It was as if we were living the Arabian dream. The 9th annual DWP Congress took place in the beautiful St. Regis Doha, Qatar from 14th-16th March, and witnessed an overwhelming love from wedding connoisseurs from around the globe as it was sparkling with opulence and extravaganza. Be it the Welcome Reception at Waldorf Astoria which was full of laughter and hugs or the Gala Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton where attendees enjoyed an evening of chic entertainment and fine wine or the relaxed environment during the closing cocktail at SAX Lounge where we danced ’til dawn to say our sweet goodbyes until we meet again, the attendees at DWP Congress Qatar had an amazing time doing business, making connections and having a time of their lives.
The Arabian gem witnessed the biggest conglomeration of destination & luxury wedding experts from 70+ countries who together explored Doha as an upcoming luxury wedding destination. Full of networking opportunities, immaculate panel sessions, and masterclasses, this DWP Congress made a shift in how we are going to witness future weddings. And if you missed out on all the action at DWP, we’re here to tell you 9 things we loved the most about the 9th annual!
Qatar is home to a diverse collection of monuments, architecture, and hidden historic places. Chosen as a wedding destination of crème de la crème, this extravagant destination is becoming a hotspot for couples from around the world! Head on to www.visitqatar.com to discover the country’s best sights and travel advice!
Before we get into the details, we can’t miss out on thanking our official Host Partner- Visit Qatar and Airline Partner- Qatar Airways along with Regional & International Partners without whose support this event would not have been possible. We’d also like to thank His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways and the Chairman of Qatar Tourism who graced the event sharing some insightful information about the destination with the attendees.
So here are 9 things that we already miss about DWP Congress Qatar!
The Luxe Landscapes of Doha
A perfect fusion of East and West, we loved how this country blends the traditional with the modern. Respecting the deep cultural values, yet celebrating the modernity of finer things in life, Qatar is all about luxuries and joyous moments of life. And this is what the wedding planners noticed- the ease with which they can plan their couple’s dream wedding. The hospitality that the country offers is world-renowned and one of the major reasons why people from around the globe like to visit this exotic nation and recently it is becoming a trending destination for hosting high-end weddings. There are only a few destinations in the world that has something for everyone- and Qatar is one of them!
Last week at the DWP Congress social media was buzzing with coverage of the impressive skyline of Doha as attendees arrived in style at the Hamad International Airport.
Warm Arabian Hospitality
First impressions are everything, isn’t it? And we know that well here at DWP! And that’s why when attendees landed in Doha, we wanted to give them a dose of the country’s hospitality. The guests were greeted with a traditional welcome at The St. Regis as soon as they arrived with Arabic kava and sweets. Furthering the experience, the evening Welcome Reception took them on a journey of wonderous Arabian night, where the guests got a taste of what the destination has to offer in terms of space, sense and celebrations. The host hotel St Regis Doha took Arabian hospitality to the next level with their personalized butler service which was loved by one and all!
Enthralling Entertainment
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. We know how to do business, and we sure know how to have a party! Overflowing with entertainment throughout the 3-day event, there was never a dull moment at DWP. In the form of DJ, band, live performances, artists and much more, the attendees loved taking pictures throughout the event where they danced with each other to create lifelong memories.
The Much-Awaited DWP Powerlist!
One of the most anticipated events was the launch of the DWP Powerlist coffee book! The book is a testimony to the Top Planners & Designers of 2022 from across the globe who have been consistent in raising the bar and mesmerizing us every time with their awesome work in the field of luxury weddings! His Excellency Abkar Al Baker launched the book and honored them on stage during Gala night!
Power-Packed Conference Sessions
Industry leaders such as Preston Bailey, Aditya Motwane, Ali Bakhtiar, Kevin Lee, Vandana Mohan, Sharon Sacks and many more deep-dived into the current scenario of luxury and destination weddings in 2023-24. The stimulating topics included Managing Client Expectations, The Pursuit Of Happiness, How To Deliver A Consistent Experience Anywhere In The World and many more. Being a catalyst to change, attendees got first-hand knowledge about the key functioning of this $350 billion industry.
Solution-Focused Masterclasses
We know that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why DWP Congress has a concept of Masterclasses where attendees got an opportunity to choose one of the five classes as per their business needs that provided them with personalized solutions learning from the experts. The interactive sessions were truly bespoke and provided niche solutions to modern problems. The first master class was by Tara Guerard, Owner & Creative Director, Tara Guerard Soiree, USA on Staying True To Your Brand. The second one was more focused on the niche Indian market by Divya Chauhan & Vittika Agarwal, Managing Partners, Divya Vithika Wedding Planners, India. Barbara Diez, Founder, of Barbara Diez Event Planners, Argentina spoke about Diversifying Your Business To Reach New Heights. The fourth one was a combined one by US-based planners Sharon Sacks and Nikki Khan on Artful Communication & Cultural Magic. The fifth one focused on the trendy topic of Crafting Your Social Media Presence by Guerdy Abraira, Global Wedding Planner & Designer, Guerdy Design, USA.
Opportunity To Connect 1 on 1
Not only did the attendees enjoy the conference sessions, but the unique format of the Congress allowed them to have a formal 0ne-to-one opportunity to meet the suppliers of their choice to take their brand internationally. The one-to-one networking sessions created a win-win situation for everyone as it facilitated cross-country partnerships, which is the unique USP of the event. The three-day event witnessed around 5,000 meetings between international destination wedding planners and global suppliers from around the world. Apart from these, there were endless informal networking opportunities during evening functions.
Mesmerizing Decor
Yes, planners and designers are masters when it comes to wedding decor, but to awe them in a setting where they don’t have to worry about the operations is something we wanted them to witness. Our decor partners The Planners Qatar and Bella Flora mention for conference and evening functions captivated the hearts of these architects to give them #2023weddinggoals!
Diversity and Inclusion
At DWP, we are proud to include representatives from 70+ countries where everyone has a sense of belonging. We are rapidly focusing and growing in the sphere to make a more diversified space for everyone to express their views and opinions. Our Speakers and Advisory Boards members are chosen carefully to include views and points from different countries to create a more global solution.
CONCLUSION- Connections, Collaborations & Celebrations!
In the end, it’s about hugs, kisses, love and light! We loved the energy the event had throughout! The drinks never stopped coming, the music did not stop, the food was served throughout and we all were flowing in the stream of love that was coming straight from one heart to another. This is what DWP is all about. We cannot wait for the next year’s edition to come, but for now, are grateful to each and every attendee, partner, and supplier who took time out of their schedules to make this industry stronger!
Check out www.dwpinsider.com to connect with more such planners and suppliers digitally.
All Images Courtesy: @parazarme
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