March 18-20th, 2026
Mountain Shadows Resort, Paradise Valley, AZ

Marketing Leadership Retreat

100 marketing executives. Two days out of the office at a beautiful resort.
Designed to connect top B2B marketing leaders IRL.

Reserve your spot
Brought to you by:
NEW FROM EXIT FIVE

100 CMOs and VPs in Attendance

Dave Gerhardt
Founder and CEO at Exit Five
Dave Kellogg
EIR at Balderton Capital
Kim Storin
CMO at Zoom
Sylvia LePoidevin
CMO at Kandji
Tara Robertson
CMO at Bitly
Ido Mart
CMO at ManychaT
Kelly Cheng
CMO at Goldcast
Heather Smith
CMO at SpyCloud
Pranav Piyush
CEO at Paramark
Sam Faillace
VP of Marketing at Paramark
Katie Miserany
Chief Communications Officer & Global Head of Marketing at SurveyMonkey
Clare Schmitt
VP of Marketing and Communications at Piedmont Global

Two Goals: Education and Connection

01
Workshops Led By Your Peers

Get Into the Tactics with Marketing Leaders

You’ll break out into smaller, peer-led sessions to dive deep into real tactics, frameworks, and playbooks you can use as soon as you’re back at work. Five marketing experts. Five deep dives. You choose the topics that matter most to your leadership and walk away with tangible playbooks.

Workshops will range in topics from personal branding for execs, structuring your marketing org for success, to how leaders are actually using AI in their work, and more.
02
Breakout Sessions

Marketing Therapy

This has become one of the most popular things we do in our community: connect you to vent with your peers. How often are you around a room of people doing the same job you are? We want to help you take advantage of that to trade notes and get unstuck on challenges inside your company. Plus it just feels good to talk to people who get what you do for a living.

Each day you’ll huddle up with a small group of marketing leaders, people in similar roles, company sizes, and team structures, to dig into the realities of leading modern marketing. These are guided conversations designed to spark ideas, share what’s working, and build relationships that last long after the retreat.
03
Keynotes

Conversations with Dave Kellogg and Kim Storin

Two powerhouse marketing leaders. One goal: help you leave thinking bigger about your role, your team, and the kind of marketing leader you want to become. We’ll kick off with Dave Kellogg, former CEO, CMO, and board member for companies from zero to over $1B in revenue, and his session How to Become the CMO That Everyone Wants to Work With. Plus join Exit Five Founder Dave Gerhardt for a fireside chat with Zoom CMO Kim Storin.
04
Networking

Build Relationships that Outlast the Event

This entire retreat is designed to connect you with people you’ll keep in your circle long after it’s over. The kind of peers you can text mid-meeting for a sanity check, call to talk strategy, or grab dinner with next time you’re in their city. Maybe they’ll become a mentor. Maybe a future colleague. Maybe a new friend.

We’ve built connection into every part of the experience, with shared meals, cocktail hours, wellness activities, and one structured speed networking session to help you meet as many people as possible early on. After that, you’ll have two full days to go deeper and build the kind of relationships that turn into real professional allies (and maybe a few friends).

Because let’s be real, the best part of any event often isn’t just the sessions, it’s the people. And the people you meet here are the ones who’ll help you solve your next big problem, land your next role, or just remind you you’re not doing this alone.
05
Activities

Connect and Recharge Outside the Conference Room

Beyond the sessions, you’ll have time built into the agenda to unwind and take advantage of everything the resort has to offer. We’ll handle coordinating the activities for you, whether that’s an in-room massage, playing a round of golf, or getting outside to reset, so you can recharge, move your body, and connect with fellow marketers in a setting that’s a little less formal and a lot more fun.

