Glamour and Ideas at Son Vida: 390 Guests at the "Rethink" Business Forum

Glamour and Ideas at Son Vida: 390 Guests at the "Rethink" Business Forum

A warm evening over Palma, foosball beside questions about the future

The long drive up to Castillo Son Vida smelled of hot summer tar and pine as just under 390 guests gathered on Thursday evening. On the sun terrace, with a view toward Palma's harbor, the clinking of glasses, the soft hum of conversations and the occasional chirping of cicadas blended into a typically Mallorcan soundscape.

The opening was moderated by a well-known media personality; the host and initiator organized the meeting with the aim of enabling exchange. Among those present were figures from business, politics and the media. Notable attendees included Sebastian Kurz, Jan Hofer, Bitpanda CEO Eric Demuth as well as well-known real estate professionals and TV personalities. The outgoing German consul Wolfgang Engstler and his designated successor Angelika Saake also used the evening for networking.

A gilded Mercedes G580 presented by a sponsor caught the eye at the entrance — a symbol that traditional luxury and technological progress do not have to be mutually exclusive here. Inside, conversations focused on sustainability, innovation and the future direction of the Balearic Islands: the minister responsible for economy and innovation emphasized that the islands must manage limited resources and therefore need to integrate environmental policy questions more strongly into economic decisions.

The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. Between discussions there were tapas, Spanish white wine and live piano music: a young singer known from a German talent show provided gentle background melodies. The evening's community focus echoed other local gatherings such as Siurells 2025: A Joyful Evening at Son Termes – Applause for Sport, Culture and Social Engagement.

Those looking for a different form of encounter could challenge world champion Chris Marks at the foosball table — an image that showed how informal exchange and serious topics came together here.

Many threads of conversation revolved around how Mallorca can be economically diversified. The idea: moving away from a one-track dependence on tourism toward greater appeal for technology, start-ups and sustainable investments, themes that are also explored in Playa de Palma in Transition: Between Passeig Dreams and Everyday Reality. Representatives from the tech sector and real estate industry discussed how the region can position itself as a location for innovation without losing local quality of life.

An organizational lesson from the evening was clear: preparing such a meeting takes time and contacts. The host explained that months of preliminary work and quick responses to last-minute cancellations are crucial so that networking and content ultimately work. Such events live from people who cultivate relationships and go into depth together.

Why is this good for Mallorca? Forums like this bring decision-makers, entrepreneurs and multipliers together — creating a stage for concrete project ideas, partnerships and visibility. If sustainability finds space not just in speeches but in business concepts, the island has a chance to become more resilient in the long term. At the same time, the evening showed: Mallorca can be glamorous while also addressing serious future questions; other events have similarly combined glamour and impact, for example Glamour at the Marina: Marcel Remus' Lifestyle Night Gives Port Adriano a Glow.

Looking ahead: the atmosphere on the Son Vida terrace was a reminder that change rarely arises solely from offices. It needs encounters, chance conversations in corridors and the occasional shared idea over a glass of wine. Those who missed yesterday should keep upcoming events on their radar — and support local initiatives that connect technology and climate resilience. Small projects on the island can become larger impulses if they find an international dialogue.

In the end, the image that remained was of a mild evening: lights on the terrace, soft piano sounds and groups who lingered to think about ways to make Mallorca more sustainable and economically diverse. This is not just glamour — it is an invitation to get to work together.