Speakers

• Event and Wedding Planner, Marcy Blum Events
• marcyblum.com

Marcy Blum has been planning and producing weddings and other events for almost 38 years. Her sense of humor has been integral in her making it this long and her genuine fondness for most people has contributed to her success in a very competitive field. Marcy is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and she has worked in many restaurants in various capacities. Consequently, focused attention on service, food and hospitality are pillars of her approach to celebrations.

Marcy Blum Associates Events is made up of a team of passionate, creative, and innovative humans who care deeply about the guest experience in addition to the clients’ experience.

• Co-Founder and Creative Director, Easton Porter Group
• eastonevents.com

As the creative force and co-founder of Easton Porter Group (EPG), a luxury hospitality company, Lynn Easton provides strategic vision and a well-honed stylistic eye on all elements of design and presentation for its highly acclaimed properties, including the celebrated Easton Events. The EPG portfolio is most recognized for Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Zero George Hotel and Cannon Green; and its exponential growth landed it a spot on the 2015 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies in America.

Whether orchestrating elegant destination weddings for Easton Events or layering texture and patina in the boutique hotels, restaurants, wineries and event venues run by Easton Porter Group, Lynn is an inspired innovator and detail-driven design expert. Her background in television production in New York City lends itself well to event production across the globe, as every Lynn Easton project, property or marquee occasion showcases her intuitive sense of stage setting and classic but fresh design.

Lynn’s reputation for “high-touch” events and impeccable attention to detail is why Easton Events is regularly found on “best of” top planner lists by Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Martha Stewart Weddings. Easton Events’ discreet client list includes individuals listed on Forbes 100, Grammy winners, Oscar winners and an array of lifestyle influencers.

Lynn divides her time between her residences in Charlottesville, VA and Charleston, SC.

• Founder, Michelle Rago Destinations
• michelleragodestinations.com

Michelle Lord Rago is an international planner, producer and designer. Her company is based in New York City but her experience and approach are global.

Michelle has worked in the field of entertaining and hospitality since graduating from the New York Restaurant School in 1988. In 2007 Michelle published a book, Signature Weddings: Creating a Day Uniquely Your Own.

Michelle’s greatest strength lies in interpreting the client’s preferences, assessing the possibilities and translating them into a well-planned and well-designed affair. Her years of hands on experience as a producer, design and planner have served her well for the complicated landscape of creating events worldwide.

Her recent projects in the Beckham Peltz wedding in Palm Beach, Sean McVay’s, coach of the Los Angeles RAMS to Veronika Khomyn as well as sound proofing a wine warehouse in Napa!

She and her team operate in many languages and cultures, although it is said Michelle’s native tongue is the Language of Determination.

• CEO & Founder, Rachel Birthistle Studio
• rachelbirthistle.com

Rachel Birthistle, originally from Ireland, discovered her passion for design during her teenage years, igniting a love affair with Italy. After refining her skills in England, she now resides full-time on Lake Como, transitioning her focus from fashion to event design. She has since founded The Lake Como Wedding Planner, which has grown into a team of talented producers and creatives orchestrating breathtaking weddings and special events globally. Rachel’s strategic approach has positioned Lake Como as a hub for corporate events and high-profile photoshoots, including collaborations with Harper’s Bazaar US. With her innate ability to forge connections and a keen eye for design, Rachel’s enterprise continues to flourish, including expanding into furniture rental and event planning under Rachel Birthistle Studio.

• Lead Photographer, Jose Villa Photography
• www.josevilla.com

People often ask me how I developed my style, and how I create images that stand out in today’s highly competitive wedding market. Well, I am a fine art wedding photographer. My approach applies fine art photography to the living, breathing, fast-moving phenomenon that is a wedding. For me, it is all about making something beautiful. Ultimately, my goal is to craft vibrant, energetic, fine art images that are as unique as the people in the photographs.

Named one the the top Wedding Photographers in the World by Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, New York Times and Forbes. Photo District News named Villa one of the most influential photographers of our decade.

