As always, a big shout out to our members that have made the news. Below you'll find members that have been highlighted or otherwise recognized. Thank you to those that submitted news this month and thank you to our members that continue to push the outside of the envelope in some way.
Nina Larsen Reed of Larsen Photo Co. was interviewed for Rocky Mountain PBS on the impact of COVID-19 on the wedding industry, and the importance of postponing events rather than cancelling.
Robin Denny, Director of Sales for CORT Party Rental located in Seattle, shared “Four Steps to Rebuilding Event Confidence During COVID-19” with Special Events.
Janice Carnevale, founder and owner of DC wedding planning firm Bellwether Events, was quoted on Martha Stewart about ways to support small businesses during Covid-19.
Virtual events and live stream DJ services are now available from Ignight Entertainment. Host live stream DJ sets for up to 1,000 guests and add a new dimension to your dance party. IE has the tools to make live streaming entertainment to your guests easy.
Alan Katz of Great Officiants is spearheading a public/private task force to help get marriage licenses available in LA County again. LA County has Special Notaries that have been appointed to issue marriage licenses for the County. Alan and his team are some of the top notaries in this program issuing hundreds of licenses each year. Alan has put together a collation of wedding chapel owners and special notaries to do a Zoom meeting with the LA County Clerk’s Office and the County Board of Supervisors offices to find a path to be able to safely and securely resume the issuance of marriage licenses. Partnerships like this will help things return to the new normal.
Chris McClain, Owner and Creative Director of Chris McClain Films was nominated and once again received the honor of Best of State in the Wedding Videographer category making 2020 the 5th time Chris has received this honor!
Jolene Peterson of Laurel & Rose was featured on Martha Stewart Weddings for producing their "Woodsy Mountaintop Wedding in Crested Butte."
Jolene Peterson of Laurel & Rose joined forces with Lotus & Ash to launch a new platform in April called apart·y to connect consumers with creatives and small businesses offering products & services during this tough time. The concept is to "be a part of the party from afar." The reception has been overwhelming, the network continues to grow, and they are looking for vendors and creatives to apply on their site for free (!!). Read more about the mission here.
Elizabeth Sheils of Rock Paper Coin and Bridal Bliss discussed ‘The New Normal: Weekday Weddings As Part of Rebooking Process’ on AllSeated. She also shared with SheFinds the ‘6 Things Brides Always Forget To Put In The Welcome Bags--But Guests Love Them!’
Oleta Collins, Founder and Owner of Flourishing Art Design Studio, was featured on Trends Magazine with their 'Sextant Winery Inspiration Shoot.' Oleta advised on Sage Wedding Pros ‘Pushing Your Business Forward After a Setback’. She also discussed ‘How to Handle Virtual Wedding Planning Appointments with Every Vendor’ on Brides.
Heather Jones of Wente Vineyards gave input on WeddingWire for 'The Trending Destination Wedding Locations for 2020 and 2021.' Heather was also featured several times on PartySlate, including 'Paige & Kristopher's Gorgeous Evening Ceremony’ and ‘Kristine & Bowdy's Dreamy, Intimate Wedding.’
Kinsey Roberts of She Creates Business was featured on AllSeated for ‘Creating Event Content Marketing Amidst the Coronavirus.” She sat down and spoke with the Bridal Business Bootcamp Podcast on ‘Top Tips for Creating Your Content Plan for 2020.’ Kinsey was also a guest on Angela Proffitt’s Business Unveiled Podcast and discussed how to 'Create A Winning Content Strategy Without Being Mind-Blowing Every Time.'
Michelle Loretta of Sage Wedding Pros gave advice on Special Events on 'How Event Pros Can Be Socially Supporting While Social Distancing.' Michelle also provided input to the article, 'COVID-19: What are Your Next Steps?' featured on WIPA's blog.
Christie Osborne of Mountainside Media shared her insight on ‘Navigating Social Media During a Time of Crisis’ on Catersource. She also discussed 'Crisis Communication & Social Media Strategies' on the Wedprenuer Podcast.
Renée Dalo of Moxie Bright Events advised on ‘How To Postpone A Wedding Due To Coronavirus’ on Every Last Detail. She was featured on Special Events for ‘WIPA Leaders Discuss Weddings in Wake of COVID.’ Reneé also sat down and discussed ‘How to Strengthen Your Relationships with Wedding Planners’ on Tea With Janie’s Podcast.
