ABC Meeting set for October!

October 14, 2009
Wednesday
6:00 to 9:00 pm

Click Here to RSVP
$22 for members, $32 for non-members

Howell Opera House
123 W. Grand River
Howell, 48844

Program:

Why Livingston County should be a destination wedding?

Guest Speaker from Visitors Bureau

Tours of All Saints Chapel, Howell's Historic Wedding Chapel will be given during the meeting.

Tours of the Howell Opera House will be given after the meeting



Your ABC Hostess:

Julie Hall

Consultant

Jewel Occasions, LLC

Howell

ABC Meeting at Silver Shores 09.09.09

When:
Wednesday, September 9th at 6:00pm

Where:
Silver Shores Waterfront, 1 James DeSana Drive, Wyandotte MI 48192

How:
RSVP at http://www.abcmi.org/. The cost of the event is $25 for ABC members, $35 for non-members until 09.06.09 (add $5 after that cut-off time).

What (to eat):
Silver Shores Specialty Salad
Homemade Silver Shores Rolls & Butter
Stuffed Chicken Breast
Pork Tenderloin with Cognac Mushroom Sauce
Tortellini Fonte
Roasted Garlic Redskins
Seasonal Vegetable Mix
Wine, Beer and Pop

Why:
Topic of education: Accessorizing the Bride
Karen Sherman from Crowning Glory will show off the latest accessories for the 2010 bridal season and we’ll be creating several different looks with jewelry, tiaras, headpieces, veils and hair jewelry.

Wh0 (is the venue):
Independently operated since September 2008 and completely renovated, Silver Shores Waterfront is a premier catering and banquet facility operated by a staff of highly experienced individuals with a tradition of success in meeting and exceeding the expectations of clients.

The Business of Weddings - A roundtable series for professional wedding planners

Presented by Laura Davis Events and Lindsey Nartker Designs

The Concept
On a business trip to Chicago, Laura Davis and Lindsey Nartker began brainstorming ideas on how to bring together wedding planners from a variety of backgrounds to share ideas and inspiration behind running a successful wedding consulting business.

During this trip, they met with one of the top coordinators in Chicago who commented that
everyone in the industry has something to learn and share with each other – from the newest consultants to the seasoned veterans.

The Business of Weddings is a series of focused roundtable discussions that provides an open forum for exchanging ideas on the fundamentals of owning and operating a successful wedding consulting business.

The Goal
To share best practices, strengthen individual companies and promote professionalism in the wedding planning industry

The Details
Session Three: What are you worth?

Understanding your value
Setting your prices
Competing in today’s economy

Tuesday, August 4, 2009
6:30 – 8:30pm

Laura Davis Events
101 W. Big Beaver Road
14th Floor
Troy, MI 48084

Cost: $5
Limited to 15 participants

To reserve your spot and receive payment information, e-mail info@thebusinessofweddingsmi.com

Future Sessions
Are you legally sound?
Marketing your brand
A day in the life…

Internship Position Open at Laura Davis Events

Laura Davis Events is currently accepting applications for the fall internship program, which runs from September through December. The internship program offers the opportunity to work closely with professional wedding and event planners to help plan and orchestrate events. Responsibilities include research and planning; attending client and vendor meetings; assisting with special projects; and on-site coordination of rehearsals, wedding ceremonies and receptions, and special events. This is an unpaid position; however, an intern who successfully completes the four-month internship may be hired on a part-time basis to assist at future events.

For more information on how to apply for the internship program, please visit www.lauradavisevents.com/employment.htm.

July 8th ABC Meeting

Details for our July 8, 2009 Meeting

Wednesday 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

MPE Event Productions, Inc.
33174 Capitol St.
Livonia, Mi. 48150

Program: “Different Brides, Different Budgets” Presented by Mark Ephraim of MPE Events and their staff

Beverages provided by MPE Events

Food Provided by Epoch Catering

Linens provided by Chair Covers & Linens

Members Fee: $5.00

Guests & Non Members Fee $10.00

We are also asking that you donate a can or box of food or a new unused toy.

The Event Studio Open House!

