One Month Ago…

One moth ago, I sat in a room with 100 people who changed things for the better. I met dozens of new friends, connected with dozens of old friends, and went home with hundreds of stories, smiles and ambitions. I’ve since shared coffee, dinner, jokes, drinks, lunches, carpools, emails, images, phone calls, tweets, and stories with many of you. And, on one occasion, double-stick tape.

Somehow, one month ago seems so brief, yet somehow like boundless things have happened since we all sat together for 9 hours.

There are hundreds of photos from the gracious and warm Justin Hackworth. Only a few of which I share tonight. (More to come…and keep coming). There are elegant thank you notes, funny antics and new connections that didn’t happen the day of WedSmith, but that have sparked since. Recently, Ashantai joked that the Coffee Garden has become a mini-WedSmith. All I can say is that I am thrilled that so many of you keep in contact with each other.

My accountability partner ala: Simon T. Bailey is a funny gal who lets me email her silly questions and who has visited me at Lily & Iris. (Thanks…you know who you are.) How are you doing with yours? Are any of you still on Simon’s 15/7/30/60/90? How was your first 30? Did Susan make you look at your clients differently? Do you all see why we had to have Saundra back? Did Harmony blow your mind as much as she did mine? Did Katy inspire you all to read and re-read your contracts as much as I have?

Thanks again need to be given to St. Regis and their lovely Catherine for being superlative hosts. To Ann Elizabeth – for I use her artistic thank you cards and notepads every single day. (Alright, I use those slender St. Regis pens everyday, too.) To Modern Display for taking oh-so-good care of you. To Jacque Riehl – heartfelt love and thanks for seeing how things get done. To Utah Bride & Groom for following up and caring for local wedding vendors. To Justin Hackworth and his wit and lens.

More than anything, I want to thank each of you for being a part of this. For being in an industry that makes us all love our jobs and helps us to realize how lucky we all are. Also, I want to hear from you. All of you. Send me your thoughts.

Cheers.

Presenting…

There are many thanks to be expressed, but first to Justin Hackworth. He had perhaps the longest day of us all. But, with ease and art, made the day even better. That’s just his style.

Here’s his first image out from all the shots captured on October 4th.

Our presenters, along with me and Justin (my Justin).

Thank you for your work that day, Justin. There’s a clear reason people adore and admire you.

Stay tuned, a full re-cap will come soon.

Sponsor News: Modern Display

If you’re from Utah or the Mountain West, you know (and likely love) Modern Display and the Modern Companies. Now, we’re very pleased and honored to announce that they have joined us as a key sponsor.

For those of you who are less familiar with them, this company spans an impressive range of products and services. From expo facilitation, to retail supply, to a home decor boutique in a quaint shopping center. They understand the back-end and front-end of businesses and their needs. And, we’re happy to say, they also understand lunch! They, along with the catering creatives at St. Regis Deer Valley, will be sponsoring the Power-Lunch-Hour: A luxe lunch (just wait until you see the menu!) combine with a clever Q&A panel moderated by Mary Crafts-Homer.

If you don’t come to WedSmith for the education, come for the (Modern) company and the food!

Who’s In?

A quick roll call post for you. This will let you know what types of businesses have registered for WedSmith so far this year.

Cake Designers

Wedding Planners

DJs

Gown Designers

Bloggers

Stationers

Bridal Boutiques (…and not just Alta Moda)

Photographers

Florists

Caterers

Magazines (three, so far)

Calligraphers

Photobooth Companies

Venues

Media Sites

Decor and Rental Companies

….Who’s missing?

You?

Maybe you clicked here wanting to see exactly who’s in? I’ll message some of them and see if they’re up for me sharing. (Or, if you’re one of them, drop me a line and let me know I can boast about ya’.)

Q & A: Changes

Our last Q & A post focuses on what each interviewed attendee took with them and took to heart (and to the bank).

Question:

What was the tangible difference that your attendance made for you?

