Dancing, dining, adventure, networking, and learning—what's not to love about attending the Annual Conference?Photos © Dream Art Photography

The 2017 Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) Annual Conference and resort getaway was held in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, at the beautiful Barcelo Maya Grand Palace in the Barcelo Maya Beach Resort, Nov. 6 – 8.Attendees from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean arrived on Saturday, Nov. 4, to a private registration area decorated in the colors of Mexico, where they enjoyed beverages, snacks, and hotel check-in. At the ABC registration desk, they had the opportunity to select a hand-woven conference bag from Ixtapa, adorned with a handmade charm from Chiapas. Cultural elements like these and others were interspersed throughout the week. Let the Learning CommenceEducation began on Monday, Nov. 6, with opening remarks by ABC President David Wood in the Monte Alban Theater. The education portion was kicked off with keynote speaker, David Caruso of Dynamic Events, Milwaukee, Wis. Caruso spoke about “The Secrets of Success—12 Lessons to Enhance your Career.” His outgoing personality and humble nature were a huge hit with attendees.General session presentations were given by Kate Patay on “Selling your Brand,” Meryl Snow on “There is No Money in Sales for 2nd Place,” and Danielle Tate on "The Expertise Factor—Using What You Know to Grow.”Breakout session topics on interfaith weddings, social media, marketing, sales, and professional development meant there was something for everyone, regardless of whether they were a seasoned pro or new to the industry. Speakers who shared their knowledge were: Camelu Millan Vargas, MWP™, Diseñno Nupcial, Mexico; Debbi Ballard, Jewish and Interfaith Wedding Institute, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Mari del Carmen Obregon Franco, Efecto Wow, Mexico; Ann Taylor, CWV™, A Chair Affair, Inc., Sanford, Fla.; Ginia Lucas, MWV™, Y-Knot Party & Rentals, Mesa, Ariz.; Allison Kline-Weichelt MWP™, sash&bow, Little Suamico, Wis.; Cathy MacRae, PWP™, Creative Weddings Planning & Décor, Canada; Tracey Fricke, MWP™, Occasion Designed, Omaha, Neb.; and Dannie Fountain, marketing strategist, Aurora, Ill. Attendees also enjoyed visiting with trade show exhibitors and building relationships and contacts for future wedding business in Mexico.And the Award Goes to…The Miss Dorothy Penner Heart Award for Passion and Excellence to the Wedding Industry was presented to Sari Skalnik, MWP™, Tropical Weddings, Puerto Rico. She joins 20 other Miss Dorothy Penner Heart award winners since 1997.Also this year at the ABC conference, five wedding industry professionals were named Master Wedding Planners™— the highest designation in the association. The new masters are: Tammy Lee-Papia, MWP™, Heavenlee Weddings, Lockport, N.Y.; Veronica Foster, MWP™, Behind the Scenes, Inc., Gibsonville, N.C.; Robyn Bruns, MWP™, Red Letter Event Planning, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Melanie Ramone, MWP™, Luxur Weddings & Events, Mexico; and Jennifer Ball, MWP™, Knot Your Average Events, Whitsett, N.C. To date, the ABC has 67 active Master Wedding Planners™ and seven active Master Wedding Vendors™ worldwide.Get the Party StartedThe Sunday, Nov. 5, opening cocktail reception and dinner was held at Coco’s Beach. The evening involved a fabulous buffet, live entertainment, networking, dancing, and fun. Keynote speaker David Caruso’s birthday was this day, so the group surprised him with a birthday cake and a mariachi band singing him the Mexican version of “Happy Birthday.”On Monday evening, attendees could explore on their own and dine at any of the 11 restaurants on the resort, enjoy the sports club and bowling alley, and visit the casino or shops—and they could get there by riding on the complimentary, red double-decker buses that shuttle guests between resorts. For Tuesday’s farewell reception and dinner, the group enjoyed cocktails on the beach and a plated dinner at Captain Morgan, along with live entertainment and dancing.See You Next Year!It’s time to book next year’s ABC 2018 World of Weddings Annual Conference in your calendar. In 2018, it will be held in Tampa Bay, Fla. Nov. 11-13, at the Grand Hyatt. For information, follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ABCconference and http://www.ABCAnnualConference.com. WPM__Carmen Mesa, MWP™, Director of Annual Conference/ABC Florida State and Caribbean Manager/Carmen Mesa Weddings and Events, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.It Takes a VillageThe Association of Bridal Consultants President David Wood and Director of Annual Conference Carmen Mesa, MWP™, wish to extend their gratitude and sincere thanks to the ABC conference team:Mexico—Camelu Millan, MWP™, ABC Director of Latin America; Brenda Fernandez, MWP™, ABC Director of Cancun and Baja California; Viviana Salgada, ABC Co-Director CancunCorporate—Nicole DaSilva, Elayne Anderson, AnnMarie SteinerHost resort—Barcelo Maya Grand Palace at the Barcelo Maya Beach ResortEvent Sponsors—Dream Art Photography, Godfather Films, Mexico Tourism Board, Cozumel & Riviera Maya Tourism Board, JSAV Mexico, Zuniga Production & Events, PW Events Cancun, Rosy Valdez Productions, Blossom Events & Weddings Design, Eventio, Historias en Papel, Photobooth Riviera Maya, Papeliux Party Studio, Ixtapa Visitors Bureau, and Sandals and Beaches Resorts