ABC Monthly Member Newsletter | |
The Standard of Excellence
This month, some of our members and I had the opportunity to meet with and learn from our ABC LATAM members at the IBTM Americas event in Mexico City. I tell you it was refreshing and eye-opening to see how ABC is held in such high regard in another country. We may have taken a turn way back in the US, but we'll get that back sooner rather than later. (Read the blog post below for info about our trip!)
The wedding industry is a vibrant, multifaceted world where dreams meet reality, and expectations are transformed into unforgettable moments. However, amidst this creative whirlwind, there’s a pressing need for consistency, professionalism, and excellence. This is where the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) steps in. By setting the Standards of Excellence, ABC members can lead the way in defining the benchmarks for success and raising the industry’s overall standards.
ABC members contain Experience & Expertise, and a Unified Vision. In addition, as we collectively create the Standards for the industry, we gain Consumer Trust and Professional Growth. Some of you will no longer be hobbyists, your business can become your career.
The Leadership team and I are working to develop guidelines that will serve as a benchmark for quality and professionalism. So keep an eye out for new Training Programs, get ready to see ABC updates, and create a certification process that we'll share with other organizations to set those Standards of Excellence.
| |
|
WORLD OF WEDDINGS
UNITE - EDUCATE - EMPOWER
Final payments were due September 1! Please be sure to log into your account and make that payment. If you don't want to make the payment online you can call home office at 336-690-5510 and speak to Michole. Late fees will be applied on Friday September 6th.
We do still have a few rooms left so if you haven't secured your spot, please be sure to do so!
Want to know what to pack? What do you wear? Check out the WOW Style Guide!!
| |
|
September Event Calendar
Sign up or learn more about our upcoming events HERE.
- Who Invited Insurance - Thursday, September 5th at 1:00 PM Eastern (Webinar)
- ABC Puerto Rico “Are you Maximizing The Power of ChatGPT?” - Tuesday, September 10th at 9:15 AM Atlantic (In-person)
- ABC Pennsylvania & Delaware Lunch & Learn “Spill The Tea” - Tuesday, September 10th at 11:30 Eastern (In-person)
- ABC Members-At-Large Meet “Are You Taking Care Of You?” - Tuesday, September 10th at 1:00 PM Eastern (Webinar)
- Passport To Profits: Live Travel Panel - Wednesday, September 11th at 12:00 PM Mountain (Webinar)
- Member Mumblings - Thursday, September 12th at 9:00 AM Eastern (Webinar)
- Ask Tammy - Thursday, September 12th at 7:00 PM Eastern (Webinar)
- Follow Up Strategies That Will Get More Clients and Close Moe Sales with Wanda Allen - Wednesday, September 18th at 12:00 PM Eastern (Webinar)
- Sante Fe Grupo Hotelero Webinar - Thursday, September 19th at 2:00 PM Mountain (Webinar)
- ABC North Carolina Fall State Meeting - Sunday, September 29 11 AM Eastern (In-person)
| |
ABC's Back To School Education Series | |
|
Ask Tammy
Speaker: Tammy Waterman, MWP™
Thursday, September 12, 2024
7 PM Eastern / 4 PM Pacific
Click HERE to learn more and register.
| |
|
Follow Up Strategies That Will Get More Clients and Close More Sales
Speaker: Wanda Allen
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
12 PM Eastern / 9 AM Pacific
Click HERE to learn more and register
| |
|
Awkward Networking - Making Relationships Count
Speaker: Jen Sulak
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
2 PM Eastern / 11 AM Pacific
Click HERE to learn more and register.
| |
|
Becoming - Business Retreat for Wedding Planners 2025
Member, Irene Tyndale, is the founder of Becoming the Business Retreat for Wedding Planners which will be taking place from January 31 to February 3, 2025, in Atlanta, GA. Irene is offering ABC Members the following attendance discount:
- ABC200 for $200 off paid in full tickets
- ABC25 for $25 each ticket payment
Register today! CLICK HERE for details.
| |
|
Important Blog & News Articles
Have you been reading our blog? Catch up on a few great articles!
| |
Wedding Planner Magazine
A tough decision was made to move the Wedding Planner Magazine to digital instead of print copies (at least for the time being). However, we are going to update what is included in the magazine, update the format of the magazine, and be able to have links to ads or other articles you may want to read.
We are working to have the magazine on the Kindle App and of course, we will have print copies available for a small fee if you still want the print option.
