Welcome Navigators to another episode of the Travel Not to Escape podcast! Today, we delve into the details of the Alicante Nomad Summit with team members Emiliya, Fabian, and Johanna. This summit, scheduled for April 4th and 5th, promises to be an essential event for digital nomads.

Key Takeaways:

• The summit aims to elevate Alicante as a digital nomad hub and strengthen community bonds.

• Sustainability in remote work is the central theme, addressing individual, communal, and systemic perspectives.

• Over 20 speakers will contribute across three key areas: Live Sustainably, Work Sustainably, and Grow Sustainably.

• The event is designed to be inclusive, welcoming a broad spectrum of attendees. Networking and practical learning opportunities are emphasized.

Introduce yourselves and share your backgrounds and how you came together for the summit.

Emiliya: "I'm originally from Bulgaria, and I've been living in Alicante for about a year and a half. My journey as a digital nomad has been a bit of a back-and-forth for the past six years, balancing travel with periods of returning to office-based work. I'm currently working in marketing for a global startup accelerator, but I've also explored entrepreneurship and various other ventures, all of which ultimately led me to settle in Spain. I fell in love with the country, and Alicante has become my base."

Johanna: "My background is quite nomadic, as my father worked as a diplomat, which meant we moved every few years. I was born in Germany, my mother is Chilean, and my father is German. Since I was seven, we moved every four years, so I grew up in Germany, then moved to Spain, Bolivia, and Mexico, before returning to Germany and then Switzerland. Now, I'm back in Spain, as my family lives here. I work remotely as an editor for a publishing company, which allows me to balance my work with travel, although having a cat does make a home base more appealing. I enjoy the flexibility of traveling while also having a place to return to."

Fabian: "I first experienced Alicante during a university exchange when I was 21, and it was a very influential period in my life. After returning to Germany and working there, I realized I wanted to return to the lifestyle I experienced in Spain. So, I quit my job and apartment and moved back to Alicante to start a new chapter. Initially, I didn't plan to work remotely, but it naturally evolved, and I've been freelancing for about a year now. While I haven't traveled extensively yet, I'm creating more freedom for myself through my freelance work. I've come to feel that Alicante is my home base, and I'm eager to explore from here."

What makes Alicante a good base for digital nomads?

Johanna: "The strong sense of community is a major draw, along with the pleasant climate and opportunities for an outdoor lifestyle. While the cost of living is increasing, it's still relatively attractive. Being able to engage in outdoor activities like yoga and beach volleyball year-round contributes to a good work-life balance."

Fabian: "The region, known as 'la terreta,' offers a diverse range of landscapes, including beaches, mountains, deserts, and forests, all within a relatively small area. The excellent public transport connections along the coast make it easy to explore, although reaching the mountains can be more challenging. This variety and accessibility make Alicante an ideal base."

Emiliya: "Alicante has a unique ability to captivate people, leading them to stay longer than planned. I've seen this happen with many people, including myself and Fabian. People come here with other plans but end up falling in love with the city and staying."

How did you form the team for the Alicante Nomad Summit?

Johanna: "JB and Maria, who had the initial idea for the summit, invited me and Emiliya to join the team. I already knew Emiliya from previous events, and although I didn't know Fabian, our skills complemented each other well. We've been working together since our first meeting before Christmas, and it feels like we've been a team for much longer."

Fabian: "Inspired by a remote work congress organized by the Alicante city hall, we decided to create a community-driven event. We've since gained the city's support and are working in synergy with them. The idea was to build something from the community, for the community."

What is the mission behind the summit?

Emiliya: "The primary mission is to increase Alicante's visibility as a digital nomad destination and improve its services and infrastructure. We also focus on sustainability, recognizing its importance in today’s world, covering many different angles. We want to be the missing piece in the puzzle, to connect the city with the digital nomad community."

Fabian: "We aim to address sustainability from a systemic perspective, exploring how different sectors, like architecture, can contribute to positive change. We want to look at sustainability from different lenses, and see how we can bring digitalization and sustainability together."

Johanna: "We are also looking at sustainability on an individual level, focusing on how nomads can maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid burnout while traveling. We want to discuss how to live this lifestyle long term."

What can attendees expect from the summit's sessions?

