Business of Brides Conference Proved to be HOTT in Phoenix
by Caitlin Boshnack

For me, attending conference is like a power surge. I’m not just talking about the amount of energy the conference has on it’s own, but the bolt that always seems to be the jump start that I need.  If you’ve never had the opportunity to attend, let me explain. It is 3 full days of non-stop learning, networking, brainstorming, sharing and more learning. I was constantly coming up with new ideas to bring my company to a new level. The 2010 Annual Business of Brides Conference in Phoenix, Arizona from November 7-9 surpassed all expectations.

Let me first tell you about the meals, because like weddings, you always remember the meal. One of the best parts about Conference is that every meal is like a mini-reception with it’s own theme which carries through to the food, flowers, linens, centerpieces, colors and music. The ABC Phoenix team did a great job of showing new and innovative themes that can be translated into novel rehearsal dinners, bridal showers and receptions. Some themes were Red Haute Couture which was a swanky cocktail with red and black décor and finished with red velvet cupcakes, a Haute Water lunch which was a tropical theme featuring an amazing steel drum player and bright fruit centerpieces submerged in water, and a Haute International Luncheon with food stations from different eastern regions and tables set with golden textured linens and complimenting chair covers.

There were so many great sessions; it really was hard to choose which to attend. Gadgets, Gizmos and Great Little Ideas by experts Mary Dann-McNamee and Elise Enloe who shared resources like a free website that will make a video for you if you upload jpegs (www.animoto.com), how to use Microsoft tags (www.microsoft.com/tag), and an attachment for your cell phone that you can use to charge a credit card that even e-mails the receipt (www.squareup.com). NJ State Coordinator, Candice Benson’s Wedding Tech session revealed time saving apps for your Smartphone such as Super Planner which quickly can calculate how much a venue will be per person including tax and tip and how many people can comfortably fit into that space given the dimensions. Queen of Hearts Mark Kingsdorf’s session entitled “We Are Not the Enemy!” gave planners recommendations about how to build lasting relationships with catering sales managers and banquet managers that will make your job a lot easier.

Great news! Next year’s conference is just a quick drive south. Get ready to Be Charmed and Be Dazzled in Baltimore on November 6-8, 2011 at the Tremont Grand. Register early and save! For more information, visit www.businessofbrides.com.