WIPA Webinar – April – Charessa Sawyer

WIPA Webinar – April – Charessa Sawyer Navigating Burn-Out "Navigating Burnout: Unveiling Triggers and Strategies for Wedding & Event Pros" addresses the unique challenges in the wedding and event planning industry that can lead to burnout, such as high-pressure environments and demanding clients. It emphasizes identifying early triggers to prevent burnout and offers practical strategies like setting boundaries, practicing self-care, ...

Member News – March 2024

Member News – March 2024 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. New Year, new ...

WIPA Philadelphia – Inaugural Gala Success

WIPA Philadelphia - Inaugural Gala Success View this post on Instagram A post shared by WIPA Philadelphia (@wipaphiladelphia) The ENERGY. We don’t think Philly has seen a party like this yet! The fits, the music, the dancing, and the community! We are just so thrilled about how our big night turned out. The biggest THANK YOU to @cinemacake for providing all the ...

WIPA Webinar – March – Rob Ferre

WIPA Webinar – March – Rob Ferre The Magic Words for Confident Conversations It's time to level up your communication in the conversations that are most critical. In this presentation Rob Ferre, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and Exactly What to Say Certified guide, will help you be more intentional in your everyday language so that when it counts most you ...

WIPA Cincinnati – Gala Event Recap

WIPA Cincinnati - Gala Event Recap View this post on Instagram A post shared by WIPA Greater Cincinnati (@wipacincinnati) Custom Builds/Bar: Oakley & Hyde IG Handle: @oakleyandhydedesigns Draping: Serendipity Designs IG Handle: @serendipity.designs Tabletop Rentals: PR Rentals IG Handle: @prrentals.co Linens: BBJ La Tavola IG Handle: @bbjlatavola Lighting: CLEAR Lighting IG Handle: @clearlighting16 Dance Floor and Staging: All Occasions Event Rental IG Handle: @alloccasionseventrental Dance Floor ...

Member News – February 2024

Member News – February 2024 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. Friar Tux celebrated ...

Leadership Development Council For WIPA Leaders

Leadership Development Council For WIPA Leaders The Leadership Development Council is WIPA’s very first standing council, which will be dedicated to fostering the growth and development of current and future WIPA leaders. Comprised of experienced and trusted WIPA past and present leaders, this Council will work closely with the Board to cultivate the next generation of leadership. The new Leadership ...

WIPA Webinar – February – Leah Weinberg

WIPA Webinar – February – Leah Weinberg Is It Time for a Legal Tune Up? A Guide for Seasoned Wedding Pros When business is booming and your client pipeline is full, you may find that your backend operations start collecting dust. While letting your systems or processes languish is one thing, allowing the legal components of your business to go ...

Member News – January 2024

Member News – January 2024 Welcome to 2024! 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. ...

Member News – December 2023

Member News – December 2023 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. Hello WIPA, It ...

Member News – November 2023

Member News – November 2023 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. Gloria Schulz, Owner ...

WIPA Supports SEARCH’s Fundraising for Event Professionals Impacted by the Maui Wildfires

WIPA Gives Back By Supporting SEARCH Foundation's Fundraising for Event Professionals Impacted by the Maui Wildfires In the spirit of unity and support, WIPA chapters came together this summer to make a meaningful difference in the lives of event professionals by raising funds to support the SEARCH Foundation’s assistance to those who have been severely affected by the Maui wildfires. ...

WIPA Ireland – Event Recap

WIPA Ireland - Event Recap View this post on Instagram A post shared by WIPA Ireland (@wipaireland) WIPA Ireland: Leverage social media for your business... What an evening we had last week, learning about how to leverage social media for your business with the incredible @abbymahonx from @beemediakk 👏🏼 her presentation and the Q&A session that followed has given us lots of food ...

Member News – October 2023

Member News – October 2023 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. WIPA Chapter Leader ...

Member News – September 2023

Member News – September 2023 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. WIPA Chapter Leader ...

WIPA is Maui Strong – Please Support Hawaii

WIPA is Maui Strong - Please Support Hawaii The recent events in Maui have left many of our colleagues devastated. The level of destruction and loss in Lahaina is staggering, with an estimated 20-30 event professionals having lost their homes entirely. In light of this situation, WIPA is making a donation to the SEARCH Foundation to support their mission of providing ...

