Our Story

Behind every
great business
lies an epiphany.

Our Story

An idea began to form in their minds...

In a time when social media platforms like MySpace dominated the internet and global pandemics were only a historic phenomenon, the world of business-to-business events in the mid-2000s lacked inspiration – to put it mildly. Fresh from a groundbreaking endeavour that defined a luxury travel marketplace, Serge Dive was seeking inspiration for his next big adventure. During a safari deep in the African bush in 2005, surrounded by wildlife and immersed in nature, he  had a profound realisation about the transformative power of experiential travel. Quickly, Serge envisioned a world where sparking curiosity fuelled  personal and professional growth, all while making a positive impact.

By 2008 – and now joined by business partner Sarah Ball – they founded ‘This is Beyond’ on a shoestring budget. Their first event, PURE Life Experiences, debuted in 2009, introducing the world of luxury travel to the genre of transformational, experiential travel.   

Rejecting traditional corporate norms, they pioneered immersive experiences that aimed to elevate individuals and businesses, all while promoting social good. 

From 2013 Sarah stepped back from an active role in the business while, over time, Serge and the This is Beyond team expanded into a house of brands hosting industry-defining events that reshape industries into inspired communities.

Our Journey

2008
July 2008

Serge and Sarah have their lightbulb moment on a trip to Africa

August 2008

The pair begins building the This is Beyond network, starting work around their kitchen table

2009
January 2009

We relocate from Serge and Sarah’s kitchen table to our first office

November 2009

Our first show, PURE Life Experiences, launches in Marrakech

Our People

Meet the people who help bring our vision to life.

Everyone here at This is Beyond has a role to play in our journey (while having plenty of fun at the same time). These are some of the people leading the way…

Serge Dive

Founder & CEO,
This is Beyond

Ryan Wallace

MD & Co-Founder,
We Are Africa & Do Not Disturb

Zahava Abend

CO-Founder & Director, SET
Director, L.E/Miami | The House of Beyond

Eve Browning

Event Director,
PURE

Sophia Asghar

Associate Event Director,
Further East

Chariklia Vasiliou

Associate Event Director,
L.E/Miami

Cj Holden

CMO,
This Is Beyond

Sabrina Corelli

Chief of Staff,
This is Beyond

How We Do Business

We aspire to be the change
we want to see in the world. Our code
of conduct helps keep us on track.

We are committed to a sustainable future.

So we pledge to minimise our environmental impact across all our events.

We are committed to going beyond ethics.

So we pledge never to put human or animal rights in jeopardy.

We are committed to building diverse communities.

So we pledge to make inclusion a prized necessity – never a nice-to-have.

We are committed to cultural awareness.

So we pledge to protect – not disrupt – communities and cultures.

How We Give Back

We don’t just talk the talk; we walk the walk, too – and each of our events plays a part.

  • This is Beyond

    Giving Back Locally

    +

    This is Beyond volunteers 560 hours every year to local community action, including activities like support for the homeless and sustainability projects.

  • PURE Life Experiences

    Developing Rural Communities

    +

    PURE Life Experiences supports Morocco-based charity Education For All, who enable girls from rural communities to get an education by providing safe lodging near schools, and the Make it MATTER initiative takes volunteers from the show to work on community projects in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

  • L.E/Miami

    Donating to Local Organisations

    +

    L.E/Miami donates 1% of its profits to local non-profit organisations or charitable foundations who align with our brand values and beliefs.

  • We Are Africa

    Supporting Community Projects

    +

    We Are Africa works with a community development partner, Uthando, to donate a portion of its profits to worthy projects every year, as well as offering free exhibition stands for promising companies who might not otherwise afford one.

  • Further East

    Cleaning Beaches

    +

    Further East organises a beach clean-up at the event that helps tackle the ever-growing issue of plastic waste in our oceans.

  • Conservation Lab

    Reinvesting in Conservation

    +

    Conservation Lab is organised on a non-commercial, pro-bono basis and all income from attendees is reinvested into the event in order to help make the travel industry a stronger force for conservation in Africa.

Our Family

Meet the people who help bring our vision to life.

  • Management

  • PURE

  • L.E/MIAMI & SET

  • We Are Africa & DND

  • Further East

  • Buyers

  • Creative

  • CRM

  • House of Beyond

  • Accounts

  • Operations

  • Programming

Management

PURE

L.E/MIAMI & SET

We Are Africa & DND

Further East

Buyers

Creative

CRM

House of Beyond

Accounts

Operations

Programming