Johanna: "We have over 20 speakers covering three pillars: Live Sustainably, Work Sustainably, and Grow Sustainably. Topics include mindfulness, mental health, remote work technologies, and sustainable business practices, and many more. We have speakers from inside Alicante, and from other digital nomad summits."

Fabian: "We are incorporating various formats, including workshops and panel discussions, to enhance interaction and allow for more in-depth conversations. We want to make the event as interactive and inspiring as possible, so that people can really ask their questions."

Who is the summit designed for?

Emiliya: "The event is inclusive, designed for everyone. We aim to connect people on a human level, offering practical tips without being overly niche. We are very inclusive, and want to meet everyone on the way."

Johanna: "We want to bring together the local, Spanish, and international digital nomad communities, providing networking and social opportunities. It is a networking opportunity, and a social opportunity."

Fabian: "It’s a great way to inspire people who are interested in the digital nomad lifestyle. By seeing people who have the lifestyle, it makes it feel more possible. It is a catalyst for people."

What role does the summit play in building community in Alicante?

Emiliya: "It extends beyond Alicante’s borders, fostering connections and providing resources for nomads. We want to have more communication channels."

Johanna: "It brings together people from the wider Valencian community, recognizing Alicante's growing importance as a digital nomad hub. It brings people together that might not come to every smaller event."

Fabian: "It helps to place Alicante on the map, both in Spain and internationally. It helps to give Alicante more visibility."

What tips do you have for visitors to Alicante?

Johanna: "Alicante offers a laid-back lifestyle with opportunities to enjoy food, nature, and the weather. The city and its surroundings are easily explored in a few days. It is a very authentic city."

Fabian: "The city’s beaches and natural landscapes are a highlight. The city brings out the inner child, as you can explore freely. You can walk for hours along the beach, and see Roman swimming pools."

Johanna: "The city is very laid back, and accepting of people. It is very easy to feel at home. It is okay to be outside of the norm."

Are there any language or cultural barriers?

Emiliya: "The city is very open and welcoming. While Spanish is beneficial, it's not a barrier. People are very open and welcoming. People want to learn the language to connect with locals."

What has been the most rewarding part of organizing the summit?

Emiliya: "The team’s dynamics and the positive interactions with speakers have been rewarding. We have learned much along the way, and so many new topics have come up."

Johanna: "Learning on the go and seeing the team work so well together has been a highlight. We are learning how to align with the local government."

Fabian: "Seeing the team’s commitment and working through the details has been very rewarding. Seeing everyone so committed, despite other jobs, has been very rewarding."

Sum up the Alicante Nomad Summit in three words.

Johanna: "Connection. I think like uh as you were saying before like it's all about connection and this is what we are creating the event for uh we want to create connection like on a professional level on a personal level friendships relationships like so many things form after these events and you never know what's going out of it it's supposed to create all kind of connections and that's uh that's our goal."

Emiliya: "Inclusion. I think this is the this is the main vibe I got for myself from Alicante and from most of the events that I have attended here were always people from different ages different backgrounds or professions and there was never a feeling of awkwardness it has always uh been really easygoing and nice and this is what Alicante symbolizes uh for me and uh what I and I think the team as well want to convey as a message."

Fabian: "Inspiration. Al what we touched upon also for new Nomads that to come to an event and also to a small conference or a conference just starting off can be a great way to be inspired because you you can be very close to the speakers to other people so I think this is what I have been taken away so far already from organizing the event but also what I really hope for these two days that they will be full of inspiration and and yeah and insights."

"How can people reach you for more information or tickets?"

Alicante Nomad Summit Details:

• Website: ⁠alicantenomadsummit.com⁠

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alicante-nomad-summit/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadwayapp

• Email: team@alicantenomadsummit.com

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About Travel Not to Escape:

Travel Not to Escape is a podcast dedicated to inspiring and equipping you with resources to create a life that you don't need to travel to escape from. Use travel as a catalyst to redesign your life, connect meaningfully, and live intentionally. Each week, we share stories of transformation, adventure, and the power of travel.  

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Thank you for tuning in! The Alicante Nomad Summit team's passion and vision are truly inspiring.

If you're looking for connection, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of the digital nomad lifestyle, don't miss this episode!

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