Medici
Gathering
Florence
November 8 - 11, 2023
Medici
Gathering
Florence
November 8 - 11, 2023
Medici
Gathering
Florence
November 8 - 11, 2023
A 3-day High-Exclusive Gathering to Learn from Italy’s Most Influential and Powerful Family.
Da Vinci famously said: “Learning never exhausts the mind.” And it’s even better when you can learn from one of the most influential families in Italy during the Renaissance period – the Medici family.
From November 8th to 11th, 2023, we invite you to join us at the Villa Cora 5*+ in Florence, Italy for “The Medici Gathering”, where we will learn about their success principles and teachings to shape our own renaissance for the future.
The Medici family ruled Florence for over 300 years, becoming Europe’s wealthiest family, shaping culture and becoming patrons of the arts and architecture that we still marvel at today. For three days, we will walk through the Piazzas and visit Palazzos and Villas where they lived, learned, and left heir legacy. Together, we will extract the success principles and teachings to apply them to our lives and businesses today.
Welcome!
My name is Cris and I am an entrepreneur and business owner who has set up more than 20 companies in 5 different countries. I was born and raised in Germany, but now live with my wife and our three sons on the beautiful island of Mallorca, Spain.
For many years I have been interested in the Medici family from Florence, Italy. I have taken many trips to Florence, became fluent in Italian and enrolled in a Master program for Art History to learn more about the Renaissance period. As I delved deeper into the history and read about 70 books and manuscripts on the Medici family, I discovered that no one has taken a look at them through a business and entrepreneurial lens. How did they develop from a merchant family to the richest family in Europe in the 15th century? How did they build their influence to shape a new area called Renaissance? Why did they invest into the art and architecture that we still marvel at today (Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli etc.)? The more I studied, the more I became fascinated and I decided: I want to become a Renaissance man.
From the 8th to the 11th of November 2023 I will host the Medici Gathering in Florence. I have reserved the Villa Cora, the most beautiful 5 star deluxe hotel exclusively for us. Have a look at this brochure and get in touch if you are interested to join me on this Renaissance experience.
Yours, Cris
The Renaissance
The Renaissance was a period of cultural and artistic rebirth that began in Italy during the 14th century and spread throughout Europe until the 17th century. The term “Renaissance” reflects the renewed interest in classical learning and culture that characterized this era. During the Renaissance, there was a resurgence of interest in the arts, literature, philosophy, and science, shifting away from the medieval emphasis on religious thought and dogma, and towards a more humanistic focus on the individual and the human experience.
The Renaissance saw significant advances in science, including the development of the scientific method and major breakthroughs in fields such as astronomy, anatomy, and mathematics. Artists during the Renaissance produced some of the most celebrated works in the history of art. The period saw the development of new techniques in painting, sculpture, and architecture, including the use of perspective, chiaroscuro, and other techniques to create more realistic and lifelike representations of the world.
The Renaissance
The Renaissance was a period of cultural and artistic rebirth that began in Italy during the 14th century and spread throughout Europe until the 17th century. The term “Renaissance” reflects the renewed interest in classical learning and culture that characterized this era. During the Renaissance, there was a resurgence of interest in the arts, literature, philosophy, and science, shifting away from the medieval emphasis on religious thought and dogma, and towards a more humanistic focus on the individual and the human experience.
The Renaissance saw significant advances in science, including the development of the scientific method and major breakthroughs in fields such as astronomy, anatomy, and mathematics. Artists during the Renaissance produced some of the most celebrated works in the history of art. The period saw the development of new techniques in painting, sculpture, and architecture, including the use of perspective, chiaroscuro, and other techniques to create more realistic and lifelike representations of the world.
The Medici Family
The Medici family is considered the godfathers of the Renaissance. They commissioned some of the most famous art in the world today, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Donatello, and more. They invented banking methods that influenced European finance for centuries. The Medici family is one of the most influential and renowned families in the history of Europe, and even the world, despite not being of noble or royal blood. Their legacy has endured for centuries, with millions of people visiting Florence each year to marvel at their art, architecture, and banking methods that we still use today. Their generosity laid the foundation of the great museums and churches that we will explore together.
