Posts Tagged ‘ABC member’

shine :: Event Education and Professional Development Conference

Calling all Wedding and Event Pros!  It’s time to shine !

I’ve been working on this project for a few months and now it’s time to share the news!  The shine event is an educational and professional development conference for ABC members as well as all creative professionals serving the wedding and event industry.



Prologue: I established myself as an independent event planner and bridal consultant more than a dozen years ago. While my title and credentials have gradually changed and evolved over the years, the fact that I am an entrepreneur does not change. I can label myself Planner, Designer, Consultant, or Specialist; I can throw in CEO, Owner or Founder… But the only thing that truly matters is this: I am the business owner, and I am responsible for my successes as well as my failures.

 am an entrepreneurI don’t know about you, but I don’t like to fail. And yet, I entered business without knowing how to be successful as entrepreneur.

Did I make mistakes?  – Yes I did.

Did I waste time and money? – Absolutely.

Did I learn from my mistakes? – You bet!

And that is the key:  Learning (education).  As an entrepreneur, learning is not optional.  You must learn, or your business will not survive.  You must find inspiration or you will burn out.  You must adapt and try new things or you will become irrelevant.

I love my job.  But entrepreneurship fascinates me!  Entrepreneurs are some of the most intelligent, resourceful and creative people I’ve ever met.  I have learned so much from my event industry colleagues I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to help educate and inspire others by organizing the shine event.

The Association of Bridal Consultants – Florida has put together an incredible conference: {shine} is a professional development conference featuring superb educational sessions presented by experts & leaders in our Industry and and beyond! Get a jump on your FALL 2014 EVENTS by squeezing 6 months worth of meetings into 2 turbo-charged days of inspiration, motivation, and networking! 

shine event - Shine Conference 2014

Presenting shine’s Dynamic Speakers:
Planners, Designers, Authors, Entrepreneurs, Trend setters, Influencers, and Award Winners:

 Donnie BrownDonnie Brown Weddings & Events – @WDonnieBrown

Heather Canada, MBCFirst Coast Weddings and Events – @FirstCoastWedd

Eddie Diaz, CSEPEncore Creations – @eddiediaz

Kelly McWilliamsWeddings by Socialites – @weddingtidbits

Jennifer LeeCoach Jenn Lee – @coachjennlee

Brenda Fernandez MBCDream Wedding Mexico – @Brendaferza

Shine Event Speakers: Donnie Brown, Kelly McWilliams, Eddie Diaz, Heather Canada, Coach Jenn Lee, Brenda Fernandez

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06 2014

Business of Brides Conference 2011

I recently returned from the Business of Brides conference, which is ABC‘s annual conference.   The Conference was held in the ahhhmazzzinng and historic Tremont Plaza Hotel and Grand in Baltimore MD – let me just say that this venue was spectacular!  If I hadn’t promised myself to keep this post on point, I could go on endlessly about The Grand’s incredible ballrooms, furnishings and regal elegance. Fall leaves near Baltimore Inner Harbor

It was great to travel north during the Fall… Florida living does not offer much in the way of seasons, so it was wonderful to breathe the crisp air and enjoy the colorful scenery.   The weather was terrific and we got to explore the Inner Harbor area and taste crab and seafood specialties at the local eateries.

So much for the fun stuff; this was a business trip after all.

Being a planner is my career.  Because I take my career as a wedding professional seriously, attending industry conferences is a priority to me – it’s essential my professional development.   This year’s conference required significant advance preparation since I was slated to present an educational session with an ABC colleague, Heather Canada, MBC.   I was also preparing the necessary formalities in anticipation of receiving the professional designation of Master Bridal Consultant(tm) – a long time goal.   (Not to mention packing – which I started two weeks early, lest I forget something!)

I left for Baltimore the morning after completing a sensational wedding for one of our clients.  I think I was running on pure adrenaline (thank goodness for that!).  After arriving at BWI and checking in to the hotel, I polished up a few details and then went before a panel of Masters, the three Master Bridal Consultants who would view and judge my presentation.  I don’t know why this is such a nerve-wracking experience, but most most candidates agree that it is.   And while I did my best – considering a few technical difficulties and an undeniable level of exhaustion – I could not say that I nailed it.

The next morning, the MBC candidates were gathered together and we waited as colleagues were called in and out of rooms…  Eventually my name was called and I entered a meeting room along with a number of others.  I saw many familiar faces but still no indication of success or failure, until Lois Pearce announced that all of us present had advanced to Master Bridal ConsultantOh my goodness!  I was literally shocked – and elated! – and proud, too.  I don’t think I’ll ever forget that moment – everyone was cheering and hugging and congratulating each other.  It was awesome. {happy sigh}

Elisa Delgardio Master Bridal Consultant(tm)

So now I  join the ranks of the very talented and dedicated professionals who have achieved either (or both!) the Master Bridal Consultant or Master Wedding Vendor designation – hooray!!
*As of this writing, there are 71 MBC/MBV’s worldwide.

 

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11 2011

Wedding Professional of the Year

 

The votes are in…!

Elisa Delgardio - 2010 Orlando WOW Award Nominee

I share this news with great pride and pleasure:  At this year’s Orlando WOW Awards, produced by the Orlando ISES Chapter, I was honored to receive the Peer of the Year Award for Wedding Professional of the Year!

While I was unable to be present at the awards ceremony due to another commitment, I was thrilled to receive the news via text and facebook messages from my colleagues – including a pic of the award envelope!

Wedding Professional of the Year Award Envelope

Criteria for the Peer of the Year Award requires that nominees are members in a participating professional association – such as ISES, ABC, MPI, NACE or HSMAI. Words can’t describe how excited I was to receive the news that I had been nominated by my colleagues! (What a touching accolade!) As a nominee, I was asked by the judging committee to submit a short essay and professional bio regarding my recent accomplishments. The results of the voting were presented September 24th at the 4th Annual Orlando WOW Awards gala reception.

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09 2011

Orlando Wedding magazine – Q & A with Wedding Planners

Q & A with Wedding Planners as seen in Orlando Wedding Magazine

Orlando Wedding 2010

Orlando Wedding 2010

The debut issue of Orlando Wedding magazine is absolutely enchanting! I would even go so far as to declare it a ‘must read’ for engaged couples in Central Florida!

Among many terrific articles and features was “Q & A with Wedding Planners” by Megan VanWaus.  Not only was I delighted to be quoted in Megan’s piece, I was elated to be featured alongside fellow Association of Bridal Consultants members Kerline Docteur (Joie de Vie Weddings and Events) and Heather Snively (Weddings Unique). I’m proud to share a common bond with these ladies:  Heather and I are both Senior ABC members, and Kerline and I regularly work together on  ABC meetings and projects geared toward educating local association members and wedding professionals.

Good things come in threes they say, and in this case I certainly agree!

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07 2010
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