This year, Engage! reached an incredible milestone: our 50th event. What began as a single one-day gathering in our small hometown has grown into a global journey spanning continents, cultures, and countless memories. Against the majestic backdrop of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the legendary Machu Picchu, Engage!25 Peru was a pause for reflection, a celebration of how far we have come, and a time to look ahead to the journeys still to come.
In partnership with Belmond Hotels, Engage!25 Peru brought together 100 of the world’s leading luxury event professionals. A vibrant mix of perspectives and stories, united by a shared purpose. Under the creative direction of Arturo De Noriega, every detail reflected a reverence for place. He paid tribute to Cusco’s living history and infused each moment with artistry, soul, and a sense of timeless wonder. From profound sessions to unforgettable parties, Engage!25 Peru was an experience woven with meaning and the unmistakable spirit of this bucket list destination.
Our host properties were Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, Palacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel, and Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train. Monasterio, a former 16th-century monastery built on Inca foundations, set the stage for this milestone gathering. Guests discovered tranquil courtyards, centuries-old cedar trees, and one of Cusco’s finest collections of colonial art. Just steps away, Palacio Nazarenas offered a contrasting yet complementary setting. A conquistador’s palatial home, it has been reborn as an intimate sanctuary. On day three, the journey to Machu Picchu unfolded aboard the Hiram Bingham train. Polished Pullman-style carriages, fine dining, and panoramic views of the Sacred Valley turned the ride itself into part of the adventure. Together, these iconic Belmond properties became the heart of Engage!25 Peru, anchoring our time in the Andes with their blend of comfort and character.
The Brand & Paper Details
For Engage!25 Peru, the visual identity was once again entrusted to our long-standing creative partners TPD Design House. Drawing inspiration from the artistry of Cusco and the character of Belmond’s properties, the official Engage! icon was built from mirrored hallmark E’s formed of cascading geometric motifs, a nod to the patterns woven into traditional Peruvian textiles. At its center, a stylized fleur-de-lis also honored the Spanish influences found in Monasterio’s ornate woodwork, embodying the city’s unique fusion of cultures.
The palette included shades like Picchu green, Bingham Blue, Cantuta (Peru’s national flower), Rocoto pepper red, and Oro. Together, these hues reflected the colors of Peru’s landscapes and heritage. Menus, programs, signage, and invitations paired colonial flourishes with contemporary sophistication. Every detail, from signage to menus, carried the imprint of place.
Gifting & Registration
At Engage!, registration is never just about picking up a name badge (as special as ours always are!) It’s about setting the tone for the days ahead. The Engage!25 Peru gifting and registration experience took place at Palacio Nazarenas. Here, the cloistered courtyard had been transformed into a vibrant marketplace that showcased Peru’s artistry. Guests browsed, chatted, and ‘shopped’ from an array of curated treasures, each carefully selected to reflect the country’s cultural heritage (with a bit of contemporary flair!) Handwoven alpaca shawls, fabric coasters and clutches, and leather totes and hats sat alongside rosemary soaps, pisco sour kits, Peruvian chocolate, and artisan potato chips. With live demonstrations, from traditional weaving to soap making, each gift carried a story to share. We even got to meet some adorable alpacas!
Every gifted item served a dual purpose. On the one hand, they were a keepsake infused with memory. On the other, an expression of support for the artisans and small businesses who created them. Attendees carried away a little piece of Peru, while getting a first taste of the atmosphere of community and discovery that defines every Engage! event.
The Welcome Party
The Engage!25 Peru celebrations began in spectacular style with a Welcome Party in the courtyard of Monasterio, where winding walkways and vibrant flowerbeds led guests to a towering 300-year-old Andean cedar tree at the heart of the space. Dressed in Peruvian-inspired colors, textures, and patterns, attendees gathered beneath twinkling lights and bold décor that paid homage to the country’s rich culture while elevating it with a contemporary twist. Flavorful dishes and spirited cocktails showcased local ingredients, while live entertainment brought the rhythms and artistry of Peru to life. The atmosphere was both lively and welcoming, a night of reunions and introductions, laughter and anticipation. As our first evening together in South America, it was a vibrant beginning to the days ahead.
Sessions & Workshops
Beneath the vaulted arches of El Tupay at Monasterio, the educational journey of Engage!25 Peru began. Warm welcomes from Engage! founders Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce set the tone before a lineup of visionary speakers took the stage. Creative Director Arturo De Noriega framed Cusco as both muse and masterpiece, while Anamaria Dieckmann spoke of building a legacy through design that feels personal yet world-class. Floral artist David Vásquez showed how decoration can become fine art, leaving a lasting impression.
Over the first and second days, two group workshops balanced big-picture inspiration with actionable frameworks. Simon T. Bailey’s ‘Amplify Hope’ encouraged attendees to see wellness as the future of luxury events, sharing his Hope Tree framework. His call to honor personal agency resonated deeply, reminding leaders to set goals grounded in authenticity.