The Event Studio in Birmingham is hosting an Open House in their new location on June 11th at 6:30pm! All industry professionals are welcome to attend the event. The following companies now call the Event Studio home:

• Lindsey Nartker Designs
• West Park Photography
• Lockwood Media
• New Creations by Kate, LLC
• Croft & Campbell Photography

To RSVP for the Open House dessert reception, please email Lindsey: info@lndevents.com or give her a call at 248.594.3213

ABC Meeting Wednesday at Waldenwoods!

Register Here

The Details:

Wednesday 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Waldenwoods Banquet and Conference Center
2975 Old US-23
Hartland, MI 48353
810-632-6401

Schedule:

6:00 to 6:45 PM Meet, Mingle & Tours, plus Enjoy drinks, food & entertainment.

Terri Bendes, Director from Waldenwoods will say a few words.

6:45 to 8:30 PM Dinner, Program, Meet the Vendors, Q & A


Members Fee: $25.00 Guests & Non Members Fee $35.00


Program: Are you using social media to promote your business?

• Do you have a LinkedIn account because once someone sent you an email to join?
  
• Do you have a Facebook account?
  
• Are you using it to connect with family and friends, or are you harnessing the power to promote and grow your business?
  
• Twitter? What's that all about?

We will answer WHY each of these three top social media sites should be used in your PR & Marketing Strategies!

Speaker: Allan Curtis and Sandy Maki from www.insights-group.com

Featured Vendors:

Imaginique Studios
DJ Kurt Lewis
One Enchanted Evening Florist
Special Occasions Linens
Shutterbooth photos
Trifles baker
Special Occasions Designs favors

Expanding Horizons Seminar

The Association of Bridal Consultants is providing an Expanding Horizons Seminar on Monday, July 13th at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis. This is the same site as the annual conference coming up in November!The topic presented at Expanding Horizons will be "Building and Remodeling Your Business". A brief description of the day:

• Business expansion
• Specialization
• Other events
• Add-on sales
• Apprenticeships
• Hiring and firing
• Media relations
• Software and technology
• Ethical challenges

The $159 registration fee (if paid by June 30th!) includes a workbook, lunch and breaks. For more information, visit http://www.abcehbrbindy.eventbrite.com.

Summer Internship Available with Lindsey Nartker Designs

From Linsey Nartker Designs: "That's right, we're looking for a summer intern to spend a few months with us learning the Bridal Business. The unpaid internship will start on June 1 and will run through the end of September. This opportunity will allow you to work closely with a professional event coordinator at various weddings and ceremony rehearsals. If you or anyone you know is interested please send your resume and cover letter to info@lndevents.com.

Please address the following topics in your cover letter.

1. Why you are interested in this position?

2. Previous event experience

3. Long term and short term career goals

4. Weekend/weekday availability

5. Computer skills

Thank you!"

May's Meeting at Infinity and Ovation!

Join us on May 13th, 2009 at the Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters in Saint Clair Shores! The meeting will take place from 6-9pm, and to register, visit www.abcmi.org - we look forward to seeing you soon!
You're looking for something different. Something entirely unique. You want a wedding that will delight and amaze. An event your guests will always remember - and thank you for. Located in St. Clair Shores and Downtown Detroit, Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters has perfected the yachting experience by providing our guests with an opulent and inspiring atmosphere, exquisite cuisine prepared by the finest culinary talent, and a commitment to enthusiastic and attentive service.

April's Meeting - Recap

The April meeting for the Michigan ABC members and guests took place on Wednesday the 8th at the Skyline Club in Southfield.

If you have never been to the Club before, the view is outstanding! Once a private, members only club, it is now open for non-member functions including showers, rehearsal dinners and weddings!

Dottie Ottman supplied the centerpieces for the evening, and brought in the linens from Chair Covers & Linens. Each table was decorated differently - a theme at the meetings to inspire ideas!




The topics discussed were various disaster situations that each of us has been in (or near disasters that were thwarted!), as well as what to pack in an emergency kit so that no matter what happens (to a certain extent anyways!), we can be prepared to react to the situation appropriately and be able to fix things before the bride ever finds out!



