Looking Back on Eco Resort Network 2023

The combination of passionate delegates, high-end networking, top talks and stunning scenery made for an event to look back on proudly. Sponsored by Tenthouse Structures, their founder & CEO Brendan O’Molony sums up his team’s experience in Montenegro this May.

Why did you decide to sponsor Eco Resort Network 2023?

Eco Resort Network is one of very few gatherings that connects leaders in our industry from around the world and from a variety of positions and perspectives.

We are very much a peoples business and I felt that we could learn and contribute to this pioneering industry best by sharing our views in person. Sustainability is the buzz – we wanted to contribute to that from an engineering perspective. Sustainability starts with the infrastructure ‘made for the wild’, so I felt that if we could leave folk with a tangible sense of what’s possible with lightweight structures, then sponsoring ERN would have been a more than worthwhile return. I think we achieved that.

Camp Sarika

What were the highlights for you and the team?

Listening and learning from the various entrepreneurs and leaders in our industry about how they built their companies, what their challenges were and what their visions were for the future. Sharing their experiences in open and honest dialogue was refreshing and in no small part due to the ERN forum style.

I am always amazed at what passionate and dedicated people from all walks of life can achieve and contribute to outdoor hospitality and conservation in a unique and wholesome way.

Sustainability was addressed and implemented in both design and operations without ‘greenwashing’. The overall commitment and transparency bodes well for a positive, measurable trajectory towards net zero.

The open, relaxed and fun atmosphere made for great interaction in what is still a niche and small industry. I was left with a sense that together we can advance our industry into the mainstream and bring about positive change to way people travel and interact with nature.

Tenthouse Structures Team in Montenegro

Were there any particular speakers or delegates you were eager to meet?

Yes. Firstly, I was happy to reunite with an old friend, Robyn Woodhead, whom I had not seen for over 30 years. She has made such an impact on outdoor tourism with her White Desert Antarctica experience. Her courage, conviction and energy is inspiring.

I was also thrilled to spend time with some ‘competitors’ and historical collaborators on projects, notably Luca Franco of Luxury Frontiers and Dave Court of Bushtec Creations. In a sense, we are a significant part of the story that has introduced luxury into the outdoor space.

I was especially looking forward to meeting Chris Nader of ENVI Lodges, who (along with Noelle Homsy) has taken on such a bold project to innovate outdoor hospitality. Their brand really stands for something!

Camp Mombo

What topics did you cover in your talk and supplier presentation?

Overall, I wanted to convey the successful application of textile structures and how they can meet the challenges of wilderness environments and enhance guest experience in a sustained way.

At my keynote talk, I first introduced Bionics as our approach to sustainable design, talking to the fundamentals of how lightweight structures are developed through a deep understanding of the mechanics of biological systems.

I introduced tensile membrane structures as one form of Bionic design. I then focussed in on the technical aspects of how we bridge the gap between creative vision and real world execution; through specialized design, engineering and thin envelope comfort technology.

I elaborated on how, through advanced design tools and processes and compliance with recognised standards, we can achieve predictable outcomes for both structural performance and low energy-high comfort strategies over an extended design life.

I shared our approach to reducing our carbon footprint through measurable and recognised rating systems; and that we strive to target yearly reductions through development of innovative new systems, new materials and agile supply chain management to keep us on our elevated path towards carbon neutrality.

I touched in on some of our latest ecoinnovations such as heat shielding textiles, smart floors and high performance panels.

I signed off with a vision for the future of THS developments that embraces ‘togetherness’. Collaboration with all stakeholders is at the core of THS. Our staff, our clients, operators, communities and mother nature herself. With this, we launched our new sustainability brand: Made better, together.

In my supplier presentation, I made a short introduction to our products and services: from ground-up custom designs to innovative modular structures and lightweight tents, to the convenience of our flexible turnkey design-tobuild solutions.

This was supplemented with an immersive ‘design-to-site’ experience at our stand. Merging technology, design, engineering and comfort – with an authentic connection to our products to enable people to get a real time sense of how a THS development would look, feel and perform on their property.

What was the reaction to the VR demonstration you had on your stand?

Great! Without going to an actual camp or a life size tent display, this gave people the opportunity to get as close to the real thing as possible. The high-resolution VR and fly through videos along with our new eConfig tool all worked together to deliver a tangible experience of the THS products to the event.

The VR Experience

What take-homes do you have from the event?

We met some remarkable and inspiring people, new friends and new opportunities.

The possibilities to collaborate, to grow our markets and diversify into other applications are abundant.

The event served to further support our vision that THS’ path towards a lightweight future in outdoor hospitality is well grounded.

What made the event different?

It was a well-rounded blend of networking, inspiration and learning along with a real, warm, and fun atmosphere. We certainly took more out of this event than any other we have attended recently.

Tenthouse Structures

Would you consider attending or sponsoring again in future?

Absolutely – both!

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