The inaugural edition of World of Wedding Summit & Awards 2024 celebrated the marriage between experiential hospitality, the culinary industry and hotels
BY SHUJATH ALI
The crème de la crème of Indian luxury wedding and food and hospitality fraternity got together for the inaugural edition of World of Wedding Summit & Awards 2024 curated by Trikaya Media Group and Kanika Sethi Weddings & Events in collaboration with Hospitality Horizon magazine. Hosted by Noormahal Palace, Karnal, the exclusive gathering of the best of the best of hoteliers, caterers, wedding planners and event planners from across India was a resounding success, with invigorating exchange of information, ideas and insights. Endorsing the opulent royalty of the era of Indian maharajas, Noormahal Palace was the perfect venue for this event.
During the course of the summit, the esteemed panelists shared their experiences, opinions and recommendations on highly pertinent topics that have a direct bearing on the wedding industry followed by the awards, which recognised and honoured all those who had made their mark and continued to excel in their contribution to the industry.
The awards included Jury Choice Awards and Editorial Choice Awards. Winners of the Jury Choice Awards were decided by the Esteemed Jury comprising the who’s who of the weddings, events, food and hospitality industry while winners of the Editorial Choice Awards were decided by the Editorial Board. The jury selected the winners against many parameters to find the top performers.
The summit included three extremely interesting and insightful panel discussions: How to Reinvent the Hotel Business for Wedding and Events; What it Takes to Innovate in a Competitive F&B Environment for Wedding and Events; and How to Redefine Business to Attract New Age Customers.
While Col. Manbeer Choudhary, CMD, Noormahal Palace Hotel and Binny Choudhary, MD, Noormahal Palace delivered the welcome address, Sabbas Joseph, Founder-Director, Wizcraft International Entertainment, gave the keynote speech.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, who embody the spirit of excellence and innovation in the wedding industry. Your dedication and passion have elevated the standards of celebrations, making India a global hub for grand weddings,” said Col. Choudhary.
He added: “The recent surge in wedding business is a testament to our nation’s enduring love for celebrations. Reports indicate a substantial growth trajectory, surpassing even pre-pandemic levels. This success is not just about numbers but about the stories we create, the memories we cherish, and the economic prosperity we foster. Noormahal Palace stands proudly amidst this grandeur, recognised for its regal charm and impeccable hospitality. The rise of destination weddings in India reflects our vibrant culture and picturesque locales.”
“From the majestic palaces of Rajasthan to the serene beaches of Goa, every setting tells a unique story, adding a touch of magic to every celebration,” he continued. “Beyond the glitz and glamour, these weddings are catalysts for economic growth. They create opportunities, support local businesses, and contribute significantly to our nation’s gross domestic product. Each event is a testament to the collaborative efforts of a multitude of professionals, from planners to vendors, who work tirelessly to bring dreams to life.”
Clearly one of the key highlights of the summit was the discussion featuring top hoteliers. The session was moderated by Jimmy Mistry, Founder, Della Resorts, with a strong panel of Satyajeet Krishnan, Area Director, New Delhi & GM, Taj Mahal, New Delhi, Nishant Agarwal, VP and GM at The Leela Palace Udaipur, Tarun Seth, GM, Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, Manish Dayya, GM, Sofitel Mumbai BKC, Abhishek Sahai, GM, Conrad Pune and Rubin Cherian, GM, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre.
This was followed by a discussion featuring top chefs. The session was moderated by celebrity chef and restaurateur Vicky Ratnani with the panel comprising Rakesh Sethi, celebrity chef and Corporate Executive Chef of Radisson Hotel Group, chocolatier Varun Inamdar and Sohan Bhandari, Executive Chef of Colonel Saab, London.
And last but the least was the discussion featuring top wedding and event planners moderated by Kanika Sethi, Founder & CEO, Kanika Sethi Weddings & Events. The heavyweight panel included Rituraj Khanna, CEO, Q Events, Vijay Arora, Director, Touchwood Entertainment, Bhavnesh Sawhney, Co-Founder, FB Celebrations, Rakhi Kankaria, Founder-Director, Rachnoutsav Events, Chetan Vohra, MD, Line Communications & Weddingline and Sachit Mittal, Director, Innocept Studio & Founder Entertainment Premier League.
The panel discussions were followed by the awards ceremony. On being awarded the Hotelier of the Year, Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO, The Leela Palace, Hotels and Resorts, said: “This is such an interesting accolade and acknowledgement of the business that really matters to all of us something that is close to our hearts and which has been a big segment for most of us. It is a great honour and a privilege. I am humbled to receive this honour on behalf of the Leela Group. I am extremely grateful and thankful that true Indian luxury in form of Leela has been recognised.”
On receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO, IHCL and Chairman of FAITH, said: “It’s a humbling moment and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the jury for this recognition. Having said that, this recognition is a testimony to the team of Taj; it is a testimony to Tajness; and more so it is over a century of unwavering commitment that the brand and the group has demonstrated especially in the wedding segment including in its grand palaces. Some of the world’s best-known weddings have happened be it in Lake Palace, be it in Umaid Bhawan, be it in Falaknuma or the Tripadvisor number one hotel of the world of this year, the Rambagh Palace.”
Receiving the Hall of Fame award from the who’s who of the wedding and hospitality industry, Sabbas, accompanied by his wife Punam, gave an emotionally charged acceptance speech. He thanked the jury for the honour and said he owed this recognition to the burgeoning event management industry of which he is a leading light.
Delivering his thank you speech at the end of the ceremony, Roop Partap Choudhary, Executive Director, Noormahal Palace and Founder, Colonel Saab, London, said: “Our diverse traditions, vibrant landscapes, and warm hospitality make India an ideal choice for celebrations that go beyond the ordinary. At Noormahal Palace, we take great pride in being a beacon of luxury and grandeur. Under the visionary guidance of our founder, Col. Manbeer Choudhary, and with a commitment to excellence, we have crafted a haven where every detail speaks of opulence.”
“The palatial architecture sets the stage for a wedding experience that is truly extraordinary. It is an honour and a privilege to be in such accomplished company today and have the opportunity to interact with the frontrunners of our industry,” he concluded.
WINNERS AT A GLANCE
Top 5 Luxury City Hotels for Weddings
(in alphabetical order)
* Conrad Pune
*Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
*JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru
*The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore
*The St. Regis, Mumbai
Top 5 Luxury Hotels for Destination Weddings
(in alphabetical order)
* Fairmont Jaipur
* JW Marriott Goa
* Noormahal Palace, Karnal
* Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
* The Leela Palace Udaipur
Top 5 Luxury Resorts for Weddings
(in alphabetical order)
* Della Resorts, Lonavala
* JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire
Resort & Spa
* JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa
* Lohagarh Fort Resort and Spa, Jaipur
* Planet Hollywood Beach Resort, Goa
Top 5 Luxury Hotels for MICE & Events
(in alphabetical order)
* Conrad Bengaluru
* Grand Hyatt Gurgaon
* Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre
* Taj Palace, New Delhi
* The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake
Top 5 Leisure Hotels for Weddings
(in alphabetical order)
* DoubleTree by Hilton, Agra
* Fairfield by Marriott Jodhpur
*Hilton Mumbai International Airport
* Le Meridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR
* Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport
Top 5 Luxury Hotels for F&B
(in alphabetical order)
* Hyatt Regency Delhi
* ITC Maurya, New Delhi
* Raffles Udaipur
* Sofitel Mumbai BKC
* Taj Mahal, New Delhi
Top 5 Wedding Caterers
(in alphabetical order)
* Food, Inc. Catering by Yum Yum Tree
* Ranch Cuisine Concepts
*Saltt Catering
*Sage & Saffron
*Seven Seas Hospitality
Top 5 Wedding & Event Planners
(in alphabetical order)
**Eventerio
*FB Celebrations
*Line Communications & Weddingline
*Rachnoutsav Events
*Rashi Entertainment
*Top GM for Luxury Hotel for Weddings:
Abhishek Sahai, Conrad Pune
*Top GM for Luxury Hotel for Destination Weddings: Nishant Agarwal, VP & GM, The Leela Palace Udaipur
*Top GM for Luxury Resort for Weddings:
Anoop Pandey, JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa
*Top GM for Leisure Hotel for Weddings:
Suman Gahlawat, GM, Le Meridien Gurgaon
and Deepak Kumar, Hilton Mumbai International Airport
*Top GM for MICE & Events Hotel: Rubin Cherian, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre and Tarun Seth, Grand Hyatt Gurgaon
*Top GM for Luxury Hotel for F&B: Manish Dayya, Sofitel Mumbai BKC
*Special Recognition for Contribution to Tourism Sector: Col. Manbeer Choudhary, Noormahal Palace
*Chef of the Year: Rakesh Sethi, Radisson Hotels Group
*Chocolatier of the Year: Varun Inamdar
*Excellence in Unique Food Concepts at Weddings: Vicky Ratnani
*Pioneer in Experiential Hospitality: Jimmy Mistry, Della Resorts
*Iconic Designer & Wedding Planner: Rituraj Khanna, Q Events
*Iconic Event Planner: Vijay Arora, Touchwood Entertainment
*Iconic Caterer: Sanjay Khullar, Seasons Catering
*Hotelier of the Year: Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
*Lifetime Achievement Award: Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO, IHCL
*Living Legend: Chander K Baljee, CMD, Royal Orchid Hotels
*Hall of Fame: Sabbas Joseph, Founder, Wizcraft International Entertainment