For those who are interested in attending future ABC meetings (anyone is welcome!), the May meeting will be held on the 13th at the Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters, complete with a one hour ride! To register for the event, visit the ABC Michigan website at www.abcmi.org.

If you would like more information about ABC in general, including how to join, visit the national website at www.bridalassn.com.

We look forward to seeing you in the future!

Join us on Wednesday!

Wednesday's Association of Bridal Consultants meeting (April 8th) will be held at the Skyline Club in Southfield, MI. The fee to attend is $10 for members, $25 for non-members and will include food!

The fun begins at 6pm, and topics for the evening include: Wedding Disasters. How to be prepared for what ever may happen! as well as: Brideszilla's - how to deal with them!

To register for the event, you can sign up on the ABC Website - we are looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Round Table Discussion with Laura Davis and Lindsey Nartker

On a business trip to Chicago, Laura Davis and Lindsey Nartker began brainstorming ideas on how to bring together wedding planners from a variety of backgrounds to share ideas and inspiration behind running a successful wedding consulting business. During this trip, they met with one of the top coordinators in Chicago who commented that everyone in the industry has something to learn and share with each other - from the newest consultants to the seasoned veterans.

The Business of Weddings is a series of focused roundtable discussions that provides an open forum for exchanging ideas on the fundamentals of owning and operating a successful wedding consulting business. To share best practices, strengthen individual companies and promote professionalism in the wedding planning industry.

Session One: Who are you?
Defining your target market
Identifying your professional image
Branding your company

Tuesday, April 28, 2009
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Laura Davis Events
101 W. Big Beaver Road
14th Floor
Troy, MI 48084

Cost: $5
Limited to 15 participants

To reserve your spot and receive payment information, e-mail info@thebusinessofweddingsMI.com

March's ABC Meeting

The last ABC Michigan meeting was held at Lisa's Gift Wrappers in Royal Oak. It served as a networking event for bridal consultants and vendors, several of whom also showcased their products and services. These include:
- Kate Schmidt from New Creations (floral)

- Chair Covers and Linens (linens)

- Canape Cart provided (food)

- C&N Rentals (rental items)

The event was planned by Lindsey Nartker of Lindsey Nartker Designs.

Join us on Wednesday!

This month's Association of Bridal Consultants meeting will be taking place on the 11th of March at Lisa's Gift Wrappers, located at 28834 Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak, MI. Come join us! For more information on how to sign up, visit the ABC Michigan website at www.abcmi.org. There will be food at the event, and it is a wonderful opportunity to network with other bridal consultants and wedding vendors from around the metro Detroit area!

Early Registration Released for Annual Conference

The Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) has just announced early registration for the 2009 annual conference. It will be held in Indianapolis, IN on November 8th-10th at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. Due to the close location, Michigan will most likely be renting a bus for the trip down and back! The cost is $575, which includes the opening reception, two breakfasts, two lunches, all breaks, all educational sessions and trade show.

As an attendee in 2008, I highly recommend going! It will motivate you, give you great new ideas for your business, introduce you to some amazing vendors and planners from across the country, and provide you with some wonderful educational seminars and breakout sessions. Check out the ABC website for more information and a sneak peak!

Sandals FAM trip 2009!

Each year, Sandals invites ABC members who have achieved Consultant level or above to join them on one of their islands to experience Sandals for themselves. This year, Lindsey Nartker from Emma Lynn Designs and Ana Skidmore from TwoFoot Creative were the Michigan members who attended at the Bahamas location.

The only cost for the trip is the flight there and back - after that it's Luxury Included! We went through Sandals Certification, a property tour, and a meeting with ABC as part of the trip, as well as two separate "nights out" with the group to experience a destination wedding meal that one might select at Sandals. Networking with planners from across the country was also a wonderful addition to the stay. It was a great experience, highly recommended for next year!

ABC's New Michigan Blog!

Dedicated to members of the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) who live in the state of Michigan, this blog will serve to provide news and updates to members, information about past and upcoming meetings, opportunities for internships and anything else going on in the ABC Michigan community!