• Owner, Joel Serrato Photography
• joelserrato.com

Joel Serrato is a highly respected wedding photographer known for his artistic and timeless imagery. His work, celebrated for its authenticity and elegance, has been featured in prestigious publications like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Martha Stewart Weddings, earning him recognition as one of the top wedding photographers in the world. With a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, instilled by his upbringing as the son of immigrant parents from Mexico, Joel’s passion for travel profoundly influences his work. He resides in the rolling hills of Santa Ynez, California, with his husband, Jose Villa, and their two children.

• Owner, Norma Cohen Productions
• Normacohenproductions.com

With think-fast smarts, infectious energy, and an eye for drop-dead detail, Norma Cohen is an industry trailblazer 37 years in the making. Since launching her first business fresh from high school more than three decades ago, she’s earned a place in clients’ families as their lifetime planner and friend. 

Each Norma event has its own signature style designed to reflect the client, elevated always by intricate detail and spectacular drama. She specializes in tradition with a twist, reinventing the wheel and making it all look easy. Originality comes first, and Norma can transform the same venue to feel like the Garden of Eden or a Winter Wonderland, depending on the day. From historic New York landmarks to faraway ocean sides, Norma has seen it all and planned it all, fierce with foresight and quick on her feet — which are usually clad in six-inch heels. 

• Matthew Oliver Weddings
• matthewoliverweddings.com

Matthew & Bertie are the dynamic minds behind Matthew Oliver Weddings. Together with their incredible team of creatives, they pull together unique events internationally, always putting their couples at the forefront and ensuring a seamless, clear and joyful planning experience from start to finish, ending in an expertly curated event, which captivates couples and guests alike with a timeless mix of stunning aesthetics and flawless execution.  

As two sides of the same coin, Matthew and & Bertie balance each other perfectly, Matthew with his many years of experience, enviable ability to connect with couples and suppliers, and visionary design. Bertie is cooler-headed, with a logistical mindset, a calming presence and an innate ability to see an event from a birds eye view down to the most curated detail. Together they exhibit all aspects needed for a well-round inimitable event and an exceptional planning experience.  

• CEO/Chief Creative Officer, HMR Designs
• HMRdesigns.com

Named one of the top Wedding and Event Designers in the world by Harper’s Bazaar, VOGUE, Brides and Martha Stewart Weddings, along with being recognized as Top 40 under 40, Rishi remains one of the most highly coveted event designers among discerning clientele and notable figures alike. An advocate for fully transformative design, he specializes in celebrations of all kinds – all while adhering to the firm belief that service and guest experience are the cornerstone to great events and the definition of true luxury. From galas, to weddings, to milestone celebrations, any event is in his wheelhouse. 

As much of a creative visionary as an astute business leader, Rishi’s insistence on unconventionality has continuously transformed the landscape of event design while granting him the honor of designing events for some of the most notable figures, families and organizations in the world.  

A loyal Chicago native and avid traveler, Rishi regularly seeks inspiration from whatever cultural landscape he can find himself in. The destination event and wedding world has allowed Rishi and the HMR team to embrace so many incredible regions and pockets of the world to create spectacular events. Regardless of the marvelous adventures in design that await him, Rishi will always consider himself an artist at heart.   

• Global Luxury Wedding Planner & Designer, Kesh Events
• keshevents.com

Akeshi Akinseye is a globally renowned luxury wedding planner, designer, and entrepreneur, recognized for her impeccable taste, attention to detail, and commitment to creating unforgettable experiences. As the founder and CEO of Kesh Events, a globally recognized luxury planning and design firm, Akeshi brings over a decade of expertise to the world of luxury events. Additionally, as the creative force behind The Art of Celebrating, Akeshi has established herself as a prominent figure in the realm of lifestyle and celebrations. 

With a passion for crafting extraordinary celebrations, Akeshi has curated some of the most breathtaking weddings and events around the globe. Her innovative designs, coupled with her dedication to excellence, have earned her a stellar reputation among clients and industry peers alike. 

