The Wedding Summit, Atlanta: Feb 22-25, 2010

It’s been a total whirlwind last couple of weeks with both Kristy and I traveling from what seems like coast to coast, like passing ships in the night.  But, I am finally home for a few weeks and have been anxious to find a moment to talk about what a wonderful time we both  had in Atlanta with our most recent Wedding Summit class hosted by StudioWed and Michelle Gainey of Lemiga Events.  It was the perfect setting for our intimate group.  Thank you so much for providing such a great space for us.  We had four planners and a wedding photographer in attendance.  Michele Butler and Stephanie Rounds (planner and photographer respectively) came in from Orlando, we had two planners from Atlanta, Michelle Gainey and Nicole Fantz, and a new planner, Laney Hall, that flew in from Denver.

We spent four days together developing and uncovering the authentic brand concepts inside each of their businesses.  With a mastermind group-like setting, the ideas and momenteum that was created for everyone was amazing.  We are SO excited to see where all these amazing women will go from here. This seems like it’s only the beginning!  If you are reading this and don’t have a clear grasp on what YOUR brand concept is that you and others can clearly can identify with, ask any of these lovely women why finding one is so critical!  Or…  come to our next workshop in Washington DC April 12-13th, 2010 and see for yourself.  Go to http://www.theweddingsummit.com for details and to register.

Thank you to Stephanie Rounds of Nu Vision Photography for the photos of the class!

The Special Event 2010, New Orleans

Kristy and I recently got back from New Orleans where we presented “It’s a Brand New Day! at the Special Event 2010. We had a great turn out and it was so much fun!  The branding board exercise we did seemed to be a hit, and the overall feedback was overwhelmingly positive.  We were invited to bring the wedding summit to Hawaii in December. Which was so exciting!  We are also planning several more workshops in  Atlanta, D.C., Dallas, Denver,  and San Francisco this year so stay tuned!  Here are a few photos from the Special Event.  They are iphone photos so don’t judge them too harshly!    Oh, and yes, we DID have beignets and coffee at Cafe Dumonde~ YUM!

Special guest, Robert Evans, speaks at the Wedding Summit!

Our last class of the inaugural Wedding Summit workshop in Denver was a very special day for Kristy and I!  Not only did we get to see how far everyone in our class has come over the last 6 months and celebrate their successes, we also had celebrity wedding photographer, Robert Evans, as our special guest.  This class also marked the grand opening of my new studio space in Arvada and we had bout 20 Denver wedding professionals that joined us in the afternoon to hear Robert’s presentation and check out the Wedding Summit.  Robert is truly an amazing photographer and a wonderfully sincere and genuine person. His philosophies on the industry, business, and life in general was a breathe of fresh air for everyone!   As our last class’s theme was”Benchmarking,” we couldn’t think of a more successful person in the industry to use as an example of what the wedding summit is about.  In our generation it doesn’t get much better than being hired to photograph BOTH Brad Pitt’s and Tom Cruise’s weddings!

Kiazen is a Japanese word that means “continual growth.”  Robert is a shining example of what the Wedding Summit strives to do for our participants.  We want to help businesses evolve and grow with the end goal being the “top of the mountain.”   The definition of a Summit is: the top.  However, ” to summit” is about the journey; about the climb.  Thank you so  much Robert for sharing your journey to the summit with us all!  Thank you also to Grant Oaks for taking a few photos for us!

Reaching New Heights!

Kristy and I decided to get together for a photoshoot recently so we would have some photos of the two of us together for email promos of upcoming workshops etc.  Thanks to my wonderful husband, Matt, for shooting!  We thought it would be nice to have a photo of us on top of this big wall at Riverfront Park.  We walked ourselves up there and once we realized how HIGH up we were, it was definitely a little frightening.  But funny!  And we got a couple of neat photos that are truly symbolic for us.  Find your vision, face your fears, take action!  You never know know how high you can go until you try!

We’re growing!

We have recently completed the 4th of 6 total classes that make-up The Wedding Summit Workshop.  The Wedding Summit is a hands on business workshop for wedding industry businesses and covers Branding, Marketing, Sales, Financial Acumen, Customer Service and Benchmarking in depth on a personal level.  Many thanks to Erin at Plum Sage for hosting us!

