FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ABHTA and WPIC Host Transformative Wedding Planner Certification Course in Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda, April 30, 2025: The Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA), in proud collaboration with the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (WPIC), hosted an exclusive Wedding Planner & Coordinator Certification Course on April 23rd and 24th, 2025, at the Antigua & Barbuda Hospitality Institute.
The course was facilitated by the esteemed Tracey Manailescu, Co-Founder of WPIC, an award-winning educator and respected leader in the global wedding industry. With over 20 years of experience, Tracey is known for her work in luxury and destination weddings, and for training thousands of planners worldwide through her company, Tracey M Events.
The two-day session catered to both aspiring wedding professionals entering the industry and seasoned experts seeking higher education. It provided participants with essential tools and strategies to become skilled Wedding Planners, Consultants, and Coordinators, mastering the art of crafting unforgettable wedding experiences and empowering them to excel in the vibrant and ever-evolving world of weddings.
Notably, many of the participants came from a variety of departments within the hospitality industry, showcasing a growing aspiration to venture into the flourishing world of destination weddings.
Throughout the course, attendees actively engaged in collaborative discussions, interactive sessions, and a group assignment to develop a full-service wedding planning proposal. They also completed tests and were each awarded a WPIC Certification Pin by Tracey in recognition of their dedication and participation.
Special guest presenter Taneisha S. Richardson, Owner of Unique Events by TSR and winner of the 2024 WPIC Award for ‘Best Wedding Under $50,000,’ delivered an inspiring session where she shared insights from her professional journey. She presented essential topics including building a successful career in wedding planning, personal and business branding, effective marketing strategies, and positioning Antigua & Barbuda as a top wedding destination.
Reflecting on her experience as a participant, Careena Eastwood, Food & Beverage Coordinator at Trade Winds Hotel, shared, “Participating in the WPIC Wedding Planner & Coordinator Certification Course was an enriching and inspiring experience. The course offered a comprehensive and professional approach to the wedding planning industry, and I truly appreciated the insightful experiences shared by the facilitators. It has significantly deepened my understanding of what it takes to deliver exceptional service in this field. I will be applying all that I have learned during these sessions.
This certification is a great opportunity, and I highly encourage anyone interested in becoming a wedding coordinator, planner, or event professional to take this course and get certified. With more trained professionals on the island, we can continue to raise the standard of service and attract more destination weddings to Antigua — a key step in further growing our tourism industry.”
The educational journey does not end here. All participants will now undertake a final online exam to formally test their knowledge. Upon successful completion, they will receive their official WPIC Certification and digital badge, further advancing their careers in the global wedding market.
Tracey Manailescu shared her enthusiasm about leading the course, “It was an absolute honour to facilitate the WPIC Wedding Planner & Coordinator Certification Course in Antigua and Barbuda, in partnership with the ABHTA and ABHTI. This training marked a significant step in continuing to grow and professionalize the wedding industry within Antigua and Barbuda. It underscored the value of investing in education to remain competitive and meet the expectations of modern wedding clients, especially in a destination market. The enthusiasm, professionalism, and collaborative spirit of the participants made a lasting impression, and I am confident they will raise the bar for excellence in wedding planning across the region.
The calibre of participants and their eagerness to elevate the local wedding and events industry was truly inspiring. Throughout the course, attendees engaged in meaningful discussions about client care, logistics, professionalism, and the nuances of destination weddings, all while contextualizing their knowledge within the vibrant culture and unique offerings of Antigua and Barbuda. I was particularly impressed by the creativity and teamwork demonstrated during the group presentation assignment, where participants applied their learning to design a full wedding proposal from concept to execution. The future of weddings in this destination is incredibly bright.”
Anthea Watkins, Head of Operations at the ABHTA, added, “As the demand for skilled and knowledgeable wedding planners continues to rise, the success of the recent Wedding Planner Course serves as a testament to the importance of quality education in the event planning industry. The ABHTA remains committed to providing top-tier training and resources to aspiring wedding planners, ensuring that they are well-prepared to meet the needs of today’s couples and create unforgettable wedding experiences.”
For more information about ABHTA’s future training sessions, please contact Anthea Watkins at [email protected] or call the ABHTA office at (268) 462-0374.
