Programme

Programme Outline

This high-level Forum convenes international experts, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss growth trends, destination branding, economic impact and strategic positioning in the global destination wedding market.

The programme highlights:

  • Global insights into the destination wedding market and its key growth drivers
  • Greece’s current position and future potential in the luxury wedding tourism segment
  • The role of destination branding and storytelling in shaping place identity
  • The wider economic and community impact of destination weddings
  • International best practices from established wedding destinations

 

The event website will be continuously updated with confirmed speakers and additional details in the coming weeks.

Preliminary Programme

9:15 – 10:00 AM

Registration & Welcome Coffee

10:00 – 10:20 AM

Official Welcome & Opening Remarks

10:20 – 11:00 AM

Session 1 – Opening Keynote

Why the World Is Falling in Love with Destination Weddings: A High-Growth Opportunity in Global Travel

Session Focus: This keynote explores the drivers behind the rapid global growth of destination weddings, offering a worldwide outlook on the market while examining key trends, evolving couple and planner preferences, leading destination models and success factors, and priority source markets with strong potential for Greece.

11:00 – 11:40 AM
Session 2 – Panel Discussion

“Saying Yes to Greece”: Positioning for Global Leadership in Luxury Destination Weddings

Session Focus: Aligning public policy, national branding, and destination-level realities to unlock Greece’s leadership potential in the global destination wedding market.

11:40 AM – 12:05 PM
Coffee Break & Networking
12:05 – 12:30 PM
Special Keynote Session

From Love to Brand: Wedding Tourism and Destination Identity

Session Focus: Exploring how strong destination brands enable high-value thematic tourism, and how destination weddings contribute to destination identity, emotional connection, and global visibility.

12:30 – 1:10 PM

Session 4 – Panel Discussion

Beyond the Big Day: The Broader Impact of Destination Weddings on Places & Local Economies

Session Focus: Presenting destination weddings as a mature tourism business ecosystem, highlighting their economic, social, and branding impact across destinations and communities—well beyond the wedding day itself.

1:10 – 1:30 PM
Coffee Break & Networking
1:30 – 2:00 PM
Session 5 – Fireside Chat
How We Built a Global Brand on Local Soil

Session Focus: A high-impact conversation between an internationally recognized wedding professional and a GDPA host, exploring best practices, creative excellence, destination storytelling, and the strategic positioning required to build globally recognized wedding destinations.

2:00 – 2:10 PM
Closing Remarks & Key Takeaways

The GDPA President summarizes key insights and outlines next steps.

2:10 – 3:00 PM
Standing Lunch & Networking

Speakers & Contributors

Speakers and panel contributors will be announced soon.

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