Akeshi’s creative vision and impeccable execution have been featured in prestigious publications such as People Magazine, Architectural Digest, Essence Magazine, ELLE Decor, and Brides, among others. Her work has also been showcased on television and in numerous esteemed blogs and platforms. 

Driven by her commitment to excellence and her desire to exceed client expectations, Akeshi continues to set the standard for luxury event planning and design. With a keen eye for aesthetics, a flair for innovation, and a dedication to unparalleled service, Akeshi Akinseye is truly a trailblazer in the world of luxury weddings and events. 

• Founder & Director, White Eden Weddings
• whiteedenweddings.com

• Founder & Director, White Eden Weddings
• whiteedenweddings.com

Geoffrey is co-founder & co-director at White Eden Weddings. Before entering the world of wedding planning, he built a career with prestigious luxury brands such as Chaumet, Louis Vuitton and Fendi across Paris, Cannes and New York. This journey ignited a deep passion for curating exclusive, one-of-a-kind events in France.

Dedicated to prioritizing quality over quantity and favoring originality, Geoffrey is committed to crafting unique experiences instead of following the conventional approach and his goal is to always push creative boundaries while maintaining high standards. Geoffrey leads the design department at White Eden Weddings, ensuring each event is both unique and impeccably executed.

When not working, Geoffrey enjoys golfing, cooking and spending cherished time with family.

• Planner/ Designer, Soirée Inc.
• taraguerardsoiree.com

Tara Guérard is the O.G. of unforgettable celebrations, turning life’s biggest moments into the most memorable soirées. With a signature blend of Southern charm and impeccable style, she’s spent over 25 years crafting jaw-dropping events across the U.S. and beyond, with offices based in Charleston and New York City.Her talents don’t stop at event design—Tara also dabbles in furniture production, letterpress (hello, Lettered Olive!), and even chic bicycle baskets. Her work has graced the pages of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Martha Stewart Weddings, and she’s shared her secrets on many a TV show.

Tara’s debut book, “Southern Weddings: New Looks from the Old South” was published to rave reviews, and her second volume, “Weddings by Tara Guérard” further established her as an authority on gracious entertaining. She also launched a sister company, Soeur Events, in 2022.

When she’s not dreaming up her next big idea, you’ll find her in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, three teenagers, and a very stylish English Springer Spaniel named June. Running, sipping a vodka soda lemon after a long day’s work, sunbathing on a beach, and traveling the world keep her sane and inspired.

This is Tara’s 14th engage as a speaker and attendee!

• Founder, David Beahm Experiences
• davidbeahm.com

David Beahm, founder of David Beahm Experiences, is based in New York City and is known for his inventive work and trademark lavish flower creations. He has designed countless weddings for society, high profile, and discerning clients, as well as a host of celebrity and Fortune 500 corporate events.

Included amongst their diverse corporate client base are such well-known names as: Champagne Perrier-Jouët, Van Cleef & Arpels, Victoria’s Secret Beauty, Christian Dior, Chanel, Target, McDonald’s, and Louis Vuitton. He has also designed some of the most talked-about parties for New York’s top non-profit institutions, including major universities and financial institutions, The Met, MoMA, The Whitney, The Juilliard School, Lincoln Center, and Jazz at Lincoln Center, to name a few. David’s design of The “Wedding of the Century”—that of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas—established him as a founding contributor within the special event world.

David’s insights and designs have been featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Style, Bazaar, The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Town & Country, People, Brides, as well as a number of appearances on television and on the web. He is a well-known speaker in the field of luxury events, and maintains a witty and entertaining repartee on social media.

• Owner & Creative Director, Tracy Taylor Ward Design
• tracytaylorward.com

Tracy Taylor Ward is an award-winning event planner, designer, and former television host based in New York City. She is the founder and creative director of Tracy Taylor Ward Design (TTWD), a luxury event planning and design production firm renowned for creating highly personalized, meticulously crafted milestone celebrations.

