What It Means to Be a MasterBy Lois Pearce, MBC™, Master Panel Facilitator 2011What does it mean to “master” your profession? It means having your finger on the pulse of the wedding industry. It means going above and beyond in quality and service to your clients. It means increasing awareness of professionalism in our industry.To recognize this, the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) created a tiered accreditation program offering several levels of Consultant and Vendor memberships. The highest, established in the 1990s, is the Master Bridal Consultant™ (MBC™) and Master Wedding Vendor™ (MWV™) level.  These members are considered the “go-to” members for expertise in our industry. Today, there are 61 MBC™ and 10 MWV™ among the current ABC membership of approximately 4,000 worldwide.The master level bridal consultant or wedding vendor is one who has achieved a level of service in her or his business that includes: working with brides, working with vendors, teaching, writing, creating learning experiences with events, and being recognized through media exposure.  This distinct group is respected in their locale for the connections they have developed and by example—furthering the business and industry, as well as promoting membership in the ABC.To become a MBC™ or MWV™, you must follow the membership tract and achieve 100 points to be eligible to apply. Although it is a level available for every consultant and vendor member to achieve, it is still optional.  A full package, including an application fee, is submitted with proof of points (essays, and an event portfolio).  The applicant must appear before a panel of masters and exhibit their public relation and presentation skills, knowledge of the wedding industry, and participation in the ABC.  This appearance is scheduled during the Business of Brides Annual Conference in November, and the announcement of the honorees is made at that time.Every industry has its highest level of professional development.  The MBC™ and MWV™ are the ABC’s highest level of achievement.  A benefit of achieving this status is the opportunity to use the trademarked MBC™ or MWV™ after your name in all publicity, as well as earning recognition as a member of an elite group of peer-experts within our organization.  You must be an active or emeritus member to continue using the designation.Achieving the level of MBC™ or MWV™ is appreciated by brides who choose to work with a distinguished group of professionals in the wedding industry.  For more information on the accreditation program, visit www.BridalAssn.com, log in, click on “ABC Members” and then “New Membership Points System.”