Hi everyone, how are you? Today I want to take a break from posting about Italy to share a very special guest appearance I recently made. Those who follow me on Instagram have already had a preview of what I’m talking about. You know those invitations that make your heart skip a beat when you receive them? That’s exactly what happened when I was invited to speak at the Events & Celebration Travel Workshop, hosted by the IADWP (International Association of Destination Wedding Professionals), on May 24th and 25th, at the iconic Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino, in Santo Domingo, the vibrant capital of the Dominican Republic.
The event brought together experts from all over the world for two intense days of content, rich exchanges and connections that cross borders. And it was an honor (and responsibility!) to participate in the first day with the talk “ From Inquiry to Intimacy: Mastering Client-Centered Service ”, where I shared practical strategies to deeply understand customers’ desires and deliver truly personalized experiences – going far beyond a technical sheet or generic briefing. We talked about active listening, empathy, reading profiles, aligning expectations and, of course, how to maintain a close relationship from the first contact to the post-event. After all, understanding the customer is the basis for creating unique moments.
But the workshop went much further. The program covered essential topics for those who work with destination weddings, including safety and risk management, sustainable practices, technologies that optimize planning, cultural traditions around the world, brand positioning and effective marketing strategies. Each panel was a lesson – and a reminder of the responsibility we have when creating experiences in such diverse and often complex contexts.
And since an event isn’t just about work, we had two delicious dinners. The first at the wonderful Alma Restaurant, and the second at the delicious La Casa Del Ron.
It was a privilege to be among professionals so committed to excellence and innovation. It was also a great joy to meet up with colleagues, make new friends and explore such a welcoming destination as Santo Domingo. I would like to take this opportunity to thank IADWP for the invitation and the impeccable organization – which, as always, exceeded expectations. I return from this experience with a wealth of ideas, references and, above all, with the certainty that celebrating is an art that requires technique, sensitivity and a lot of listening. May the next meetings come!
So, what did you think?
Kisses and see you next week!
Simone.
Photos: Ku Studio, Dauny Studio and Personal Archive