Before establishing TTWD in 2010, Tracy worked as an interior designer and television host, co-hosting red carpets and HGTV’s hit series FreeStyle. Her work has been featured in prominent national publications such as Vogue, The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, and Town & Country. Additionally, TTWD has been recognized as one of the top wedding planning firms in the world by Martha Stewart Weddings and Brides.

With a flagship office in New York City and a satellite office in South Florida, Tracy and her team of global event producer have spent the past 15 years planning exceptional events across the U.S., Europe and abroad.

Tracy’s approach to event planning and design is defined by an effortlessly elegant aesthetic. TTWD offers a comprehensive range of in-house services—including event planning, design consulting, and floral and décor production—ensuring an exceptionally cohesive and seamless experience for every client.

• Chief Creative Officer, Birch Event Design
• birchevents.com

Josh Spiegel, New York-based Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Birch Event Design, revolutionized the luxury event industry with a high-touch approach to bespoke decor, floral design, and production, and has gained international acclaim for transforming spaces into stunning, memorable experiences. Under Josh’s leadership, the BIRCH team specializes in crafting moments by which all other moments are measured. Birch has been featured in leading style publications including Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, People, and Brides, cementing his status as a trailblazer in the luxury event space. 

• Creative Director | Founder, Beth Helmstetter Events
• bethhelmstetter.com

Beth Helmstetter is the Creative Director and Founder of Beth Helmstetter Events, a destination event planning and design company synonymous with intentional celebrations. Over the last two decades, Beth and her team have been recognized for creating immersive celebrations and intentionally designed spaces around the world. With a network of noteworthy clients and families, Beth continues to lead the industry with a heartfelt approach to meaningful events, underscored by a deep appreciation for hospitality and eye for design. Beth is also the founder of The Good Beginning, an online charitable registry where couples can register for donations to their favorite organization in lieu or in addition to a traditional wedding registry. As featured in The New York Times, Inc Magazine, Forbes – Beth’s mission to use celebrations as a force for good is certainly a strong connection point to the way Beth approaches her work.

Beth Helmstetter Events has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harper’s Bazaar, Martha Stewart, ELLE, VOGUE, and many others.

• Production and Design Director, The Lake Como Wedding Planner
• thelakecomoweddingplanner.com

• Planner, Daughter of Design
• daughterofdesign.com

Annie Lee is the principal planner of Daughter of Design, author of “Learn to Speak Wedding: Flashcards for Beginners” and founder of PLANNIE which is a global network of event planners that can be hired on an hourly basis. Annie Lee has been recognized in The 100 Most Influential Wedding Professionals index and named a top planner by The Knot, Harper’s Bazaar, Martha Stewart, Brides, and PartySlate.

With 23 years of experience in the wedding industry, Annie is a passionate entrepreneur and problem-solver, driven to not only grow her businesses but also to transform the event industry. A champion of education and innovation, she strives to improve the industry’s landscape through creative business practices and empowering the community.

Annie, aka Annie Plannie, has earned the title of “The Wedding Doctor” by Refinery29, “The Party Planner” by New York Magazine, and has been recognized as a celebrity entertaining expert by People Magazine. She was also named “Woman in Action – Entertaining Expert” by Shape Magazine and featured in Modern Luxury Miami’s “Women of Style.” Her expertise has been highlighted in Vogue and on The Today Show.

According to her social media algorithms, Annie is a lover of K-dramas, history, life hacks, cats, home renovations, human rights, and eating food.

Annie is originally from Los Angeles and has since lived in New York City, Miami, and San Francisco.

• President and Creative Director, Lindsay Landman Events
• lindsaylandmanevents.com

Lindsay Landman has been producing innovative weddings and special events in New York, California and around the globe since 2001. Her company, Lindsay Landman Events, has been a market leader in the unique integration of event planning, design and production, initiated by Lindsay’s trademark focus on the intersection of form and function.

