History

Generations of shared ideas

In 1981, friends lamented with Phil & Linda Lader that there were rare occasions to learn from their most fascinating work and everyday-life acquaintances in a personal, substantive way. Consequently, 60 families shared the Laders’ “Renaissance Weekend,” their four-day, New Year’s “house party” on Hilton Head Island.

For four decades, that gathering’s spirit – an “extended family reunion” – has distinguished some 150 Renaissance Weekends:  a cross-generational, “continuing conversation” among innovative leaders from diverse fields. Most are authorities; many have amazing achievements and contributions ahead. All are committed to making a genuine difference with their lives.

Each – long-time “regulars” & extraordinary newcomers alike – has a noteworthy story: often, incredibly inspiring. Hundreds of programs and activities in just a few days. Ideas and relationships celebrated. No political or commercial agenda. 

And the enduring friendships, often the most unlikely, have continued to foster historic projects, ventures and public service – even several dozen marriages.

Our Founders
Renaissance Weekend Advisory Board

Renaissance Weekend
Advisory Board

Organized in honor of our 25th Anniversary in 2006

 

Gerald R. Ford

Co-Chair

William Jefferson Clinton

Co-Chair

Scrapbook
Lady Bird Johnson
Alan Simpson
Sara Blakely
Mushroom
Clintons on Bikes
Young Boy Reading
Ford
Binta Brown
Ed Lu
Rafting
Rufus Fears
Garcetti 1
Jenny 8 Lee
Satya Davedoss
Jim Lovell
Hikers
RBG
Gorsuch Family
Wine Tasting
Simonetti Bryan
Sulzbergers
Stan Smith
Gabby
Sid
Colbert
Hikers
Phil & Linda Lader
Maggie Grace
Dan Ariely
Lader and Clintons
Rapids
Huntsman
Camp
Jon Fougner
Gelles and Holloway Fams
Larry
Saul Perlmutter
Sharp
Viguerie-richard-shays-chris
Leo Bird Reffkin Jones
Hot air balloon
Spergel
Dr. Ruth and Comers
Nortons and Ali
Mullenweg
Diane Sawyer
Richardson
Rattray
Sessoms
Mike Peters
JH Fly Fishing
Teens
Al Franken
young man in green sweater
Sorensen
Aspen Colorado
Weigend
Alex Filippenko
Dugan Hos Funmi
Teton fireworks
Keene Kempthorne
Ahuja-anderson-rubin-gandhi
Julian Castro
Rainbow Row
Kelly and child
Sea Lions
Film
Bayh
Biking
Freddy Clarke
Camp Fillippenko
chairlift BC
Gergen and Wirth
Elk
JLL
Ramey
Physicists
Botany Hike
McCarthy Family
krauss
Camp Chess
Trasks and HRC
Tetons
Turiaf
Gurr & Haverson
Cronin and Jackley
Wallace and Frederick
Monterey Kayak
Matt Nix
Whoops Panel
Hilton Head
David and Elena
Chs Bay Street
Quinlan
Fu and Sivaram
Bluegrass-dancing
BC Horses
Arno
Amanda Edwards
Mariel Hemingway
Santa Fe Fly Fishing
Jim Hamilton
Trottier and Laders
Munteen
Starbird
Aerial Charleston
Amory Lovins
Zumwalt
Debbie Shaw
Camp in Aspen
Holloway Family
Ali and Hebrina
Maes
Aspen
Nametag in Space