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DITA XML Peace of Mind Retreat Venue

DITA XML & PEACE OF MIND RETREAT

A 2-Day Industry Reset for DITA & Structured Content Professionals

Hosted by: Ictect and Enlightened Living Center (ELC)

Location (In-Person): Burlington & Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Date : August 2026

WHO THIS RETREAT IS FOR

This retreat is designed for professionals working with DITA and structured content, including:

  • DITA XML practitioners
  • Information architects & content engineers
  • Technical writers & documentation leads
  • CCMS administrators & content operations managers
  • Learning & training content specialists using DITA
  • Toolchain architects (DITA + Word + CCMS + AI)

Participants may attend in person or remotely, depending on preference, budget, and availability.


RETREAT PURPOSE

To help DITA and structured content professionals:

  • Reduce cognitive overload from complex standards and toolchains
  • Maintain peace of mind while managing large, modular content ecosystems
  • Explore the future of DITA, CCMS, and AI-assisted authoring
  • Share real-world challenges in a trusted peer environment
  • Build meaningful professional relationships
  • Integrate wellness practices that support sustained focus and creativity

PARTICIPATION OPTIONS

Both participation types contribute to discussions and receive post-retreat materials.


IN-PERSON LOGISTICS OVERVIEW

Retreat Accommodation

Transportation (Included)


Day 1 pickup

  • Chicago O’Hare / Downtown Chicago (late morning or early afternoon)

Day 2 drop-off

  • Return to Chicago O’Hare by evening

Accommodation

11 Gables Inn on the Lake – Lake Geneva

  • Lakefront views
  • Quiet rooms
  • Group lounge for reflection

Meals

  • All vegetarian, nourishing, thoughtfully prepared
  • Tea, coffee, herbal drinks, fruit, and healthy snacks available all day

Group Size

  • In-person: 8–14 participants
  • Remote: Limited to maintain high interaction quality

FACILITATORS & EXPERTS

Sessions are led by Pradeep Jain and Joe Gollner, both are experienced practitioners in DITA, CCMS, and intelligent structured content. Wellness sessions are led by Regina Rudoi as the wellness facilitator. She is a certified yoga instructor.

Pradeep Jain

Founder and Chief Content Architect

Pradeep is Founder and Chief Content Architect for Ictect, Inc. His specialization is in Intelligent Content, Semantic Technologies, High-quality XML, and Content Architectures for large-scale applications. He has extensive experience in implementing Electronic Publishing processes for Department of Defense (AFI 33-360, MILSPEC, AR 25-30, and DA PAM 25-40), Book Publishers (ePUB and DocBook), Technical Documentation (DITA), Journal Publishers (JATS), and Educational Publishers (QTI). Pradeep has assisted several organizations with their complex document processes.

Joe Gollner

Managing Director, Gnostyx Research Inc.
Joe is a seasoned expert in digital content capabilities, with over 30 years of experience managing projects, products, teams, and companies. His career has revolved around understanding, managing, and innovating content technologies—from his early exposure to SGML in 1987 to pioneering applications of XML, HTML, and digital publishing solutions. Passionate about sharing his knowledge, Joe actively engages in research, publishing, mentoring, and advising organizations on advanced content management strategies. With a deep network of industry-leading professionals, he continues to shape the future of digital content, focusing on knowledge management, enterprise content, AI, and the evolving role of technology in organizational success.

Regina Rudoi

Wellness Facilitator
Regina Rudoi is a strategic business development professional with a passion for the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and digital innovation. With a career spanning the educational, governmental, and corporate sectors, she has advised institutions on technology adoption, supported public initiatives, and now leads growth efforts in the private sector. Regina has a strong track record of forging partnerships, navigating complex IT needs, and aligning enterprise solutions with organizational goals. Her entrepreneurial background and consultative approach have contributed to measurable outcomes in streamlining operations, enhancing client experiences, and identifying forward-thinking tech opportunities. She brings a unique perspective to the IT space—combining business insight with a drive to harness emerging technologies like AI for real-world impact.

TWO-DAY PROGRAM (IN-PERSON & REMOTE)


In-Person Only

10:30 – 12:30 PM

Shuttle pickup from Chicago

  • Light snacks, informal introductions

In-Person Only

12:30 – 1:30 PM

Welcome Lunch — Food as Calm


All Participants

1:30 – 2:00 PM

Opening Circle

  • Intentions and introductions

All Participants (Live + Interactive)

2:00 – 3:00 PM

Session 1: Structured Content and Metadata - Investments for the Future

Topics:

  • DITA evolution and relevance
  • CCMS realities
  • AI in structured authoring — hype vs reality
  • Author experience vs architectural purity

Remote participants join live and participate in facilitated breakout discussions.


In-Person Only

3:00 – 4:20 PM

Nature & Nervous System Reset

  • Meditative walk, forest bathing, chi kung, or optional massage

Remote participants receive a guided desk-based reset audio (optional).


All Participants (Live + Q&A)

4:30–5:45 PM

Session 2: Modern DITA Workflows — What Actually Brings Peace of Mind

  • Real implementation stories
  • Automation that helps (and hurts)
  • Patterns that reduce friction

In-Person Only

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Dinner at ELC → Drive to Lake Geneva


In-Person Only

8:00–9:00 PM

Evening: Silent Creativity Hour

In-Person Only

8:00–8:30 AM

Morning Meditation & Breathwork


In-Person Only

8:30–9:00 AM

Healthy Breakfast


All Participants (Live + Breakouts)

9:00–10:30 AM

Session 3: Deep Peer Exchange — DITA Roundtables

Topics include:

  • Reuse anxiety and map complexity
  • Change management
  • AI readiness
  • Governance vs usability
  • Burnout prevention

Insights from both in-person and remote groups are captured and synthesized.


All Participants (Live + Q&A)

10:30–12:00 PM

Session 4: The Future of Intelligent Structured Content

  • Expert talk
  • Open Q&A

In-Person Only

12:00–1:00 PM

Lunch — Food for Clarity


In-Person Only

1:00–2:30 PM

Choice-Based Breakouts

  • Tech Lab | Wellness | Creative Track

In-Person Only

2:30–3:00 PM

Closing Circle


In-Person Only

3:00–5:00 PM

Return shuttle to Chicago O’Hare


WHAT ALL PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE

  • Pre-retreat questionnaire (goals & challenges)
  • Access to all applicable live sessions

PRICING


In-Person Participation (All-Inclusive)

$1,008 per person

Includes transportation, lodging, meals, facilitation, and all sessions.

Remote Participation

$300 per person

Includes:
  • Live access to 4 core sessions

Sponsor / Partner Option

$5,000

  • 2 in-person seats
  • 5 remote passes

Exclusive Team Retreat (Hybrid)

One organization (up to 12 participants, in-person + remote).

Cost: $10,008

If you are interested in bringing your team or a custom option, please use the Sign Up form to