Our Discussion Leaders

• Managing Director | Founder, GSP Events
• gsp-uk.com

Emma Gold is the Founder of GSP Events, a multi-award-winning international events company renowned for producing some of the world’s most elegant weddings and private celebrations.

Emma began her career in media working with MTV, where she first discovered a passion for producing large-scale events across Europe. She went on to establish her own business, and today GSP Events celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Emma has become one of the industry’s leading figures, admired for her impeccable taste, creative instinct and innate understanding of her clients. Emma and her team are hugely passionate and constantly strive to push boundaries with a trusted client base that includes A-list celebrities, royalty, and high-net-worth individuals around the world, their mission is simple: to curate the extraordinary.

Luxury lies at the heart of every GSP event. Much of the team’s time is spent in the South of France and Italy – destinations that have become their second homes – where they have built an exceptional reputation. Their deep local knowledge, long standing supplier relationships, and enviable black book allow them to deliver events of remarkable quality and distinction.

Thoughtfully designed and flawlessly executed, every GSP event reflects the company’s commitment of refined luxury and exceptional service. Emma and her team combine an intuitive, client-first approach with meticulous care and craftsmanship delivering a deeply personalised service that reflect each client’s identity with precision, elegance, and purpose.

• Artistic Director, Roni Floral Design
• roni-floral-design.com

Based in the South of France, Nicolas Barelier is a floral designer who learned most of his knowledge from the school of life, with a talent and passion passed down from generation to generation. Nicolas started his career with manual works which led him to work alongside his two brothers and sister in the family affair.

The story started in 1887 with Constantin Barelier, the great-grandfather. As a rose gardener he was granted the title of “Meilleur Ouvrier de France”. This distinction award sealed the fate of the family.

The siblings are complementary, they together developed the business by opening boutiques in Antibes, Cannes, Courchevel and Monaco and they also created the company event part. They all have an important role and always work in a family spirit with complicity.

For Nicolas, to be the general floral designer was natural as he has always been really creative and talented to draw. He is capable of designing incredible and unexpected décor for weddings and events, always creating a stunning effect.

Roni now has a great place in the floral design world in the South of France, working for wealthy families and personalities. Also growing up worldwide, they spread the scents of flowers with their French savoir-faire through different countries: England, Italy, Spain, Germany and several countries in Africa.

Nicolas created tailor-made designs for private receptions for fashion designers (Philipp Plein…) and international personalities (Leonardo Di Caprio, Naomi Campbell, Heidi Klum, Elton John, Magic Johnson…); exceptional evenings (AmfAR…); unusual weddings; luxurious hotels.

For Nicolas the most important is that each event has its own personality with elegance and originality. Flowers are ephemeral but unique, so for him each event has to be unique to stay unforgettable.

• Pastry Chef, Bastien Blanc-Tailleur Wedding Cake and Events
• bastien-blanc-tailleur.com

Born and raised in France, in the beautiful town of Annecy between lake and mountains, Bastien Blanc-Tailleur developed an early passion for pastry. As a teenager, he chose to turn this passion into his profession and began his career near Deauville in Normandy, where he learned the foundations of a rigorous and demanding craft.

His journey then took him to Toulouse and later to Paris, where he worked within some of the most prestigious Maisons, luxury palace hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, refining his expertise and developing a distinctive vision of decorative pastry inspired by architecture and the decorative arts.

In 2015, he founded his own studio to devote himself entirely to an artistic and bespoke approach, creating exceptional cakes for a highly selective international clientele. Today, the Maison collaborates with some of the world’s most renowned wedding planners, event designers and luxury venues, crafting unique creations for the most prestigious celebrations across the globe.

With more than twenty years of experience, the chef has developed a singular artistic language where pastry becomes a sculptural expression. Each creation is imagined as a true ephemeral work of art, designed to be as memorable for its aesthetic presence as for the refinement of its flavors.

Recognized worldwide for his extraordinary creations, Bastien Blanc-Tailleur has rapidly established himself as a leading name in the world of luxury celebrations. His creations travel across continents, from Los Angeles to Bangkok, from the villas of the French Riviera to the most magnificent palaces of Rajasthan.

