California Dreamin' 2015 ABC Business of Brides Annual Conference
By John Goolsby, State Manager - California, Nevada, and Hawaii/Godfather films, riverside, calif. photos happy photos
Nearly 300 wedding professionals from around the world came together Nov. 8 - 10, 2015, at the Hilton Orange County in California to participate in the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) annual conference, Business of Brides.A sparkle-and-glam-themed welcome party set the tone for conference and included cool and trendy elements, including an LED dance floor, wireless headphones for a silent disco DJ party, floating pool lights, cotton candy, a photo booth, and amazing food. A two-day trade show provided opportunity for attendees to discover new products, services, and venues for their clients.Nuggets of wisdom from the keynotesThroughout the conference attendees heard from various keynote speakers who offered insight from their years of industry experience. For example, Chris Horton, known as Dr. Rankwell, gave us great information on everything SEO—from link building to reputation management. His presentation had so many takeaways that the audience never stopped taking notes. Here are a few bits of wisdom from other keynote presentations.
Same-sex marriage: “No matter where you stand on same sex marriages, they are here and they are having a significant impact on our industry." - David Merrill, AOO Events, Los AngelesPhotography/videography trends: “Brides and grooms are not just doing photography but video as well and, with drones, they get to see the big picture. Drones open so many opportunities and are one of the most impactful new technologies that are affecting the wedding industry.”- David Merrill, AOO Events, Los AngelesFinding clients: “I have a personality. I find clients will hire for personality more than cost. If they like you, they want you. It doesn’t matter what you are charging, they have to like you.”- Sasha Souza, MWP™, Sasha Souza Events, Napa, Calif.On keeping events unique: “Every client is unique and so is their story, so no event is the same. I may have the same venue or the same vendors but there is always something that is different about that event because it’s supposed to be about [the clients’] relationship and who they are.”- Sasha Souza, MWP™, Sasha Souza Events, Napa, Calif.
Award-winning design philosophy: “When we look at event design, every piece of an event that a client or that a guest experiences is a direct reflection of our brand, of who we are as professionals, planners, and designers. . . . Design is not just floral, it’s not just décor, it is an experience. It is what clients are experiencing, what they are seeing, tasting, and smelling—all of that needs to be thought out and be done in a timeless manner.” - Rishi Patel, HMR Designs, ChicagoEducation and awardsIn addition to keynote talks, there was plenty of education for all levels with 25 presentations on a variety of relevant topics. Speakers included Ara Lopez, GBS Linens, Covina, Calif.; Kim Sardo, Sandals and Beaches Resorts, Miami; Cynthia Bresseau, Sandals Resorts, Miami; Milena Santoro, CMM, CMP, PIDP, CWP™, MS Productions, Canada; Lindsay Longacre, CWP™, LVL Weddings & Events, Costa Mesa, Calif.; Carol Rosen, CWP™, Party Designs by Carol, Los Angeles; Renee Grannis, MBC™, ABC Ethics & Compliance, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Tina Moran, Oh So Swank, Fresno, Calif.; Kate McClellan, PWP™, Purple Clover Events, Royal Oak, Mich.; Teddy Lenderman, MBC™, Bearable Weddings and Events, Greencastle, Ind.; Elizabeth Petersen, MWV™, Specialty Cleaners, Mexico; Alan Katz, Great Officiants, Long Beach, Calif.; Gloria Boyden, MWP™, ABC Education, Carmel, Ind.; Yoshi Kohara, MWV™, ABC Asian Markets, Tokyo; and Ana Skidmore, ABC™, TwoFoot Creative, Dexter, Mich.The Ms. Dorothy Heart Award made history by being presented to two well deserving recipients: Donna Brian, MWP™, Love in Bloom, Shreveport, La., and Beverly Bonner, MWP™, The Wedding Beautiful, Norwood, Mass. The Ms. Dorothy Scholarship winner was Celia Bezares Matus from Mexico.
Parties and eventsSt. Regis Monarch Beach Club 19 was the home to the Monday night White Party where attendees were greeted by strolling electronic violinists and enjoyed incredible food, décor, dancing, and entertainment. Attendees loved the nitrogen ice cream and the lips and lashes bar. The 27 Master Wedding Planners™ in attendance had VIP seating at the Tuesday breakfast that honored their accomplishments. Sandals Beaches and Resorts sponsored a luncheon featuring a Sandals Wedding and presentation on health and fitness for the wedding professional by Lisa Marie Blinn, PWP™, from New York. The Tuesday night closing party was a casual beach themed event complete with surfboards, beach movies and comfort foods overlooking the Newport Harbor at the Harborside Pavilion.Until next yearMark your calendars for the Association of Bridal Consultants next Business of Brides conference in Dallas, Nov. 6 – 8, 2016! ••
