SPEAKERS

WORLD ROMANCE TRAVEL - LOVE MEXICO 2024

 

Sarah Young - Keynote Speaker

Luxury Event Planner

(Malta)

Sarah Young is a luxury event planner specializing in extravagant weddings and lavish celebrations. With over 22 years of experience and hundreds of events and weddings planned, organised and executed, Sarah is a specialist in creating enthralling experiences that go far beyond the expectations of her clients. Sarah graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Communications (Hons) from the University of Malta. She continued her studies in the UK and successfully received her Master's degree from the University of Southampton, UK.

In 1998, Sarah's career started to take off as she was appointed Marketing Manager of Time International, responsible for leading brands such as Cartier, Nike and Tag Heuer. Sarah also organised various international conferences in Malta and Europe. After a successful period of working in events and marketing in the UK, Sarah continued her career as Marketing Manager for Coca-Cola, Malta. At the age of 24, Sarah became a pioneer in her industry as the first wedding planner on the island of Malta - and there was no turning back from then on.

Amongst all her successes Sarah Young has also launched her own TV series in Malta in 2022; ‘Flip the Venue’. The contents of the series see Sarah and her team flip venues across the Maltese Islands into lavish event and wedding locations. Following its recognized success on the island, Flip the Venue second series, has just aired nationwide in Malta in October 2023. 

 

 

Monica Balli - Keynote Speaker 

Destination Weddings / Bespoke Travel experiences / Global Connector

(Italy)

Destination Weddings & Events / Bespoke travel experiences / Luxury Mindset in hospitality, events speaker & Coach / Global Connector. Hey there, it's Monica Balli, a proud Tuscan blending the charm of my birthplace with an international flair. I'm on a perpetual journey of curiosity, with a passport that tells tales of my love for travel. Destination Events Production and Industry speaker is my playground, where I sprinkle a dash of wisdom and a pinch of curiosity to spark the joy of producing events .
For two decades, we've specialized in crafting and executing destination events, with a keen focus on Europe & the  Mediterranean. Our expertise lies in serving international clients and partners, emphasizing the pivotal role of strong connections in our success.
Whether I'm exploring new destinations or infusing a personal twist into everything I do, rest assured, a luxury mindset accompanies me. Why? Because I believe in being my first client - indulging in life's adventures with a mindset that's as rich as Tuscany's vineyards. Join me on this delightful escapade, where we embrace the world with open arms and a luxurious mindset & heart!"
My mantra in life? Simple: Walk with my head held high. Sleep on two pillows. Be happy and savor life every day.

 

Jennifer Stein

Editor in Chief, Publisher and Co-Owner of Destination I Do and Destination Media, LLC

(United States)

When Jennifer and her business partner began Destination Media 20 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 starting season four of their podcast with Jennifer as the host.

With more than 25 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.

 

Angela Hughes

Marketing & Business Strategist / Luxury Travel

(United States)

Angela Hughes stands as a luminary in the luxury travel sector, renowned for crafting sophisticated marketing strategies that captivate discerning travelers. With a fervent passion for mentorship and an innovative spirit, Angela has successfully helmed her prestigious brand, Trips & Ships Luxury Travel, for over four decades. Under her astute leadership, a distinguished cadre of over 80 LUXE advisors has risen to prominence in the high-end tourism industry.  She was named 2024 Travel Leaders Network Influencer of the Year for Luxury Travel.

A Certified Travel Consultant since 1993 and holding a master's degree in Geography, Travel & Tourism, Angela's illustrious career is marked by the creation of bespoke luxury getaways that epitomize elegance and personalized service. As the driving force behind the Luxury Travel University, her expertise serves as the cornerstone for elevating and consulting numerous host agencies and Destination Management Companies (DMCs), guiding them to achieve excellence in the competitive luxury market.

Angela's authoritative voice is sought by esteemed media outlets, with her insights featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and Fox 35 TV, cementing her status as a revered travel expert. Her influence extends globally with features in Travel Weekly, Travel Market Report, Insider Travel Report, Travel Age West, and Germany's LUXE magazine. Her robust social media presence continues to inspire wanderlust among travelers worldwide.

Recognized by Internova as one of the top 1% of travel advisors, Angela's expertise and dedication to the industry are unparalleled.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Angela is an avid traveler, having explored over 107 countries. Her multicultural experiences include nearly two years in Osaka, Japan, where she became conversant in Japanese. As a former adjunct professor at BYU, she imparts her extensive knowledge to the next generation of travel professionals.

Angela's impact extends to her philanthropic endeavors. Through her non-profit organization, Color My World, she advocates for sustainable humanitarian tourism, orchestrating trips that create meaningful and lasting change in communities around the globe.

For those who demand more than the ordinary in travel, Angela Hughes represents the pinnacle of luxury and philanthropy. Her legacy is one where elegance seamlessly intertwines with benevolence, ensuring every journey is both purposeful and unforgettable.