Heir to a rare pastry craftsmanship rooted in the great French tradition, his company has been distinguished with the prestigious “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (French Living Heritage Company) label, awarded by the French State to companies embodying exceptional artisanal expertise.

Committed to preserving and elevating exceptional French savoir-faire, the chef continues to push the boundaries of pastry, at the intersection of gastronomy, architecture and haute couture.

• Founder & CEO, The Psychology of Luxury | Matter Of Form
• matterofform.com

Anant has spent sixteen years building The Psychology of Luxury & Matter Of Form into something that sits somewhere between strategy, concept design, choreography and creative execution. He works with leadership teams at brands driven by craft and engineering—companies that become luxury through high design excellence, not merely commercial scale. His remit spans brand, behavioural design, and the sort of innovation that happens when you expose yourself to the right stimulus and trust the background process.

A regular speaker and board member of the UK Crafts Council, Anant explores themes of timelessness and human-centred design, with particular interest in creating the right conditions for creativity and the value of things that can’t easily be measured.

• Photographer, Greg Finck
• gregfinck.com

Greg Finck is a Paris-based photographer recognized as one of the leading voices in contemporary wedding photography. For over 17 years, he has documented some of the world’s most refined weddings and celebrations, bringing a distinctive editorial perspective inspired by fashion photography.

Alongside weddings, Greg collaborates with renowned fashion houses and brands including Dior, Balenciaga, Elie Saab, and Rime Aroadaky, blending the worlds of fashion, travel and modern luxury events.

• Fashion Designer, Rime Arodaky
• soiree-paris.com

Rime Arodaky is a Paris-based fashion designer and entrepreneur who spent the past decade redefining the codes of new bridal. Through her eponymous label, she built an internationally recognized brand for women who were looking for freedom, individuality, and elevated fashion in bridal. She is now preparing the launch of her next venture, exploring a new vision of the bridal world at the intersection of fashion, experience, and storytelling.

• Founder | Owner, Marcy Blum Associates
• marcyblum.com

Marcy Blum has been planning and producing weddings and other events for almost 38 years. Before opening her business, she graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and worked in various aspects of the restaurant and hospitality industry. Consequently, focused attention on service, food and hospitality are pillars of her approach to celebrations. 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 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.

• Founder, Easton Events
• 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 & Managing Partner, Embark Beyond
• embarkbeyond.com

Jack Ezon is founder and Managing Partner at Embark Beyond, a $350 million luxury lifestyle travel marketing company specializing in bespoke travel experiences. Ezon is one of the most well connected and influential travel advisors in the world, known as a true innovator and outspoken leader in the global luxury travel business. Lauded for his ability to deliver luxury travel experiences tailored to the next generation of travelers, he has attracted a core group of UHNW Generation-X and Millennial clients and built one of the America’s largest luxury social destination event businesses. 

• Founder and Creative Director, Matthew Robbins Design x Robbins Otoya
• matthewrobbinsdesign.com

Matthew Robbins’ journey into event planning and design began in San Francisco, where he studied painting and art history. Although painting was his true passion, he soon discovered that the principles of visual design and color theory could be applied to creating unforgettable events. While still in college, he landed a job at a chic flower shop in the Castro District, where he quickly proved himself to be a natural talent. He went on to work with top event designers and party planners in the Bay Area, learning from the best and honing his skills.

One of his most influential mentors was Maria Vella, a dear friend who taught him the art of working with flowers and natural materials. She showed him that with a little creativity, everyday moments could be transformed into something special. Maria’s effortless style and attention to detail inspired him to bring that same magic to his own work.

After art school, Matthew took a leap of faith and moved to New York City, where he launched Matthew Robbins Design in 2002, and quickly caught the attention of Martha Stewart and her editorial team. They invited him to join their world as a contributing editor, an opportunity that helped establish his name and business.