Landman is the planner and designer of choice for the country’s most influential business and technology leaders who regularly seek her creative touch balanced with her strong focus on thoughtful and detailed execution. She thrives on designing complicated multi-day celebrations, building unique and challenging event environments and debunking the complex puzzles of advanced event production.

Lindsay is an experienced event industry educator, having written, developed and taught courses on planning and design to hundreds of students around the world. In addition, Lindsay is a sought-after event industry speaker who has addressed elite audiences at Engage!, BizBash Elevate, The Knot Pro and others on the topics of event design, wedding planning, leadership, business development and branding.
As a go-to media resource, Lindsay has provided insight on weddings, design, etiquette and entertaining for dozens of publications including The New York Times, InStyle, BRIDES, The Knot, Refinery 29, New York Magazine, Style Me Pretty, Martha Stewart Weddings and Harper’sBAZAAR. VOGUE, Harper’sBAZAAR and BRIDES and DWP Insider have each named Lindsay Landman Events on their lists of the best wedding planners in the world.

In addition to her planning and design firm, Lindsay is the creative force behind the partner brands Lindsay Landman Flowers and Lindsay Landman Paper which develop and produce elevated flowers and one-of-a-kind paperie and branding for LLE clientele.
Lindsay earned her B.A. in English and Art History from the University of Pennsylvania and has studied both floral and interior design. She resides in New York City with her husband Mark and sons Charlie and Max.

• Head Honcho & Event Guru, In Any Event
• inanyeventny.com

Leslie Price, Head Honcho and Planning Guru at In Any Event, is renowned for her understated elegance, creativity, logistical prowess, and exceptional personalized service. Approachable and down-to-earth, Leslie inspires clients and vendors alike to embrace her company tagline and personal mantra, “cherish the journey”. 

With over 28 years of industry experience, Leslie has garnered global recognition, earning her a place among Harper’s Bazaar top planners in the world. She holds the exclusive role of social planner for The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Old Westbury Gardens, specializing in orchestrating events at museums, historical landmarks and logistically complex venues globally.  

Prior to establishing In Any Event in 2001, Leslie honed her skills as the Director of Marketing for Marie Claire, producing a spectrum of events from lavish parties and fashion shows to leadership events across the country and abroad. Her professional journey began as an interior designer, complemented by a BA in Art History from New York University along with studies at the New York School of Interior Design and Parsons School of Design.  

She currently lives by a river with her husband Robert. When she’s not planning events, you’ll find Leslie barefoot in her vegetable garden, cherishing the journey.  

• Author "High Trust Worth: The New Current of Business is Not Money, It's Trust" and Founder and CEO, Luxury Institute, LLC
• High Trust Worth
• luxuryinstitute.com

Milton Pedraza is the founder and CEO of the Luxury Institute and the co-author of the new book: High Trust Worth: The New Currency of Business is Not Money, It’s Trust, which is set to revolutionize how businesses build, measure, and master trust. This groundbreaking book introduces a proven system designed to elevate employee and customer relationships, strengthen organizational trust, and measure trust through the authors’ proprietary tool, the Universal Trust Score (UTS). Milton is globally recognized as one of the world’s leading luxury industry experts, as well as a leading private investor and entrepreneur in a new category he has coined as Creator Empowerment Technology. Milton is a shareholder in DataLucent, Cryptid Technologies, Diamond Standard, EmpwrData, Replika Software, Firework, Citizen Me, and MTC, among other game changing innovators. He is the most sought-after Advisory Board member by game-changing, creator empowerment and luxury startups.

Luxury Institute is the world’s most trusted research, consulting, training, and elite business solutions partner for luxury brands. With the largest global network of luxury executives, experts, HNW and UHNW individuals, Luxury Institute empowers brands with high-performance, leading-edge solutions from the best minds in the industry. In the last 20 years, Luxury Institute has served over 1,100 luxury and premium goods and services brands. The Institute has conducted more quantitative and qualitative research with affluent, HNW, and UHNW consumers than any other entity. This expertise has led to Luxury Institute’s high-performance relationship building education system, Luxcelerate, and its online course: The Mastery of HNW Relationship Building. Each dramatically improves the relationship building skills of luxury professionals.

