Hannah Connolley
Couture Events Worldwide / Couture Proposals / The WedEd
Hannah Connolley LinkedIn | Couture Events Worldwide | Couture Proposals | The WedEd
Hannah Connolley, entrepreneur and CEO of Couture Events Worldwide and Couture Proposals, is renowned for orchestrating unforgettable events for high-profile weddings and prestigious brands such as Emirates, Vogue, Tommy Hilfiger and Atlantis the Royal.
This year, her commitment extends beyond luxury events with the launch of her groundbreaking educational platform, The WedEd. With a dedication to innovation, Hannah is committed to empowering aspiring individuals to thrive in the dynamic world of weddings, shaping the future of wedding professionals globally.
Company Profile
Couture Events is a luxury event management company that handles everything from innovative concept development to expert planning and delivery. Founded in Dubai in 2004, the business has established a reputation for organising high-profile weddings, elegant corporate events, and memorable social occasions across the MENA region.
Couture Events has worked with hundreds of high-profile names, including Vogue, Emirates, Tommy Hilfiger and BMW, plus renowned hotel brands, such as Atlantis the Royal, Four Seasons, and Waldorf Astoria.
Marinda Malan
Business Growth Strategist
www.marindamalan.com | Marinda Malan LinkedIn
Marinda is an accomplished leader with 20+ years of international experience across three continents, specialising in strategic marketing and commercial strategy. She is known for driving growth especially in the technology and telecom sectors and most notably held commercial leadership positions in MTN South Africa, and Etisalat UAE. She is seasoned in developing and executing market-entry strategies, overseeing large-scale product launches, and driving integrated programs to enhance customer value and revenue growth, while being particularly passionate about technology and its role in business.
Her expertise encompasses a broad spectrum, including business and marketing strategy, product marketing, go-to-market strategy and execution, revenue management, and customer marketing. She places a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making and specialises in B2C subscription-based businesses.
In her consulting business, Marinda is empowers businesses to realise their potential through identifying their most profitable growth drivers, guides them towards excellence in operational execution.
She holds a B Com Marketing (Honours), a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business, a Professional Certification in Digital Marketing as well as a Professional Certification in AI in Business.
Thierry Louesse
Fractal Systems
Thierry Louesse LinkedIn | Fractal Systems UAE LinkedIn | Fractal Systems UAE
Thierry spent the first 20 years of his career in leadership roles at international blue-chip companies. Fifteen years ago, he founded Fractal Systems in Dubai, a company focused on event technologies. Today, Fractal has broadened its services to offer solutions in Event Management, Film & TV Production, Facade Lighting, Structural Design & Engineering, and Water Sports among others, with multiple business units across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Thierry is a strong advocate for Artificial Intelligence and ensures that his company and team remain at the forefronts of exploring, developing, and utilizing new AI-powered tools and experiences.
Company Profile
As the leading hub of innovative technologies with more than a decade of experience, Fractal Systems strive to redefine how your events are organized, executed, and experienced. With constant innovation and unparalleled expertise, we strive to enrich every moment, enable opportunities and engage your customers like never before. We specialize in Custom Display Solutions, Ai-powered Experiences, Immersive Rooms, Mechatronic Systems and much more. From complex engineering designs to Facade Lighting and interactive games, all under one-roof.
Laura Shepherd
Couture Events Worldwide / Couture Proposals / The Wed_Ed
Laura Shepherd LinkedIn | Couture Events Worldwide | Couture Proposals | The WedEd
Laura Shepherd, Event Director at Couture Events Worldwide and Co-Founder of The WedEd, has built a reputation for creating captivating events that leave a lasting impression. With her experience in luxury weddings and high-profile corporate events, Laura has collaborated with prestigious brands like Vogue, Emirates, and Atlantis the Royal, delivering seamless and extraordinary experiences.
This year, Laura has taken her love for event planning to the next level by co-founding The WedEd, an innovative platform dedicated to educating and mentoring future wedding professionals. Her story and unwavering dedication is helping to redefine the standards of the wedding industry, empowering a new generation of talent globally.
Arun Bablani
Vivaah Weddings
Arun Bablani LinkedIn | Vivaah Weddings Instagram | Vivaah Weddings
Vivaah Weddings is a prestigious, multi-award-winning wedding planning and management company with its headquarters strategically based in Dubai, UAE. For over a decade, the company has been synonymous with exceptional service, innovation, and seamless execution in the global wedding industry.
With a portfolio of over 300 weddings and events successfully conceptualized, managed, and delivered across the world, Vivaah Weddings has become a hallmark of excellence. As pioneers and trendsetters in the industry, Vivaah Weddings specializes in blending timeless traditions with contemporary flair, crafting bespoke celebrations that reflect the unique personalities of each couple. The team’s meticulous attention to detail ensures that every element of the wedding planning process is handled with care, making the journey as enjoyable and stress-free as the celebration itself.
This commitment to creating flawless experiences is embodied the company’s philosophy. Whether orchestrating an intimate gathering or managing a grand celebration with thousands of guests, Vivaah Weddings delivers with unwavering professionalism and style. The team is adept at handling weddings with diverse timelines, from as little as three months to over a year, ensuring that every event is personalized and unforgettable.
Gauri Chadha Rupani
The Big Night
Gauri Chadha is the Co-Founder & Creative Director of The Big Night Events. As an award-winning filmmaker and actress, Gauri Chadha brings her unique lens to the events she creates from an immersive storytelling approach!
Mixing her special talent pool of the arts, theatre and her vast international film production experience she creates unforgettable designs and stories for her multiple international award-winning event management agency, The Big Night Events.
Best known for their flying skydivers with 20m fireworks over Ain Dubai, Gauri truly believes that no idea is too big!
Together with her life and business partner Kunal Rupani, The Big Night breaks the norm in weddings, social as well as corporate events. Gauri Chadha is a dealer of hearts and dreams!