The Remote Side of Brazil: Turney’s FAM Trip & REMOTE Chapada Dos Veadeiros
Recently I had the opportunity to lead a small group FAM Trip to visit our partners at Ibiti Projeto before attending REMOTE Immersion in Chapada dos Veadeiros. Prior to visiting, I had been doing sales calls throughout Chicago and Minneapolis, webinars with different agencies across Canada, and more sales calls in Texas. During that time, Brazil was heavy on my mind because this was the first FAM Trip that I was going to lead in Brazil. However, I had a world of trust among my partners. Allow me to tell you why…
Turney’s Introduction to Brazil & REMOTE
After our Founder Clark Kotula passed away in June of 2024, there were amazing people who reached out to us from all over the world. His positive impact in adventure eco-tourism within LATAM made waves from ocean to ocean. But one particular group of people stood out and took me under their wing. That was Clark’s Brazil crew: Roberto Biteman (Founder – REMOTE), Claudia Baumgratz (Ibiti Projeto), Douglas Simoas (Pure Brasil), Bruno Roy (Axus), and many others. They all encouraged me to come visit Brazil and to attend REMOTE where I was able to see for myself the travel services that they have in place and what exactly it was that made Clark want to work with each of them. I had so much fun visiting Brazil that Jacqui Kotula brought their sons Blake and Carter to Ibiti and Brazil after I got back from my initial trip. This was the double stamp of approval!
Let’s Get People to Brazil!
Since then, we’ve continued working together and the stars aligned for a perfect CK Representation opportunity with REMOTE going to Chapada dos Veadeiros, Brazil. We put together this itinerary taking guests from São Paulo to Ibiti Projeto, then to Rio and onward to Brasilia for REMOTE. Special thanks to Douglas at Pure Brasil helping us handle all logistics and components outside of Ibiti Projeto, and for our partners at Ibiti Projeto—especially Claudia and Lia!
There was slim availability at each hotel for these days, so we were able to only have a small group of five people, but it turned out to be perfect. This was not your regular FAM Trip! We went to two places in Brazil in one itinerary that most foreigners will never visit in their entire life. However, I think we’d all argue that these are places in Brazil that you absolutely cannot miss on your next visit.
The group was comprised of these awesome folks!
Ale Monge from Latin Excursions, Kathleen Hall from Dive The Americas, Angie Winkeler from D Tours & Travel, and Dylan Beeson from Travel Well
These are all individuals who I had previously connected with to speak about luxury adventure travel in Central or South America. Each of their focus was all aligned on the same mission: taking a deep dive into a very interesting side of Brazil to learn about Ibiti Projeto and furthermore continue to attend REMOTE Immersion Chapada dos Veadeiros. What we didn’t know is that we’d all end up becoming close friends and finding inspiration among every single moment of every day together. It was a magical journey that I will never forget and will forever be thankful for.
Discovering that perfect mix of nature and big city madness is what Brazil is about to me at the end of the day. Everywhere you go in that country provides a sort of healing, yet energizing feeling that is difficult to describe in words. Perhaps it’s the constant distant views of Christ the Redeemer in Rio, the endless secret waterfalls and the majestic burning man statues at Ibiti, otherworldly sunsets and star gazing, or the warm hospitality of the local people. Whatever it is, Brazil and Ibiti Projeto provide something you can’t find anywhere else on the planet. As Clark would always tell me, “you just have to trust me on this one and go check it out.”
REMOTE Immersion Chapada dos Veadeiros, Brazil
First of all, it’s a true honor to be partnered with REMOTE in helping get the best buyers from North America to attend each edition. Next year we’re ready for REMOTE Boquete in Panama, and are excited to showcase the Costa Rica and Panama hotels with Cayuga Collection before and after. Our two businesses align perfectly with the same mission of encouraging travel agencies and tour operators to offer the most authentic adventure travel experiences in LATAM.
It's important to note that CK Representation has attended each REMOTE edition since the beginning, and Clark even helped inspire Roberto while hiking a volcano in Guatemala during ITLM to “go for it” and start REMOTE.
We look forward to growing together for many years to come! Until our next collaboration in Boquete, Panama…
Here are some pictures from our experience at REMOTE this year.
Feedback from the FAM
“I felt like the fam trip beforehand and the remote conference would put me together with like-minded travel professionals but I didn’t know how beautiful of an experience it would be. I will never forget our fam and I will never forget how Turney passionately shared with us the beauty of Brazil and the products that I now am brimming with excitement to sell to my clients.”
“Experiencing Ibiti brings a feeling of peace and comfort to those who visit. You remember a place by the feelings elicited and for the Engenho Lodge and Ibiti Village I will remember the people and beauty of this place for a long time to come.”
“For the rest of my life, there will always be a ‘before Brazil’ and ‘after Brazil’ for me. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and even if I had expectations before, I know they would have been exceeded. So much of that has to do with the energy, openness, and silliness of our group, but even with all the fun, I feel as if I grew tenfold as a professional. It is so refreshing to share experiences and learn alongside people who have the same values as you and want to share responsible tourism with their clients and networks. And having CK Rep as the glue is the most valuable part!”
“This journey reaffirmed how powerful connection can be when passion leads the way.”
