THE CARIBBEAN BUSINESS REPORT
Entrepreneurs host Haiti as a wedding destination expo
I DO Haiti: Bridal & Wedding
Expo, the first of its kind,
will make its debut in the New
York Marriott Hotel at Brooklyn
Bridge on Aug. 31. Hundreds of
brides-to-be will attend the oneday
extravaganza designed to
showcase Haiti’s growing wedding
industry to couples hoping
to tie the knot with class and
culture.
The exposition is the brainchild
of Guerline T. Emmanuel
and Nadege Fleurimond to promote
tourism and businesses
in Haiti, in anticipation of the
2020 wedding season, which
also coincides with the 216th
anniversary of the nation’s
independence. The one-stopshop
will feature more than 25
vendors including event planners,
caterers, photographers,
florists, and musicians. Event
sponsor Historic Haiti will also
be on-site as an exhibitor to
showcase the beauty of the
northern region, which is home
to the world-renowned Palais
Sans Souci, an ideal backdrop
for any fairy-tale wedding.
“Contrary to public perception,
Haiti is rich in history
and beauty. Its legacy of resilience
and triumph over oppression
can never be diminished by
negative press. As the daughter
of Haitian immigrants, I have
made it my mission to introduce
or reintroduce ’the pearl of
the Antilles’ through its people
and vibrant culture. I DO Haiti
is the catalyst that will inspire
others to think of Haiti not just
as a third-world country, but as
a romantic destination for weddings
and honeymoons,” said
Emmanuel, owner of Belle Vue
Tours.
“Throughout my culinary
career, I have had the opportunity
to travel and expand my
palate with international cuisines.
As a chef, I have catered
events and shared traditional
Haitian dishes with a modern
twist. From soup joumou to
black rice, food is how we celebrate
our cultural identity and
history. Our bold and aromatic
flavors are second to none. A
destination wedding is the perfect
passport to truly experience
Haiti in all its glory. I DO Haiti
is my gift to couples who have
always wanted to exchange their
vows abroad but did not know
how — until now,“ said Fleurimond,
owner of Nadege Fleurimond
Catering and author of
the award-winning cookbook,
“Haiti Uncovered.”
This new venture is not the
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first for the dynamic duo who
also launched the Haiti Uncovered
Culinary Tour, which in
the past three years has brought
more than 100 people on a twoweek
excursion to Haiti packed
with breathtaking views and
mouthwatering dishes.
Weddings, although a joyous
occasion, can often be a stressful
experience for the bride and
groom. A destination wedding
is even more challenging when
one has to fly thousands of
miles to see the venue or meet
with the vendors in person.
“I DO Haiti: Bridal & Wedding
Expo is transformative
because it is a new platform that
will enable small business owners
to reach a wider audience in
an untapped market that will
help spur entrepreneurship and
job creation. This exposure is
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more than I could ever ask for
and I am excited to be a part of
the movement to tell our narrative,”
said Jaelle Josecite of Ayiti
Deco Mariage.
“From its beautiful beaches
to the historic treasures like Palais
Sans Souci atop the mountainous
terrain, Haïti Cherie is
my dream wedding destination.
The I DO Haiti: Bridal & Wedding
Expo will give me the head
start that I need to plan my
perfect day. I cannot wait for
my fiancé and me to say, ‘I do’
and begin our new lives as Mr.
and Mrs. Charles,” said Darlene
Toussaint.
On the eve of the exposition,
a networking cocktail reception
and press conference will be
held on Aug. 30 from 6 pm to
9 pm at Bklyn Commons, 495
Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn, NY.
During the reception, a panel
of three experts will share their
perspective on the potential of
Haiti’s wedding industry as well
as how to position, then market
the island globally.
Chike Nwobu is president
and co-founder of Munaluchi,
a multicultural global technology
company serving the wedding
and event industry. He
is also the chairman and cofounder
of The Coterie Retreat,
an international wedding registry
conference. Other speakers
include Kareen Etienne, the
assistant director of promotion
for OGDNH / Historic Haiti,
who will share her expertise on
popular destinations and hidden
gems throughout northern
Haiti as potential wedding
venues. Explore Haiti through
the lens of Mike Mathieu, the
digital content creator of Mathieu
Media who will demonstrate
how to advertise the picturesque
island.
The exposition will be held
on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 11
am to 5 pm at 333 Adams St. in
Brooklyn, NY. For more information
and tickets, visit idohaiti.
com.
The I DO Haiti: Bridal &
Wedding Expo is the premier
destination for brides - and
grooms-to-be to explore all that
Haiti has to offer as a tourist
and wedding destination. The
visionaries behind the exposition,
Guerline T. Emmanuel
and Nadege Fleurimond, partnered
with industry professionals
in Haiti to create opportunities
for the global Diaspora
to reconnect with their roots,
support the local economy, and
promote tourism.
Nadege Fleurimond (left) and Guerline Emmanuel.
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