Answers:

Matt Serrao replied:

“A big difference is vendor referrals.  Prior to WedSmith, our clients came to us as referrals from previous clients or social media.  Since WedSmith, we’ve received over a dozen vendor referrals, and have referred clients to those we met at WedSmith.”

Mara Marian-Harwood replied:

“The moment I identified my client, and focused on her, I noticed an almost immediate shift in my closing rate. By choosing not to meet with every potential client and learning to only put energy into clients who are a good fit for LMG and likewise, I found that I wasn’t working nearly as hard yet I began making more money.”

Chris Rebo replied:

“Helped push me into really getting specific about who I wanted my clients to be – and really trying to appeal to those clients, and not everyone else.”

Melissa Nickle replied:

“The final presenter of the day was Lara Casey, who (as I’m sure you know) is the powerhouse genius behind Southern Weddings Magazine.  At one point in her presentation, she asked for a volunteer in the audience who would be willing to have his or her website critiqued.  Let’s just say my hand shot up faster than a speeding bullet and I was the lucky winner.  While I knew that having my site picked apart in front of everyone was a little risky, I also knew that an opportunity to get a few pointers from a branding guru like Lara was a once-in-a-lifetime sort of deal.  Her advice did not disappoint.  She gave me several suggestions which I was able to implement within 24 hours of the conference, and that alone has made a marked tangible difference for my company over the past year!”

Erin Kate Gouveia replied:

“I knew that I wanted to work on my branding in the future.  After listening to Lara Casey I decided that day that I had to make rebranding a priority.  It was an important step for my business.  I wanted my brand to be authentic, attract my target client, and I wanted it to represent an amazing experience for that client.  I’m happy to say that I’ve accomplished my goal.”

Q & A: Networking

Today’s Q&A post takes us to networking – that all important business tool.

Question:

Q. What prompted you to attend the first WedSmith?

Answers:

Matt Serrao replied:

Q & A: The Unexpected

Part of our Q&A series with past attendees now takes us to the unexpected.

Here’s what guests from last year’s event had to say.

Question:

What unexpected piece of information did you take away from last year?

Answers:

Alisha Ekstrtom replied:

“Feel the fear & do it anyway!  That’s sooo hard to do.  Fear holds you back, BUT also FEAR, can make you successful!”

Erin Kate Gouveia replied:

“The best unexpected piece of advice that I took away is that saying “no” can be the best thing for your business expansion. (via Harmony Walton)”

Matt Serrao replied:

“One of the many great quotes that I took away from WedSmith was from Jonathan Canlas.  He said, “Clients will book you because of your vision, not your price!”  I constantly have to remind myself that, especially in this economy.  It has helped us refine our vision for MOOD and gain a higher clientele.  It was a little unexpected because it came from a photographer!  Even though our companies are different, there was still much to learn – Who knew photographers are more than button pushers… duh, they focus the lens too!  JK! I love all the photographers we’ve worked with and talked to.  They make us look good.”

Chris Rebo replied:

“That appealing to a broad crowd can actually be a really bad marketing plan.”

Melissa Nickle replied:

“To be honest, the most unexpected piece of information I took away was from Harmony Walton’s presentation.  She was explaining to us about how to know when the right time is to expand your business, and what she said made me realize that now was not the time for me.  I am one to dream big, and I have huge plans for my company.  When I arrived at WedSmith I had been considering a certain area of expansion and had hoped to implement it in the near future.  I still have those plans, but Harmony’s words of wisdom were instrumental in helping me to correctly form the timing of those plans.  Timing is everything!”

Q & A: Presenters

To gear you up for WedSmith 2011, I asked a handful of attendees from last year a set of questions about their experience. The answers inspired me! All week long, I’ll share with you their candid, humorous and charming (I’m talking to you Matt!) replies.

Instead of sharing one person’s answers at a time, I decided to share with you a question at a time. Starting with the question that inspired me most – The Presenters!

Question:

Who was Your Favorite Person You Met at WedSmith?

