Speakers

• CEO, Ask For More Group
• alexcarterasks.com
• askformoregroup.com

Alexandra Carter is a Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Mediation Clinic at Columbia Law School, where she has spent over a decade helping thousands of people improve their negotiation skills. She is a world-renowned negotiation trainer for the United Nations, where she has taught dozens of negotiation workshops to hundreds of diplomats from more than eighty nations. Carter graduated with honors from Georgetown University, was a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan, and received her law degree from Columbia Law School. In 2019, Carter was awarded Columbia University’s highest teaching honor. She lives in Maplewood, New Jersey, with her husband and daughter.

• Co-Founders and Principals, Lynden Lane Co
• lyndenlane.com

Barbi Walters, Layne Povey, and Lyndsey More are Co–Founders and Principals of Lynden Lane Co. – the company sought after for architecting transformative events and designing interior spaces that reflect style, heritage, and human connection.

As a dynamic mother-daughter team, we plan and design each event with expertise, agility, and a sense of humor. Our passion lies in crafting unique environments from the ground up, boldly pushing beyond conventional boundaries. We prioritize both substance and style in every decision, ensuring that our work is rooted in a perfect balance of aesthetic beauty and logistical precision. From the smallest details to the grand vision, our creative philosophy encompasses it all, thoughtfully curating every element to elevate and enrich the entire experience.

• Creative Director | President, Island Events
• islandeventshawaii.com

As Creative Director and President of Island Events and its sister company, Ulu Creative, Frank Robinson is the visionary force shaping the creative identity of both powerhouse event houses in Hawai’i.

With more than four decades of experience, Frank’s career spans a diverse range of disciplines — from producing high-end corporate events and destination weddings to designing resort experiences, commercial interiors, and culinary concepts throughout Hawai‘i and North America. His work reflects a deep understanding of storytelling through design, emotion, and human connection.

At the core of every project is Frank’s passion for creating joyful, relevant, and elevated experiences that bring people together, bring joy, and celebrate achievement.

Known for his ability to blend artistry with authenticity, he creates spaces and moments that are not only beautiful but deeply felt— leaving guests with lasting memories of warmth and fulfillment.

• Founder | Creative Director, Shannon Leahy Events
• shannonleahy.com

With offices in California and Maryland, Shannon Leahy Rosenbaum is the visionary behind Shannon Leahy Events, one of the most sought-after event planning and design firms in the world. Known for producing original, unforgettable celebrations that set trends and spark conversation, Shannon has been named one of the top wedding and event planners globally by Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Brides, and Over the Moon.

Her signature aesthetic—sophisticated yet fresh, clean-lined yet layered—is instantly recognizable. A Shannon Leahy wedding is renowned for its intentional flow, refined details, and striking design moments that linger long after the last song plays. Her calm leadership, creative
vision, and depth of experience have earned her a devoted following among clients and colleagues alike.

Shannon also co-hosts the popular podcast Wedded for wedding professionals and shares her industry expertise through a series of high-impact team-building playbooks, available on her eponymous website.

When she’s not creating magic for her clients, Shannon can be found cooking elaborate dinners, skiing fresh powder, or dancing to the record player with her husband Joe, their sons—Guy (8) and Miles (5)—and their beloved dog Bodie.

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

Josh Spiegel is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Birch Event Design, known for its refined approach to event design, floral artistry, and bespoke fabrication. His path into the industry began early, shaped by a naturally creative mindset and early exposure to the world of events through his family’s Brooklyn balloon shop. It was there that he began experimenting with floral design, developing an instinct for composition that would later define his work.

Grounded in craftsmanship and technical expertise, his work reflects a deep understanding of materials, detail, and spatial storytelling. Josh’s listening ability is his sharpest tool. He believes great listening is the key to great hospitality,

Birch operates at the intersection of creative vision and operational precision. The company’s strength lies not only in delivering beautiful events that wow, but in the disciplined process that makes them possible — rigorous planning, seamless collaboration, and systems built to protect the client experience at every stage. From concept through execution, Birch’s dedicated collective of designers, producers, and artisans ensures every detail is intentional, refined, and flawlessly realized.