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Mark Chesnut

Journalist, editor, travel industry consultant and public speaker 

(United States)

Mark Chesnut is a New York City-based journalist, editor, travel industry consultant and public speaker with more than 30 years of experience. The 2019 winner of the NLGJA Excellence in Travel Writing Award, Mark is the author of the book “Prepare for Departure” and his work has appeared in media including Fodor’s, Forbes Travel Guide, Edge Media Network, Global Traveler, HuffPost, JWM Magazine, the Miami Herald, Orbitz, Passport Magazine, Travel + Leisure Mexico, Travelocity, the New York Times bestseller 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and the inflight magazines of Aeromexico, American Airlines and Avianca.

Mark operates his own travel site, DepartureLevel.com and contributes regularly to multiple media outlets at Northstar Travel Media, North America’s largest travel trade publisher — including Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, TravelPulse, PhocusWire, Successful Meetings and Meetings & Conventions Magazine. Mark has written and managed custom content for travel industry clients including the U.S. Travel Association, World Travel & Tourism Council and hotel brands including Hilton and IHG, and he’s spoken at conventions including the ASTA Global conference, the New York Travel Festival, the New York Times Travel Show, the Louisville Book Festival, the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival and SAHIC: The South American Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference.

Brian Green

Visionary and Creative Architect at By Brian Green LLC

(Barbados)

Brian is an award-winning event planner with over twenty years of experience in the international events industry. He is the Chief Event Architect and Creative Visionary of By BrianGreen LLC based in Atlanta creating amazing social and corporate events across the globe. He is a former Diplomat for the country of Barbados.  

He was the featured guest expert on The Steve Harvey Show on Fox for their annual Wedding Hour where he presented great tips and advice on how to host the best wedding while avoiding the usual pitfalls and has been published in every major magazine in our industry.  He is also the host of WeddingPro's YouTube web series The Real Truth about your favourite Wedding Movies!. He is one of an elite group of WeddingPro Educators. He is also an Advisor and Mentor for The Knot/ Wedding Wire’s Fellowship For Change Program. 

As part of his strong activism and belief in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, he currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals. 

 

Pervez Taufiq

Top Luxury Wedding Photographer

(United States)

Pervez Taufiq is the CEO and lead shooter for PTaufiq, a luxury photo and video company based out of Boston, Massachusetts and is recognized as one of the top luxury photo and video companies in the world. PTaufiq shoots photo and video for 250 weddings a year internationally. With offices in Mumbai, LA, Paris and Mexico.

He is known for creating iconic imagery and video in a rockstar experience, given his background as a singer for a well known rock band on Atlantic Records before transitioning to photo and video. It is that edge that has catapulted PTaufiq in just three short years to being featured on TV Shows on Bravo and Netflix. His company’s work has been published on the the cover for Harper’s Bazaar, and been featured in Vogue, Elle, People Magazine, US Weekly and many more.

Glenda Beagle

Travel Expert & Sales Trainer

(Canada)

Glenda, a former travel advisor with a two-decade history of sales excellence, has transitioned her expertise into coaching travel professionals. She is dedicated to helping advisors increase sales, refine business operations, and foster lasting client relationships. Glenda's insights empower advisors to close more deals, earn referrals, and build a thriving business.

 

Chris J. Evans

Luxury Destination Wedding Photographer

(United States)

Luxury destination wedding photographer Chris J. Evans has traversed the globe, capturing iconic love stories. For nearly 14 years, discerning clients have invited him to immortalize their celebrations from the romantic canals of Venice to the sun-kissed shores of Santa Barbara, and from the tropical paradise of Hawaii to the vibrant charm of Puerto Rico. Each wedding, infused with his impeccable sense of fashion, radiates unparalleled style, grace, and sophistication, elevating every destination to an unforgettable experience.

Tracy French

Destination Wedding Planner

(United States)

Tracy French is an acclaimed Destination Wedding Planner and the founder of The French Connection Events & Travel, known for her unparalleled expertise in creating extraordinary destination weddings. With over 20 years of experience, Tracy has a proven track record of delivering flawless events for couples worldwide.
Tracy was the first recipient of the prestigious Ed Cotton Award for Destination Wedding Excellence, a testament to her leadership and innovation in the field. Her work has also been featured on two top-rated television programs, Married Away and Whose Wedding is it Anyway? on the Style Network, and she is a regular guest on Talk Radio, where she is affectionately known as the "Go to Gal" for wedding advice and trends.
Tracy frequently speaks at high-profile events both in the U.S. and internationally, sharing her vast knowledge with industry professionals.
In addition to her hands-on wedding planning, Tracy is passionate about educating others and helping them grow their travel and wedding businesses. She proudly serves as an International Planning Specialist for the International Association of Destination
Wedding Professionals (IADWP).
Her commitment to excellence has earned The French Connection Events & Travel numerous accolades, including The Knot’s Hall of Fame award and the WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Award. Tracy is also a regularly featured A-List Planner for Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine and was named one of the 25 Most Influential Wedding Planners in the World.
With a company motto of "Creating AMAZING events for lifelong memories," Tracy French continues to set the standard for destination weddings, crafting exceptional experiences that resonate with couples for a lifetime.

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