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

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

True networking is not simply collecting business cards. It’s making connections that have value in terms of business, friendship, knowledge, and collaboration.

While networking is an acquired skill, there are two other huge factors: Showing up and luck.

At this week’s Wedding MBA Conference, the organizers expect in excess of 600 attendees. That’s a lot of showing up. And, as important, it’s a highly focused conference. It’s all about learning the latest, fresh information about promoting one’s wedding business.

The education part is easy. Attend the conference, and show up at every session with an open mind. Don’t expect to be dazzled by every speaker. If you pick up just one fresh idea at every session, and apply it, the investment of time and money will be well worth it. If one or two sessions hit you as ‘life changing,’ then so much the better. You’ll really be pumped.

Often, the best things happen in hallways and coffee shops, between sessions, and during non-conference hours. That’s the luck factor. If one doesn’t simply congregate with people you already know, then the possibilities are limitless.

If your business needs a booster shot, I hope you’ve already made plans to be there. If not, Wedding MBA can probably bring in another chair for you.

Me, I’ll be at the Trade Show, in the sessions (watching, learning and presenting), and generally hanging around. I’m expecting good luck and great networking for everyone.

I’ll be blogging from the conference, but that’s not nearly as exciting as being there. Hope you plan to show up.

Andy Ebon
Wedding Marketing Blogger

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: education, hanging around, networking, trade show, wedding mba

Event organizer, Will Hegarty, is expecting a record turnout for this year’s Wedding MBA (Merchants Business Academy) Conference at the Phoenix Convention Center. The attendance is projected for 650-700, and perhaps more for the 4-day educational conference and trade show, September 22-25.

Attendees are traveling from abroad, as well as across the United States, to soak in the most current wisdom of wedding industry professionals and network with their peers.

The 3-day event also includes a trade show from Noon – 3pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.

If you have not yet made plans to attend and want to jump start your wedding business, it’s not to late to get on board.

FYI: The Wedding Marketing Blog’s Andy Ebon will be giving his presentation: Marketing and Selling to the 21st Century Bride on Thursday morning at 8am.

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: education, phoenix, wedding industry, wedding mba