In 2015, Matthew founded RobbinsOtoya with his husband and business partner, Luis Otoya, now a leading destination wedding and special event planning firm. Matthew Robbins Design is the parent company for all their creative endeavors, including their chic, inspiring publication, Invited Journal.

• Executive Director, RobbinsOtoya
• matthewrobbinsdesign.com

Luis Otoya is the co-owner of RobbinsOtoya and serves as the company’s Director of Events. With his sharp eye for detail, and natural warmth and hospitality, Luis brings a unique blend of business savvy, creativity, and hands-on experience to every event he helps create.

Before launching RobbinsOtoya, Luis ran a successful catering company, Evento & Cocina, in Cartagena, Colombia, where he spent over 10 years crafting elevated takes on Colombian cuisine. His passion for food and entertaining earned him features in Jamie Oliver Magazine, Sweet Paul Magazine, and Vogue Spain.

With his background in Business Management, Hospitality, and Culinary Arts, Luis expertly weaves together big-picture thinking and thoughtful touches. His clients appreciate not just his expertise, but his calm presence, geniality, and ability to make every moment feel effortless.

• Attorney & Founder, Legally Set
• legallyset.com

Kunbi Odubogun is an industry leading Business Attorney, Speaker and Digital Media Expert with over 12 years of experience in the Legal and Events industries. With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to her clients’ success, Kunbi has built a reputation as a trusted legal advisor to startups, small businesses, and creative professionals.

She is the creator of Legally Set– an online shop offering legally sound, attorney-drafted contracts for entrepreneurs, event pros and creative business owners; and Founder of Perfête- a luxury celebrations publication with over one million monthly impressions across platforms.

A frequent Engage! speaker, Kunbi has shared her unique knowledge of Events and Law across several prominent platforms including The Knot, Wharton, CNN, Cosmopolitan, Bridal Guide, Bella Naija and more.

She continues to empower entrepreneurs with easy to digest legal and business knowledge to ensure they are legally set to succeed.

When she is not Lawyering or Publishing, she’s juggling life as an over-caffeinated mother of two.

• Founder, Alejandra Poupel Events
• alejandrapoupel.com

Inspired by the artistic soul of Paris, Alejandra Poupel elevates luxury event design into an art form—crafting celebrations that feel like immersive, beautifully curated experiences. As the founder of Alejandra Poupel Events, she leads a Paris‑based agency celebrated for its refined aesthetic, creative innovation, and signature blend of couture elegance with high‑energy celebration. Her background as a specialist in Impressionist and 19th‑century paintings at Christie’s Paris continues to shape her creative philosophy, and she draws constant inspiration from the city’s galleries, international art fairs, and vibrant cultural landscape. Her events are renowned for their experiential richness, weaving together bespoke décor, sensory‑driven storytelling, Transforming some of the world’s most iconic cultural institutions—from the Opéra Garnier , La Scala ,Rodin Museum to Château de Vaux‑le‑Vicomte and Palazzo Colonna.

A respected voice in the global luxury events industry, Alejandra is known for her ability to innovate while honoring tradition, leading a team of creative visionaries who share her commitment to excellence, artistry, and meaningful design. At the heart of her work is a genuine desire to share the joy, beauty, and zest for life that she herself embraces—an energy that naturally fosters deep, lasting relationships with her discerning international clients. An award‑winning entrepreneur and sought‑after consultant, her insights have been featured in Vogue, Brides, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Paris Match, Gala, Point de Vue, Vanity fair and The New York Times.

While deeply passionate about her craft, Alejandra’s greatest pride is her family—her incredible husband of 32 years and their two extraordinary daughters, now 22 and 23, who continue to inspire her every day. Guided by artistry, fueled by curiosity, and grounded in purpose, she remains committed to creating experiences that resonate far beyond the celebration itself.

• Director of Production, Deco Flamme
• deco-flamme.com

Florian Dewitte’s professional journey began with a passion for travel and discovery. After studying tourism, he spent four years exploring the world, gaining new perspectives and experiences that shaped his open-minded and adaptable approach to life and work.

