From September 21 to 24, we participated in the latest edition of inVOYAGE, an international event connecting buyers and suppliers in the luxury MICE segment. Held at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, the gathering brought together more than 200 industry professionals, including experts in hospitality, incentives, and luxury destinations.
Among the participants from around the world, only seven companies from Latin America were present, and we had the honor of leading the only buyer group from the region. Our delegation included representatives from important companies in the sector: José Cordeiro (Go Together), Edy Beny (Bossa Experience), Adriana Carvalho (SP Global), and Karim (Lampada) from Brazil; Karina Taylor (Mundo Mex) from Mexico; Victoria Kenar (Travel Security) from Chile; and Agustina Quirno (Furlong Fox) from Argentina.
The agenda included pre-scheduled meetings, learning sessions, and immersive experiences in Abu Dhabi. For Carol Benitez, MICE Key Account Manager at Avant Garde, the Latin American participation reinforces the relevance of the regional market:
“It is an enormous privilege to lead the only group of agencies from Latin America in another edition of inVOYAGE. The United Arab Emirates offers the perfect setting to strengthen strategic partnerships, promote innovation, and provide activities that inspire market evolution.”
Following the event, guests proceeded to a post-tour in Dubai, organized by Arabian Adventures MIE. Staying at the One&Only Royal Mirage, they experienced exclusive moments that reflect the destination’s novelties and reinforce its positioning as a benchmark in luxury and sophistication.
Since 2019, Avant Garde has served as the official curator for inVOYAGE in Latin America, responsible for selecting and recruiting hosted buyers from the region, connecting them with global suppliers in the sector.
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In early September, we proudly held the first edition of ORIGENS in Brazil and Argentina. Between the 1st and 4th, we gathered our portfolio of DMCs and strategic partners for an exclusive meeting that combined relevant content, inspiring experiences, and intense business rounds.
Highlights of the debut:
- +240 buyers from the MICE and Leisure sectors
- 5 countries represented: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay
- 30 exhibitors including DMCs, hotels, transportation companies, event production companies, wineries, and destination marketing organizations
- +800 individual (1-to-1) meetings held
- +15 presentations and seminars focused on unique destinations, trends, and insights from the travel and events industry
We concluded this first edition with the certainty that ORIGENS has arrived to fill a relevant space in the industry. We thank every buyer and exhibitor for their invested time and trust.
We’re already looking forward to preparing the next editions!
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From May 20 to 22, we attended another edition of IMEX Frankfurt, one of the most important global trade shows dedicated to the MICE segment (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions).
Pre-Tours Across Europe
Before the trade show, 20 guests from Latin American MICE agencies embarked on experiences meticulously designed to showcase the potential of trending destinations that captivate with their high level of infrastructure, authenticity, and possibilities for incentive groups. We organized two simultaneous pre-tours in partnership with our local DMCs:
- Croatia and Montenegro, curated by MarBer DMC and Montenegro Concierge DMC, combining the charm of the Adriatic coast with impactful cultural and gastronomic experiences.
- Norway and Sweden, led by BDP Next, focusing on immersive nature experiences, Scandinavian design, and sustainable solutions for corporate events.
Both itineraries provided inspiring experiences for the guests, reinforcing our commitment to presenting destinations that unite operational excellence and authenticity.
Celebration Dinner: 18 Years of History at IMEX Frankfurt
As part of the celebrations, we hosted an exclusive dinner during IMEX to mark our 18th consecutive edition at the event. The gathering brought together our Latin American buyers and DMCs, creating a welcoming and relaxed environment for networking and exchanging ideas. More than just a moment of celebration, the dinner was also an opportunity to thank our partners for their continued trust and to reaffirm our commitment to building solid and sustainable bridges between international suppliers and the Latin American MICE market.
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inVOYAGE, one of the world’s leading forums focused on incentive travel and luxury events, took place from February 8 to 11 at the Fairmont Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro.
Over the course of three days, the city hosted a series of meetings and experiences that brought together 200 professionals specialized in the sector, maintaining a balanced ratio between hosted buyers and luxury travel suppliers from key markets such as Europe, the United States, and Latin America. The event reinforced Rio de Janeiro’s status as an ideal destination for high-end business, fostering inspiration, knowledge sharing, and new opportunities.
inVOYAGE Rio was supported by partners such as Embratur, Visit Rio, Fairmont Copacabana, Passion Brazil, Copacabana Palace, Avant Garde – The DMC Experts, Rio Galeão, and Pão de Açúcar. The event attracted representatives from luxury hospitality and destination specialists from around the world to connect with international event professionals who plan high-end travel. The program was designed to stimulate business through immersive experiences, showcasing the cultural and natural richness of Brazil.
Sidney Alonso, founder and president of Avant Garde – The DMC Experts, celebrated the choice of Rio de Janeiro as the host city for this edition of the event:
“Bringing inVOYAGE to Rio de Janeiro was a milestone for the incentive sector in Latin America. The city offers an unparalleled setting and endless possibilities for unique experiences.”
Highlights included the opening luau-themed party at the Fairmont Copacabana pool, a yacht tour through Guanabara Bay hosted by Fairmont Copacabana and Avant Garde DMCs, a visit to Estação Primeira de Mangueira to watch the samba school rehearsals, sunset at Corcovado, a Brazilian-style party at Casa Camolese overlooking the Botanical Garden, and a walking tour through the historic neighborhoods of Santa Teresa. The program also featured a trekking experience to visit Sugarloaf Mountain, one of the state’s landmarks, and a closing party at the Copacabana Palace.
Richard Joslin, CEO of inVOYAGE, also highlighted the success of the event:
“inVOYAGE Rio exceeded all expectations. The city’s energy, combined with the quality of participants and the experiences offered, resulted in a truly transformative event for the incentive travel and luxury events industry.”
As a comprehensive platform, the event consolidates incentive travel and events as strategic tools for corporate engagement, brand building, and the development of new business partnerships — while also strengthening the image of Brazil and other Latin American destinations within the luxury travel segment.
by agbrands