Kevin Dennis of WeddingIQ gave advice to Medium on ‘Seeing Light at the End of the Tunnel; Here Are 5 Reasons To Be Hopeful During this Corona Crisis.’ Kevin was featured on MSN for ‘Over Half of Americans Are Postponing Their Weddings—at What Cost?’ He also gave insight on ‘Four Things That Happen When You Endorse Your Creative Partners’ to Catersource.
Jennifer Taylor of Jen Taylor Consulting had several appearances on podcasts this past month including, 'Getting Started in Destination Weddings' on WedPreneur, ‘Developing a Strong Staff Training Program with Jen Taylor’ on Business Unveiled, and ‘Setting Client Expectations and Boundaries’ on Tea With Jaine.
Emily Sullivan of Emily Sullivan Events gave input on AllSeated for ‘The New Normal: Weekday Weddings As Part of Rebooking Process.’ She also was featured on Martha Stewart Weddings on ‘When Is the Right Time to Ask Your Friends to Be in the Wedding Party?’
José Rolón of José Rolón Events was featured on NACE and discussed how to 'Balance Your Event Business As A Parent During COVID-19'. He also gave insight on 'Should You Cancel or Postpone Your Wedding Due To Coronavirus' on Every Last Detail.
Meghan Ely and the OFD Consulting will be honored virtually by the Public Relations Society of America Virginia this May for “International Industry Keynote Brings 30 Countries Together in a Common Direction” and “WeddingIndustrySpeakers.com Launches As for Industry Resource of its Kind.”
Rachel Dalton was featured in Bridal Musings feature, “7 Unique Celebrity Experiences To Add to Your Wedding Festivities”
Rachel Dalton co-hosted a Legal Webinar this month with Lauren Grech of LLG Agency, on “Contracts, Cancellations and Postponements in the Wedding Industry”. Rachel is a contract and entertainment attorney, as well as a celebrity talent producer, offering legal consulting to event professionals facing force majeure, postponement, cancellation and other contract issues at a discounted rate for industry friends. Feel free to contact her at: [email protected]
Rachel Dalton has teamed up with her long-time production partner, BML Blackbird, to offer “state of the art” video streaming services for remote presentations and virtual events & fundraisers. They can provide a venue if needed, or can do remotely from your office or home.
Rachel Dalton is offering a new service for our new reality: “A private live stream with your favorite musician or celebrity talent. Imagine Andrea Bocelli singing in your living room or a private dance class with JLO on the big screen in your home.”
Gloria Schulz, Owner & Lead Planner of Gloria Schulz Events in Atlanta, GA, was the guest speaker on Shine Podcast with Shanna Star of Davista Photography. In this episode "The Inside Scoop with Wedding Planner Gloria Schulz." Gloria gave insight to Brides and Vendors, on Where To Start, Tips, Tricks, and More. http://www.davistaphotography.com/blog/gloriaschulz
Mara Marian of Fuse Weddings and Events was awarded the Equally Wed Award in the Event Planning category. The award is given to the most LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding pros globally. Mara was also featured on a panel for Utah Valley University’s hospitality class addressing their direct questions regarding the state of the hospitality and event industry after Covid-19 and was also featured on WIPA’s own ’State of the Industry’ panel.
PartySlate is hosting weekly educational digital events to help event industry professionals build their brands and stay connected with their networks during this unprecedented time. Topics have included Instagram marketing, SEO, and photo organization. The most recent PartySlate digital event, a conversation about the future of events after COVID-19 with celebrity planner, Mindy Weiss, saw over 1,300 registrations. All are welcome to attend, and you can view past recordings, plus sign up for upcoming digital events, by clicking here.
As Covid-19 takes its toll on the wedding and event industry, Echo Talent musicians have been as busy as ever! Innovating "Curbside Concerts" bring the music to driveways, block parties, drive-by birthdays, and romantic porch dinners; the perfect way to celebrate safely during covid-19. Echo Talent is live streaming daily from their Instagram and Facebook and has been using an FM Broadcast transmitter for drive-up parking lot concerts!
Erica Taylor Haskins, Partner & Chief Growth Officer of Tinsel Experiential Design contributed to an AdWeek feature titled "Will Event Marketers Be Prepared for the World That Awaits Them Post-Pandemic?"
David Krieger of Krieger Entertainment now offers "virtual" DJ and MC/hosting services via Zoom or other streaming platforms. Krieger entertains those stuck at home with his weekly Quarantined Streaming Dance Party, every Friday night at 7pm PST. The party streams live on Instagram and Facebook, and you can listen to old episodes on his website. Krieger will also be DJing live for Neumann University’s Virtual Best Day Ever on May 1, available on the University Instagram page.