His career in the event industry started almost by chance on the French Riviera, when he joined DECO FLAMME in 2005, a company specializing in event decoration and scenic design. What began as a simple job quickly became a true professional adventure.

Florian started at the very foundation of the company, working in the warehouses and learning every aspect of the operational side of the business. Curious and determined, he gradually climbed the ladder: first becoming a technician, mastering the technical challenges of event installations, then a team leader responsible for coordinating crews on site.

With time, his expertise and leadership led him to the role of project manager, overseeing the creation and execution of complex event environments. Today, Florian is a member of the Executive Committee of DECO FLAMME, contributing to the company’s strategic vision while staying closely connected to the field.

DECO FLAMME designs and produces immersive décor for corporate events, private celebrations, and large-scale productions. Florian’s path — from warehouse floor to executive leadership — reflects a career built on curiosity, hands-on experience, and a deep passion for turning creative ideas into unforgettable event experiences.

• CEO and Founder, 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.

• Founder and Creative Director, CLG Creative
• carrielgoldberg.com

Carrie Goldberg is the founder and creative director of CLG Creative, a fashion styling and creative consultancy serving personal, bridal, and corporate clients worldwide. With Carrie at the helm, CLG Creative’s body of work is further elevated by a top-tier team of stylists whose expertise spans the worlds of fashion, fine jewelry, e-commerce, travel, PR &Marketing, and more.

Throughout her work, Carrie channels her background in editing and art direction from her six-year tenure as the Weddings & Travel Director at Harper’s BAZAAR and prior to that as the Senior Fashion Editor at Martha Stewart Weddings. In collaboration with fashion and weddings’ best, CLG Creative strives to consistently elevate the look and feel of event fashion, creating looks that are print-worthy, refined, and tastemaking.

• Strategic Director of Development, Inspiration Music & Arts
• inspiration-music.com

Tamara Czartoryski operates at the intersection of luxury celebrations, live entertainment, and international creative production. As Strategic Director of Development at Inspiration Music & Arts, a creative entertainment company specializing in bespoke artistic productions for luxury weddings and high-end events worldwide, she leads global partnerships and strategic growth for the company.

Working closely with leading planners, hospitality groups, and private clients, Tamara helps shape immersive entertainment concepts that elevate the guest experience while aligning artistic vision with strategic execution. Known within the industry as a natural connector and trusted problem-solver, she is widely recognised for bringing together artists, producers, and clients to turn ambitious ideas into seamless collaborations.

Her career spans luxury branding, international media, and entertainment production. After studying in Boston, she spent many years in the United States working in film and television production, gaining a strong understanding of both the creative and operational sides of the entertainment world. She has also been involved in cultural initiatives, previously serving as Vice-President of the historic Czartoryski Museum in Kraków.

Today she works internationally across the luxury events industry, bringing together heritage, creativity, and strategic insight to help shape exceptional celebrations around the world.

• Founder | CEO, Freeda Network
• joinfreeda.com

For nearly two decades, Anja Winikka has been at the forefront of both the consumer and business sides of the wedding industry. From 2006 to 2016, she helped pioneer the online wedding world as editor of TheKnot.com, speaking to millions of engaged couples and shaping how an entire generation planned their weddings. She later turned her focus to the business side of the aisle—creating education programs and workshops to help wedding professionals grow, innovate, and thrive. In 2019, AdWeek named her “The Knot’s Chief Innovator” for her work connecting thousands of local businesses to a social-savvy audience.

In 2021, Anja co-founded Maroo, a Y Combinator–backed payments platform built for the events industry, onboarding more than 7,000 wedding businesses within its first year.

In January 2024, she launched the Freeda Network (JoinFreeda.com)—a private, invite-only business network for established wedding brands and creative entrepreneurs serving high-net-worth clients. Freeda matches members into highly curated small groups that meet monthly for strategic, behind-closed-doors conversations, supported by expert-led business and finance classes and in-person gatherings around the country. Built for ambitious, seasoned creatives, Freeda is the trusted inner circle for those who want to connect, grow, and lead the industry forward.

• 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!