PROGRAM
IADWP ACADEMY DESTINATION WEDDING CONGRESS
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
May 26-29th 2025
May 24th-25th | PRE-CONGRESS
Events & Celebration Travel Workshop
- In-Person Training: May 24th (9 am to 5:30 pm) and May 25th (9 am to 6:30 pm)
- Language: English (with simultaneous Spanish translation)
*Additional Cost USD 657
View Brochure here
📍 Location: Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino| Registration: Foyer Salon Sol de Oro.
May 26th, Monday
📍 Location: Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino (Sol de Oro Ballroom)
Dress Code: Business Casual
Language: Spanish (with simultaneous English translation)
7:00 am - 10:00 am | Pick up your Badge
Please remember that it is essential to wear your badge at all times to access the activities.
Location: Foyer Salon Sol de Oro
10:40 am - Opening of interactive workshops in collaboration with ABERD "Dominican talent for the world"
Simultaneous Tracks:
How to manage Family Business
10:50 am - 12:40 pm
by Braulio & Lizandra Segura (Sol de Oro Ballroom)
Hands- On Flower - Up Workshop
10:50 am - 12:40 pm
By María Sepúlveda (Maguana Room) Limited capacity workshop (First come, first served)
Duration: 2 hours
This same workshop will be repeated in the afternoon from 2:10 pm to 3:50 pm with the same content.
12:40 pm - 2:00 pm | Free Lunch - Unleash your taste buds! Take advantage of this free time to try local dishes and discover new flavors. Don’t hesitate to share your recommendations with other attendees! (Meal not included)
*Include your meals for an additional cost. We invite you to explore our packages and customize your experience.
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | IADWP Chapter Leaders Meeting - invitation-only event (MC Jossy Quezada, National Chapter Leader Peru) (Maguana Ballroom)
2:10 pm - 3:50 pm Simultaneous tracks:
Ephemeral Architecture
2:10 pm - 3:00 pm by Elixandra Bernabel (Sol de Oro Ballroom)
Success through gratitude
3:00 pm - 3:50 pm by Mayi Suárez (Sol de Oro Ballroom)
Hands- On Flower - Up Workshop
2:10 pm - 3:50 pm
By María Sepúlveda (Maguana Room) Limited capacity workshop (First come, first served)
Duration: 2 hours
3:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Break
4:00 pm - 4:50 pm | "How to Do Business in the Hospitality Industry" by Carlos Frías & Ana Gon (Sol de Oro Ballroom)
4:50 pm - 5:00 pm | Closing
5:00 pm - 7:30pm | Get ready!
7:00 pm - Boarding 🚐 | Meeting Point: Host Hotel - Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino.
7:15 pm - Departure 🚐 |Transfers to the Welcome Event
8:00 pm | WELCOME EVENT | The perfect place to connect with other professionals, share experiences, create new opportunities, and most importantly: have fun and make new friends!
Location: Kimpton Las Mercedes Santo Domingo
🏴☠️Pirate Party -The Treasure of the Dominican Republic
Attire: Get ready with your best pirate outfit and come sail towards theTreasure!
We invite you to experience a magical night where mystery and adventure come together. Dress as a daring corsair, a fearless sailor, or
even as characters from the famous Pirates of the Caribbean saga.
Don’t forget to bring your adventurous spirit and get ready for an epic party in the Dominican Republic!
10:30 pm | 🚐Return Transfer
May 27th, Tuesday
📍 Location: Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino (Teatro la Fiesta Ballroom)
Dress Code: Business Casual
Language: English (with simultaneous Spanish translation)
9:00 am - 9:30 am | Opening Ceremony
9:30 am - 10:30 am | "The Laws of Life: A Wedding Planner’s Guide to Success" by Arun Bablani
10:30 am - 11:20 am | "Brand Storytelling in Romance Tourism" by Antonio Paraiso Sponsored by Kimpton Las Mercedes Santo Domingo
11:20 am - 11:30 am | Break
11:30 am - 12:20 pm | "Knowledge Transforms!" Sponsored by Fiesta Americana Funeeq Punta Cana
12:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Appointments
Connect with the most outstanding vendors in the wedding and tourism industry and take your business to the next level. Experience a unique event filled with prizes, surprises, and opportunities to expand your professional network.
Location: Anacaona Ballroom
Enjoy a networking refreshment on the trade floor, where you can schedule appointments and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of innovation and energy. From coffee to breathtaking experiences, every moment is a new opportunity to connect and grow. Make every meeting count!
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch Presentation Puerto Plata Bridal in Maguana Ballroom
Invitation-only event
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch in Higuey Ballroom
Meals available at an additional cost. We invite you to explore our packages and customize your experience.
4:30 pm - 5:20 pm| "Transform your service into a brand: from work to profitable purpose" by Ana Agosto sponsored by Casas del XVI
5:20 pm - 6:10 pm | "Tech & Roll: Technological Innovation for Destination Weddings" by Pervez Taufiq Sponsored by ProColombia
6:10 pm - 6:20 pm | Closing
6:20 pm - 7:00 pm | Get ready
7:00 pm - Boarding 🚐 | Meeting Point: Host Hotel - Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino.
8:00 pm - Departure 🚐| Transfers to Event for IADWP Members
8:00 pm Exclusive Event for IADWP Members at Casas XVI - Casa de los Vitrales
🍹Rum Sunset Party
Attire: Join us for a spectacular afternoon with a beautiful sunset, exquisite cocktails, and the best company.
The "Rum Sunset Party" will be the perfect place to relax, enjoy some fine local rum, and feel the tropical breeze as the sun sets over the sea.