Milton has served on the boards of top-tier luxury brands, as well as tech startups. He is a member of the Advisory Board at The UHNW Institute and is a frequent speaker at corporate events worldwide. Milton is the most quoted global luxury industry expert in top-tier media. Prior to founding the Luxury Institute, his successful career included executive roles at PepsiCo, Colgate, Citibank and Cendant.

Milton is a frequent guest speaker at Columbia, has lectured at Harvard and has been recognized as a top Latin Entrepreneur by Stanford. Milton was born in Colombia, raised in the USA, and has served as a senior executive in several countries. He has conducted business in over 120 countries and speaks several languages.

• “Radical Mentor", Consultant, Speaker, Author, Executive Coach, and Managing Partner of Master Connection Associates

They call her the ‘Radical Mentor’ for a reason. She never stops, she says it like it is and throughout all the ups and downs of the crazy hospitality and events business, she was a light of positivity who helped many people not only survive but thrive.

As the founder of Master Connection Associates, Cindy Novotny is an icon in the hospitality and travel industry. Her specialties are leadership, sales, and customer service excellence. She is ‘a force to be reckoned with’ and brings a stage alive with energy and passion.

Her exposure is vast including luxury hotels, events, automotive and real estate.
Energy, passion, and drive guarantee Cindy’s message will captivate each person in her audience. Her targeted message and popularity have no boundaries as she addresses groups across the world. Her charisma and humor combined with in-depth knowledge leaves the audience with reality-based skills and actionable items.

Having traveled 10 million miles, the term ‘road warrior’ may have been coined about Cindy. She has worked with executives all over the world helping them adjust their focus, improve their teams, and enhance service delivery and sales. Having logged those 10 million miles Cindy loves the smell of jet fuel in the morning, with her case packed she’s ready to embark on her next journey!

Her second book “My Secret to Stamina” is in the final stages.

• Founder & CEO, Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants
• SJSEVENTS.COM

For over 21 years, Sonal Shah has been the driving force behind Sonal J. Shah Event Consultants (SJS Events), a globally recognized boutique firm specializing in ultra-luxury, multi-million-dollar weddings and elite events. Known for her impeccable taste and attention to detail, Sonal has orchestrated some of the world’s most breathtaking celebrations in the most exclusive and picturesque destinations.

Working with an elite clientele, Sonal and her team provide a truly bespoke, white-glove experience, ensuring that every element—from custom couture fittings and world-class entertainment to Michelin-starred dining and immersive guest experiences—is executed to perfection. With an unrivaled global network of luxury vendors and a keen eye for refined aesthetics, she has become the go-to planner for royalty, Fortune 500 families, celebrities, and discerning high-net-worth individuals.

As a respected leader in the industry, Sonal is a sought-after speaker at international conferences, offering expertise on crafting high-caliber events, delivering an unparalleled client experience, and mastering the art of exclusivity. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Brides, and more, solidifying her reputation as one of the most influential voices in luxury event planning.

With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Sonal continues to set the gold standard in the world of ultra-luxury weddings, ensuring that every celebration is as extraordinary as the people behind it.

• Owner, Gene & Georgetti Restaurant | Michelle Durpetti Events
• geneandgeorgetti.com
• michelledurpettievents.com

Michelle Durpetti is a distinguished event planner, hospitality expert, and equestrian, celebrated for her multifaceted contributions across industries. As the founder and creative director of Michelle Durpetti Events (MDE), established in 2008, she has orchestrated over 400 weddings and events globally, specializing in luxury destination weddings in Italy. Her expertise in curating elegant, detail-driven celebrations has earned her features in People Magazine, Travel & Leisure, FOX Business, Yahoo!, Loverly, ABC news, WGN-9 Chicago, Partyslate, Perfete, Eater, Forbes, Better Homes & Gardens, USA Today, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, Grace Ormonde, Crain’s Chicago Business, Carats & Cake, Inside Weddings, Brides, The New York Times, MSN and Munaluchi Magazine.