WIPA North Carolina – August Event Recap

WIPA North Carolina – August Event Recap View this post on Instagram A post shared by WIPA North Carolina (@wipanorthcarolina) Can we take a minute to talk about the event we had yesterday? From the amazing drinks and apps to all the knowledge @falloncarterevents dropped on us to the yummy dessert and an incredible dinner portion- yesterday was perfection. We loved getting ...

Member News – August 2023

Member News – August 2023 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. HipMaps announced they ...

WIPA Has Made A Donation To One Tree Planted

WIPA Has Made A Donation To One Tree Planted For 2023, WIPA has made a donation on behalf of all of our members to One Tree Planted. Since 2014, One Tree Planted has more than doubled the number of trees planted each year, and are working with partners across 80+ countries in North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe and ...

WIPA New York – July Members Only Event

WIPA New York – July Members Only Event View this post on Instagram A post shared by WIPA NEW YORK (@wipanyc) Looking back on our Members Only event with @scenting_events in July! Read More WIPA Blogs Protected: Black History MonthWIPA Phoenix – Roses and Rosé at Andaz in ScottsdaleMember News – July 2023 {{ vc_btn: title=BACK+TO+MAIN+BLOG+PAGE&style=outline&color=black&size=lg&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.wipa.org%252Fblog%252F%7Ctitle%3AHome }}

WIPA Phoenix – Roses and Rosé at Andaz in Scottsdale

WIPA Phoenix – Roses and Rosé at Andaz in Scottsdale Our last event was such a blast and it was so great to see so many of our friends join us at Andaz. Please enjoy this video by Leslie Ann Photography. The next WIPA Phoenix event is on August 9th at The Boulders. Registration opens in a little over a ...

Member News – July 2023

Member News – July 2023 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. I am super ...

WIPA Celebrates Love + Pride 🏳️‍🌈

WIPA Celebrates Love + Pride 🏳️‍🌈 On June 11, 2023, WIPA Southern California celebrated the Los Angeles Pride Parade. WIPA Southern California was honored with the opportunity to walk in @lapride this year to celebrate and support our LGBTQIA+ community. Marriage for all, weddings for all, LOVE for all! Special thanks to @elevatefilmsllc for capturing all the magic. 🤩 Vendor Sponsors: ...

Member News – June 2023

Member News – June 2023 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. Meghan Ely of ...

Key Tech Apps to Run Your Wedding Business in 2023

Key Tech Apps to Run Your Wedding Business in 2023 By Kevin Dennis, Fantasy Sound Event Services Planning and running a successful wedding business requires a balance of creativity, organization, and efficiency. With the rapid advancement of technology, new tools and applications have emerged to streamline processes and boost productivity. Though there are plenty to choose from, there are a ...

How to be authentically LGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming in your wedding business

How to be authentically LGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming in your wedding business By Kirsten Palladino More wedding and event pros are opening their hearts and business doors to the LGBTQ+ community. As this welcoming happens, it’s important to take note of the level at which businesses are saying yes to equality. While running our LGBTQ+ wedding magazine, Equally Wed, since ...

Member News – May 2023

Member News – May 2023 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. Veronica Silghigian, founder ...

Understanding Consumer Expectations in 2023

Understanding Consumer Expectations in 2023 By Randi Bushell, Merri  The wedding and event industry has changed vastly over the past few decades. As a result, we’re seeing plenty of unique spins on classic traditions as couples look for new ways to make their celebration stand out. And with the wedding boom continuing in 2023, there are a handful of things ...

Member News – April 2023

Member News – April 2023 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. Artem Lomaz, wedding ...

A MESSAGE FROM OUR WIPA DEI DIRECTOR

A Message From Our DEI Director Hello to my Fellow Wedding Professionals, As a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professional both in Corporate America and in the Wedding Industry, I continually find myself in awe of the leaps and bounds that WIPA has made towards becoming an association where all are truly welcome. Even further, the ease of access not only ...