This is our first round of classes and they are turning out to be so much fun and overall for everyone, a great success.  Our attendees are growing by leaps and bounds!  After all the positive feedback we’ve gotten, Kristy and I are expanding the workshop nationally as well as annually in Colorado.  We are currently planning the next course in FL for August and another CO session, beginning early next year.  Please contact us for details about upcoming classes or to register feel free to visit the website.

Here’s what some of our participants had to say in the last survey…

Q: What was your least favorite part of the day?

A: “Nothing but the end!”

Q: Did you learn anything new that you’ve never considered before?

A: ” Yes!  Answers to give brides or prospective clients when the meet you with an objection.  That was huge! Everything we learned will help me tremendously…”

Q: Did anything exceed your expectations?

A: “The ideas you had for us individually regarding marketing blitz ideas and concepts…not only did you take the time to brainstorm on our behalf individually, you enabled us to truly understand it by discussing everyone’s out loud so we could grasp the examples.  Also, the information continues to be immediately applicable and relevant.  There is a motivational aspect to the workshop that is wonderful as you truly seem to be teaching us to tap into our perceived specialties as a way to stand out and succeed.”

Q: How likely are you to refer others to the Wedding Summit Workshop?

A: “Already have! Everyone I meet in the wedding industry I’m referring.”

Through my sunglasses…by Kristy Chenell

Not sure about you, but in the past, I have spent copious amounts of money on industry conferences, organizations, and meetings.  They have all been wonderful to attend, however, many times I found myself forgetting what I had just learned or overwhelmed at how to put into practice the new concepts.

That’s why, when Frances and I began discussing a workshop, our goal was clear: an experiential learning environment in which attendees not only learn conceptual aspects of running a successful wedding business, but actually put into play the technical skills that many of us are overwhelmed and confused about when we get back to our offices.

We look forward to this being a one of kind learning experience that is a customized workshop intended to increase your revenue.

money, Money, MONEY, M O N E Y!

What’s your proficiency on your financial acumen?

Do you know your forecast for 2009?  How about for 2010 or beyond?

What’s your budget for the coming year?  Any idea of what your revenue to profit is?

Financial Acumen.  We know, the words can be a little intimidating to say the least.  However, they are some of the most important ones in your business vocabulary.   They will assist you in achieving your highest goals by scheduling, prioritizing, and strategically spending in the right months for your business.

Let The Wedding Summit help you create your budget, goals, and forecast for 2009 and years to come.   You CAN sail away to your vacation destination.

Please leave a message…Answers to Stellar Customer Service

What’s the acceptable length of time to return an inquiry phone call before your chances decrease exponentially in booking a client?

How do you succeed in your commitment objective?

What makes a client a “client for life”?

Customer Service is the backbone of your brand.  It is the one concept that may never cost you a penny, but may reap you rewards past your wildest dreams.  Have you or your clients rated your customer service?  Compare yourself to your competitors.  How are you exceeding your clients’ expectations outside of what your competitors?

The educators of The Wedding Summit have backgrounds of the most prominent customer service companies of the world.  Let them share the secrets of the best of the best to help put you on top.

Don’t be a BENCHWARMER, Be a BENCHMARKER

Who do you benchmark?

What is benchmarking?

Why shouldn’t I benchmark my competitors?

Benchmarking can be one of the most influential aspects of your offerings, strategies, and priorities.  It can provide you guidance and ideas while setting you apart from your competitors.

The Wedding Summit will bring the countries bench markers to YOU so you can become one for the industry.  Gather thoughts, ideas, and strategies that you can adapt to your business that will set you on top of the summit.

SALE Away

What’s your personal selling strategy?

Do you know how many sales it will take to sail away to your favorite vacation spot?

What and Who are your target markets and how will you adapt to those client personalities?

A successful business is sustained through great sales intensity and organization.   Your selling strategy is a reflection of you and your brand (remember…that thing that will connect your clients to you in a meaningful way?).

The Wedding Summit will take an in-depth look into what your current sales concept is and what your future strategy shall become.  Be prepared for a shift in paradigm to adapt to the new generation in unique and creative ways!