Agenda

Wednesday, March 18th
Thursday, March 19th
Friday, March 20th
2PM-5PM
ARRIVAL AND CHECK-IN
Welcome to Mountain Shadows, a modern desert hideaway tucked beneath Camelback Mountain. Unpack, recharge, and ease into the Scottsdale sun. We’ll handle the details, your only job is to settle in and switch gears.
5PM-8PM
SPEED NETWORKING, DINNER, AND COCKTAILS
We open with connection. A fast-paced round of speed networking led by Dave to meet your peers. Then unwind over an open-air dinner and cocktails under the desert sky.
8AM-9AM
BREAKFAST
Fuel up with a chef-prepared breakfast and unbeatable views of Camelback Mountain. Grab coffee, find a table, and start the day with great food and even better company.
9AM-10AM
Dave Kellogg: How to become the CMO that everyone wants to work with
We’ll start the day with Dave Kellogg, a former CEO, CMO, and board member who’s spent his career scaling B2B SaaS companies. He’ll share what exec teams really expect from marketing, where CMOs go wrong, and how to build lasting influence inside your company.
11AM-12PM
Breakout Session: AI in Marketing
Join a small group of marketing leaders to dig into how AI is reshaping strategy, org design, and day-to-day execution. You can expert guided prompts, candid discussion, and space to swap ideas with peers in similar roles and companies to you.
12PM-1PM
LUNCH & CONNECTION
Sit with new faces, swap stories, and recharge over a great meal (and view).
1PM-2:30PM
PEER-LED WORKSHOPS
Choose from five expert-led sessions, each focused on actionable frameworks and leadership playbooks. You’ll go deep, take notes, and leave with tools you can use right away.
2:30PM-6PM
AFTERNOON EXCURSIONS
Have an in-room massage, play a round of golf, or unwind poolside. The goal is to get outside, recharge, and connect in a setting where real ideas and friendships form naturally.
6:30PM-9:30PM
DINNER AND COCKTAIL HOUR
Wrap up the day with great food, conversation, cocktails and a beautiful AZ sunset.
8AM-9AM
BREAKFAST
Start the morning with coffee and food, new conversations, and views that make it hard to leave. Rotate tables and connect by company stage or industry for practical takeaways.
9AM-10:30AM
Breakout Session: Marketing Org Design
Learn how top CMOs are structuring teams by stage, budget, and focus. Talk through hiring, ownership, and how to scale without the chaos.
10:30AM-11:30AM
Fireside Chat with Kim Storin & Dave Gerhardt
A forward-looking conversation on leadership, growth, and the modern CMO’s role at the table. Real lessons from one of the best in the business.
11:30AM-12PM
FAREWELL
You’ll leave with new friends, fresh ideas, and a network you’ll actually keep up with. Not a goodbye, just the start of a few great ongoing conversations.

Marketing Leader's Club Member Ticket

For Exit Five Marketing Leader’s Club and CMO Council Members only. The same experience as General Admission, at a special member rate. Enjoy two days of programming, community, and connection with full lodging, meals, and excursions included.
Full access to all sessions and experiences
Two nights at Mountain Shadows Resort (standard room)
All meals included (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktail receptions)
Choice of excursion (golf or spa)
Access to evening networking events
Must be a member of Exit Five's Marketing Leaders Club
Early bird pricing available until December 1st, 2025
$2,499 per ticket
$2,099
Buy ticket (save $400)

General Admission Ticket

Join 100+ B2B marketing leaders for an immersive, all-inclusive retreat designed to connect and inspire. Everything’s handled for you – from your room to your meals to your downtime.
‍
Full access to all sessions and experiences
Two nights at Mountain Shadows Resort (standard room)
All meals included (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktail receptions)
Choice of excursion (golf or spa)
Access to evening networking events
Early bird pricing available until December 1st, 2025
$2,999 per ticket
$2,599
Buy ticket (save $400)

VIP Experience Ticket

Upgrade your stay and make it effortless from the moment you land in Arizona. Enjoy suite-level comfort, private airport transfers, and reserved seating at dinners.
Full access to all sessions and experiences
One-bedroom suite at Mountain Shadows Resort
Private black car transfers to and from the airport
Reserved dinner table selection
All meals included (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktail receptions)
Choice of excursion (golf or spa)
Purchase a VIP ticket
$4,499
Buy ticket
A letter from Dave

A letter from Exit Five Founder Dave Gerhardt

Hey: Dave here (yes I really wrote this, not Chat GPT).

Writing this from chilly Vermont, I can’t wait for warmer weather in Arizona. Not the worst place to travel for work in March.

But that’s not the real reason I’m excited for this event.

The real reason I’m excited is because in-person ROCKS. And I am saying that with no hyperbole.

After years of running our marketing community exclusively online, we’ve shifted a bunch of energy around in-person because - well - they just hit different. We felt this first hand with our annual Drive event in Vermont, and we knew it was time to expand and do more events.

With the Marketing Leadership Retreat we’re designing a different type of event built exclusively for B2B marketing leaders. There’s less content here on purpose. This event is about connection. We’ve taken everything we learned from Drive (where the NPS scores were 88 and 77 in the first two years respectively) and applied it here. Content is great, but there’s nothing like actually connecting and learning from your peers.

You spend all year running the marketing machine. The meetings. The politics. The pressure to grow faster, spend smarter, do more with less. You’re sprinting to hit this quarter’s number while trying to build something that lasts.

But how often do you sit across the table from someone who lives your world? Someone who’s leading the same kind of team, fighting the same battles, and asking the same questions you are?

If any of the things I wrote above got you nodding along, this event is going to be an awesome addition to your 2026 conference lineup. Two days. 100 of the best B2B CMOs and VPs. A chance to step out of your bubble and into a room full of peers who’ve been there.

I said conference but that’s wrong. This isn’t another conference. It’s a reset. Candid sessions. Peer-led workshops. Honest conversations over dinner, coffee, golf, or a cocktail by the fire. You’ll leave with pages of ideas, clarity on your next moves, and a few new friendships that’ll outlast any keynote.

