Are you a wedding professional looking to elevate your game? I’m attending Wedding MBA this year, and as I prepare, I wanted to write this article sharing five insider tips to help you make the most of your experience at Wedding MBA – or really any wedding industry event you attend! Doesn’t it feel so good to start seeing people in person again? I am PUMPED to network and meet so many of my students.
But with so much to see and do (160 seminars, 100 speakers, and 200 exhibits), I also know how important it is to have a plan in place to maximize your time and make the most of this incredible event. After all, you’re spending a lot of time and money to get yourself there. If I will see you there, make sure to DM me on Instagram and say hi! I’d love to see more familiar faces!
Why Attend Wedding MBA?
Before I jump in, I want to take a second to explain why I’m going to Wedding MBA this year (and why I’m recommending it to the women I coach too). Wedding MBA is not your average conference—it’s an immersive experience designed specifically for wedding professionals just like you. It brings together industry experts, thought leaders, and fellow wedding professionals from around the world.
Here are the top two reasons why attending Wedding MBA is a must for any wedding professional:
1. Networking: Wedding MBA offers unparalleled networking opportunities. It’s a chance to connect with like-minded professionals, forge new partnerships, and expand your professional network. Whether you’re looking for vendors to collaborate with or seeking mentorship from industry veterans, Wedding MBA can serve as the perfect platform to make those connections.
2. Education: The wedding industry is constantly changing, and events like these keep your finger on the pulse. Wedding MBA has a TON of educational sessions and workshops led by industry experts. Learn about the latest trends, best practices, and innovative strategies that can help you grow your business. From marketing and branding to design and technology, Wedding MBA covers a wide range of topics to cater to the diverse needs of wedding professionals. PLUS – if you’ve ever thought about speaking at one of these events, you should see what it’s like as an attendee at least once!
Ultimately, I believe that attending Wedding MBA is an investment in your professional growth and development. It’s an opportunity to learn from the best in the industry, gain new perspectives, and stay ahead of the competition.
Now, let’s dive into making the most of your experience
Step 1: Prepare for Wedding MBA
Before you step foot into Wedding MBA, it’s important to do some pre-event preparation. I know you are busy right now, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Research the Schedule: Take some time to familiarize yourself with the event schedule. Identify the sessions, workshops, and keynotes that align the most closely with your goals and interests. Highlight the ones you don’t want to miss and make a note of their timings.
- Set Objectives: What do you hope to achieve by attending Wedding MBA? Y’all, I’m ALL about setting objectives and deciding what I want to get out of something before I do anything. Set clear objectives for yourself—a specific number of new connections, a list of potential clients, or knowledge about a particular aspect of the wedding industry. Having goals will help you stay focused and make the most of your time. Leave some room to be surprised, though!
- Update Your Marketing Collateral: In this was 2012, I’d be telling you to print some fresh business cards. But nowadays? I would just recommend going through your IG and website to make sure everything is in tip-top shape because it’s likely what you’ll give to people to stay connected.
Step 2: Create a Schedule
While I actually don’t think you should walk into Wedding MBA with no wiggle room in your schedule, I would encourage you to familiarize yourself with the event schedule and create a simple itinerary for yourself. Allocate time for attending sessions, exploring the exhibition floor, and networking. Make sure to include breaks to rest and recharge. Be realistic about what you can achieve during the conference too. With so much happening at Wedding MBA, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Prioritize the sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities that align with your objectives. Don’t spread yourself too thin by trying to do everything. Instead, focus on a few key activities and give them your full attention.
Step 3: Prioritize Networking
You know that old saying, “Your network is your net worth”? It’s true, my friends. And in this case, networking is the beating heart of the conference experience!
At Wedding MBA, networking is key to making meaningful connections with other wedding professionals and industry leaders. Use the time before, during, and after the conference to set up one-on-one meetings or join conversations online in advance of the event. You can even use social media platforms like Instagram to introduce yourself virtually ahead of time.
Once the conference begins, be sure to tap into every networking opportunity available. Take advantage of attending the social events hosted by Wedding MBA, where you can meet industry professionals and expand your network. Also, make a point to connect with peers during meal times or breaks, as these informal settings often foster meaningful connections. Don’t be afraid to join in conversations that interest you, as you never know who you may meet – it could be your future mentor or even a potential business partner! The possibilities are endless at a conference like this, so be proactive and seize every opportunity that comes your way!
Step 4: Attend the Educational Sessions and Workshops
OK – this one is obvious, but one of the key highlights of Wedding MBA is the educational sessions and workshops led by industry experts. Here’s how you can make the most of these learning opportunities:
Choose Wisely: I’ve already mentioned this several times but it bears repeating for all of the Enneagram 3’s reading this (iykyn). With a wide range of sessions to choose from, it’s important to be intentional and choose the BEST ones that fit your goals. Read the session descriptions and speaker bios to get a sense of what each session offers. But do NOT try to do it all.
Take Notes: During the sessions, take detailed notes of key takeaways, tips, and strategies. Write down any questions that come to mind, as they can be valuable discussion points during networking sessions. Don’t rely on your memory alone—capture the information that resonates with you and that you want to implement in your own business. I recommend having a note-taking system or a way to categorize your notes BEFORE Wedding MBA starts.
Connect with Speakers: After the sessions, take the opportunity to connect with the speakers. Thank them for their valuable insights and ask any further questions you may have. Building relationships with industry leaders can open doors to future collaborations and mentorship opportunities.
Step 5: What You Do AFTER Wedding MBA Matters: Follow-Ups + Implementing What You Learned
Like I said, attending Wedding MBA is a big investment of your time and hard-earned cash. The value of Wedding MBA doesn’t end when the conference concludes, though. Make sure you reach out to the people you’ve connected with during the conference after you return home. Send personalized follow-up emails, connect on social media, or schedule meetings to discuss potential collaborations or partnerships. Don’t let the connections you’ve made go to waste—nurture them and explore how you can support each other’s businesses.
