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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesSt. Croix Set for Bridal Education Symposium

St. Croix Set for Bridal Education Symposium

St. Croix is gearing up for the annual Bridal Education Symposium to be held Nov. 18 and 19 at the Renaissance Carambola Resort. A group of bridal experts, travel agents, and regional and national media are expected to attend, the Tourism Department said in a press release issued Monday.

"Plans are shaping up nicely for this important symposium,” Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty said, adding that all "roads, waterways and aerial highways" lead to St. Croix for the robust educational forum.

The two-day event has attracted close to a dozen journalists from popular United States weddings and honeymoons magazines, bridal publications, multicultural print, broadcast and online media outlets, as well as Caribbean media to cover the symposium.

Additionally the territory will host a number of travel agents from key United States markets to encourage them to send their bridal groups to the Virgin Islands.

The seminars are designed to share best business practices and marketing strategies and will be moderated by celebrity TV host and lifestyle expert Mar Jennings. She will speak about the huge value of an industry widely regarded as "recession proof.”

The Tourism commissioner encouraged local and overseas participants to register as soon as possible to secure their spots for the sessions.

"This symposium features the crème de la crème of the bridal business, and if this market is important to you or if you want it to be, you will want to be here," she said.

Speakers are internationally renowned wedding and party planner Colin Cowie; Stephen Lang of Mon Cheri Bridals; digital marketing strategist Susan Black; talk show host Cynthia DeLeonardo; Tatiana Byron of The Wedding Salon; Marley Majcher of The Party Goddess; Brenda O’Neall, president of With This Ring Destination Weddings & Honeymoons; celebrity hairstylist Dennis Stockely; and Jacqueline Johnson of Global Bridal Group.com and MarryCaribbean.com.

Local vendors, including entertainers, venues, florists, wedding planners and caterers, will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services to both local and visiting future brides.

As an incentive to participants, the Tourism Department is offering a special package for 2015 brides-to-be that features three nights hotel accommodations, admission to the vendors trade show, symposium registration, airport transfers and ground transportation for site inspections.

One bride will win a complimentary wedding gown from Mon Cheri Bridals. Brides who book their wedding within 30 days of the event will receive a $500 wedding certificate eligible for any participating wedding planner.

Registration is open for locals and visitors to St. Croix. For further details, contact Carlotta Luis at caluis@usvitourism.vi call 772-0357 or visit www.stcroixweddingsymposium.com.

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