Monday, October 19, 2009
8:00-9:00 am Registration/Breakfast
9:00-9:15 am Symposium Opening/Welcome
9:15-10:00 am Workshop I: Ross Knight "Passion+Creativity=The KNIGHT Experience"
10:00-10:45 am Workshop II: Harmony Walton "Brand Strategy: Vision, Messaging & Leveraging"
10:45-11:00 am Break
11:00-11:45 am Workshop III: Alan Berg
11:45-12:45 pm Networking Luncheon
12:45-2:45 pm Keynote: Natalie Bradley "How To Attract All The Brides You Need For Your Wedding Business"
2:45-3:00 pm Break
3:00-3:45 pm Workshop IV: Chris Duggan
3:45-4:45 pm Trends 2010 Panel
4:45-5:00 pm Closing Remarks/Presentations
6:00-8:00 pm Networking Cocktail Party
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
8:00-9:00 am Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:15 am Symposium Opening/Welcome
9:15-10:00 am Workshop I: Xochitl Gonzalez
10:00-10:45 am Workshop II: Stephanie Hunt
10:45-11:00 am Break
11:00-11:45 am Workshop III: Katie Martin "Easy Steps to Make Your Wedding Business Eco-Friendly and Attract Green Brides!"
11:45-12:45 pm Networking Luncheon
12:45-2:45 pm Keynote: Linnyette Richardson-Hall "Hustle & Flow - How to Stay on Top & In The Game"
2:45-3:00 pm Break
3:00-3:45 pm Workshop IV: B. Coveney Smith "The Emerging Gay & Lesbian Wedding Market"
3:45-4:45 pm Media Panel Discussion*
4:45-5:00 pm Closing Remarks/Presentations
*Media Panel to include editors from the industry's top online and print magazines discussing "How do I get editorial coverage in online/print magazines and blogs? What kinds of images have a better chance of getting chosen?"
Stacie Francome, GetMarried.com
Alan Berg, The Knot
Jennifer S. Lazarus, Bridal Guide
Bridgette Bartlett, Essence.com
03 October 2009
29 September 2009
Networking Cocktail Party
Join us at the Maximize Your Brand networking cocktail party. Here's your chance to network with our dazzling lineup of guest speakers and panelists. Introduce yourself, make a real connection or even spark a new business idea!
Monday, October 19, 2009
6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Ravel Hotel
8-08 Queens Plaza South
Long Island City, NY 11101
Registered symposium attendees are free!
Non-registered guests: $25
For tickets, click here.Can't wait to see you there!
Monday, October 19, 2009
6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Ravel Hotel
8-08 Queens Plaza South
Long Island City, NY 11101
Registered symposium attendees are free!
Non-registered guests: $25
For tickets, click here.Can't wait to see you there!
