WIM 2024 Exceeded Expectations With Over 280 Delegates

"WIM 2024 – We Inspire Memories" closed its sixth edition on 22 November, 2024 reaffirming, once again, its status as an event that left an indelible mark on the city of Florence and the Italian "Wedding & Private Events Industry" landscape.

From 20 to 22 November, 2024, this latest edition hosted over 280 market players including private venues, independent hotels, hotel chains, service companies, and national and international event & wedding planners, along with sponsors. WIM brought together key players from a sector whose impact on the Italian economy is valued at over 15 billion euros.

The active participation of more than 70 Buyers and over 200 participants from across Italy turned Florence into a crossroad of connections, experiences, and strategic opportunities. The dynamic atmosphere and evident enthusiasm from the very beginning of the event reflected WIM's success and importance, making it an essential meeting point for the private events market and the travel industry.

Under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Tourism, the Tuscany Region, and the Municipality of Florence, WIM was supported by over 30 selected sponsors, 12 distinguished speakers, and the contributions of 3 major media partners, alongside tailored market research, have all helped position the event as a beacon of excellence and innovation in Italy's events industry.

Tommaso Corsini, founder of WIM and CEO of Corsini Events, shared his vision of WIM: "It is not just a networking event, but a platform for exchanging ideas where leading companies in the sector can meet and define their strategies. The success of the event was highlighted by the positive feedback from industry professionals. Enthusiastic feedback underscored the effectiveness of the networking activities, the quality of the conferences, and the vitality of the events held at exclusive venues."

Francesco Tapinassi, Director of Toscana Promozione Turistica said: "This year, WIM reconfirms the international interest in the Tuscany region, long regarded as the ideal destination for weddings and ceremonies. The "Romantic Tuscany" project continues to prove both valid and increasingly appealing."

Silvia Bonetti, General Manager of WIM, commented on the sixth edition saying: "We are proud of the work accomplished and, even more, of the outcome of this extraordinary edition. The enthusiastic participation of leading industry companies and prestigious local brands ensured the success of the meetings between Italian and international operators. We are confident that we have contributed to the creation of new relationships among participants, and we wish everyone success in their post-WIM endeavours."

In 2023, Italy hosted 13,600 destination weddings (+9% compared to 2022), with an average of 55 attendees.The most sought-after locations include Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Lake Garda, and the Langhe. The most requested venues are Villas and Resorts, which account for 70 percent.

Read: An Insightful Interview with Tommaso Corsini on Weddings and Events in Tuscany

The national wedding market includes approximately 190,000 weddings (including one-third of destination weddings), with an average of 109 guests, resulting in over 20 million attendees. In absolute terms, the number of annual weddings in Italy has slightly decreased from 191,300 to 191,000 in the past 2 years, but there has been an increase in spending due to inflation: from 21,090 euros to 22,100 euros. Additionally, the value of the national wedding sector has risen from 4.03 billion euros to 4.22 billion in primary spending by couples.

In 2023, the wedding tourism sector generated over 1 billion euros in direct spending, with Tuscany claiming over a fifth of the total, with a +21% increase. It is expected that the wedding sector in Tuscany will continue to grow in 2025 and 2026, with an annual growth forecast of 15% to 19%, based on the estimates.

WIM 2024 also provided an opportunity to present new market research provided by Thrends, Data Appeal Company, and Sinerbit, offering a unique perspective on the industry and its economic impact on the national territory.

Below are the key points from the market research presented:

• The value of the wedding sector in Italy is approximately 4.2 BILLION euros (direct spending);
• The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland are the top four markets for destination weddings and for stays in 5-star hotels in Italy;
• The spending generated by WIM Buyers is 80 million euros, approximately 7% of the total Italian destination wedding market;
• The destination wedding sector is valued at about 1.13 billion euros, which adds to the wedding market's value of 5.33 billion euros;
• Food & Beverage, Venues, and Floral Design companies are the most significant spending categories, with constant growth.

Gala Dinner, Villa Corsini a Mezzomonte

Tommaso Corsini, at the close of the event, added: "Thanks to the support of all our sponsors and the invaluable collaboration with Cogito Strategies, we have succeeded in making WIM a nationally recognised event, not just a Tuscan one, with an eye to international markets. The Wedding Industry drives a wedding economy and tourism that are increasingly dedicated and specialised. Institutions must acknowledge the need for more in-depth studies and highly specific training opportunities to maintain this positive trend and optimise growth opportunities in Italy. 

With the success of the 2024 edition, WIM has confirmed its role not only as a business platform, but also as a moment of growth and exchange in the landscape of private events and the wedding industry in Italy.

Arabia Weddings is a proud media partner of "WIM 2024 – We Inspire Memories". Founder/CEO of Arabia Weddings, Samar Shawareb said: "We're proud of our long-standing partnership with WIM and look forward to even greater collaboration, fostering stronger ties between wedding professionals in the Middle East and Italy."

WIM 2023