Get a Look Inside David Tutera’s Educational Summit for Event Pros

“I wanted to create a place for our industry to grow, learn and be inspired so they could elevate their knowledge and talents as well as the ability to become more financially sound,” Tutera explained about his inspiration behind the summit.Photo: Alex Paul PhotographyNEWPORT, R.I.—The fifth annual DAVIDTUTERA Experience, hosted by wedding and event planner David Tutera, was held Sept. 14-16 at the Castle Hill Inn in Newport, R.I. The event was originally slated for September 2020, but was pushed back due to health and safety concerns related to the pandemic.

The yearly event is designed to bring event planners and entrepreneurs together for three days of immersive educational sessions and events that address best practices and industry challenges, in addition to offering networking opportunities with other industry pros.

“I wanted to create a place for our industry to grow, learn and be inspired so they could elevate their knowledge and talents as well as the ability to become more financially sound,” Tutera explained about his inspiration behind the summit, which he founded in 2017.

“As a leader in this industry for over 30 years, I felt a responsibility to share the good, the great, the bad and the brilliance of not just my career, but how to give our attendees the tools to be the very best they can be for themselves and for their clients. Our industry tends to focus on bragging and showcasing without education and direction, and I wanted to change that.”

At this year’s three-day event, attendees learned from an impressive lineup of speakers and innovators, including Tyger Productions’ Ty Kuppig and CEO of PartySlate Julie Roth-Novack, all of whom led educational sessions on topics focused on growing and expanding businesses.

The theme was “The Joy is in the Journey,” a play off the old adage between doing and being. “I believe that being present and being bold is fully connected to how one navigates their journey in life," Tutera said. "Every decision and every moment has the power to be a step forward, or possibly even backwards, that can completely change the direction of your journey. Take risks, make changes, shift lanes and be present to enjoy the journey.”

Typically held at one venue, this year’s evening events, which included performances from America’s Got Talent’s Mandy Harvey and opera singer Summer Watson, were held at three different Newport venues—Castle Hill Inn, Salve Regina University and Belle Mer.

“Our goal is to educate during the day and create stunning and emotional evening events at night that are also teaching moments for our attendees to learn and experience ideas that they can take back home for their own clients,” Tutera said. “We touched on everything from design to venues, entertainment, printed materials, tabletop, linens, lighting and sound, specialty gifting and more.”

He explained that he aims to keep the event “intimate and personal,” which means hosting a limited group of 75 to 100 attendees. As for COVID-19 safety protocols, attendees were asked to wear a mask at all times when gathered, depending on the location.

The next experience will take place in Jamaica March 21-23, 2022; registration costs $3,250.

VENDORS
Catering: Russell Morin Catering
Collateral: Letter Meets Paper
Decor: Fleur Events; Drape Art Designs
DJ: DJ Valentina
Flowers: Flowers by Semi; Jet Fresh Flower; Floristika Studio
Photography: Alex Paul Photography
Production: CJC Events
Rentals: Peak Event Service
Stationery: Momental Designs
Video Production: Willow Tree Films

See more from inside the DAVIDTUTERA Experience.