24 September 2009
Symposium Agenda
We are so excited to announce the Maximize Your Brand Symposium agenda. I think you'll agree we've assembled a stellar lineup of presenters and panelists whose insights will guide you to creating and improving your business and brand. Karina and I have been overwhelmed by the response we've received and can't wait to see everyone in a few weeks! A few seats are still available, be sure to reserve your spot here.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Registration/ Continental Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00am
Symposium Opening/Welcome 9:00 – 9:15am
Workshop I 9:15 – 10:00 am
Ross Oscar Knight
Workshop II 10:00 – 10:45 am
Harmony Walton
Break 10:45 – 11:00 am
Workshop III 11:00 – 11:45 am
Alan Berg
Networking Luncheon 11:45 – 12:45 pm
Keynote Speaker 12:45 – 2:45 pm
Natalie Bradley
Break 2:45 – 3:00 pm
Workshop IV 3:00 – 3:45 pm
Christopher Duggan
Trends 2010 Panel 3:45 – 4:45 pm
Closing Remarks/Presentations 4:45 - 5:00 pm
Networking Cocktail Party 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Continental Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00am
Symposium Opening/Welcome 9:00 – 9:15am
Workshop I 9:15 – 10:00am
Xochitl Gonzalez
Workshop II 10:00 – 10:45am
Stephanie Hunt
Break 10:45 – 11:00am
Workshop III 11:00 – 11:45am
Katie Martin
Networking Luncheon 11:45 – 12:45pm
Keynote Speaker 12:45 – 2:45pm
Linnyette Richardson-Hall
Break 2:45 – 3:00pm
Workshop IV 3:00 – 3:45pm
Bernadette Coveney Smith
Break 3:45 – 4:00pm
Media Panel Discussion 4:00 – 5:00pm
Get Married
The Knot
Essence
Bridal Guide
Closing Remarks/Presentations 5:00 - 5:15pm
Monday, October 19, 2009
Registration/ Continental Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00am
Symposium Opening/Welcome 9:00 – 9:15am
Workshop I 9:15 – 10:00 am
Ross Oscar Knight
Workshop II 10:00 – 10:45 am
Harmony Walton
Break 10:45 – 11:00 am
Workshop III 11:00 – 11:45 am
Alan Berg
Networking Luncheon 11:45 – 12:45 pm
Keynote Speaker 12:45 – 2:45 pm
Natalie Bradley
Break 2:45 – 3:00 pm
Workshop IV 3:00 – 3:45 pm
Christopher Duggan
Trends 2010 Panel 3:45 – 4:45 pm
Closing Remarks/Presentations 4:45 - 5:00 pm
Networking Cocktail Party 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Continental Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00am
Symposium Opening/Welcome 9:00 – 9:15am
Workshop I 9:15 – 10:00am
Xochitl Gonzalez
Workshop II 10:00 – 10:45am
Stephanie Hunt
Break 10:45 – 11:00am
Workshop III 11:00 – 11:45am
Katie Martin
Networking Luncheon 11:45 – 12:45pm
Keynote Speaker 12:45 – 2:45pm
Linnyette Richardson-Hall
Break 2:45 – 3:00pm
Workshop IV 3:00 – 3:45pm
Bernadette Coveney Smith
Break 3:45 – 4:00pm
Media Panel Discussion 4:00 – 5:00pm
Get Married
The Knot
Essence
Bridal Guide
Closing Remarks/Presentations 5:00 - 5:15pm
23 September 2009
Speaker Update: Break-out Sessions with Katie Martin
Trying to get a grasp on the eco-friendly trend for your specific business? Sign-up for a specific break-out session with Katie Martin after she speaks on Tuesday, October 20th to get one-on-one advice on how to green your business today. For a $250 consulting fee, you will receive a 30-minute private session with Katie Martin with a follow-up call up to one month after the meeting! Only 3 spots available! Email Katie directly about setting up your break-out session: katie**at**eleganceandsimplicity**dot**com
22 September 2009
Speaker Update: Media Panel
Hey! Have you registered for MYB09 yet? If not, hurry - seats are selling out quickly!
You have already heard all the reasons why you should attend and received updates on the superstar speaker line-up we have confirmed BUT have you heard about our media panel?
MYB 09 Media Panel to include editors from the industry's top online and print magazines:
Stacie Francome, GetMarried.com
Alan Berg, The Knot
Bridgette Bartlett, Essence.com
Jennifer S. Lazarus, Bridal Guide
*The topic will be posted shortly but is the following: "How do I get editorial coverage in online/print magazines and blogs? What kinds of images have a better chance of getting chosen?"
For more details go to: http://www.maximizeyourbrand.com/
To register go to: http://maximizeyourband2009.eventbrite.com
You have already heard all the reasons why you should attend and received updates on the superstar speaker line-up we have confirmed BUT have you heard about our media panel?