On top of that, make sure to take time to actually IMPLEMENT what you’ve learned. Whether it’s a new marketing strategy, a fresh approach to client consultations, or a different way of managing your team, put what you’ve learned into action. The true value of attending conferences lies in the application of knowledge.
Are You Attending Wedding MBA in 2023?
If you are, I’d love to hear from you! Attending Wedding MBA is an opportunity to elevate your wedding business and connect with industry leaders. By preparing in advance, setting goals, networking, attending educational sessions, and maximizing your experience after the event, you can make the most of this incredible opportunity. Remember, Wedding MBA is not just a conference—it’s a platform for growth, learning, and building lasting relationships. So go ahead, plan your trip, and get ready to take your wedding business to new heights at Wedding MBA!
Ready to Elevate Your Wedding Planning Business?
We would love to welcome you inside The Planners’ Playbook, the membership for wedding planners who want to elevate the wedding industry and feel confident AF in their wedding planning business. From masterclasses and workshops to a deep-dive playbook being released every month, The Planner’s Playbook has everything you need to streamline your processes and save time. Plus – you’ll even get a discount on the CC shop!
Explore More Wedding Industry Resources
- Wedding Planners – Should You List Your Wedding Planner Pricing Packages On Your Website?
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- Want to Book Better Clients? Stop Marketing and Improve Your Client Experience Instead
- Wedding Industry Branding: How to Create A Recognizable Brand in the Wedding Industry with Brand Strategist Nicole Yang
- Should You Increase Your Price? How to Know When It’s Time to Raise Your Rates
- 8 Steps to Spring Cleaning Your Wedding Business
- How to Book Your FIRST Client as a Wedding Planner
- How To Build Your Portfolio As A Wedding Planner When You’re Just Starting Out
- Elizabeth McCravy On How To Create A Knock-Out Business Brand And Website
- Top 5 Blogging Tips For Wedding Pros in 2023
For More Wedding Planner Business Secrets Follow Me On Instagram
12 years of being the luckiest girl on the planet.💜 happy anniversary to the person who makes everything about this beautiful life we have possible.
📷 @c10ike
DAY TWO // WPI Spring Retreat 💜
If Day 1 was about getting closer to the question, Day 2 was about getting honest with the answer.
We came back together over mimosas and morning hugs (a WPI staple at this point 😉) and got right back into refinement — this time turning the lens inward. What are you actually building? And are your standards, your pricing, and your daily reality all telling the same story?
The member gives went THERE. We talked about how a systems strategist can help you untangle your process, and how saying no (A LOT) helped two photographers book better weddings.
I spoke about two important topics: setting standards and nervous system – two topics that have become very important inside WPI!
In between these conversations was room for the good stuff: small group breakouts, real talk, a few happy tears, a homemade Caribbean lunch (those pressed sandwiches 🤌), and an afternoon of feet in the pool and brains fully stretched.
Not pictured was the homemade Guac I whipped up and other poolside treats!
All these gorgeous moments captured by our retreat photographer + my business bestie @c10ike 💜💜💜
You might see the highlight reel and think ending up here was always my plan all along but you’d be wrong.
Like any good career, there have been lots of pivots and hiccups, and lessons that had to be learned the hard way.
Not seen here? The time…
- I forgot to add chairs to a rental order and ended up footing the $2,000 bill
- A client sat across from me crying that I ruined her wedding because her parents table had a low centerpiece
- I had to borrow $4,000 from Grandma Vera to make payroll, because I didn’t pay attention to my numbers
- About a hundred “dream clients” hired a different planner than me and I felt like an absolute failure
- I cried in my car before a wedding because I was completely and totally overwhelmed with the amount of responsibility on my shoulders (OK, maybe I did this more than once)
- My seasonal launch of The Planner’s Playbook completely bombed and I felt like my entire business was falling apart
…and roughly 700 other moments I’ve chosen to leave off the highlight reel.
So if you’re at the messy, nothing’s-working stage right now? Just know that if you have been to one wedding in your life, you are starting with more experience than I had.
I’m getting ready to embark on an exciting new chapter that I cannot wait to share with you… it’s big, and scary, and I’m sure in another few years I’ll have a lot more lore to share… but in the meantime…
Cheers to all the ups and downs I’ve experienced over the last 19 years!
And a special thanks to the photographers who made a lot of this lore possible: @c10ike @allanzepedaphoto @stevedepino @withincreative @robertandkathleen @thebrandedbosslady 💜🫶🏼😘
I’ve come to realize that many of us want to have a village, but we don’t recognize that we have to be a villager first.
My friend carla @c10ike is one of those rare exceptions and I want to introduce you to her!
When I started my planning business, I had no contacts and no real idea what I was doing. I was so green it makes me laugh to look back on it now!
And somehow, I got lucky enough to be taken under the wing of this incredible woman who showed up for me then when I was a little baby business owner, and has kept showing up ever since in more ways than I could possibly count.
She’s taught me so much over the years, and I don’t mean in the traditional sense of teaching someone something. She simply lived her life, and I paid attention.
She modeled what it means to be a friend.
A sister.
A daughter.
A wife.
A mother.
A business owner.
A boss.
I learned generosity by watching her be generous.
Compassion, connection, leadership… none of it came from advice. All of it came from the way she carries herself and the way she treats the people around her.
She has taught me more than she will ever know by the sheer act of living loudly and joyfully in every corner of her life.
I am so lucky to call her my friend. So lucky to be one of the many, many people she has been a villager for.
Carla thank you for letting me grow up right beside you. I love you. 🤍
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