It’s not about learning the basics. It’s about thinking bigger — by being around people who make you better.

See you in Arizona.

Apply for your ticket

Your Retreat Experience Includes

More than you think. Don’t worry about bringing cash for tips or pulling out your card at dinner. Our all-inclusive experience is designed so you can connect deeply with peers, exchange ideas, and give yourself the space to think creatively outside of work, not about the check.
ROOMS
Modern, luxurious accommodations at Mountain Shadows are part of the package.
CULINARY
All meals, snacks, coffee, and alcoholic beverages are included. From breakfast to cocktail hour, everything’s covered.
PROGRAMING
Full access to daily sessions, including keynotes, workshops, and breakout discussions, all led by top operators and marketing leaders.
WELLNESS ACTIVITIES
Unwind your way. Enjoy full resort access, with options to hit the golf course or relax with a massage, designed for connection and recharge.
GRATUITIES
No tips needed, everything’s included.
TRANSPORTATION (VIP ONLY)
Private ground transportation from Sky Harbor Airport for a seamless arrival.
‍Reserved dinner table selection (VIP Only)‍
ROOM UPGRADE (VIP ONLY)
Enjoy an elevated stay with a premium one-bedroom suite at Mountain Shadows Resort.

Reserve your spot

Join us at Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley for a few days you’ll be thinking about long after you’re home. Real conversations. Meaningful connections. A shared experience that’ll shape how you lead, and who you lead with, for years to come.

There are only 100 spots available for this retreat. Tickets include all lodging and food costs, as well as full access to programming and wellness activities.

Our Sponsors

SurveyMonkey is a leading survey and insights platform that helps teams collect feedback, measure brand impact, and make data-driven decisions with speed and confidence.

Paramark provides marketing measurement and forecasting solutions, enabling businesses to assess incremental impact, set budgets, run experiences, and forecast results accurately. 

FAQs

For all additional questions, please email us at
‍hi@exitfive.com with the subject line "Marketing Leadership Retreat".
Where will the Marketing Leadership Retreat be held?

Onsite at Mountain Shadows Resort  in Paradise Valley, AZ, an upscale boutique property nestled in the shadows of Camelback Mountain. The resort features two pools, a par-3 golf course, a full-service spa, modern fitness facilities, curated art galleries, and signature dining at Hearth ’61.

The resort is about 10 miles (roughly 14 minutes by car) from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

Why are there applications for this event?

This retreat is built specifically for B2B marketing executives at growth-stage companies. The discussions, content, and peer-to-peer conversations are tailored to VP/CMO-level scope. Applications ensure the room is filled with true peers, so every conversation is relevant, valuable, and worth your time. 

What criteria is Exit Five using to determine who gets a ticket?

We prioritize in-house B2B VPs, CMOs, and Heads of Marketing at companies between $25M and $5B in revenue. We balance by stage, industry, and geography to keep groups tightly matched for breakouts and workshops.

How many tickets are available for the Marketing Leadership Retreat?

100 total. This is a fully on-property experience; capacity is fixed by the resort and our all-inclusive format.

What’s included in a ticket?

Tickets include keynotes, breakouts, workshops, meals, coffee, snacks, on-property lodging, and excursions (golf or spa; first come, first served).

What’s the application and notification process?

Apply for your ticket here. We review applications weekly and will notify you within 7–10 days.

If accepted, you’ll receive a private checkout link. If we’re full, we’ll let you know you’ve been added to the waitlist. And if it’s not the right fit this time, we’ll let you know.

What airport should I fly into?

The resort is about 10 miles (roughly 14 minutes by car) from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

When should I fly in and out of PHX?

Programming kicks off at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, March 18 and wraps up at 12:00 PM on Friday, March 20. We recommend arriving in Phoenix by early afternoon on Tuesday so you can check in, settle into the resort, and make it to the welcome session and dinner. Depart anytime after noon on Friday.

You won’t want to miss a minute, this is one of those events where the best stuff happens between sessions, not just during them.

What is our refund and ticket transfer policy?

All ticket sales are final. No refunds will be issued. Ticket transfers are allowed until February 1, 2026 but must be coordinated in advance with our team. Any payment exchanged as part of a transfer is strictly between the original ticket holder and the recipient. Exit Five is not responsible for facilitating or managing payments between parties. Due to the limited size and curated nature of this event, we’re unable to accommodate last-minute changes. Please confirm your availability before purchasing. Thanks for supporting what we’re building.

Is there a way I can see who is going before the event?

Yes! We will create a space within our community that all attendees will be added to so you can chat with everyone before the event. We will also send important announcements in there in addition to emails so you never miss an update.

How do I get my company to pay for my ticket?

If your company is going to pay for your ticket, please email us at hi@exitfive.com and we will send you a payment link you can share with your finance team. 

Is there a dress code?

Yes, please come in business casual.