If you’ve been anxiously anticipating our Coterie Retreat 2024 Speaker Lineup… the wait is officially over!
From government officials to wedding planning visionaries, marketing and media gurus, and hotelier innovators, this year’s speakers will provide exclusive insight into 2025 wedding trends, share inspirational stories to uplift your business and advise you on how to best navigate the wedding industry in an ever-evolving and unpredictable economy.
Keep scrolling to peruse our 2024 Cotreie Retreat Speaker Lineup.
Click here to navigate to our Coterie Retreat website for more details on this year’s retreat.
We can’t wait to see you in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands on December 9th-12th!
2024 Speaker Lineup:
Mr. Albert Bryan Jr.
Governor of the United States Virgin Islands
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. stands at the forefront of leadership, spearheading transformative changes in the U.S. Virgin Islands. With a dedication to progress and a keen understanding of the needs of his constituents, Governor Bryan has redefined governance, propelling the Territory toward a future of prosperity and opportunity.
Mr. Joseph Boschulte
Commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Dept. of Tourism
Commissioner Boschulte brings over 30 years of experience in business, finance, and government to the tourism department. The Commissioner has held high-level positions in transportation, utilities, telecommunications, finance, government development, and investment banking with a proven track record of improving organizational performance and growth.
Read more here.
Tiffany Aliche
Financial Expert, Founder of The Budgetnista
Tiffany, The Budgetnista Aliche is America’s favorite personal financial educator and author of the New York Times Best Seller, Get Good with Money, and companion workbook, Made Whole. Through her Live Richer Movement, she’s helped over two million women save, manage, and pay off hundreds of millions of dollars.
Read more here.
RoseAnne “Rosie” Farrington
Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Virgin Islands Dept. of Tourism
Rosie Farrington is a Deputy Commissioner with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, supporting the global expansion and elevation of the territory as a travel, business, and relocation destination.
Arian Simone
Co-founder/CEO of the Fearless Fund
Arian Simone is an accomplished entrepreneur, philanthropist, investor, best-selling author, and highly sought-after international speaker. She is widely recognized as a trailblazer in her industry, making significant contributions and empowering others along the way.
Arian is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Fearless Fund, a groundbreaking venture capital fund that is the first Venture Capital Fund built for WOC by WOC with a focus on investing in pre-seed, seed level, and series A financing.
Read more here.
Janelle Hopkin
President and Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort
Ms. Janelle M. Hopkin is President and Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort. A graduate of the prestigious Glion Institute of Higher Education in Montreux, Switzerland, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Business Administration and Hospitality Management.
Upon completing her studies, Ms. Hopkin embarked on several management internships, most notably at the Four Seasons Hotel, Park Lane, and the Royal Garden Hotel, High Street Kensington in London. These experiences were extremely formative as they helped to crystallize her vision and influence the development of her now-established philosophy on how high-end Caribbean hospitality should be delivered.
After returning home in 2006, Janelle spent the next fourteen (14) years learning all aspects of the business under the watchful eye and tutelage of her father, the late Sir Royston Hopkin KCMG, the founder of Spice Island Beach Resort and its former Chairman and Managing Director.
Read more here.
Petra Roach
CEO of Grenada Tourism Authority
A driving force in the international tourism industry, Petra Roach brings a wealth of travel experience and expertise to the Caribbean landscape. The savvy tourism executive is known for her astute leadership in overseeing bespoke destination business development in various markets. Currently, Petra is the CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority, and in this role, she was awarded the 2023 Caribbean Tourism Director of the Year in the 10th edition of Caribbean Journal’s Caribbean Travel Awards.
Read more here.
Kelly Fontenelle
CEO St. Kitts Tourism Authority
Ms. Kelly Fontenelle is the Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. Fontenelle-Clarke is also the founder of Travel Advisors Selling the Caribbean, renowned as the foremost Caribbean travel advisory company, and has pioneered online support tools for travel advisors. She also spearheaded real-time travel update services, notably during COVID-19 and weather-related events.
Read more here.