Beyond event planning, Michelle is the Managing Partner of Gene & Georgetti, Chicago’s legendary Tuscan steakhouse, established in 1941. The restaurant is a proud recipient of the Ospitalità Italiana designation, an honor awarded by the Italian government recognizing establishments that uphold the highest standards of Italian hospitality, cuisine, and tradition. Under Michelle’s leadership, Gene & Georgetti continues to be an institution in Chicago’s dining scene, earning accolades such as the Jean Banchet ‘Chicago Classic’ Lifetime Achievement Award, The Chicago Tribune 2024 Food Awards, and inclusion on NewCity’s “Big 2023 Restaurateurs List.”

Michelle’s influence extends beyond her businesses. She is an active board member of the Illinois Restaurant Association, advocating for the restaurant and hospitality industry. She also serves on the PAWS Chicago Development Board, supporting one of the country’s leading no-kill animal shelters. Additionally, she is a proud member of the Sister Cities International program as a committee member of the Milan Sister City Committee, fostering cultural and business exchanges between Chicago and Milan.

An avid equestrian, Michelle competes as an amateur rider, balancing her professional endeavors with her passion for horses. She also holds the distinguished title of Knight of Alba, an honor recognizing her commitment to preserving Italian heritage and traditions.

Through her work in event planning, hospitality, and philanthropy, Michelle Durpetti continues to make a lasting impact, bringing passion, expertise, and excellence to every project she undertakes.

• Founder, The Stylish Bride
• thestylishbride.com

Widely recognized as the creator of the bridal styling industry, Julie Sabatino has spent more than two decades curating wedding looks for an impressive client list who count on her impeccable taste, highly-coveted connections, and unparalleled expertise to guide them through the often confusing world of wedding attire. Today, there isn’t a top designer she doesn’t have an ironclad relationship with — Oscar de la Renta named a dress after her — but she hasn’t forgotten what it felt like to be a bride-to-be with no idea of how to navigate the shopping process. “I can remember feeling overwhelmed by the options and also humiliated and discouraged that none of the samples fit; I had a real crisis of confidence and looked for guidance, but there was no such thing as a bridal stylist in 2001.”

Knowing there had to be a better way, Julie left her job in finance, enrolled in FIT, and launched The Stylish Bride^Ⓡ, a full-service bridal styling company dedicated to helping couples navigate the world of wedding wear. ​​Since then, Julie has styled thousands of brides, grooms, and wedding party members while serving as a frequent source for top publications, including Vogue, The New York Times, POPSUGAR, Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, InStyle, and Brides. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, she developed The Sample Size Solution – a portable product designed to help make sample dresses fit the bride – which has been applauded for its practicality and helping to address body size stigmatization. After years of being urged to share her knowledge with the world, in 2024 Julie launched her book, Dressed, Styled and Down the Aisle: Becoming a Stylish Bride which has been hailed as a “Must-read manifesto” by industry insiders.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about how a bride looks, but how she feels. If she doesn’t feel good, it doesn’t matter how gorgeous the dress is; her beauty will not shine through.”

She currently lives in Princeton, NJ with her husband, Mike, and their two children, Annmarie and Teddy.

• Engage! Co-Founder
• engagesummits.com

Rebecca Grinnals is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts on the business of weddings & honeymoons. She is the Founder and President of wedding and honeymoon industry consulting firm, Engaging Concepts and Co-Founder of Engage! Luxury Wedding Business Summits.

Engaging Concepts is known for successfully-positioning global brands in the wedding and destination wedding industry. The company boasts a lifetime client list that includes The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Hilton Worldwide, Sandals & Beaches Resorts, InterContinental Hotels Asia-Pacific, Loews Hotels & Resorts, Palace Resorts, Harley-Davidson, the Kessler Collection, Disneyland Resort, various developers, venture capital firms, and many leading luxury wedding and event professionals.

