The last day of our 10th-annual Coterie Retreat in St. Thomas USVI was an incredible celebration of education, connection, and culture, culminating in a stunning Awards Gala at The Westin’s Harborview Ballroom.
Morning general sessions included an inspiring panel led by Kawania Howerton Wooten with Bron Hansboro (The Flower Guy Bron) and Akeshi Akinseye (Kesh Events) on how to expand revenue opportunities beyond your current services.
An inspiring presentation by Dr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon of Incredible One Enterprises on creating a “Mindset for Millions” followed before lunch where attendees enjoyed an off-site dining experience in downtown Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas at the Indigo Restaurant.
In the evening, guests reconvened at the Harborview Ballroom for cocktail hour and an extravagant black-tie awards gala recognizing the dedication, creativity, and innovation of wedding professionals and organizations making an impact in the multicultural market.
Keep scrolling to relive all the details from our third and final day of this year’s milestone retreat!
- Event: Coterie Retreat 2024
- Dates: December 9-12th, 2024
- Host island: St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands
- Photographers: Xiaoqi Li Photography, Trene’ Forbes Photography, & Charity Hope Photography
**The 10th annual Coterie Retreat is hosted by Munaluchi Bride (@munaluchibride) in partnership with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism (@visitusvi)**
Panel: How to Extend your Revenue Opportunities beyond your Current Services
Moderator Kawania Howerton Wooten led the conversation on expanding revenue opportunities with incredible guests Bron Hansboro of The Flower Guy Bron and Akeshi Akinseye from Kesh Events, who emphasized building strong foundations, identifying core values, and the importance of partnerships.
A passionate educator, entrepreneur, and floral designer, Bron Honsboro shared how he grew his business with resources at hand and how collaborations with caterers and even branching out into luxury jewelry and furs have expanded his revenue streams.
“Outside of being The Flower Guy Bron, I’m a businessman,” he explained. “In that appreciation, I’m not going to be pigeonholed into flowers.”
To expand revenue, he further acknowledged the need to “build a pipeline of consistency in a tried and tested practice [first] so you can build on that foundation.” In addition to his floral and design company, he provides lighting and rentals through his company, The Event House, and next-day flowers and gifts via Brookland Park Flowers and Gifts.
Globally renowned luxury event planner Akeshi Akinseye of Kesh Events also shared wisdom on how to monetize your expertise, the importance of investing in education, and how to create meaningful, memorable experiences for clients.
She further stressed how integral it is to create meaningful partnerships. “Collaboration works if you nurture first,” she shared. “Your first outreach should never be an ask.” Establishing a solid team is equally important. “Hire people so you can work on your business, not in your business.”
Getting featured in print and online is also a great way to build credibility. A surprising revelation for the audience was when Akeshi revealed she’d never hired PR before. Her explanation: “If you show up as the expert you claim you are, people will take notice.”
After establishing that trust and expertise, the opportunities to further monetize and grow will follow! The key takeaway? Collaboration is everything – nurturing relationships first leads to lasting success.
Connect with Kawania @kawaniawooten, Bron @theflowerguybron, and Akeshi @keshevents on Instagram.
Speaker: Dr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon – Mindset for Millions
Your money mindset hinges on the way you see God, yourself, and money.
– Darnyelle Jervey-Harmon (CEO of Incredible One Enterprises)
Darnyelle Jervey-Harmon, CEO of Incredible One Enterprises, captivated audiences with her transformative “Mindset for Millions” presentation, sharing how she rebuilt her life from bankruptcy to a $12 million empire. With wisdom and energy, she declared, “Millions are your birthright,” challenging attendees to reframe their views on money, faith, and abundance.
Her empowering message emphasized gratitude, releasing fear, and stepping into rooms that stretch your potential. Darnyelle reminded us that the only limits are the ones we impose on ourselves, urging everyone to embrace their vision and take bold steps toward achieving their next level.
Connect with Darnyelle @darnyellejerveyharmon of @teamincredibleone on Instagram.
Coterie Marketplace
Throughout the day, attendees explored the Coterie Marketplace, connecting with representatives from tourist boards, resorts, and hotels. This dynamic space offered vendors the chance to dive deep into the logistics of hosting destination weddings and events in the Caribbean. Attendees exchanged insights, asked questions, and built valuable relationships to elevate their offerings.