Answers:

Mara Marian-Harwood replied:

“Saundra Hadley, hands down. Saundra was incredibly smart, engaging and to the point when it came to delivering her knowledge. After hearing Saundra speak I felt overwhelmingly motivated and excited about my business.”

Olga Goddard replied:

“The speakers’ panel list was amazing! My favorite was (and IS ) Saundra Hadley – just love her outstanding sense of humor, fun personality, professionalism, outside of the box thinking and her business knowledge is priceless.  I’m glad she is coming this year again…is it possible to have her speak twice as long as she did last year?

Lara Casey is another favorite. Loved her presentation on business branding. Her energy and engaging way to communicate were absolutely inspiring. “

Melissa Nickle replied:

“Ms. Walton. I was actually able to meet Harmony while standing in line for lunch at the Grand America. She was very nice and interested in what I had to say about the local market. Then, her presentation (which if I remember was give right after lunch) blew me away in the best way!  I was thrilled to have been able to speak with such an industry dynamo.”

Chris Rebo replied:

“Hmmm…  Either Jonathan Canlas or Lara Casey.  Probably both!”

Matt Serrao replied:

“Oh, Saundra, Saundra, Saundra!  Saundra Hadley was so energetic in her presentation.  I was so entertained, I had to remind myself to take notes!  She provided great information on improving sales and made me laugh the whole time.  Months later I had a question on a more productive sales technique.  I emailed her my question and was surprised to get a phone call from her in return.  She is amazing.  I <3 U Saundra!”

Erin Kate Gouveia replied:

“Lara Casey.”

Alisha Ekstrtom replied:

“This is hard because I have a lot of fav peeps I met at WedSmith, that I know. SOOO, I will tell you my favorite that I didn’t know & that would be Saundra Hadley ’cause she was so darn funny!!!”

As you may have guessed, it took us less than a split second to make sure Saundra Hadley would be at this year’s event as well.

Have you signed-up yet? Fewer than half the seats remain.

Top 10 Reasons to Attend WedSmith

1. You’ll get a full day of targeted business education that could otherwise take years of being in business to acquire.

2. Hear returning presenters Saundra and Harmony (last year’s attendees strongly requested them back) and hear new speakers Simon T. Bailey and Susan Southerland. Not to mention creative law (that’s law for creatives, by the way) from Katy Carrier.

3. St. Regis Deer Valley is the host venue. Seriously, the St. Regis! Seminars in the ballroom, dining on the Mountain Terrace, heated infinity pool, discount rates for lodging and the spa.  Can you imagine a better set-up?

4. Rub elbows with the best of the best in regional wedding talent.

5. Swag bags. Feeling the desire to one-up last year, we have more sponsor contributions, more goodies, and more swanky items to indulge you.

6. Free lunch! OK, lunch is included in the registration, but what could be better than a power lunch with a little learning thrown in?

7. Powerful networking. Make connections, plan collaborations, and meet fellow vendors that want to help you succeed.

8. Several of our speakers have published multiple books, do business in many major markets, and have booked more work than you could imagine.

9. The sponsors have great things in store for you. For starters, Utah Bride & Groom will rebate your registration fee toward advertising. Takes away an excuse, doesn’t it?

10. There will be a roaring after-party hosted by Wedding Professionals of Utah and produced by Riehl Events. Come ready to mingle, dance, sip, and connect.  …And then sleep.

WedSmith 2011 – See you there!

Seat Giveaway From Utah Bride & Groom

Our media sponsor and powerhouse in Utah Weddings, Utah Bride & Groom Magazine is giving away a seat to WedSmith.

All you have to do is write, in 140 character or less, why you want to go to WedSmith.

Read the Utah Bride & Groom post for full details.

But also keep in mind:

On Twitter, you must use @WedSmith & @UTBrideandGroom in each tweet.

And on Facebook, you must tag-mention both WedSmith & Utah Bride and Groom magazine in each post.

Feeling Social?