Through Rebecca’s tenure at Engaging Concepts, Engage! Summits was born to bring together the wedding and event industry’s key influencers, thought leaders and tastemakers from around the globe to exchange ideas, innovate, and take the wedding industry to the next level. Named by Fortune as “the wedding industry’s most exclusive conference,” all 40 summits, experiences and retreats have been sellouts with guests coming from 45 states and 35 countries, generating an unprecedented 50 million social media impressions and counting.

Named as a BIZBASH Event Innovator: Most Innovative People in Events & Meetings, Rebecca is also a sought-after speaker, trainer, and business trend expert. She has been a featured guest on CBS’ “The Early Show,” CNN, Entertainment Tonight, CNBC and hundreds of other national and international television and radio programs. She’s been quoted in The New York Times, USA Today, Forbes, Brides, and many more. And she has produced wedding events and remotes for, among others, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The TODAY Show” and “Good Morning America.”

Prior to creating Engaging Concepts, Rebecca Co-Founded Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons for The Walt Disney Company, and spent ten years developing the concept into an unprecedented success. She directed the complete branding strategy, development and implementation of the program, building it into almost a $100 million per year business for Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and the Disney Cruise Line. These efforts resulted in over 20,000 weddings and the coveted status for Disney as the # 1 Domestic Honeymoon Destination.

With a home base in Central Florida, today the Engage! family is exactly that. Fifteen years into Engage!, Rebecca’s two daughters have grown up with the company and the legacy of these wedding initiatives is now multi-generational.

• Engage! Co-Founder
• engagesummits.com

Kathryn Arce brings over 30 years of innovation and flawless event execution to her roles as Co-Founder of Engage! Luxury Wedding Business Summits and Managing Director of Engaging Concepts.

Through her work with Engaging Concepts, Kathryn has successfully developed campaigns and global initiatives in the luxury wedding and honeymoon space for brand names such as The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Hilton Worldwide, Sandals & Beaches Resorts, InterContinental Hotels Asia-Pacific, Loews Hotels & Resorts, Palace Resorts, Harley-Davidson, the Kessler Collection, Disneyland Resort, various developers, venture capital firms, and many leading luxury wedding and event professionals.
In 2008, she became the Co-Founder of Engage!, which came to life to better serve the global luxury wedding and event community through unmatched summits, experiences, and retreats. Named by Fortune as “the wedding industry’s most exclusive conference,” these events bring together the wedding and event industry’s key influencers, thought leaders and tastemakers from around the globe to exchange ideas, innovate and be inspired to take their successful businesses and, in turn, the wedding industry to the next level. Since inception, all 40 events have been sellouts with guests coming from 45 states and 30 countries, generating an unprecedented 45 million social media impressions and counting.

Kathryn began her career as a Wedding Event Manager for Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, where she personally planned and executed hundreds of weddings and related events. With an unyielding penchant for phenomenal customer service, Kathryn was instrumental in developing the early high standards of service Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings is known for today. She then stepped away from the wonderful world of weddings and was the Manager of Guest Services for the flagship Disney Store on Fifth Avenue in New York City where she facilitated all VIP Programs & Events. While living in NYC, Kathryn also worked with renowned wedding and special event planner Marcy Blum on the highest-profile weddings and events of the era, including Billy Joel & Katie Lee, Donald & Melania Trump, basketball legend Horace Grant, famed novelist, Tom Clancy, and more.

Kathryn has penned numerous articles on destination weddings and honeymoons which have been published in travel magazines throughout the US and Caribbean. She has produced events and live remotes for The TODAY Show, CBS’s The Early Show and “LIVE with Regis & Kathie Lee.” She was also named a BIZBASH Event Innovator Most Innovative People in Events and Meetings.

Known as a logistical maverick, Kathryn’s second-to-none grace of leadership and extensive guest service training paired with vast real-world wedding and event planning experience make her an invaluable resource for clients looking to “raise the bar” of their wedding programs.

She resides in Florida where her husband and two daughters have become respected members of Team Engage!