Fruitful, enchanting & authentic
Connections welcomes luxury event planners and suppliers to the launch of Connections Weddings in Puglia, Italy...
This September, as we celebrate our 5th anniversary, we launch not only our new community but also our new specialist series, Connections Weddings – an event that focuses entirely on every element of the wedding experience.
I was joined by leading luxury buyers of the highest calibre within the wedding realm. Together with a collection of outstanding suppliers – including our Pugliese contingency – the knowledge and expertise within our delegation was outstanding.
I may be a little biased but – Italy is a country that is blessed with unforgettable scenery, stunning venues and of course, incredible food. We were so fortunate to once again partner with Ilenia Cocco of ENIT Italian Tourist Board, a founding member of Connections. Collaborating on this launch event has been one of the highlights of our continued partnership, thank you!
And where better to launch than Puglia, a destination so rich in history and romance. Working alongside Alfredo De Liguori of Pugliapromozione has been invaluable in understanding all that this region can offer the luxury weddings market. Thank you, Alfredo, Marilyna and Nica for your ongoing support!
Our leading executives participated in one-to-one meetings that were, in the true spirit of Connections, enhanced with local, authentic experiences. It is with special thanks to Luigi De Santis of Inventure Life and Furnirussi Tenuta that we were able to create new business relationships whilst driving a vintage car, learning how to make orecchiette, touring Europe’s largest organic fig farm or enjoying a pool-side massage. Luigi, having you onboard has been a real privilege and a pleasure, thank you!
The launch of Connections Weddings has also been with the help of dear friend Alessandro Stefanio of Tenuta Centoporte. From the beautiful setting of Monday night dinner, complete with such delicious cocktails and food! – to Tuesday’s experiences and group surprise, a big thank you!
I must also express my deep gratitude to Patrizia Ermetici of Joan Estrada Special Weddings. Patrizia, thank you for your unfailing support for this first event; we cannot wait to do it again at our dedicated ConnecTALK Weddings day next March in Barcelona!
We took a further deep dive into the luxury weddings market with Elle Spose, whose editor-in-chief Michela Gattermayer joined us for our ConnecTALK panel. With expert insight from Alfredo, Sandra Santoro of gettingmarriedinitaly?, Youngsong Martin of Wildflower Linen and Patricia Gon?alves of Tivoli Palacio de Seteais, we touched upon the emergence of the ‘me’ generation, ‘keeping up’ with popular culture and the challenges around client expectation.
On Tuesday, we enjoyed a thought-provoking ConnecTALK by António Paraíso, luxury consultant for Porsche, Deloitte and other leading brands. António spoke so magnificently on the fascination of luxury: “There are so many paradoxes in Luxury; need and desire, tradition and innovation, but couples planning their wedding look for these paradoxes. They want customised, a perfect day, but they also want to be wowed and surprised.
“The right level of tangible and intangible charm will seduce your customers, add value to your business and improve your sales.”
We saw some of António’s advice come to life in our Closing Dinner with Maglio Eventi, held at the enchanting Tenuta Lucagiovanni. A journey through the 19th Century estate led us from a beautiful welcoming plaza, into a beautiful orange orchard where we enjoyed dinner, then into the gardens for dessert, where we were surprised by a Pizzica dance celebration and a magical firework display! Thank you, Massimo, Maria and Valentina, for a closing dinner we will never forget.
It was also an honour to welcome Loredana Capone, the Regional Minister of Tourism and Culture, to our Tenuta Lucagiovanni. Loredana, thank you so much for joining us!
To all our sponsors, partners and our leading delegation, thank you for making the inaugural Connections Weddings event such a success. I leave you with a few kind words shared during our time in beautiful Puglia…
Ciao!
Micaela
“How priceless it is to be able to connect and build relationships, together with experiencing some of the great activities Puglia has to offer, with people behind some of the top wedding business and venues of Italy, Portugal, India, Argentina and more! So thankful to the amazing team of professionals at Connections.” – Alise Kolosova, Boutique Event Planning
“For now I will just say a massive thank you to all the Connections team: you are super professional, caring and generous. It was a great pleasure to share these days in this soft and productive business space you created for us. And of course, I was glad to meet each one of the attendees: buyers and suppliers. Each one of you gave me loads of insights and endless inspiration. THANK YOU!” – Daria Vlasenko, Daria Vlasenko Weddings
“What an incredible two days we spent! Thanks a lot to the Connections team. You have given us the unique experience to meet professional partners from all over the world. Now we know HOW and WHERE to organize the most important WEDDING DAY and remember such great emotions which you will carry along through your whole life.” – Tatiana Gribakina, MyLoJet