The team specializes in creating the moment all others are measured by, working globally to design experiences that become reference points. Birch has been featured in leading style publications including Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, People, Over the Moon, Elle and Brides cementing its position as a leader in the luxury event space.

• Owner | Creative Director, Tracy Taylor Ward Design
• TracyTaylorWard.com

Tracy Taylor Ward is an award-winning event planner and designer 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 producing highly personalized, meticulously crafted milestone celebrations around the world.

Before founding TTWD in 2010, Tracy built a multifaceted career as an interior designer and television host, appearing on red carpets and co-hosting HGTV’s hit series FreeStyle. That early exposure to design, media, and production continues to inform her work today. Under her leadership, TTWD has been consistently recognized as one of the top planning firms in the world. Her work and perspective have been featured in leading national publications, including Vogue, The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Town & Country.

With team members based across the United States and throughout Europe, Tracy leads a global team of event producers who have spent the past 15 years planning and producing exceptional events worldwide. Known for her discerning eye, Tracy approaches even the most complex, high-touch productions with precision, restraint, and a refined point of view.

Tracy’s approach to event planning and design is defined by an effortlessly elegant aesthetic, thoughtful storytelling, and an uncompromising standard of excellence. TTWD offers a comprehensive suite of in-house services, including event planning, design consulting, and floral and décor production, ensuring a seamless, cohesive, and elevated experience for every client.

• Editorial & Social Media Manager, Over The Moon
• overthemoon.com

One of the earliest team members at Over The Moon, Shayna Seid has been covering weddings for more than four years with more than 900 features published and has seen the blog through a complete redesign as well as been involved in the expansion to include the ecommerce platform and registries. During her studies at The New School, where she obtained a major in Journalism + Design and a minor in Fashion Communication from Parsons, she cold-emailed her way into an internship with Vogue.com Contributing Editor and OTM Founder Alexandra Macon and became an integral part of the company. In addition to running the real weddings section, Shayna also manages OTM’s fast-growing Instagram account.

• Contributing Weddings Editor, Vogue
• shelbywax.com

Shelby Wax is the Contributing Weddings Editor at Vogue and a creative consultant for the wedding industry. She had her first foray into bridal a decade ago at Martha Stewart Weddings, and later built her knowledge in the wedding editorial space as Senior Editor at Brides. She now covers real weddings, industry trends, and bridal fashion in her capacity at Vogue. In addition, she provides curatorial services for wedding professionals and helps guide couples to editorialize their events. She is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and fights for equality in her work.

• CEO, Wedding Chicks
• weddingchicks.com

Akilah Releford Gould is the CEO of Wedding Chicks. A serial entrepreneur, founder, and creative director, Akilah is known for building brands at the intersection of weddings, lifestyle, beauty, and hospitality. She is also the founder of Mary Louise Cosmetics, an award-winning skincare brand, and the founder and CEO of Lucky Girl Rosé, a wine brand inspired by her love of hosting and entertaining. In addition, she leads creative direction at her family’s winery estate, Casa Locé, and at Bloom Ranch, the largest Black-owned farm in Southern California. Through her work, Akilah brings a fresh perspective to wedding culture by blending editorial storytelling, elevated experiences, and modern hospitality.

• Founder, Larry Walshe Studios
• larrywalshe.com

Larry Walshe is one of the UK’s most celebrated floral and event designers, known for creating extraordinary experiences that merge opulence with artistry. As the founder of Larry Walshe Studios, he leads a team that designs luxurious events worldwide; with branches in London, Lake Como, Cannes and New York.

His signature style; bold, imaginative, and meticulously detailed, has attracted an impressive roster of private clients, celebrities, royalty, and luxury brands alike.

Originally trained in interior design, Larry’s entry into floristry was born out of a desire to elevate the design service offered within the events industry. Starting from his dining table in South-West London, he combined his design knowledge with a newfound passion for flowers, quickly establishing himself as a visionary talent. His fresh perspective challenged traditional notions of floral art, positioning flowers as powerful storytelling elements in event design.

Larry’s commitment to innovation extends beyond aesthetics. His brand Bloom, the UK’s first 100% plastic-free online florist, showcases his focus on sustainable luxury; proving that beautiful design and ethical responsibility can go hand-in-hand.

With a career spanning over a decade, Larry Walshe has become synonymous with unforgettable event experiences, where flowers, set design, scent, and atmosphere are seamlessly orchestrated. His work continually draws on inspirations from fashion, art, and nature, resulting in deeply personalised creations that captivate the senses and spark emotional connections.

Through passion, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Larry Walshe has not only shaped the future of floral design but continues to set new benchmarks in the luxury events industry.

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

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

• Founder | CEO, Drake Social & Tack Co.
• drakesocial.com

Courtney Drake is an entrepreneur, innovator, and creative force at the intersection of luxury events and technology. As the founder of Drake Social Events, she has built a reputation for producing highly personalized, design-forward celebrations for discerning clients around the country. In addition to her direct client work, Courtney’s firm white-labels planning and design services for leading luxury destination wedding planners, serving as a trusted behind-the-scenes partner to execute complex, high-touch events with precision and discretion. Her work is defined by elevated aesthetics, seamless execution, and an intuitive ability to translate vision into unforgettable experiences.

Courtney’s background is uniquely multidisciplinary, blending design, construction, and finance. She earned her undergraduate degree in Interior Design from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in Construction Management from Georgia Tech, equipping her with both a creative foundation and a technical understanding of how spaces are built and experienced. Prior to launching her career in events, Courtney spent 11 years in corporate finance, where she developed deep expertise in operations, financial strategy, and business management.

Recognizing an opportunity to modernize how creative businesses operate, Courtney founded Tack Co., a business analytics and workflow platform designed specifically for event professionals and entrepreneurs. By combining real-world industry insight with forward-thinking technology, she empowers creative founders to better understand their data, streamline operations, and make more informed decisions. Through Tack, Courtney is helping redefine how planners and creative entrepreneurs build, manage, and scale their businesses with clarity, efficiency, and intention.

• Founder, Emily Coyne Events
• emilycoyneevents.com

An undeniable force, and highly regarded in the industry, Emily has been described as being “of the highest caliber,” “the epitome of grace and professionalism,” and “extraordinarily exceptional.” After graduating summa cum laude, she began a career in hospitality managing a notable fine dining restaurant in California’s capitol. Her passion for food, wine, and impeccable service flourished, but she was drawn to events, particularly weddings, and selling exceptional experiences.

She quickly climbed to leadership sales roles at some of California’s most notable properties, including 4 years as the Director of Catering at the world renowned five-star resort Auberge du Soleil. From building event programs to working with Fortune 500 CEOs, celebrities, and the most discerning clientele, Emily has flawlessly executed hundreds of events and built a network of relationships with the industry’s best.

Regardless of the property she managed sales for, she had a proven record of driving revenue beyond expectation. During her time at the iconic private estate venue, The Inn at Park Winters, she reconceptualized their program and increased wedding sales by 87% during the first nine months of implementation. At the established flagship property of the Auberge Resorts Collection, she increased wedding sales by 42% during her first 18 months. Beyond sales, she places a huge emphasis on developing teams to improve client management and elevate service. At Auberge du Soleil she built a 5 Star Service Etiquette program that was implemented as a property-wide mandatory training for new employees. She is recognized for thriving in dynamic, high-pressure environments and seamlessly producing exceptional events.

Emily now runs her own luxury event design, planning, and production company. Her reputation for excellence immediately had premier venues in destinations like Napa Valley, Los Cabos, Park City, and beyond clamor  to include Emily and her team on their short list of preferred planning companies whether she had worked at the property yet or not. She’s been featured multiple times in PEOPLE as an expert planner, as well as in Newsweek, The New York Times, The LA Times, Over the Moon, Brides, The Knot, and Martha Stewart among others.

• Founder | CEO, Curate Entertainment
• curateentertainment.com

Malike Adigun is a founder, storyteller, and high-energy speaker who believes joy is one of the most powerful forces in leadership, business, and life. As the Founder and CEO of Curate Entertainment, Malike has spent over 15 years creating meaningful experiences in the wedding and events industry while building teams, leading with intention, and putting people first.

Raised in New York City and shaped by years behind the DJ booth, Malike has a unique ability to connect across cultures, read a room, and bring people together through shared energy and emotion. What began as a passion for joy evolved into a broader calling: helping individuals and organizations lead with authenticity, build strong cultures, and create work that actually feels good to be part of.

Malike is known for his dynamic presence, honest storytelling, and practical wisdom. His presentations are engaging, uplifting, and deeply relatable—blending real-world lessons with moments of reflection and inspiration. Whether speaking to entrepreneurs, creatives, or teams, Malike challenges audiences to reconnect with their purpose, show up with intention, and lead in a way that creates lasting impact.

• Senior Weddings Editor, People Magazine
• people.com

Emily Strohm has more than a decade of experience in print and digital news, with a focus on entertainment, pop culture and Weddings. She joined the PEOPLE team in New York City in 2012 and currently serves as the Senior Weddings Editor.

During her tenure with PEOPLE, she has held various writing and editing roles in lifestyle and entertainment, and has authored 40 cover stories for the magazine. In Oct. 2022, she launched PEOPLE’s Wedding initiative and currently leads the vertical’s print and digital coverage, which includes high-profile celebrity weddings, industry trends and viral content.

• Owner | Creative Director, Tyler Speier Events
• tylerspeier.com

Tyler Speier is an internationally acclaimed event planner, designer, and florist, partnering with couples and brands to produce unique, trend-setting events across the globe.  Named “Best Overall Vendor” for three years in a row by California Wedding Day Magazine, Tyler Speier Events (founded in 2009) has grown from a small family business to one of the most recognized event planning brands in California. He and his wife, Taylor, have four children, and have fostered four children over the course of their marriage.  Tyler values bravery and authenticity, encouraging fellow creative entrepreneurs to courageously be themselves in business and in life.

• Owner | Creative Director, Sara Kovel Events
• sarakovelevents.com

Sara Kovel Events is a Boston-based premier wedding and event planning and design firm with over 20 years of experience. Known for her warmth and discretion, Sara creates timeless, joyful celebrations that feel sophisticated, elevated, and unforgettable.

Sara’s background spans iconic luxury hotels, including The Breakers and The Four Seasons, where she developed a deep understanding of impeccable service, refined logistics, and the details that elevate an event from beautiful to exceptional. In 2015, she founded Sara Kovel Events, bringing that level of service to highly customized weddings and celebrations.

Sara’s roots in hospitality run deep. She also co-founded Catalyst Restaurant with her husband, acclaimed Chef William Kovel, one of the pioneer restaurants and event venues in Technology Square in Cambridge. Together, they also launched Walsh Hospitality, a growing portfolio of restaurants and event venues rooted in thoughtful hospitality and design.

Today, Sara and her team approach every celebration with intention and care, ensuring each event feels seamless, deeply personal, and beautifully executed.

• Founder | Creative Director, DiCicco Design
• diciccodesign.com

David DiCicco is the founder and creative force behind DiCicco Design, an event design and floral studio known for transforming spaces into immersive, memorable experiences. With a strong eye for detail and a refined design sensibility, he specializes in creating bespoke environments that elevate weddings, private events, and large-scale installations.

His work blends modern aesthetics with organic influence, often drawing inspiration from architecture, fashion, and natural forms. Each project is approached with intention—balancing visual impact with thoughtful composition to create spaces that feel both elevated and deeply personal. Under his direction, DiCicco Design has built a reputation for high-impact florals, cohesive design, and seamless execution.

Beyond design, David brings a sharp entrepreneurial mindset to his work. He is deeply involved in shaping the business behind the creativity—continually refining operations, strengthening brand identity, and elevating the client experience. He understands that exceptional design is only one part of a successful business; clear communication, efficient systems, and strong financial management are equally essential.

Passionate about helping other entrepreneurs grow, David enjoys educating creatives on the financial side of business—guiding them to become more profitable and teaching them how to leverage those profits to build long-term wealth for themselves and their teams.

David’s commitment to growth, innovation, and authenticity has positioned DiCicco Design as a distinctive voice in the event industry—one that values artistry, the experience surrounding it, and the people who bring it all to life.

• Wedding Photographer | Attorney, Magi Fisher
• magifisher.com

Magi Fisher is a wedding photographer and attorney working at the highest levels of the event industry.

She photographs a select number of weddings each year for private clients and leading planners, with a focus on multi-day and destination celebrations and a refined, editorial approach shaped by years inside the luxury event world.

As the founder of East & Bay Law, Magi advises top planners, creatives, and firms on complex contracts and negotiations—often behind the scenes of multi-million dollar and celebrity events.

Her work sits at the intersection of artistry and strategy, with a rare insider perspective on how the most sophisticated wedding businesses operate and protect their work.

• Founder and Creative Director, Jassi & Co Creative
• jassiandcocreative.com

Jassi Lekach Antebi is the founder and creative director of Jassi & Co Creative, a Miami-based event design and production studio known for creating visually stunning, extravagantly fun celebrations around the globe. Jassi felt her calling at an early age. Raised in a large family that loved throwing lavish parties, she refined her creative instincts firsthand: helping with food styling, adding her own unique touches to floral arrangements, selecting music to shape the mood, and learning the art of celebration long before she began taking on clients.

Since establishing Jassi & Co Creative in 2005, Jassi has built a reputation for transforming personal stories into extraordinary event experiences filled with artistry, intention, and dramatic detail. Over her twenty-plus-year career, she has worked with hundreds of social, corporate, fashion, nonprofit, and entertainment clients, producing destination weddings, mitzvahs, galas, fundraisers, brand events, milestone celebrations, and private parties around the world. Her work has been featured in Brides, Inside Weddings, Wedding Style Magazine, Carats & Cake, Haute Living, and Miami Living Magazine.

Inspired by travel, fashion, theater, art, music, and architecture, Jassi aims to make everything she touches shine, from the first spark of inspiration and design conception to floral artistry, vendor relationships, and the full guest experience. Giving back is a defining part of her company culture; Jassi & Co Creative donates 10% of its profits to charitable organizations and produces pro bono events each year for nonprofit causes.

• 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.

• Partner, Ed Libby Events
• edlibby.com

As a principal member and business partner of Ed Libby Events for the past thirty-two years, Bob has made a name for himself in the event industry by designing and producing milestone celebrations within the luxury market as well as consulting and collaborating on destination events around the world. With a background as an executive in visual merchandising, Bob has an exceptional ability to design experiential environments that thrills guests. His favorite events are those which evoke the personality and style of the hosts and guests of honor. Bob enjoys traveling both domestically and internationally to speak to event professionals about the industry, the luxury market and the changes and business challenges we all face.

• Managing Partner, Master Connection Associates
• masterconnection.com

They call her The Radical Mentor for a reason. Cindy Novotny never stops. She says it like it is, and through the ups and downs of the ever-changing hospitality and events business, she has remained a light of positivity, helping hundreds of people not only survive but thrive.

Founder of Master Connection Associates, Cindy is an icon in the global hospitality and travel industry. Her expertise spans leadership, sales, and customer service excellence.

Known as “a force to be reckoned with,” she brings energy, passion, and humor to every stage, captivating audiences with real-world insights and actionable takeaways.

Cindy’s impact extends far beyond hospitality, with experience in luxury hotels, automotive, real estate, and events. Her ability to connect across industries has made her one of the most sought-after voices in performance-driven leadership.

Having traveled more than 10 million miles, Cindy truly embodies the “road warrior” spirit. She’s worked with executives worldwide to sharpen focus, elevate team performance, and deliver exceptional service and sales results. She often says “I love the smell of jet fuel in the morning” because every new flight means another opportunity to inspire excellence.

Cindy’s second book “My Secret to Stamina”, is finally here! It’s filled with insight on how she maintains energy, endurance, and vitality in her very busy life.

• President, Nuage Designs
• nuagedesigns.com

Building upon the foundation of his education and career in luxury hospitality, Brazil native Pablo Oliveira drew upon his passion for design and global travel when he established Nuage Designs in 2004. Under Oliveira’s direction, Nuage has grown from the vicinity of Miami’s culture-rich Little Haiti to reach an expansive community of creatives nationwide and abroad in its 15 years of success.

The brand is globally regarded as a leader in couture linen and furniture rentals for events, having served top event planners, celebrities, and luxury hotels worldwide with unparalleled design offerings delivered with the highest standard of service. 

Oliveira’s commitment to creative innovation led him to establish full in-house production capabilities, where each linen is individually hand-cut and sewn in his Miami, FL headquarters warehouse. This hands-on approach is an extension of his quality standard that starts with carefully selecting, designing, and sourcing textiles that offer a modern interpretation of timeless style. For this reason, Nuage Designs meets a complete spectrum of linen rental needs – from large-scale event productions to bespoke, tailored projects for the discerning designer.

Oliveira’s commitment to creating a joyful and collaborative working environment that celebrates its employees’ talents isa key element to the company’s success. His tight-knit team is encouraged to draw upon their passion for design and service to push the company forward creatively and ethically. In recent years, this has manifested as community support, outreach to local and national non-profit organizations, and a renewed commitment to sustainable practices that reduce the company’s impact on material waste accumulation in landfills. “We strive to work as a team to elevate the experience of planning, designing, and enjoying an event by consistently and successfully delivering high-quality products while anticipating and exceeding our clients’ needs. At Nuage Designs, we are committed to providing memorable and unique experiences for our creative partners, who we consider an extension of the Nuage family.”

• Founder | Creative Director, Michelle Durpetti Events
• durpettievents.com

Michelle Durpetti is the Founder and Creative Director of Michelle Durpetti Events, an internationally recognized event planning firm celebrating nearly two decades of producing refined, culturally fluent weddings and experiences around the world. With offices in Chicago and Wellington, the company is known for its expertise in destination celebrations, particularly throughout the U.S., Mexico, Caribbean, Italy and Europe, where Michelle’s Mediterranean heritage, language fluency, and on-the-ground knowledge create a seamless bridge between cultures.

A third-generation hospitality leader, Michelle also serves as Managing Partner of Gene & Georgetti, Chicago’s original Tuscan steakhouse, where she continues her family’s 85-year legacy of excellence in service, tradition, and community. Her work across both hospitality and events is rooted in a philosophy of intentional design layered over meticulous logistics, delivering celebrations that are not only beautiful but deeply experiential.

Michelle’s work has been featured in leading global publications including People Magazine, The New York Times, Style Me Pretty, Yahoo, and Loverly, and she has been recognized as a top wedding planner on Loverly for multiple consecutive years. Her events span continents and cultures, from historic villas in Tuscany to iconic venues across the United States, always grounded in a commitment to excellence, guest experience, and storytelling.

In recognition of her contributions to Italian culture and international hospitality, Michelle was awarded the prestigious Order of the Star of Italy (Ordine della Stella d’Italia), one of Italy’s highest civilian honors.   She is also a Knight of Alba, part of an international order dedicated to preserving and promoting Italian wine, food, and cultural heritage.   Through these distinctions, she continues to champion Italian excellence on a global stage.

A passionate educator and advocate, Michelle is also a Knot Pro educator and an active voice in both the wedding and restaurant industry, frequently contributing to panels, speaking, publications, and conversations that shape the future of weddings and hospitality. Her perspective is informed by a unique intersection of disciplines: event design, luxury service, equestrian sport, and multi-generational business leadership.

Known for her warmth, precision, and unmistakable point of view, Michelle approaches every celebration as a living, breathing experience. Her work reflects a belief that true luxury is not accidental. It is intentional, immersive, and deeply felt.

• Co-Founders, Oda Creative
• odacreative.com

Folasayo and Ndidi Ayoola are the founders of Oda Creative, a multidisciplinary agency where transformative design meets technical precision. With over 30 years of combined experience, they have built a reputation for crafting cohesive brand identities and bespoke stationery that challenge the status quo. Their work has been featured in Vogue, People, Brides, and numerous other publications, and is trusted by clients like the LA Lakers, MIT, and Google.

They operate as a seamless creative duo driven by their complementary strengths. Folasayo provides the strategic frameworks for the evolution of brands, while Ndidi specializes in the meticulously crafted, unconventional work that defines the Oda Creative portfolio. Together, they focus on the “how” behind the “what,” exploring the intersection of high-end design and modern efficiency. As speakers, Folasayo and Ndidi share the practical systems and branding strategies that allow businesses to evolve, stay relevant, and maintain a high-touch experience in an increasingly digital world.

When not living out their love of design, Folasayo and Ndidi are both avid gamers. Individually, Folasayo is an artist, and Ndidi is a passionate reader; together, they can often be found traveling with their two young children or at home in Houston sharing fun-loving experiences as a family.

• Visionary, Banga Studios
• Bangastudios.ca

Gurminder Banga, better known as Banga, is an award-winning photographer deeply committed to choosing a focused life in a noisy world. Banga’s daily routine has created a sustainable balance between entrepreneurship, self-improvement, and relationships. He believes that quick fixes and life hacks might prompt healthy new habits temporarily but cannot create lasting change. Banga has led keynotes and workshops on productivity, habit creation, and mindfulness for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and organizations. The results speak for themselves: more grounding, less anxiety; more love, less fear; and more conscious choices, fewer impulsive decisions.

• CEO, Aisle Society|Pretty Pear Bride
• aislesociety.com

Shafonne Myers changed an industry that didn’t think she existed. And she did it by building what the industry said wasn’t necessary.

As the founder and CEO of Aisle Society, a wedding social club and global media network of 13 publications including Elizabeth Anne Designs, Brooklyn Bride, Chic Vintage Bride, Mountainside Bride and Pretty Pear Bride, the world’s first wedding site exclusively for plus-size brides, Shafonne has spent her career building what she couldn’t find. Built from a personal conviction that every couple deserves to see themselves reflected in the wedding industry, Aisle Society has grown into one of the most influential platforms reshaping how the wedding world defines beauty, representation, and belonging. At the heart of that work is a belief that luxury and inclusivity are not in tension. They are, when done right, inseparable.

Aisle Society is where couples find their people and vendors find their couples. A community built on one belief: every couple deserves to see themselves in the inspiration and every vendor who serves them deserves to be found.

Her work sits at the intersection of media, strategy, and cultural change. Through her trademarked Feature to Profit™ framework, she helps wedding professionals and female founders transform press visibility into measurable business growth, building a visibility ecosystem that converts media features into brand authority, client attraction, and consistent revenue. Her clients and partners have seen over $32 million in revenue driven through her strategies, and her thought leadership has been recognized by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, People and The Los Angeles Times.

Call Me Married, her podcast for engaged and married couples, extends the social club beyond the page, deepening the conversation around modern love, inclusive luxury, and what the future of weddings looks like for every couple and the vendors who celebrate them.

Shafonne is a sought-after speaker, strategist, and industry architect who challenges the wedding world to stop treating representation as an afterthought and start recognizing it as the highest expression of what exceptional weddings can be. She has spent her entire career building the table bigger. Now she is inviting the whole industry to sit down.

• Co-Founder, Wedvibes.Media
• wedvibes.media

Daria is a luxury wedding professional with over nine years of experience and a passion for making wedding creatives seen, celebrated, and sought after. As co-founder of WedVibes Media, she has helped hundreds of industry talents build recognition and grow their brands. Her work spans campaigns for iconic names like Tiffany & Co., Jo Malone, and Revolve — blending art, fashion, and digital trends into the signature WedVibes aesthetic that resonates with a community of thousands of couples and professionals worldwide. A UCLA Marketing graduate, Daria equips wedding pros with the marketing tools and visibility strategies they need to truly stand out.

