti small break-out rooms, multi-tier lighting, and a wood-worked open ceiling.

even farther from of modern life than Shakti Hall is an retreat . The only silence are the rustle and the quiet songs birds.

Each of the four special venues we call Veda Halls feature spacious, open floor plans, plenty of natural light, and freely flowing air through the tall windows surrounding each hall.

These hilltop event spaces are situated next to each other near the mountain top, making them ideal for groups requiring adjacent retreat spaces and/or break-out rooms. Two halls are carpeted and two have hardwood flooring, which works well for yoga and performance groups.

capacities overview

Demo Kitchen

Purna Terrace Yoga Fire Pit

Serenity and relaxation await in our warm and inviting rooms. Guests may choose private or shared rooms based on their needs. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms. We can accommodate up to 500 guests on-site.

Hotel Rooms

Many of our premium rooms offer incredible vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, along with expected hotel room amenities.

• King, Full, or Twin Beds

• Private Bathrooms

• Fridge, Television, and Writing Desk

• Free Wi-Fi

Retreat Rooms

Our standard rooms are an option for those who are looking for simplicity and more affordable accommodation.

• Twin Beds

• Private Bathrooms

• Writing Desk

• Free Wi-Fi

ACCOMMODATIONS

When you host your retreat at the Art of Living Retreat Center, your group is invited to participate in our many soulfeeding activities—daily yoga and meditation, nightly kirtan, and miles of hiking trails.

DAILY YOGA

Sri Sri Yoga is a holistic and energizing practice, integrating mind, body, and spirit.

DAILY MEDITATION

Rejuvenate from within—deep rest for mind and body.

FIRE CIRCLE

Close the day at a fire circle under the stars!

NATURE WALKS

Nearby trails offer both walkers and experienced hikers miles of in-depth exploration.

KIRTAN

Community singing with an emphasis on both ancient chant and modern melodies.

LABYRINTH

Take an inner journey to open the mind to the present moment.

DINING

Drawing on influences from the local harvest in Boone to Bombay and even the Caribbean, our chefs aim to please the palate with vegetarian nourishment made from fresh, seasonal ingredients designed to energize and nourish all body types—three healthy and delicious meals a day.

Meals are served buffet-style. We cater to gluten, dairy, soy, and nut-related allergies; and list allergens and ingredients on our menus.

Our Food Philosophy

1. We are a vegetarian, mostly whole-foods kitchen.

2. The ancient science of Ayurveda inspires us.

3. Our menus are welcoming, inspiring, and accommodating.

4. We have the utmost respect for our community and the planet, and are mindful of the impact of our kitchen.

5. Love is at the core of all we do in our kitchen.

Learn more about our food philosophy and dining  aolrc.org/dining.

SHANKARA AYURVEDA WELLNESS SPA

The award-winning Shankara Ayurveda Wellness Spa has been rated one of the best in the country by many nationwide publications, including USA Today, The Washington Post, and Organic Spa.

Guest presenters and attendees can enhance their experience by choosing from a wide selection of Ayurvedic treatments for whole-body nourishment and renewal—the perfect integration of your program with well-being. Our therapists work with each body to encourage stress relief, growth, and healing—bringing guests into an open, blissful, and restored state.

There are three airports within driving distance of the Art of Living Retreat Center:

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, NC (100 miles)

Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) in Johnson City, TN (80 miles)

Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, NC (110 miles)

Airport Shuttle

The Hickory Hop shuttle goes from Charlotte airport to Boone five times daily. Reservations required; online booking only.

Car Rental

Enterprise, Avis, Alamo, Hertz, National, and Budget all offer car rentals at Charlotte airport.

Uber

It is possible to take an Uber from Charlotte airport all the way to the Center. This can be very cost-effective option when traveling with friends or family.

Public Bus

The Mountaineer Express goes from Boone to Charlotte at 9:25 am and from Charlotte to Boone at 6:00 pm daily. Once you arrive in Boone, you will need to Uber to the Center.

GETTING HERE

YOU’RE INVITED

We’d be honored to explore hosting your next program. Together, we can create an extraordinary experience that uplifts, inspires, and transforms.

Let’s begin the conversation...