MYB 09 Media Panel to include editors from the industry's top online and print magazines:
Stacie Francome, GetMarried.com
Alan Berg, The Knot
Bridgette Bartlett, Essence.com
Jennifer S. Lazarus, Bridal Guide
*The topic will be posted shortly but is the following: "How do I get editorial coverage in online/print magazines and blogs? What kinds of images have a better chance of getting chosen?"
For more details go to: http://www.maximizeyourbrand.com/
To register go to: http://maximizeyourband2009.eventbrite.com
21 September 2009
Speaker Spotlight: 5 Questions with Ross Oscar Knight
Today we are featuring the divinely talented Ross Oscar Knight. To say is Ross is a photographer is an understatement. He is truly gifted at finding just the right light, time and angle to capture life's special moments. His work takes him all over the globe but we managed to pin him down for a quick chat. Enjoy!
What inspires you, what challenges you and what have you learned from your experiences to date?
One day I visited with an elderly family member. It was about 6 years ago. She told me stories about my great grandfather that I had never heard. I learned about his ambitions as a small business owner and the struggles he had during the Civil Rights Movement. That one day I felt so blessed to be in his lineage. My great grandfather (Buster) was an amazing man that made extreme sacrifices for his family. I walk in the footsteps of the giants of my past. This one conversation enlightened my view of the sacrifices needed to succeed in my own business. I want to make my ancestors proud and I hope to be an inspiration to future generations of my own family. From my experiences to date I have learned that where there is a challenge there is an opportunity for growth and further definition of what God has in store for your life. One must act once given divine direction.
If you had to start your business over today, what would you do differently and why?
I would have taken a managerial accounting course before the start of my business or at least during the first year. If you understand your profit/loss and define goals, it makes investment decisions much easier. Also, all of the paperwork and tax information required to keep a small business functioning properly is serious work. I am a firm believer in hiring people to help me when I have a knowledge deficiency but I also believe that one must be able to understand the big picture and take over if an employee/contractor drops the ball.
If there is one tip that you can pass on to other vendors, what would it be?
Buying the latest and greatest technology is not the solution to all business problems (neither is expensive advertising). If it is not implemented seamlessly you just end up with more concerns. Define a concrete and repeatable process that can expose issues before they explode.
What is one change you have successfully implanted within your business that has allowed you to better navigate the current recession?
I identified and then concentrated on promoting our most profitable product lines to increase revenue and at the same time cut operating costs. I found that building true meaningful relationships with loyal clients and vendors has helped to generate successful leads and bookings of these product lines.
How do you see the industry evolving over the next few years?
Photographers are becoming more business savvy. Even amateurs are focused on residual income from licensing prints to creating innovative products for the industry. This growth will continue to present challenges for professional photographers. I see the wedding photography industry becoming more saturated with new photographers that focus on inexpensive “shoot and burn” packages. These part-time wedding photographers do not have the burden of overhead costs because they still have primary jobs that pay the bills. Professional photographers will have to prove their worth through more than just exceptional images. My commitment to building community keeps me grounded with purpose and not consumed with all of the hype.
What inspires you, what challenges you and what have you learned from your experiences to date?
One day I visited with an elderly family member. It was about 6 years ago. She told me stories about my great grandfather that I had never heard. I learned about his ambitions as a small business owner and the struggles he had during the Civil Rights Movement. That one day I felt so blessed to be in his lineage. My great grandfather (Buster) was an amazing man that made extreme sacrifices for his family. I walk in the footsteps of the giants of my past. This one conversation enlightened my view of the sacrifices needed to succeed in my own business. I want to make my ancestors proud and I hope to be an inspiration to future generations of my own family. From my experiences to date I have learned that where there is a challenge there is an opportunity for growth and further definition of what God has in store for your life. One must act once given divine direction.
If you had to start your business over today, what would you do differently and why?
I would have taken a managerial accounting course before the start of my business or at least during the first year. If you understand your profit/loss and define goals, it makes investment decisions much easier. Also, all of the paperwork and tax information required to keep a small business functioning properly is serious work. I am a firm believer in hiring people to help me when I have a knowledge deficiency but I also believe that one must be able to understand the big picture and take over if an employee/contractor drops the ball.
