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NEWS
Soneva Fushi to host Maldives’ first ever TEDx talk, reveals Sonu Shivdasani
POSTED 08 Mar 2022 . BY Megan Whitby
Credit: Aksham Abdul Gadhir @ishotmaldives

Credit: Julia Neeson
TEDxBaaAtoll will celebrate wellness, culture, art, discourse and the environment
– Sonu Shivdasani
The Maldives’ first-ever TEDx talk, themed around the Slow Life, is set to take place on March 19, 2022.

Hosted at Soneva Fushi on Kunfunadhoo – one of the largest islands in the Baa Atoll and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – TEDxBaaAtoll will host nine Maldivian and international speakers.

The event will feature local voices and TED Talks videos delving into the ways we can find a deeper purpose beyond the superficial.

Talks will focus on reconnecting with the earth to live in harmony with the natural environment, working hand-in-hand with communities to make the world a better place and nurturing our physical and mental wellbeing to be the very best we can be.

Co-founder and CEO of Soneva Resorts and event speaker, Sonu Shivdasani, said: “We’re proud to be hosting the Maldives' first TedX event on our shores at Soneva Fushi.

“TEDxBaaAtoll is about learning and inspiring each other, and will celebrate wellness, culture, art, discourse and the environment – those diverse elements that are all part of the Slow Life."

The event will bring together a dynamic lineup, ranging from community innovators to business leaders, each of whom will share their own unique stories and ideas on the TEDx platform.

The full line-up features:
• Akib Jahir, local entomologist.
• Bart Knols, managing director of science and conservation at Soneva.
• Bruce Bromley, chief financial officer and deputy CEO at Soneva.
• Carissa Nimah, guardian of the brand at Soneva.
• Hussain 'Sendi' Rasheed, a 30-year veteran of the Maldives’ diving industry.
• Iz Yala Shameem binth Ali Shameem, a 13-year-old climate youth activist from Kudafari island.
• Nila Patty, innovation and sustainability manager at Soneva
• Shaziya ‘Saazu’ Saeed, professional diver and surfer and former VP of both the Maldives Surfing Association and Diving Association of the Maldives.
• Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and co-founder of Soneva.

Follow this link to register for virtual attendance. The event will start at 6:30 PM (Maldives Time) on Saturday 19 March and last until 11:30 PM on Sunday 20 March.
RELATED STORIES
  Sonu Shivdasani awarded OBE in King’s 2023 New Year Honours List


Hospitality and wellness industry veteran Sonu Shivdasani has been honoured as an officer of the order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to tourism, sustainability and charity by the King of England.
  Soneva to open third Maldives retreat by end of 2023


Sonu Shivdasani, co-founder of barefoot luxury hotel and wellness brand Soneva, has confirmed there will be a new Soneva property open by the end of 2023.
  Soneva’s new hospitality concept Soneva Secret launching January 2024


Soneva will open a new US$40 million (£32.1 million, €37.4 million) resort in the Maldives’ secluded Haa Dhaalu atoll on 10 January 2024.
  Soneva's new spa and wellness brand blends ancient and modern healing techniques


Barefoot luxury hotel and wellness brand Soneva has concocted a new spa and wellness concept combining ancient healing wisdom with modern science.
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NEWS
Soneva Fushi to host Maldives’ first ever TEDx talk, reveals Sonu Shivdasani
POSTED 08 Mar 2022 . BY Megan Whitby
Credit: Aksham Abdul Gadhir @ishotmaldives
Credit: Julia Neeson
TEDxBaaAtoll will celebrate wellness, culture, art, discourse and the environment
– Sonu Shivdasani
The Maldives’ first-ever TEDx talk, themed around the Slow Life, is set to take place on March 19, 2022.

Hosted at Soneva Fushi on Kunfunadhoo – one of the largest islands in the Baa Atoll and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – TEDxBaaAtoll will host nine Maldivian and international speakers.

The event will feature local voices and TED Talks videos delving into the ways we can find a deeper purpose beyond the superficial.

Talks will focus on reconnecting with the earth to live in harmony with the natural environment, working hand-in-hand with communities to make the world a better place and nurturing our physical and mental wellbeing to be the very best we can be.

Co-founder and CEO of Soneva Resorts and event speaker, Sonu Shivdasani, said: “We’re proud to be hosting the Maldives' first TedX event on our shores at Soneva Fushi.

“TEDxBaaAtoll is about learning and inspiring each other, and will celebrate wellness, culture, art, discourse and the environment – those diverse elements that are all part of the Slow Life."

The event will bring together a dynamic lineup, ranging from community innovators to business leaders, each of whom will share their own unique stories and ideas on the TEDx platform.

The full line-up features:
• Akib Jahir, local entomologist.
• Bart Knols, managing director of science and conservation at Soneva.
• Bruce Bromley, chief financial officer and deputy CEO at Soneva.
• Carissa Nimah, guardian of the brand at Soneva.
• Hussain 'Sendi' Rasheed, a 30-year veteran of the Maldives’ diving industry.
• Iz Yala Shameem binth Ali Shameem, a 13-year-old climate youth activist from Kudafari island.
• Nila Patty, innovation and sustainability manager at Soneva
• Shaziya ‘Saazu’ Saeed, professional diver and surfer and former VP of both the Maldives Surfing Association and Diving Association of the Maldives.
• Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and co-founder of Soneva.

Follow this link to register for virtual attendance. The event will start at 6:30 PM (Maldives Time) on Saturday 19 March and last until 11:30 PM on Sunday 20 March.
RELATED STORIES
Sonu Shivdasani awarded OBE in King’s 2023 New Year Honours List


Hospitality and wellness industry veteran Sonu Shivdasani has been honoured as an officer of the order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to tourism, sustainability and charity by the King of England.
Soneva to open third Maldives retreat by end of 2023


Sonu Shivdasani, co-founder of barefoot luxury hotel and wellness brand Soneva, has confirmed there will be a new Soneva property open by the end of 2023.
Soneva’s new hospitality concept Soneva Secret launching January 2024


Soneva will open a new US$40 million (£32.1 million, €37.4 million) resort in the Maldives’ secluded Haa Dhaalu atoll on 10 January 2024.
Soneva's new spa and wellness brand blends ancient and modern healing techniques


Barefoot luxury hotel and wellness brand Soneva has concocted a new spa and wellness concept combining ancient healing wisdom with modern science.
MORE NEWS
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
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COMPANY PROFILES
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS