Hi everyone, how are you? Happy New Year!!! A wonderful 2025 to all of you. And I’ll start by sharing my participation in the Cartagena Wedding Dreams + Wedding Forum 2024 event . When I received the invitation to be an ambassador, I knew it would be an unmissable opportunity to immerse myself in a universe of inspiration, knowledge and networking. The event took place from September 9th to 11th at the charming Cartagena de Indias Convention Center and other iconic spaces in the city , bringing together some of the biggest names in the wedding and events industry from around the world. And visiting Colombia once again was a delight!
Before the event began, on September 8th, we had a dinner for the ambassadors at the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Hotel.
Day 1
From day one, I was impressed by the impeccable organization and the vibrant energy that filled the air. Right after registration and a warm welcome, we began with a series of talks that would set the tone for the event. Patricia Vaks, a renowned Brazilian interior designer, opened the presentations by sharing her vision on decoration and how to create spaces that tell stories. The day continued with talks by Majeda Kassir and Hella Huizinga, who explored event design from unique perspectives, culminating in a masterclass in floral creativity by Gideon Hermosa. The evenings in Cartagena were also magical. The city, with its colonial architecture and Caribbean charm, hosted a stunning fashion show at Camellón de los Mártires, followed by a cocktail reception. Every detail of these moments reflected what it means to create memorable event experiences.
Day 2
On the second day, at Casa 1537, I participated in practical and inspiring panels. Lectures such as those by Edgardo Zamora on “The Art of Transformation” and Bruno Rezza on “The Power of Immortalizing Moments” provided valuable insights on how to elevate art and technique in weddings. I also had the opportunity to attend a workshop by Michelle Pourroy on the use of flowers as an artistic expression and a panel on social media strategies with David Betancur, which was essential for understanding how to better engage customers in the digital environment. In the evening, we had a super lively “animal print” themed cocktail party at the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara.
Day 3
The last day was dedicated to exploring the senses and celebrating luxury. One of the highlights was the Symposium “The essence of the 5 senses for luxury events”, where experts discussed how to create experiences that combine aesthetics, gastronomy, music and design to delight guests. The closing night, at the iconic Adolfo Mejía Theater, was a true spectacle, celebrating the creativity and passion that unite all professionals in the sector. The party had the theme “The Great Gatsby” and closed the event with a flourish.
Being an ambassador for this event was an honor and a privilege. I leave Cartagena with the certainty that the exchange of experiences and the learning I have gained will make me an even more complete professional in creating unforgettable destination weddings . This forum reinforced the importance of continuing to innovate, dream and, above all, putting my heart into each project.
So, did you like it? Until next time, Cartagena!
Kisses,
Simone.
Official photos: Bety Gomez
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