Leaders of WIPA (Wedding Industry Professionals Association) held launch meetings in San Diego and Santa Monica, California, Monday and Tuesday evening, respectively. It was an opportunity to present their vision for the fledgling association to prospective members.

Does the United States (and beyond) need yet another wedding association?: In reality, this would be its first non-profit association. A true ‘business league,’ as defined by the IRS.

Why does non-profit status matter?: While privately held organizations do provide specific services and benefits for their members, they are always colored by the fact that they are not owned by the membership. An owner or partnership often does good things, but their ultimate goal is profit. Naming an organization an association that is for-profit is a tad misleading. In true associations such as WIPA, NACE or ISES, the membership, represented by its elected leaders, drives the agenda.

What is the vision?: WIPA is still fine tuning its mission statement; however, it’s safe to say that it will focus on education, industry standards, integrity, and consumer-awareness through major media. The association strives to become the leading voice for wedding industry businesses.

What about local chapters?: WIPA has just blasted out of the starting blocks, but local chapters are already on the radar. Thought launched in California, the founding board members plan to evangelize their mission across the United States and beyond, in rapid fashion. There will be a WIPA presence at The Special Event Show in San Diego, (January 2009), in terms of speakers at sessions (wedding track), a booth in the trade show, and at the wedding luncheon. It is expected that the involvement at The Special Event Show will trigger a flurry of new memberships and fuel interest by wedding industry ‘movers and shakers’ to bring about ‘chapters in development.’

What was the vibe? (OK, that’s a California word) The tone of the gathering and the presentation was energetic, exciting, and passionate. The attendees represented a wide range of business types, within the industry. That kind of variety and enthusiasm can only be a good sign.

WIPA’s founding president, Joyce Scardina Becker, made a great case for the new association and its far reaching benefits to members and the wedding industry, generally. If her fellow board members can match her dedication and commitment, the possibilities for the wedding industry are limitless.

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SPECIAL COMMENT: Networking takes place when any group of business people get together. That’s the natural order of things. WIPA promises to be more than just networking.

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Blog

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written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: Andy Ebon, education, integrity, local chapters, wedding industry professionals association, wedding marketing blog, WIPA