Featured Destinations & Hotels:
- St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Spice Island Beach Resort
- The Islands of the Bahamas
- Nassau & Paradise Island
- Pigeon Point
- The Palm Terrace
- Pure Grenada
- St. Kitts
- British Virgin Islands
Dine-around Lunch at Indigo
Lunch at Indigo Restaurant in downtown St. Thomas was a highlight of the Coterie Retreat! The stunning views paired with delicious food made for the perfect setting to connect and unwind with fellow industry professionals.
(Photos in the following section captured by Xiaoqi Li Photography)
Views from Indigo Restaurant…
Moments of relaxation, inspiration, and fun…
Headshot Cafe
(Photos in this section captured by Trene Forbes Photography)
Cocktail Hour
Attendees mixed and mingled during our pre-awards gala cocktail hour, taking advantage of photo-op moments and showing off their gorgeous gowns and sleek suits in anticipation of the gala to come.
(Photos in this section captured by Charity Hope Photography)
Awards Gala
Our 10th annual Coterie Retreat Awards Gala was nothing short of magical! From the stunning décor that set the stage for an unforgettable evening to the joy and laughter that filled the room, every detail was absolute perfection.
Decked out in gorgeous Black-tie attire, guests entered The Westin’s Harborview Ballroom in awe. Completely transformed by the Tiffany Chalk Events team with designs by Larger Than Life Events, romantic candles glowed on each table, illuminating golden place settings and elegant floral centerpieces.
Culinary delights…
Muna Fashion:
(Photos in this section captured by Trene’ Forbes Photography)
(Below photos were captured by Xiaoqi Li Photography)
Awards Ceremony
We celebrated the brilliance, dedication, and passion of some extraordinary individuals and organizations during our awards ceremony. These honorees embody the heart of our community, inspiring us all with their achievements and impact.
Setting the stage for greatness…
(The above photo gallery was captured by Xiaoqi Li Photography)
Rising Star Award: Adeola Fowodu of Celebrations by Adeola
Prosperity Award: Natasha Stovall-Rolle of Too Blessed To Be Stressed Catering and The Grand Ballroom LLC
Mentor of the Year Award: Akeshi Akinseye of Kesh Events
Collaborator of the Year Award: Kal Noel of Luxor Wedding Films and Linda McQueen of Linda McQueen Photography
Inclusive Excellence in Hospitality Award: Sandals Resorts
Impact Award: Ogo Nwobu Nnebe of Blissful Gardens (Sharing joy with over 1,000 blissful bouquets to those in need).
Congratulations to all of our incredible award recipients! Your hard work and dedication continue to elevate and inspire the entire multicultural wedding and event industry. Here’s to even greater heights in the years to come!
Time to celebrate (with a surprise performance by TH3RD)!
Finer Touch Entertainment kept the energy going!
Looking for more Coterie Retreat 2024 recaps?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Planner: Tiffany Chalk Events
- The 10th annual Coterie Retreat is hosted by Munaluchi Bride in partnership with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
- Host Hotel: The Westin at Frenchman’s Reef St. Thomas
- Glam Team:
- Makeup: Felicia Graham Beauty
- Hair: Golda Tagoe of Gold Karatz Beauty and Glamour by Shaniqua
- Scentscaping: Eden Scents
- Photographers:
- Welcome Party:
- Planner: Tiffany Chalk Events
- Mocko Jumbies: Eccentric Mocko Jumbies
- Dancers: Enchantment Dancers and Band | USVI Festivals
- Tuesday Luncheon:
- Photos: Xiaoqi Li Photography
- Planning: Tiffany Chalk Events
- Stationery: Modern Lux Laser Custom Acrylic Designs
- Sponsor: Wedding Pro
- Venue: Buoy Haus, Autograph Collection at Frenchman’s Reef
- Rentals: Island Bliss Weddings
- White Party:
- Hosted at the Governor’s Mansion in partnership with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
- DJ: Dj G$Money and DJ: Finer Touch Entertainment
- Surprise Performance: Pressure Busspipe
- Dancers: Enchantment Dancers and Band | USVI Festivals
- Mocko Jumbies: Eccentric Mocko Jumbies
- Catering: Yum VI Catering
- Florals and rentals: Beyond Borders VI
- Lighting: Westline Pro
- Awards Gala:
- Planning/Production: Tiffany Chalk Events
- Design: Larger Than Life Events
- Surprise Performance: TH3RD
- DJ: Finer Touch Entertainment
- Florals: East End Florals
- Rentals: Beyond Borders VI
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