We’re back from beautiful Montenegro where we hosted our recent retreat, Engage!23 Montenegro at the picturesque host property, One&Only Portonovi. Known as the jewel of Montenegro’s flourishing new riviera on the Adriatic coastline, the setting could not have been more stunning! Our three-day intimate gathering of like-minded wedding and event professionals was a mixture of sun, sea, wellness, and work (fun work, that is). We had an incredible group of 110 attendees and facilitators from 21 countries traveling worldwide to join us. Each person participates for different reasons but common goals of this retreat were: to reconnect, recharge, and restore. To achieve that, we mixed education with experiences (think catamaran ride to lunch and day at the beach), and in true Engage! fashion, we celebrated at a few fabulous parties too.
Take a look back at our recent event and some very special moments with our industry partners and friends that we hold so dear.
The Brand
Did you catch our recent story on the making of the branding for this event? For the full scoop, check out the behind-the-scenes with TPD Design House here. One&Only Portonovi was certainly a cornerstone of the inspiration for the branding. As TPD explained, “the event’s icon represents the juxtaposition of land and sea through a modern minimalism stylization reflective of the O&O sensibility of quiet luxury.” You’ll find subtle nods to waves, the iconic bay the property sits on, and of course our always-present E!
The Gifting
At all of our Engage! events, opening registration and our gifting lounge is a time to bring old friends back together and new friends get welcomed warmly to the event. We do this through an interactive “shopping” experience that encourages connection, conversation, and community…with some pretty special gifts peppered throughout. This time, our attendees received local treats and sips and even Hermes scents too!
The Welcome Party
With sunsets as stunning as those in Montenegro, it seemed fitting that we’d host a sunset-inspired welcome party on the lawn overlooking the bay. Our guests dressed in their best sunset palettes which made for a cheerful way to kick off the week.
The party took place on the Veranda Terrace & Lawn at One&Only Portonovi and the autumnal-inspired décor of oranges, yellows, and browns was the perfect backdrop for our well-dressed guests. Attendees dinned, dished, and danced as the stars set the mood for a welcome worth talking about!
The Sessions
As much fun as we have celebrating, we also spend time learning, listening, and growing. Our speaker sessions this time were focused on wellbeing, mindfulness, and even mediation. The group was engaged and inspired and we couldn’t be more thankful for the incredible speakers that brought their A-game to make it all happen!
Night Two
As dusk fell on our second night, the candles were lit and the party vibe started to rise. Much of our retreat was enjoyed outside. The al fresco dining experience is certainly not to be missed in Montenegro. Poolside cocktails, great conversation, and dinner surrounded by musicians to bring the party to life were just some of the highlights from this extra special event!
Lunch & Experiences
Our celebrations didn’t just take place at night, but by day and on water too! We set sail to lunch in the historic neighboring town to eat on cobblestone-lined streets and listen to music as the water lapped nearby. And even in town and by sea, our branding was on point. Can you spot the extra special touches of E!?
Finale Night Gala
For our last night in Montenegro, we hosted an intimate gala with an Asian-inspired flare. The indoor/outdoor event featured exceptional cuisine and personal touches at every turn. The menus not only displayed the courses but each guest’s name and seat, while also holding their chopsticks in place! The company and courses were each memory-making as we dining, danced, and said farewell to our friends new and old.
More to Come!
That might be a wrap on our recap but there’s lots more from Engage!23 Montenegro to come. Be sure to check back in the days ahead. We’ll be doing a deep dive on each of these exceptional events, fun surprises, and lots of swag too!
Thank you to our teams near and far who made this event as magical as we could have ever dreamed! Montenegro you have our hearts, and we’ll be back before you know it.