Dress in casual, comfortable attire for a night full of good vibes and unforgettable moments!
10:30 pm |🚐 Return Transfer
May 28th, Wednesday
📍 Location: Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino (Teatro la Fiesta Ballroo)
Dress Code: Business Casual
Language: English (with simultaneous Spanish translation)
9:00 am - 9:50 am | "Build with Intention: Exploring the layers of culture, eco-minded choices, and storytelling behind every purposeful event." by Lea Stafford
9:50 am - 10:40 am | "How to Position Yourself as a Luxury Expert in Destinations Through Content, Relationships, and Client Referrals" by Chris J. Evans
10:40 am - 10:50 am | Break
10:50 am - 11:40 am | "Strategic Alliances and Keys to Success in Unknown Territories" by Amrit Dhillon-Bains
11:40 am - 12:50 pm | "Love & Numbers: the business of happily ever after !" by Judy Amado
12:50 pm - 1:10 pm | 2025-2026 NEWS | Thank you for being part of the Dominican adventure. Discover the surprises awaiting us in 2025 and get to know new destinations with IADWP in 2026.
1:10 pm – 6:30 pm | Business Appointments
Connect with the top vendors in the wedding and tourism industry and take your business to the next level. Enjoy a unique experience filled with prizes, surprises, and valuable opportunities to expand your professional network.
Location: Anacaona Ballroom
Enjoy a networking refreshment on the trade floor, where you can schedule appointments and immerse yourself in an atmosphere full of innovation and energy. From a coffee to breathtaking experiences, every moment is a new opportunity to connect and grow. Make every meeting count!
1:10 pm – 2:30 pm | Lunch Presentation – Colombia Chapter in Maguana Ballroom
Invitation-only event
1:10 pm – 2:30 pm | Lunch in Higuey Ballroom
Meals available at an additional cost. We invite you to explore our packages and personalize your experience.
8:00 pm | FAREWELL EVENT | Live the Dominican experience! End the day and the conference by enjoying a celebration night with your new colleagues, full of music, dancing, and flavor—¡ya tu sabe!!!
Location: Host Hotel - Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino - Salon Teatro La Fiesta.
🎉Carnival of Culture: Celebrating Dominican Passion
Attire: Let the party begin! The closing of our event will be a burst of color, music, and joy, celebrating the vibrant Dominican culture.
Think bright colors, joy, and celebration! We recommend outfits that include sequins, colorful ribbons, bells, eye-catching accessories, or
even a touch of feathers. Show off your most creative and festive side!
Get ready to dance to the rhythm of merengue and bachata until dawn!
May 29th, Thursday | NEW
*8:00 am- 2:00 pm | Let’s explore and fall in love with new spaces! | Discover locations that could be the perfect setting for future weddings and visit spectacular places in Santo Domingo with our Hosts during the Venue Hunting.
8:00 am - Departure - 🚐 Transfer to Venue Hunting | Meeting Point: Host Hotel - Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino.
4 routes available to choose one and enjoy:
Track 1 - Boutique Hotels
- Visit to Quinta Dominica
- Visit to the Chapel of the Third Order Dominican (Convent of the Dominicans)
- Visit to Casa Vitrales
- Visit to Casa XVI
- Visit to Casa del Árbol
- Visit to Casa del Pozo
- Visit to Casa de los Mapas
- Visit to Casa Antillana
- Regina Angelorium Church
- Casa Mia Events (from Billini Hotel)
- Snacks at Hotel Billini – Historic Luxury
Track 2 - Colonial City
- Visit to Quinta Dominica
- Chapel of the Third Order Dominican (Convent of the Dominicans)
- Visit to Portazul
- Visit to the Primatial Cathedral of America
- Visit to La Altagracia Church
- San Nicolás de Bari Hospital
- Inspection Visit and snacks at Hotel Kimpton Las Mercedes
Track 3 - Colonial Zone
- Visit to Logia Cuna de América
- Our Lady of Mercy Church
- Tour of Las Damas Street
- Visit to the Ozama Fortress
- Casa de Bastidas (Trampolín Museum)
- Drinks and snacks at Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando
- Museum of the Royal Houses
- Ending at Plaza España
Track 4 - Juan Dolio – Club Hemingway
- Visit to Club Hemingway (approx. 40-minute drive)
- Lunch at Club Hemingway
- Return to Santo Domingo
*Venue Hunting tours are subject to change.
*Additional fee of $15 USD, Limited spaces* Prior registration required*
🔗Register click here USD 15
*The Venue Hunting activity and the departure for the Post-Congress tour in Punta Cana happen at the same time, so it's only possible to choose one of these two activities, subject to availability.
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May 29th-31th,Thursday-Saturday | POST-CONGRESS in Punta Cana
Our post-congress programs are exclusive experiences designed to explore a hotel in depth. In a more intimate setting, you'll enjoy an immersive experience, thoroughly learning about its facilities, services, and value proposition for weddings and events, as well as establishing a direct relationship with the hotel for future business opportunities.
JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar-SOLD OUT
Majestic Elegance Punta Cana
*Additional fee USD 370
Consult the full program
9:30 am - Departure - 🚐 Transfer to Punta Cana for Post Congress FAM | Meeting Point: Host Hotel - Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino.
The departure for the Post-Congress tour in Punta Cana and the Venue Hunting activity happen at the same time, so it's only possible to choose one of these two activities, subject to availability.
Relax and enjoy the city, let yourself be surprised by its charm, and return home recharged with inspiration for your upcoming projects!