But what can we learn from the Medici family? How did they create such wealth, influence culture and society, and shape the Renaissance as a new epoch? As a peer group we want to explore their story together in order to be inspired for our own lives, families and business.
Visiting Florence, Italy
Florence, Italy, is a city unlike any other. Steeped in history and culture, this city offers visitors an unparalleled experience. Here are just a few of the reasons why we want to explore Florence together:
Art and Architecture
The history and culture of Florence is colorful and rich, even more so as we engage with its people. Part of the Medici Gathering will be meeting some local business families and hearing their stories. We want to learn from them and their legacy.
History and Culture
Florence is a is a testament to human creativity and ingenuity, with its stunning buildings, sculptures, and paintings. Some of the very best local experts will be our personal guides and reveal the secrets behind some of the masterpieces. From the iconic Duomo to the uffizi Gallery, Florence is a city that will leave you in awe.
Food and Wine
Florence is a food lover’s paradise, with its delicious traditional dishes and wines. From hearty Tuscan pasta to locally made cheeses, we are curating this culinary experience and have selected some very special restaurants and cellars for us to visit.
Shopping
Florence is a city that caters to luxury shoppers with its high-end designer boutiques and stores. However, the city is also home to many local artisans and craftsmen, making everything from handmade leather goods to beautiful ceramics. You can find something unique to take home as a souvenir of your visit to Florence.
Tentative Schedule
Medici Gathering Hosts
Cris Auditore Zimmermann
Cris Auditore Zimmermann is an entrepreneur and business owner who has set up more than 20 companies in 5 different countries. He was born and raised in Frankfurt, Germany, and currently lives with his wife Andrea and their three teenage sons on the island of Mallorca, Spain.
Cris built his portfolio in real estate buying apartment complexes, hotels and commercial spaces predominantly in the Rhein Main area of Germany. His passion for ministry lead him to start an urban mission organization.
Cris studied law and theology and is currently pursuing a degree in art history. His love for Italy and the Renaissance has lead him to become an expert on the Medici family and develop a personal & business development company.
Daryl Heald
Daryl Heald is an impact investor, board advisor and philanthropist. In 1997 Daryl joined the Maclellan Foundation serving on the executive committee and helping to lead its global grant-making strategy. Beginning in 2000, while at Maclellan, Daryl helped to launch several organizations: Generous Giving, Giving Wisely, Generosity Path. The majority of his time now is spent with Generosity Path operating in over 70 countries and 30 languages.
Daryl is also active in the global family office space encouraging families to collaborate particularly around philanthropy. Some of his favorite pastimes include golfing, fly fishing and barbecuing. Daryl holds a BS degree in economics from Westmont College and he and his wife, Cathy, reside in Lookout Mountain, Georgia,USA and have nine children. The four youngest children were adopted from China.
Local Host
Sandro Fratini
Dr. Sandro Fratini is the owner of Villa Cora and welcoming us to his “home”. Together with his son Giulio they have set up a remarkable family business. Sandro personally owns one of the largest antique watch collections in the world and as a true Renaissance man he is happy to introduce us to his passion.
The Medici Gathering is designed for us to learn, grow and envision a new Renaissance for ourselves, our families and our businesses. Please prepare yourself to come with an open mind and a warm heart to experience this exclusive event amongst peers.
Join us
Please join us at the Medici Gathering from the 8th to the 11th of November 2023 in Florence, Italy.
The Medici Gathering is limited to 42 participants and you are welcome to bring your spouse.
Villa Cora
For three days, we have exclusively rented the most prestigious accommodation in Florence: the Villa Cora, a 5*+ villa that overlooks the Boboli Gardens, on the hills just outside the historical center of Florence. The villa is an aristocratic residence built at the end of the XIX century upon commission by Baron Oppenheim reflecting the architectural styles of that period. It is dominated by a strong eclectic decor that provides the villa with different, sometimes even bizarre, artistic styles. Villa Cora, inaugurated when Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, has become throughout the years one of the major cultural and cosmopolitan symbols of Florence.