Bridgette King
Executive Director, Global Sales of the Islands of the Bahamas
There are people who seek the spotlight and gain the respect of only a few, and there are people who shun the spotlight and are respected by many. The latter describes Bridgette King, Executive Director – Global Sales, for The Islands of The Bahamas. Executive Director King oversees global sales but with a new mandate for the development and growth of niche markets – Romance, Boating, Diving, Aviation, Sports, Latin America and Meeting Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitionists (MICE)
Read more here.
Valérie Damaseau
Commissioner of Tourism and Culture for Saint Martin
As Commissioner of Tourism and Culture, I have the honor of overseeing a dynamic realm where culture takes center stage in shaping the very essence of our tourism offerings. With a profound belief in the transformative power of culture in driving tourism growth and enriching visitor experiences, I am dedicated to advancing initiatives that celebrate our heritage, arts, traditions, and diversity.
Read more here.
Shauna Smith
Director of B2B Marketing at The Knot Worldwide
Shauna Smith, Director of B2B Marketing, oversees vendor marketing efforts for The Knot Worldwide, a leading global marketplace and family of brands championing celebration. Shauna is a results-oriented marketing leader with a proven track record in strategic planning, leading and developing high-performing teams, and scaling marketing programs to help drive growth and pipeline.
Read more here.
Bron Hansboro
Owner, The Flower Guy Bron
Award-winning floral and event designer Bron Hansboro has devoted his career to navigating clients through the creative process and transforming their visions into exquisite events since 2014. Fondly
referred to as “The Flower Guy,” he is the lead creative and floral designer at The Flower Guy Bron and founder of The Event House, specialty rentals & design. His motto is, “We don’t sell flowers, we sell experiences.”
Kawania Wooten
Owner, Howerton of Wooten Events
Kawania Wooten, CMP, is an innovative event management executive, who excels at competitive strategic planning, convention and trade show management, and volunteer management. Her expertise lies in developing operational and programmatic initiatives that provide added value, reduce operational costs, streamline internal processes, and standardize association policies and procedures.
Read more here.
Becky Chiong
Founder, Eden Scents
Becky Chiong is a seasoned skincare expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. A graduate of the Florida College of Natural Health, a Steiner Leisure aesthetics school, she became a paramedical aesthetician specializing in the treatment of skin disorders and diseases. Becky further honed her skills as an electrologist and laser professional, focusing on acne management and anti-aging treatments.
Read more here.
Erica Powell
Founder, Erica Powell & Co.
As a former platinum event planner and international publisher, my first-hand experience attracting and closing high-end clients gives me clarity about what consumers in the luxury market are looking for in brand identity and messaging, online presence, and client experience. As a business coach, I’m also acutely in tune with the challenges entrepreneurs face daily.
Read more here.
Terrica
Terrica Inc
Spreading her metropolitan style throughout the low country, Terrica has been creating exquisite weddings and events in the Golden Isles area for the past seventeen years. Specializing in modern Southern weddings, she believes in creating custom experiences inspired by her clients’ love stories while infusing technology and efficiency.
Read more here.
Akeshi Akinseye
CEO, Kesh Events
Akeshi Akinseye is a globally renowned luxury wedding planner, designer, and entrepreneur, celebrated for her impeccable taste, attention to detail, and commitment to creating unforgettable experiences. As the founder and CEO of Kesh Events, a luxury event design and planning firm, she brings over a decade of expertise in curating extraordinary celebrations worldwide.
Read more here.
Dr. Lincoln Alexander
Founder, Flourhouse Cakes
Dr. Lincoln Alexander is an international award-winning bespoke cake designer, food artist, author, and owner of Flour House Cakes & Co., based in Metro Detroit. Named a 2024 Ones to Watch honoree by The Knot Weddings Magazine, this health scientist turned pastry chef is celebrated for his unique design style and collection of decadent confections.
Read more here.
