A Year Written in Place, People, and Purpose

A Letter from Michelle

There are years that feel busy — and then there are years that feel full. This past year at Michelle Durpetti Events was the latter. Full of movement, meaning, milestones, memories, and moments that reminded me exactly why I love this work so deeply. Not because of accolades or stamps on a passport (though there were plenty of both), but because of the people, the trust, and the stories that unfolded along the way.

It was a year that carried us across continents, into new conversations, onto familiar cobblestones, and back home again — changed in the best way.

2025 began, fittingly, in Italy

In the spring, we traveled to Tuscany for Engage! Summits Tuscany at Castelfalfi, a place that feels both ancient and forward-looking all at once. Being invited to lead a breakout discussion there was an honor I don’t take lightly. Engage has long been a space where our industry thinks more deeply, challenges itself, and shares honestly — and contributing to that conversation, surrounded by peers I admire, was a true highlight of the year.

That spirit of collaboration continued stateside when we partnered with PartySlate for their Midwest Summit — a gathering centered on creativity, leadership, and the evolving future of our industry. Hosting, contributing, and connecting in that space felt deeply aligned with what MDE stands for: thoughtful growth, not noise; it was an immersive experience.

And then, of course, there were the celebrations.

This year brought events that reminded us why intention always matters more than scale. In Chicago, we planned a beautiful christening — intimate, meaningful, and rooted in family — a quiet reminder that some of life’s most important celebrations happen without spectacle, but never without care.

In Palm Beach, joy took a bolder, more colorful form with a milestone birthday celebration at the iconic The Colony Hotel — a night filled with personality, layered design, and that unmistakable Palm Beach energy that makes celebrations feel both effortless and unforgettable. Inside the 40th birthday at The Colony

Travel remained a constant thread throughout the year — not for the sake of movement, but for discovery. We explored places on behalf of our clients that continue to inspire our work and deepen our perspective: the history-rich landscapes of Puglia, the layered romance of Prague, the Mediterranean beauty of Mallorca at La Residencia, and the golden light and creative conversations of Santa Barbara during Engage! West Coast.

Italy, as always, continued to ground us — from Rome to Sicily, where food, history, and human connection came together around the table in a way that felt deeply personal and profoundly familiar.

Back in Florence, one of the most meaningful moments of the year came full circle when Kit and Vinny’s wedding — a celebration so close to my heart — graced the cover of Modern Luxury Weddings Chicago. Seeing that wedding recognized in such a beautiful way was a reminder that when trust, intention, and artistry align, the result truly stands the test of time.

We also celebrated our first Italian magazine feature in Sposi Magazine — a moment that felt especially meaningful given how deeply Italy is woven into both my personal story and our professional work.

Some of the most powerful moments of the year, however, happened closer to home.

In May, a portion of Franklin Street — just steps from Gene & Georgetti — was officially dedicated as Anthony A. Durpetti Way, in honor of my dad, Tony. What had long lived in memory, mentorship, and example is now etched into the city itself — a tribute to a man whose generosity and leadership shaped our family and Chicago’s hospitality community in ways that continue to ripple outward.

In a beautiful extension of that legacy, Gene & Georgetti was named the inaugural Iconic Restaurant of the Year by the Jean Banchet Awards — a recognition that speaks not just to longevity, but to relevance, resilience, and the enduring power of independent hospitality.

And on a personal note, this year brought a milestone I hadn’t experienced in eight years: qualifying for and competing in year-end finals with my horse, Cassius. Returning to that arena was a reminder that patience, discipline, partnership, and trust — whether in sport, leadership, or event planning — are built quietly, over time, and always with intention.

As I look back on this year, what stays with me isn’t a checklist of accomplishments. It’s the feeling of alignment.

We traveled thoughtfully. We celebrated meaningfully. We honored legacy while building forward. And we continued to do what we love — creating experiences rooted in beauty, intention, and care.

To our clients who trusted us with their milestones.

To our collaborators who brought brilliance and calm to complexity.

To our peers and partners who shared conversation, creativity, and connection.

And to the places — near and far — that shaped us this year: thank you.

Here’s to carrying all of it forward.

— Michelle