If there is one tip that you can pass on to other vendors, what would it be?
Buying the latest and greatest technology is not the solution to all business problems (neither is expensive advertising). If it is not implemented seamlessly you just end up with more concerns. Define a concrete and repeatable process that can expose issues before they explode.
What is one change you have successfully implanted within your business that has allowed you to better navigate the current recession?
I identified and then concentrated on promoting our most profitable product lines to increase revenue and at the same time cut operating costs. I found that building true meaningful relationships with loyal clients and vendors has helped to generate successful leads and bookings of these product lines.
How do you see the industry evolving over the next few years?
Photographers are becoming more business savvy. Even amateurs are focused on residual income from licensing prints to creating innovative products for the industry. This growth will continue to present challenges for professional photographers. I see the wedding photography industry becoming more saturated with new photographers that focus on inexpensive “shoot and burn” packages. These part-time wedding photographers do not have the burden of overhead costs because they still have primary jobs that pay the bills. Professional photographers will have to prove their worth through more than just exceptional images. My commitment to building community keeps me grounded with purpose and not consumed with all of the hype.
15 September 2009
Speaker Spotlight: Xochitl Gonzalez
Today we are chatting with the innovative Xochitl Gonzalez of Always A Bridesmaid. Xochitl has become one of New York's most sought-after planners for clients seeking inter-faith/inter-cultural weddings. We are so looking forward to her presentation and how to better serve this growing market.
What inspires you, what challenges you, and what have you learned from your experiences to date?
Strong personalities inspire me! Color inspires me and difficult spaces inspire me. That's more than one thing, I suppose. I love when couples come to me and want to do something outside the norm or bold with their color palette or something reflective of their cultures with the menu. I guess I'm really inspired by couples who are excited to have their day be very reflective of who they are. I am inspired by weddings with strong point of view, because I'm able to adopt that perspective and run with it. I love bold colors because those events seem to come alive and more than anything, I'm inspired by difficult or unusual spaces. I just wrapped up a wedding on Ellis Island and the process of transforming the space from a historic museum to a reception venue in 45 minutes had me revved up for months!
Challenges for me are usually less logistic and stylistic, and more about people. I think difficult parent-client relationships challenge me, because there are a few chefs in the kitchen, and it's important to make them all feel that they have a voice in the process, especially if the bills are being split. Plus, the truth is, I don't know all the back story, so it's still a constant challenge to fit my way, in my temporary role, into my clients' families and relationships.
I've learned so much since we started this business six years ago, I don't even know where to begin. I think my greatest lesson is to practice the golden rule and build great relationships. It helps your clients and it helps you. Some planners like a more pit-bull approach, but our style is really much more team based and it's created a sense of real camaradarie at our events that I think the clients really notice. There is a seamlessness because vendors want to do their very best because they ENJOY working with you.
If you had to start your business over today what would you do differently and why?
Ultimately, we learned so much from our errors, I don't know how things could have played out differenty. However, I would probably have spent a lot less money on advertising, valued our service more, and I would have had a better contract that better protected my business. In the beginning we were afraid of intimidating brides with very thorough contracts, but over time, experience has taught us to add certai clauses that initially we were afraid of putting in. Finally, I would have hired differently. We squandered a lot of money on bad staff while we got on "hands on" HR experience! Wekarina've learned a LOT about management.
What is one change you have successfully implanted within your business that has allowed you to better navigate through the current recession?
We've done a couple of things that I feel have helped us. The first step was dramatic cost cutting and evaluation of what things cost us more than they offered in return. We re-structured our staffing and packages to enable us to take on more "smaller" clients without exhausting ourselves and we diversified our service offerings to make our luxury service seem a little more attainable.
How do you see the industry evolving over the next few years?
