The annual Destination Wedding Planners (DWP) Congress is an exclusive ‘by invitation only’ conference that took place in Mexico this year. The event is a platform extravaganza for luxury wedding destination professionals and businesses to communicate their creative take on the multi-billion-dollar industry.

We spoke to Luxury Bridal Blogger’s Lisa-Jane for the inside scoop on the three-day event – one that she described as an “absolute must for anyone in the luxury weddings and events industry.”

“There were attendees from more than 70 different countries around the world, making it an entrepreneur’s or destination wedding planner’s heaven.”

DAY 1 – Tuesday April 10

Arrival

From touchdown at the San Lucas Airport in Los Cabos, Lisa-Jane was “warmly greeted by the lovely staff from DWP.” The drive to the Cabo Azul Resort meant learning about the locals and taking in the scenery. Guests were greeted with a welcome cocktail and musicians and dancers before arriving at her hotel room that Lisa-Jane called a “tropical luxury getaway with breathtaking ocean views and exquisite décor.”

DAY 1 – Tuesday April 10

Welcome Cocktail Mexican-themed Evening

Venue: Outdoors at the Cabo Del Sol

The cocktail welcome party was a wonderfully fun and colourful Mexican fiesta at Cabo Del Sol, with a “Colours of Mexico” dress code. It was the perfect start to what is considered the largest business-business platform. Think guest speakers, delegates and sponsors networking to bring the finest weddings to their clients. Entertainment by the Cabo Fine Entertainment and  Luna Itzell created a sensational ambience.

Conference Day 1 – Wednesday April 11

Venue: Los Cabos International Convention Centre

We’re talking one full day filled with a supercharge of inspirational energy from three renowned speakers at the Los Cabos International Convention Centre.

American entrepreneur and Shark Tank original, Kevin Harrington, shared his secrets of success covering:

• Rise of digital platforms
• Increase in digital marketing
• Creating the dream team
• Achieving success in age of rapid change and disruption

Internationally acclaimed speaker, marketing expert and author Alan Berg spoke about:

• Finding your ‘Why’ and expressing it
• Using your ‘Why’ to attract prospects and close sales
• Customer service tips and potential clients

Described by Vogue as the very best wedding planner, Jung Lee, founder of York-based luxury event and wedding planning company of Fete, discussed:

• Curating a tailored luxury wedding dream
• Mastering incredible energy during your event so guests never want to leave

Evening 2 – Wednesday April 11

“Under The Same Starry Sky” Gala Evening and After Party

Venue: Outdoors at the San Carlos Canyon, Los Cabos

Attendees from the night included Froonck, owner of Monsieur Froonck, recognised as the best-known wedding agency in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Simone Tostes, founder of Aonde Casar, was part of the night and is considered the most prestigious “Destination Wedding Planner in Brazil.” Pioneer for 29 years in the events and fashion industry of Pakistan and CEO of Catwalk Event Management and Productions, Freiha Altaf, was also present.

Held at the San Carlos Canyon, with event partner Del Cabo Weddings, Lisa-Jane said, “I will be pinching myself for a long time that I shared my dinner table and conversed with luxury wedding and event wizards.”

A dancefloor, DJ and fireworks were all part of the fun-filled afterparty.

Conference Day 2 – Thursday April 12

Venue: Los Cabos International Convention Centre

The stream of motivational industry speakers continued with Lisa-Jane mentioning three speakers that inspired her the most.

Ceci Johnson, Founder of Ceci New York, on branding:

• Is your brand working for you?
• Attracting dream clients
• Making more sales
• Action steps to define your brand
• Crafting social media messages for following and influence

Roberto Cohen, CEO of Roberto Cohen Cerimonial Brazil, on budgets:

• Creating spectacular events on lower budgets
• Downsides of an open budget

Carrie Schwab, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of Junebug Weddings USA, on media:

• Building blog content that works for you
• Content marketing and user engagement
• Workflow and outsourcing

The absolute highlight of Lisa-Jane’s day was the closing fashion parade by Sindashi.

“A group of designers, couturiers, artist and indigenous communities working together in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato to create wearable art by skilfully hand-painting and embroidering garments in pre-Hispanic and Mexican motifs.”

Evening 3 – Thursday April 12

Farewell Cocktail Party

Venue: Acre

Held at the Acre, the theme of this farewell was tropical paradise with a ‘Bohemian Chic’ dress code. Lisa-Jane danced the night away and described the experience as “amazing.”

“I am feeling super inspired and invigorated after attending the DWP event in Los Cabos, Mexico and I just can’t wait to attend the next event in 2019.

“I also feel that I have made contacts and connections within the Luxury Weddings and Events Industry that will last a lifetime”.

Written by Shaymah Alkhair