Cooper Brown, owner and DJ at One Above Entertainment, volunteered his services to light up St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah as a way to thank all of our essential workers. Here is the highlight video of the project. FOX13, ABC4 and KSL News came to do a live report on what was taking place. You can read the news article or you can watch the news video to see it for yourself. Cooper was extremely proud to see the positive reactions from the health care workers as well as the community. Other hospitals in Utah loved what Cooper did and have asked for his help to do the same thing at their hospitals.
Mara Marian of Fuse Weddings and Events was awarded the Equally Wed Award in the Event Planning category. The award is given to the most LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding pros globally. Mara was also featured on a panel for Utah Valley University’s hospitality class addressing their direct questions regarding the state of the hospitality and event industry after Covid-19 and was also featured on WIPA’s own ’State of the Industry’ panel.
Ryan Darton, WIPA-Utah Communications Director-at-Large and owner of Time Machine, joins think-tank leaders in launching a website for Make The Masks , a 3D-printable, high efficiency filtration mask.
Rob Ferre of Life of the Party Entertainment provides music for a neighborhood social distancing block party.
Russ Powell of Powell Weddings & Events hosts live daily “House Arrest” virtual dance parties.
Congratulations to 2020 Best of State Winners: Pepper Nix Photography (WIPA-Utah Director of Membership), Grand America Hotel (represented by WIPA-Utah Vice President, Jennie Peterson), Culinary Crafts (represented by WIPA-Utah Director of Programming, Jocelyn Gillies), Carrie’s Cakes, River Bottoms Ranch, Utah Live Bands, Rob Ferre, Chris McClain, La Caille and Four Seasons Transportation.
Divine Events delivered meals to the Emergency Room team at Southern Hills Hospital thanks to a generous sponsorship from Picerne Real Estate Group and was featured on NevadaBusiness.com. Onsite to photograph the delivery was fellow WIPA member, Kristen Solis, owner of Kristen Marie Weddings + Portraits.
Divine Events is offering a promotion on bar packages to couples who book their date later in 2020.
Couples continue to plan their happily ever afters with Friar Tux from the comfort of home. Friar Tux’s At Home Suit & Tuxedo Planning Guide blog post brings customers through the entire process including gathering inspiration, registering a wedding online or via a Virtual Stylist, ordering a Style Preview to try on a look before making a final decision, submitting measurements, and paying online. Need a tape measure to take measurements at home? Not a problem, request one here from Friar Tux. Friar Tux also wants to remind everyone about their on trend suits, tuxedos and accessories available for purchase.
Markelle Fuegmann, Special Events Coordinator of ACT 3 Catering provided insight on ‘Wading Through Uncertain Times’, a panel discussion put on by Des Moines Beach Park Event Center.
ACT 3 Catering now offers a new family meal service with no-contact delivery, Doorstep Delivery. Meals are designed to serve 4-6 people, arrive refrigerated, require 5 minutes prep and up to 45 minutes cook time.
As part of Rosewood Hotel Group’s brand-wide Rosewood Raise, a comprehensive relief initiative designed to support the company’s associates and communities that have been affected by COVID-19, Rosewood Miramar Beach has introduced #MiramarOnTheMove, a food delivery service that provides over 1,500 complimentary meals per week to those in need of a warm, fresh meal in the Montecito and Santa Barbara areas. Launched on March 27 and led by Executive Chef Massimo Falsini, the food truck originally launched with a mission to donate meals to the community’s front line workers and has since expanded to include the delivery of fresh lunches to those in the care of the Santa Barbara Mental Wellness Center and United Way. Beyond meal preparation and delivery, #MiramarOnTheMove further facilitates the donation of canned goods to local animal shelters and essential care supplies to families in need. Chef Falsini and team’s efforts have been showcased as leading examples of how hotels and resorts are giving back by a variety of national publications including Town & Country Online, Variety Onlineand Condé Nast Traveler Online.
Maggie Speaks out of Chicago, IL has gone virtual. To spread some cheer to their wedding clients and their guests that have had to cancel or postpone their weddings due to COVID-19, Maggie Speaks and their booking agency Magnificent Events & Entertainment has been sending custom videos of songs of hope that demonstrate shelter-in-place and social distancing. Here is a video of “Lovely Day” originally by the late, great Bill Withers sent to their clients Kerri and Mike to share with their friends and family. They look forward to entertaining on their reschedule date of September 4, 2020 and are proud to be working with their planner, the incomparable Frank Andonoplas of Frank Event Design.