One of the great sections we will be adding is Vendor listings! If you are a vendor member of ABC, your business information will be listed in Wedding Planner Magazine! This information will be pulled from the member database, so make sure that your information is updated!
| |
Tool of the Month - Dubsado
Use Dubsado to sign contracts, collect payments, send custom forms, and get your time back with powerful workflows — all in one place. Its a great CRM! Attached the intake form to your website and set up workflows to send emails, schedule calls and more!
Give it a try today by clicking the link below and getting 20% off your first month or year subscription!
------------------
Last Months Tool - Quickbooks
Unlock the power of financial organization and efficiency with QuickBooks for small businesses. Seamlessly manage your finances, track expenses, and streamline invoicing all in one place. From startups to established ventures, QuickBooks empowers entrepreneurs to focus on what truly matters - growing their business. Say goodbye to the complexities of accounting and hello to simplified success with QuickBooks.
| |
Sandals Wedding Specialist Retreat 2024
This past weeks Sandals Resorts held the Sandals Wedding Specialist Retreat at Sandals Dunn's Rivers in Ocho Rios, Jamaica ( #SWSretreat2024 ). It is by invitation only and reserved for Platinum, Gold, and sometimes Silver-level Sandals travel advisors.
In addition to being to tour and check out three different resorts - Sandals Dunn's River, Sandals Ochi, and Sandals Royal Plantation, attendees got to partake in various Island Routes tours that included speedboats, snorkeling, and a tour of the infamous Jamaica landmark - Dunn's River Falls. Elegant dinners, beach lunches, afternoon high tea, and fire dancers followed by party on the beach were spaced out over the three days to showcase Sandals' ability to host spectacular events. Throw in some round table meetings with the leadership team from Sandals, and of course, networking and shop talk with some of the most successful travel advisors selling Sandals from across the globe. An incredible three days and experience not to be missed!
We were fortunate to have 5 ABC members at this year's retreat:
Want to learn what you have to do to be able to participate in SWS Retreat 2025? Be sure to connect with Nicole Zillman, Veronica Foster, or Jenn Ball and they can get you on your way.
| |
Cathy's Corner: Why Is Social Media Such An Important Marketing Tool With Today’s Clients?
In today's digital age, social media isn't just a tool—it's a lifeline for connecting with newly engaged couples. If your goal is to meet your forever someone, you can't expect to meet single people by staying at home. The same applies to advertising - you can't expect to connect with potential clients without being where they are: ONLINE. Social media platforms are the modern day hangout spots for couples planning their big day, and as a wedding professional, it's crucial for you to have an online presence and meet them there.
Think of social media as your digital storefront. It’s where couples go to browse, get inspired, and decide who they want to work with. Having a vibrant and up-to-date social media presence not only showcases your work, but also signals that you're current, relevant, and in touch with the latest trends. In the wedding industry, where style and timing are everything, appearing outdated or inactive on social media can be a red flag to potential clients. They might wonder, "If they’re not active here, will they be up to date on the latest wedding trends?"
Social media also offers an unparalleled opportunity to build relationships with couples long before they even reach out to you. When surveyed, many women in a serious relationships have admitted that they have shopped for wedding vendors online on social and have come up with their list of preferred vendors long before they became officially engaged. That way, when their significant other pops the question and they say YES, they know exactly who they want to hire and are ready to go full throttle on wedding planning. By sharing your expertise, showcasing past events, and engaging with your audience, you can lay the groundwork and create a sense of trust and familiarity. You can start building a relationship. Millennials and Gen Z couples want to work with professionals they feel connected to, and social media is the perfect platform to foster that connection. They want to build and establish a relationship with you on social before they are going to reach out by phone or email.
In the same way that singles flock to dating apps and social hotspots to meet potential partners, engaged couples are flocking to Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for wedding inspiration. If you want to connect with today’s clients, you need to be in those spaces, actively participating and showcasing your brand. After all, in the competitive world of weddings, staying relevant online could be the key to landing your next big client.
So even if social media doesn’t feel like your thing, make it an important part of your weekly routine to connect with perspective clients in your area and showcase the skills and expertise that you can bring to the table. (Or hire someone who can help you do it!)
INSTAGRAM UPDATE:
Double the love! Instagram now allows users to create carousels of 20 photos. (Before you were limited to only 10.) This is great news for those of you who want to show highlights from recent wedding celebrations.
Have a social media question to ask? Be sure to reach out to me at socialmedia@abcweddingplanners.com. I'm here to help!
| |
|
Quote
Wedding planners are the architects of dreams, crafting moments that turn into lifelong memories. Here’s to designing love stories that last forever!
| | | | |
