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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
After the ConferenceOMG-What an Annual Conference! It's a blurr as the days quickly passed! We
had 11 of our 37 members attending and we hope for even more for Phoenix next year.
Early Sunday arrivals were able to
partake in a 1st Timers Orientation, Sandals Training, Coastal Mexican Weddings, GetMarried.com or the trade show. That evening
we had a wonderful opening cocktail reception where we were able to reacquaint ourselves with old friends and meet new ones.
Monday opened with a hilarious and heart-felt presentation by Frank Andonoplas, MBCTM Many
of you may remember him from our retreat last year. He didn't disappoint as he shared his climb to the top as well as his
designs. Our Fashionista luncheon featured a local designer who compared tabletop costs of various price points. Our breakout
sessions extended over two days with topics such as Blogging for Business, Destination Weddings, The Art of Negotiation, Marketing
and More. Monday evening we were treated to a fabulous dinner at the Columbia Club featuring local Indiana gourmet foods -
delicious!
Tuesday morning opened with the introduction of the new Masters and the Miss Dorothy Heart recipient - Elaine
Barker - Congratulations, Elaine! Our luncheon had a lush woodland theme and our guest speaker was Ciara Daykin or Rock Star
Wedding. Our afternoon speakers featured first, the wonderful Peggy Post, the great,great-granddaughter-in-law of Emily Post.
She was excellent. Also speaking was the delightful Sylvia Weinstock, the baker to the stars. Both speakers were timely and
insightful.
One of the highlights to me, personally, was that after 16 years, I earned my Master Bridal Consultant designation,
now only one of 50 in the world. It was a long journey but definitely worth it. Thank you, each of you for making it possible
for me to get here.
This is a natural segue into Education....One of my goals this year is to
increase the educational levels of our state members. I want to see the Novices become Consultants with PBCTM,
the PBCTM to become ABCTM. We no longer have any ABCTM in the state. We will discuss this more in the future.
Another goal will be Local
Networking Meetings- Catharine has graciously volunteered to start something for the Greater Milwaukee area, but
I need a volunteers for groups in Madison, in Greater Green Bay Area, Southeastern (La Crosse area) and even Northwestern
since there are currently 3 members north of Hwy 8. These are informal and fun gatherings, less planned than our state meetings,
which we will continue to have.
Our Spring Educational Retreatis in the works and we are
thinking about the last weekend of April, as before but the firm date, venue, speakers, topics, etc have not been set in stone. Please
let me know if you have suggestions.
The Meeting Calendar is being developed. I have a venue for
Milwaukee, but waiting for a good month for them as well as a "volunteer" planner to help me out.
Also,
mark your calendar for the Annual Conference in Phoenix. If you send in a deposit early you can save $$$.
See the website for details and more emails will come from me.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone and let's not forget
to thank our Troops and their families this year!
Mary, MBCTM
9:07 am cst
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