It’s often the simplest things that are the most impactful. This is something I’ve found to be true when it comes to the Connections Experiences. The simple ones allow budding relationships to really shine when they meet one-on-one for the first time.

In Puglia, the beauty of the local Connections Experiences came from their simplicity. Together, we hand rolled pasta with some nonne (grandmas). We cycled through endless fields of ancient olive trees. We tasted fichi al cioccolato (fichissimi!) together (chocolate covered figs) – delicious!

Puglia is one of those destinations where you don’t have to seek out culture, you breathe it in wherever you go. The masserias, the nature, the food – I warned everybody to be ready to eat, and we certainly did! The event was a real feast for the senses, and a huge part of that is down to the excellent partners involved.

Pugliapromozione is one of the most proactive tourist boards I have ever worked with. Alfredo, your genuine love for this special region is so clear. Thank you and Nica for everything, and I look forward to continuing to work together.

Luigi from Inventure Life – thank for opening so many doors for us for this event. You provided some experiences that were pure Puglia and I’m so grateful to have had you as our DMC, we couldn’t have done it without you!

Also, the constant support of Connections from ENIT Italian Tourist Board is so important to me. Flavio, thank you for making the time to be with us in Puglia – especially during Italian Food Week! I hugely appreciate having you as a Connections advocate.

The content theme of the event was Incentive Innovation, and how delegates can create incentives that truly deliver what their clients need. During the ConnecTalk Panel session, I really enjoyed sharing the obstacles and opportunities that come with organising an event like Connections. Although Connections is not an incentive – it’s a senior networking platform – it shares the same aim of building meaningful relationships.

It was so good to talk about how I designed an event like Connections with like-minded people, who experience the same challenges – I was more than happy to be honest and say that it can be a logistical nightmare! I also learnt an awful lot from some like-minded people, who really go all out to deliver life-changing incentives for their clients.

Here is what some of our brilliant buyers in attendance had to say:

“The organisation was perfect, the quality of the suppliers and the friendship that we have experience all together was really great!” – Valine Boulnois, VB Conseil

“A wonderful experience, the team are true professionals. I look forward to cooperating in the future.” – Maya Lustig, Hands on Events

I really can’t believe the last Connections event of the year is over! My team and I hope to see some of you in Cannes for our Connections socials next week, but if you can’t make it and would like to enquire about any of the events we have lined up for 2019, please contact Greg.

Ciao!

Micaela