I think that over the next few years, we're going to see wedding consultants become more ubiquitous , but I think the profession is going to split more rigidly into planners/ event designers and consultants/ event coordinators. By that I mean that there will be a more rigid luxury market, while there will be a burgeoning market for mid-market and even "budget" brides seeking partial service and DOC. I think that Wedding Planners/ Consultants are turning into the realators and contractors of the wedding industry. Would you buy a house or do major renovation without one? Some people, maybe, but not everyone. I Venues and vendors are starting to see the value and ease of working with qualified planners and I think brides and grooms are starting to see a good planner and a DOC as a bit of insurance on their investment. That said, I think that the industry needs an industry standard, because for young consultants and DOCs starting out, the hurdle to overcome poor performance by bad, "wanna be's" for lack of a better term, is very difficult.
What inspires you, what challenges you, and what have you learned from your experiences to date?
Strong personalities inspire me! Color inspires me and difficult spaces inspire me. That's more than one thing, I suppose. I love when couples come to me and want to do something outside the norm or bold with their color palette or something reflective of their cultures with the menu. I guess I'm really inspired by couples who are excited to have their day be very reflective of who they are. I am inspired by weddings with strong point of view, because I'm able to adopt that perspective and run with it. I love bold colors because those events seem to come alive and more than anything, I'm inspired by difficult or unusual spaces. I just wrapped up a wedding on Ellis Island and the process of transforming the space from a historic museum to a reception venue in 45 minutes had me revved up for months!
Challenges for me are usually less logistic and stylistic, and more about people. I think difficult parent-client relationships challenge me, because there are a few chefs in the kitchen, and it's important to make them all feel that they have a voice in the process, especially if the bills are being split. Plus, the truth is, I don't know all the back story, so it's still a constant challenge to fit my way, in my temporary role, into my clients' families and relationships.
I've learned so much since we started this business six years ago, I don't even know where to begin. I think my greatest lesson is to practice the golden rule and build great relationships. It helps your clients and it helps you. Some planners like a more pit-bull approach, but our style is really much more team based and it's created a sense of real camaradarie at our events that I think the clients really notice. There is a seamlessness because vendors want to do their very best because they ENJOY working with you.
If you had to start your business over today what would you do differently and why?
Ultimately, we learned so much from our errors, I don't know how things could have played out differenty. However, I would probably have spent a lot less money on advertising, valued our service more, and I would have had a better contract that better protected my business. In the beginning we were afraid of intimidating brides with very thorough contracts, but over time, experience has taught us to add certai clauses that initially we were afraid of putting in. Finally, I would have hired differently. We squandered a lot of money on bad staff while we got on "hands on" HR experience! Wekarina've learned a LOT about management.
What is one change you have successfully implanted within your business that has allowed you to better navigate through the current recession?
We've done a couple of things that I feel have helped us. The first step was dramatic cost cutting and evaluation of what things cost us more than they offered in return. We re-structured our staffing and packages to enable us to take on more "smaller" clients without exhausting ourselves and we diversified our service offerings to make our luxury service seem a little more attainable.
How do you see the industry evolving over the next few years?
I think that over the next few years, we're going to see wedding consultants become more ubiquitous , but I think the profession is going to split more rigidly into planners/ event designers and consultants/ event coordinators. By that I mean that there will be a more rigid luxury market, while there will be a burgeoning market for mid-market and even "budget" brides seeking partial service and DOC. I think that Wedding Planners/ Consultants are turning into the realators and contractors of the wedding industry. Would you buy a house or do major renovation without one? Some people, maybe, but not everyone. I Venues and vendors are starting to see the value and ease of working with qualified planners and I think brides and grooms are starting to see a good planner and a DOC as a bit of insurance on their investment. That said, I think that the industry needs an industry standard, because for young consultants and DOCs starting out, the hurdle to overcome poor performance by bad, "wanna be's" for lack of a better term, is very difficult.
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