• Co-Founder, Wedvibes.Media
• wedvibes.media

Alina is a marketing executive with over 15 years of experience building and scaling brands at the highest level. Before co-founding WedVibes Media, she led marketing, sales, and growth for global powerhouses including Nestlé, Ferrero, and Grupo Bimbo. Now she channels that corporate expertise into the wedding industry — helping planners, designers, and creatives build profitable, sustainable businesses they’re proud of. Through WedVibes’ commercial strategy, branding, and PR guidance, Alina has helped hundreds of wedding professionals attract the right clients, grow their visibility, and scale with confidence.

• CEO | Co-Founder, PartySlate
• partyslate.com

Julie Roth Novack is the CEO and Co-Founder of PartySlate, a photo-rich platform where event professionals showcase their work and connect with new clients. More than 4 million people planning large-scale events of all kinds have visited PartySlate in the past year to discover who to hire and get inspired. She is leading the company’s expansion into AI-powered tools that help professionals quickly find and share the right photos in key moments. Julie brings over 25 years of digital marketing experience, including work with Fortune 500 brands at leading New York agencies. She holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and a degree in Economics from the University of Michigan.

• Cofounder | Editor | Educator, Equally Wed
• equallywed.com

Kirsten Palladino is a multi-award-winning editor, inclusivity trainer and speaker. She is the cofounder and editorial director of Equally Wed, the international LGBTQ+ wedding website; the creator of Equally Wed Pro, an educational resource and community for wedding and event professionals; and the author of Equally Wed: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your LGBTQ+ Wedding (Hachette/Seal Press).

As one of the foremost experts in LGBTQ+ weddings and inclusivity since 2010, Kirsten has written for, been interviewed by and featured in myriad luminary publications, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, Time magazine, Go magazine, Glamour magazine, The Knot magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, Them, AARP and A Practical Wedding. She is a recurring in-studio guest on major news networks, such as CNN, NPR and CBS, multiple podcasts, webinars, and stages of wedding and event conferences around the globe, including Engage! Luxury Wedding Summits.

She lives in Atlanta with her wife, Maria, and their teenage sons.

• Editor in Chief | Publisher | Co-Owner, Destination I Do
• destinationido.com

When Jennifer and her business partner began Destination Media 22 years ago, it was with the intent to report on all things destination wedding, honeymoon and romance travel related and to fill a gap in the wedding industry. One that would show real couples around the world celebrating their destination weddings. Jennifer’s love of the beautiful cultures and colors around the world has been central in everything printed and shared through DestinationIDo.com. Her goal has been to bring readers helpful information to plan their weddings wherever it is in the world with whomever it is with – regardless of race or gender.

Since then, the media outlet has grown from a small, glossy publication sold around the U.S. to a sought-after brand, known for serving the destination wedding reader wherever they are – from the airwaves to Pinterest and everything in between.

Connected to readers and industry experts on all fronts, Destination I Do creates helpful daily content through their growing website and social media network. Destination I Do is also finishing season three of their podcast with Jennifer as the host.

With more than 27 years of business and publishing experience, Jennifer has seen her international business thrive and grow. She was recognized as one of the “Top 35 Entrepreneurs Under 35” and is a chosen speaker at several prestigious industry conferences and business summits. With a substantial client list, talented contributors and a growing following –Destination I Do is an icon in both the wedding and travel industries.

• Founder, The Bridal Bar
• bridalbar.com

Harmony Walton is the founder of The Bridal Bar, a public relations and marketing agency for luxury event professionals and hotels and a concierge service for couples to connect with those companies. For the past 21 years, Harmony has helped launch dozens of successful wedding businesses, re-positioned older companies within the changing market and supported countless wedding industry clients across the globe. Her company has been recognized around the world and featured in 100+ media outlets, including The Associated Press, ABC Nightly News, GMA, The New Yorker, The New York Times, Entertainment Tonight, People Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings and many more. When she’s not working behind the scenes with some of the biggest industry brands you know, she’s busy chasing her five-year-old daughter around.

• 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!