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.
Galatoire’s is bringing the tradition to 211 Royal Street this Spring. Galerie de Galatoire is set to open March 2020. Stay tuned for open house dates as we celebrate this elegant new venue- perfect for weddings.
Elizabeth Sheils of Rock Paper Coin has announced the newest feature of the digital contract and invoicing platform: guest checkout, which simplifies the invoicing process for the client in seconds. She and her company, co-owned by Nora Sheils, were also featured in Wedding Trend Report, Budget Savvy Bride and in Portland Business Journal.
Oleta Collins, Founder and Owner of Flourishing Art Design Studio advised on 'How Event Producers Can Work Better with Venues' to Special Events. Flourishing Art was also in The Bakersfield Californian announcing their acquisition of Stage Right.
Heather Jones of Wente Vineyards weighed in on WeddingWire for ‘6 Underrated Benefits of Having a Winter Wedding.’ Heather was also featured on Catalyst Wed Co. for ‘How to Ensure Your Wedding Vendors Are Kid-Friendly.’
Kinsey Roberts of She Creates Business was featured on AislePlanner on ‘How to Prep Your Venue for a Profitable Booking Season.’ Kinsey was also selected to speak at Wedding MBA on the topic “The Good Place: Social Media That Wins Site Visits.”
Michelle Loretta of Sage Wedding Pros was featured in Special Events for ‘Six Big Trends in the Business of Weddings for 2020.’ Michelle was also featured on Catersource for ‘Three Ways to Prepare Your Business for Tax Season.’
Christie Osborne of Mountainside Media shared her insight on Catersource for ‘3 Website Metrics to Track in 2020.’
Emily Sullivan of Emily Sullivan Events was featured on AllSeated for ‘How To Increase Growth and Productivity Within Your Event Business.’
José Rolón of José Rolón Events spoke to The Wedprenuer Podcast on ‘Marrying Wellness and Weddings.’ He is also confirmed to speak at NACE this coming April in Colorado on the topic of wellness.
Reneé Dalo of Moxie Bright Events advised on 'Mastering the Press Interview’ on Catersource. Reneé also spoke to podcast host Angela Proffitt on Business Unveiled on ‘How Associations and Boards Will Help You Grow Your Business.’
Kevin Dennis of WeddingIQ weighed in on MyWedding.com for ‘All the Minimalist Wedding Must-Haves, From Your Invitations to Your Dress.’
Jennifer Taylor of Jennifer Taylor Consulting discussed on ‘How Work-Flow Systems Benefit Special Event Pros’ with Special Events. Jennifer also revealed the ‘Wedding Planner Workflow: The 4 Steps You Need to Know’ on NACE.
Meghan Ely of OFD Consulting was published on Catalyst Wed Co. discussing 'How to Ensure Your Wedding Vendors Are Kid-Friendly.' Meghan also shared her insight on Catersource on ‘How Pros Stay Top of Mind in the Wedding Industry.’
RACHEL DALTON had an exciting feature in Business Insider this month discussing her role as a celebrity talent producer for events and unique experiences
Sam Jacobson and his team at Ideaction Consulting are hosting their Spring workshop in Beaver Creek, May 4th - 8th. If you want to put ideas into action, information on registration can be found at https://www.ideactionconsulting.com/workshops
Brittany Dosdall, Founding Board Member & Immediate Past President of the WIPA Colorado Chapter, has launched a new venture! Rebel Experiences specializes in full service event planning and design where Brittany offers a modern approach focused on creating a unique guest experience. With her award -winning expertise and 1000+ event portfolio, you can expect that the events she produce will be anything but ordinary.
Magnolia is excited to have won the 2020 Diamond Award for Best Traditional Planner Laura was also thrilled to be featured on the Every Day I’m Bustln podcast speaking on wedding budgets.
Andy Kushner, of The Wedding Biz podcast and Kushner Entertainment will be speaking to the Dallas Chapter of WIPA on February 27th on “Enhancing the Client’s Experience Using Entertainment.” Andy will also be presenting two talks at TSE in Las Vegas, on March 10th and 11th on "Leveraging Podcasts For Your Business As A Marketing And Educational Tool" as well as "Conversation With The Stars: Takeaways From The Industries Top Icons.”
Ignight Entertainment has launched The Spark: a resource on costumes, lit events, event inspiration and resources. View the Spark here.
Rebecca Grant, owner of New Creations Weddings based out of Seattle was a featured contributor on EventPlanner.com talking about the tools used to keep yourself organized as a wedding planner. She also had a wedding featured on Apple Brides for her Summer Solstice wedding at her newly acquired venue, Twin Willow Gardens.
Rebecca will also be the featured Planner at a Private Registry Event in partnership with Crate & Barrel.
Anne Bradfield of Floressence recently promoted Josie Rice to Designer and Account Manager, a year-round full time position. Josie has been with the company for three years and has been a fantastic asset in terms of both floral design and people skills.
BBJ Linen welcomes their newest West Coast team addition, Morgan Decker, as a Territory Account Executive based out of Southern California.
Julie Bunkley and Courtney Wolf of Birmingham, Al. and Atlanta, Ga. based Invision Events have been nominated for two 2020 Allie Awards including "Best Wedding - Large (201 or more Guests)" and "Best Wedding Team Effort." The Allies, now in its 30th year, promotes excellence in event design, planning and production for the creative community in Georgia.
Gloria Schulz, Owner and Lead Planner of Gloria Schulz Events, was featured on the Front Page of Style Me Pretty, Little Black Book Blog, on Monday, February 17, 2020, for the wedding she planned at The Kimpton Taconic Hotel in Manchester, Vermont for Jacqueline & Ryan Cooney.
PartySlate is thrilled to announce it has raised $5.5 million in Series A funding. This brings PartySlate's total funding to $11 million, which is the third-largest amount raised in the last 10 years by a female founder in Chicago. PartySlate will use this funding to double headcount and expand its national footprint, further invest in the core platform, and scale strategic marketing efforts. Read the full press release here. PartySlate is also excited that monthly website visitors to PartySlate.com have doubled over the last year. As a reminder, WIPA members receive a discount on PartySlate memberships and their white-glove photo posting service. Learn more here.
Celebrity Wedding Officiant Alan Katz of GreatOfficiants.com Has been all over TV lately. Most notably he had a spot on the Kelly Clarkson show talking about themed weddings and unity ceremonies Watch it at this link https://youtu.be/DUrypVu0s1A .
He was also featured on ABC News see it at this link https://youtu.be/DUrypVu0s1A . Good Day LA Broadcast their morning reporters from his wedding chapel in Long Beach Broadcast their morning reporters from his wedding chapel in Long Beach and featured in several print news stories as well. Alan will be speaking at The Special Event / Catersource in Las Vegas in March.
Plush Event Furnishings is a specialty event furnishing company offering unique and high-end rentals to event professionals. Serving clients from designers to DMCs, production companies to caterers, Plush Event Furnishings is Atlanta’s newest event resource. As a sister company to Atlanta Party Rentals, well known in the industry for exceptional service, their team has over 200 collective years of event experience servicing a variety of occasions throughout the Southeast. Ranging from intimate home soirees to large scale corporate productions, they value the importance of every detail. Plush Event Furnishings is offered exclusively to the trade. If you are hosting an event, please have your caterer, venue or event coordinator reach out to them directly for a custom proposal.