Elizabeth Sheils
Co-founder of Rock Paper Coin
Elizabeth Sheils is an award-winning planner and manager for Bridal Bliss, with over a decade of expertise in business development. Her data-driven approach and deep industry insight inspired her to co-found Rock Paper Coin, a collaborative software platform that streamlines contracts, invoices, and payments for the wedding industry.
Read more here.
Jeffrey Selden
Managing Partner, Marcia Selden Catering
Jeffrey Selden leverages his 30-year-long party history in his role as Managing Partner of Marcia Selden Catering. With an extensive background in luxury event planning, honed at some of the country’s most exclusive hotels, including The St. Regis, The Pierre, and The New York Palace, he holds an industry-wide reputation as a power event-builder with a unique, creative vision and flawless results.
Read more here.
Robin Selden
Managing Partner/Executive Partner/Executive Chef, Marcia Selden Catering
Robin Selden is the Managing Partner and Executive Chef of Connecticut and New York City-based Marcia Selden Catering and Naked Fig Catering (a luxury plant-based catering love child of celebrity chef Matthew Kenney and team MSC). She oversees the culinary and marketing operations for her family’s multimillion-dollar company. The first catering company ever inducted into the CT Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame.
Read more here.
Nadia Anderson
Owner, Virginia Grace + Lavender Hill
Nadia S. Anderson, CPA, CGMA, CWEP is a calm problem solver who indulges in everyday luxury and rich sensory experiences. She combines creativity with business experience to delight and inspire clients and guests of Virginia Grace, an event management company focused on lush guest experiences. Her first commercial property, Lavender Hill, is an intimate venue for celebration and collaboration in the heart of her hometown of Richmond, VA.
Read more here.
Brian Green
Owner, Creative Director of By Brian Green
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.
Read more here.
Chike Nwobu
President + Co-Founder of MunaLuchi Bride Magazine
Co-founder of Munaluchi, a multi-cultural global technology company serving the wedding and event industry, (www.munaluchibridal.com). An accomplished visionary, entrepreneur, and media executive with significant experience in structuring/implementing digital content partnerships across multicultural markets.
Read more here.
Kevan Stewart
Owner, The Palm Terrace
Kevan Stewart, also known as DJ Vaun, is a renowned DJ and entrepreneur transforming Jamaica’s wedding and events industry. Since 2003, he has built a business empire with ventures like Jamaica Wedding DJ, Reggae Tech Limited, and The Palm Terrace, an exclusive Montego Bay outdoor wedding venue. Kevan’s global influence, resilience, and passion for music have solidified his reputation as a leader in luxury events.
Harold Johnson
Owner, Finer Touch Entertainment
For over three decades, Harold Johnson has transformed events with the power of music and entertainment. His journey began as a shy, creative boy spinning vinyl records in his room for fun. This sparked what grew to become his lifelong passion, DJ entertainment. Today, Harold leads Finer Touch Entertainment and Big Apple Entertainment—two iconic names in the industry known for their blend of sophistication, mixed with unforgettable event experiences.
Read more here.
Karli Raymond
International Event Host/Emcee
Karli Harvey Raymond is an entrepreneur, international host, magazine editor, wife, and mother residing in Atlanta, GA. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University and has been committed to service since she was a little girl growing up in Cleveland, OH. She is a mentor to young women, a budget-savvy style guru, and a lifestyle maven who can turn the mundane into spectacular and make any situation, stage, or room sparkle.
Jackie Nwobu
CEO/Editor-in-chief of MunaLuchi Bride Magazine
Jacqueline Nwobu is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Munaluchi Bride Magazine, the leading nationally distributed wedding magazine and online wedding marketplace catering to multicultural couples and serving the $200 billion wedding and events industry. She has successfully disrupted the wedding industry to influence positive change, diversity, and inclusiveness.
Read more here.
Councillor Tashia Grace Burris
Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiques & Transportation for the Tobago House of Assembly
Councillor Tashia Grace Burris is the Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities & Transportation for the Tobago House of Assembly, appointed in December 2021. Her professional career spans almost 22 years of dedicated service to the people of Tobago in both the private and public sectors.
Looking for previous Coterie Retreats for inspiration?
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