The following day, Duncan Wardle brought his trademark energy to a session on creativity and innovation, proving why empathy, curiosity, and imagination will always outshine technology. His “yes, and” approach to brainstorming showed how collaboration can transform small sparks into ideas with real longevity.
The retreat format also allowed for intimate circles of dialogue. Breakout groups, curated by leaders including Michelle Rago, David Beahm, Lisa Vorce, Barbi Walters, Shira Savada, and Bob Conti, offered safe, candid spaces to share challenges, swap insights, and spark new collaborations. From the evolution of luxury clients to pricing transparency, social media strategy, and sustainability, no topic was off limits. With facilitators steering discussions across planning, design, hospitality, photography, and creative partnerships, these sessions became incubators of innovation and collaboration.
Breaks & Lunches
Every moment at an Engage! event is an opportunity to enjoy more of our destination. On day one, our first break set the tone with a playful twist on Peru’s most iconic drink: the Pisco Sour. Guests gathered in the small garden to sip freshly shaken cocktails alongside soothing coca tea, a traditional remedy for altitude.
Day two brought a family-style lunch in Monasterio’s sunlit courtyard, where bold décor and rainbow-hued details echoed Peru’s vibrant atmosphere. Long tables invited conversation, while local entertainers and seasonal cuisine created a festive atmosphere. It was a cheerful extension of the morning’s conversations, and proof that the best ideas often carry forward over good food and shared laughter!
Small Group Experiences
One of the most rewarding aspects of Engage! Retreats is the chance to connect in smaller circles, and Cusco provided the perfect backdrop. Attendees fanned out across the city and beyond for curated activities designed to spark creativity, wellness, and cultural immersion. Some stepped into history on a walking tour through the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the sun-drenched Koricancha temple. Others donned aprons for a ceviche class with Chef Jorge Muñoz, savoring the fresh flavors of Peru’s signature dish. At a UNESCO-certified studio, artist Tater Vera led groups in molding ceramics, while a pisco sour workshop invited attendees to try their hand at mixing the country’s signature cocktail. For those craving stillness, a watercolor painting session offered a mindful pause, blending art, architecture, and nature. Each experience was a chance to Peru-se something new, while deepening bonds that turned colleagues into friends.
50th Anniversary Gala Dinner
Night two marked a pinnacle of our journey so far: our 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The glamorous event unfolded in the resplendent San Antonio de Abad Chapel, a 17th-century Andean-Baroque masterpiece glowing with gold leaf. And it was truly a golden evening for a golden milestone!
Guests, dressed in striking ‘azul and gold’ attire, gathered first for a cocktail hour unlike any other. An immersive performance by 6Sens Peru brought Inca mythology to life through warriors, musicians, and gods who towered on stilts. Pachamama herself welcomed attendees, invoking Tayta Inti and Wiracocha to bless the evening with joy, harmony, and gratitude. It was a spectacular melding of storytelling and ritual, reminding us of the city’s sacred history.
Dinner followed within the chapel’s golden walls, where Arturo De Noriega and his team transformed the space into a celestial vision of candlelit moons, floating arrangements, and tables layered in heavenly blues and whites. The effect was both regal and reverent, a fitting tribute to Engage!’s rise in the luxury event world. Later, the celebration spilled into the Monasterio courtyard, where music, dancing, and Pisco Sours under the stars carried the night into Engage! history.
Machu Picchu Excursion
The final day of Engage!25 Peru brought an adventure that felt almost beyond words for many. Attendees boarded the legendary Hiram Bingham train, embarking on a three-and-a-half-hour journey from Cusco through the Sacred Valley and into the cloud forests that guard Machu Picchu. With polished wood interiors, live music, and endless pisco sours, the train was part luxury voyage, part rolling salon. Along the way, panoramic views set the stage for the wonder ahead, while the sense of anticipation built with every curve of the track.
Stepping off the train and ascending into the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, guests felt the breathtaking impact of standing together in one of the world’s most sacred places. Nearly 200 ancient structures rose from the mist, a testament to Inca mastery of stone and spirit. A private tour deepened understanding of its cultural and ecological significance, followed by a coca leaf blessing with a shaman at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, anchoring the day in reverence. The return ride was no ordinary journey home either! It became a joyous party on rails, complete with dancing, live music, and an impromptu duet from Alex of ALR Music and Jordan Kahn. It was one of those ‘only at Engage!’ moments that make our events so unique.
To our attendees, partners, and creative collaborators, thank you for making Engage!25 Peru unforgettable. Together, we honored a milestone, celebrated a community, and created memories that will last. As we look toward future journeys, we carry forward the magic of Peru, a golden chapter in the Engage! story.
To see more from Engage!25 Peru, visit our galleries.
