We’re excited to share highlights from the recent Kanban Leadership Retreat (KLR), which took place last week in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. This year’s event was particularly special for Kanban University and the Kanban+ team, as we had the honor of co-hosting it in our home city.
At Kanban+, we strive to support continuous improvement and deepen understanding of the Kanban Method and the KMM across teams, companies, and industries. Partnering with the KLR was a natural extension of that — creating the right environment to reflect, connect, and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the global Kanban community.
A Space for Real Connection
The retreat offered a rare opportunity to move beyond screens and build truly meaningful in-person connections.
“You can’t achieve this level of connection through remote communication alone. You need shared experiences - time to sit down, reflect, and think together about what we do and how to improve it. That’s how new ideas emerge, and tighter collaborations are born.”
— Marco Re, Accredited Kanban Consultant and Enterprise Services Planning Professional
A Stunning Setting for Reflection
Held at the peaceful and historic Urgoiti Palace near Bilbao, the venue gave participants space to focus, away from daily distractions. With surprisingly sunny weather in the usually rainy Basque Country, the setting encouraged creativity and renewed energy.
Exploring Beyond the Meeting Room
In true Kanban spirit, we believe shared experiences outside the formal agenda are just as important for innovation. Attendees enjoyed curated excursions, including:
- Hiking to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (of Game of Thrones fame)
- Visiting the Txakoli wine museum
- Exploring San Mamés stadium, the Guggenheim Museum, and Guernica
And of course, no trip to the Basque Country is complete without indulging in the local cuisine — something our guests took full advantage of.
Exclusive Offers from Kanban+
This year’s retreat came with a few new surprises. We prepared a carefully curated welcome pack for attendees, featuring KLR-exclusive merchandise and resources. As a proud event partner, Kanban+ also offered:
- Exclusive gift cards to use across the Kanban+ platform
- A limited-time deal on the KMM Appraisal Tool, available only to event participants
These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to help Kanban practitioners scale their knowledge, improve flow, and build better systems - whether through tools, or daily practice, or even retreats.
The Road Ahead
We’re thrilled to have been part of such an energizing, thoughtful retreat, and we hope the insights, collaborations, and conversations that began in Bilbao will continue to flourish.
To support that journey, Kanban+ is hosting a dedicated space within our platform for continued networking and knowledge sharing between KLR participants — helping to transform the momentum of the retreat into real, lasting impact.
The future of the Kanban Method is shaped by community, and we’re proud to help power it.
Explore Kanban+ tools and community spaces: kanban.plus
