Elevate Your Destination Wedding Business
When you're ready to level up
and
will travel for weddings
you attend Passport Connections
Passport Connections is a safe space for destination wedding professionals to come learn, discover, connect and experience other pros, venues, destinations and resources to grow their destination wedding business.
You don’t have to be a great “network-er” – just show up. We provide a structured program to facilitate learning from and connecting with the right people in the world of destination weddings.
Whether you are ready to take your business to the next level or just starting out, come learn the secrets how to create a thriving destination wedding business. No other conference is dedicated to getting you in the same room with experts who will help you create your dream destination wedding business – domestic or international.
Connect with industry icons and like-minded professionals to elevate your business and support you on your journey to success.
PC: Lin Bros Studio
Which city will we see you in?
Choose your location or come to them all:
Toronto: May 6
Houston: July
Atlanta: July 24
SoCal: July
DC: August 6
NYC: August
PC: Lin Bros Studio
Why Attend?
This was honestly one of the best events I’ve been to…so much knowledge and good hearts in one place! I cannot wait for the next one!
Because the destination wedding market is set to explode in the next few years and you want some of that business, don’t you?
Destination weddings, whether in another area, another state or another country are not the same as doing a wedding in your home city.
Couples who recently got engaged now are NOT the same as couples 5 years ago. Getting the right couples to be interested and inquire is a different process today than it was even just a couple years ago.
Our “anti-conference” is the only US-based conference designed to provide the knowledge and connections needed to save you time and money so your business can go to the next level.
State of the Destination Wedding Industry
Get an overview about what the state of the destination wedding industry is like now and where it is going. Learn what you can do to ride the wave and what not to do to get left behind.
Expert Speaker Panels
Gain insights from leading experts in the wedding and travel industries who will share their experiences, strategies for success and forecast to trends.
Networking Opportunities
Meet and connect with top industry professionals, venues and potential collaborators to expand your business network for your destination wedding business to take off.
Schedule
12:30pm-1pm: Registration
1pm-1:15pm: Welcome
1:15pm-2pm: State of the Destination Wedding Industry Panel Discussion
2pm-2:30pm: Small Group Session
2:30pm-3pm: Large Group Session
3pm-4pm: Open Networking
How is this different than passport or SOTWI?
Passport Pro is a full day conference with additional opportunities to learn and connect with the best in the destination wedding industry. The talent in the room is amazing no matter what you do in the industry: planner, florist, designer, DJ/entertainer, photographer, videographer, stationer, venue, and more.
State of the Wedding Industry is a local-focused event for networking, motivation and community.
Passport Connections is like if Passport Pro and State of the Wedding Industry had a baby.
Meet Our Sponsors
About The Wedding Masterclass
The Wedding Masterclass is dedicated to empowering wedding professionals by providing them with the connections, opportunities and insights needed to thrive in the wedding industry. Our mission is to meet you where you are and help you get where you want to go.
Being an entrepreneur in the wedding industry can be a lonely business in a world of pretty pictures and smiles. It is easy to feel overwhelmed in the comparison game on social media. Through our in-person and online opportunities, we aim to foster an inclusive community to re-energize your drive and re-fuel your soul.
Some might call our events "conferences" but we like to call ours the "anti-conference" (credit to Annie Lee, Daughter of Design).
State of the Wedding Industry (SOTWI)
State of the Wedding Industry (SOTWI) is our version of a wellness checkup meets support group. It is an opportunity to hear from high-profile local pros, understand what is going on in the industry locally and globally and also connect with other pros through structured networking - all to learn where you can optimize things that are going well, overhaul what's not going well, and celebrate your wins with people who want to cheer you on.
Passport
Passport is our dedicated conference for those interested in building a successful destination wedding business whether domestic or international.
Our panelists speakers are the best in the industry who want to see your business take off and you'll get a chance to have conversations with them directly through breakout sessions and open networking time.
Passport Pro will show you the secrets to a thriving destination wedding business and connect you with the right people and resources to level up quickly and easily.
Passport Connections: State of the Destination Wedding Industry
If Passport and State of the Wedding Industry had a baby, it would be Passport Connections.
The format is the same as State of the Wedding Industry but the focus is on destination weddings, travel, and up-to-date information to help grow your destination weddings business.
Mini-Masterminds
Growth is painful.
Change is painful.
But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.
Remember the excitement of starting your business?
You had nothing but time to work ON your business, create, think of ideas and strategize.
Now it seems like it is a constant struggle to get 5 minutes to do the thing that has been on your to-do list for the last 5 to-do lists (you know, the thing you just keep moving to your next to-do list because it is important but just haven't done yet?).
In true Masterclass form, we will pack a lot into 3 hours that you will dedicate to creating, finding new ideas, strategizing and drawing up an action plan to get it all done.
Our Mini-Masterminds are like concentrated group coaching, but individualized for you to work on your business.
You come with ideas, a notebook, to-do lists, and the stress of being "offline for 3 hrs".
You leave with a renewed sense of purpose, drive and a plan to follow to get more done and create the clarity you need to move to the next level.
Business coaching
When you are ready to level up, it takes more than just having a certain amount of experience. It takes strategy and an outside perspective to know "the how" of getting your message in front of the right people and being able to monetize it.
Whether you are writing a book, creating an online course, starting to mentor/coach new pros or landing speaking gigs, there are infinite ways to use your experience to help others - but knowing what method and how to successfully do this requires a different skill set. This is where having a business coach helps you get from where you are to where you want to be.
FAM Trips/Workshops
What's a FAM trip?
A familiarization trip is an opportunity to experience a location (country, city, property, etc.). Previously FAMs were only for a select few in the wedding industry as they were mainly for travel agencys to learn about and promote locations and properties.
With the rise of destination weddings, FAMs will sometimes be offered to select wedding planners and designers who will potentially bring business to those sponsoring the trips.
The Wedding Masterclass offers FAMs in a new and different way to provide not just a guided experience of a new destination but also opportunities to have conversations and introspection about yourself and your business.
Our FAMs will have opportunities for networking with local venues, hotels, wedding suppliers and more to immediately establish opportunities to grow your business there.
A select number of FAMs will also have a creative editorial styled shoot component taught and guided by the best in the industry.
Applications for FAMs can be found here. There are a select number of spots for each FAM trip and the preference is given to those who will be able to bring clients to those locations (planners, photographers, event designers).
PC: @emilylouickphotography
Join Us at Passport!
You can’t afford to miss out on being in the same room with the best in the destination wedding business for a full day!
Secure your spot today and transform your life into being consistently booked, traveling and creating gorgeous weddings – all while networking with the industry’s best.
2026 Locations:
NYC: Jan 2026
SoCal: Feb 2026
Chicago: March 2026