Member News – March 2023

Member News – March 2023 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. Love was in ...

Utah Valley University Launches Utah’s First Event Management Degree

Utah Valley University Launches Utah’s First Event Management Degree Responding to accelerating job growth in the rapidly expanding area of conferences, trade shows, and meetings, Utah Valley University (UVU) has announced a new bachelor’s degree in event management. The new major, UVU’s 92nd bachelor’s program, will be offered through the Woodbury School of Business and is the first degree of ...

5 Things To Consider When Booking Your Photo Booth

5 Things To Consider When Booking Your Photo Booth By Mikey S. - Clementine Photo Booths Everyone knows planning a wedding is a lot of work. Finding a DJ that is going to keep the party going, finding a photographer that knows how to best capture the emotion of the night and finding a venue that fits your vision are things ...

Legal Tune-Ups for Wedding Businesses

Legal Tune-Ups for Wedding Businesses By Leah Weinberg, Color Pop Events Have you ever penciled in time on your calendar for a legal tune-up? While most business owners find it easy to create new content, assign tasks to team members, and check in on clients, few regularly focus on the more formal aspects of their business. From contracts to intellectual ...

Southern California: “Why WIPA?” Video

Southern California: "Why WIPA?" This 'Why WIPA' video was created by WIPA Southern California in conjunction with one of our members, Larry Marshall of Elevate Films, to capture the essence of what being a WIPA Southern California member is all about. It showcases a year of connection, networking, and community within our Southern California chapter. We are really proud of ...

3 of the Most Important Google Analytics Reports to Audit Your Marketing Strategy

3 of the Most Important Google Analytics Reports to Audit Your Marketing Strategy By Christie Osborne, Mountainside Media At its core, a well-run business is the result of many wise decisions. From what to offer to how to allocate your budget, your success depends on your ability to make smart choices and adapt to the changes in your market. But ...

Member News – February 2023

Member News – February 2023 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. Erin Parsley, owner ...

Was Your Event Planned by an Epicurean or a Stoic?

Was Your Event Planned by an Epicurean or a Stoic? By David Fletcher (New York Chapter) At a recent wedding, the bride and groom required each table to sing a song before being called to the buffet. There was some confusion, and possibly grousing... but guests had a better time having accomplished something. It is okay if your event requires ...

Member News – January 2023

Members News – January 2023 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. Jennifer Taylor of ...

Desert Disco By Floral Design Workshop

Desert Disco By Floral Design WorkshopBy Myriam Lopez, Mylofleur Floral Hello Amigas, Our first ever floral fashion show. We had the pleasure of working with DecNDeets on the Desert Disco Workshop + Networking event of the summer! Inspired by Land | Art | Uctu | Ral “During this pandemic, public spaces have played a vital role in the health and sustainability of ...

An Important Membership Notice From Our WIPA Presidents

An Important Membership Notice From Our WIPA Presidents Dear WIPA members, I hope this all finds you well. I just wanted to take a moment to reach out on behalf of the WIPA International Board of Directors to share an update regarding membership rates for 2023. We have been mindful on how to keep our expenses low, especially in the ...

Member News – December 2022

Member News – December 2022 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. Friar Tux kicked off ...

Member News – November 2022

Members News – November 2022 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. Therese Cole-Hubbs, Founder ...

Member News – October 2022

Member News – October 2022 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. Renée Dalo of ...

WIPA Announces The First Certified Wedding Industry Professional Recipients

WIPA Announces The First Certified Wedding Industry Professional Recipients The Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) awards the Certified Wedding Industry Professional (CWIP) designation to individuals who contributed to the development of the CWIP certification and the Professional’s Guide to the Wedding Industry guidebook. CWIP contributors are defined by one of five categories: executive editors of the guidebook, competency study research, ...

Member News – August 2022

Member News - August 2022 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. Sundance Mountain Resort announces ...

Member News – July 2022

Member News - July 2022 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. Meghan Ely of OFD ...

WIPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D&I) Committee is making progress in organization-wide diversity initiatives

WIPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D&I) Committee is making progress in organization-wide diversity initiatives The (D&I) Committee was formed to create a culture of equity, embrace differences, and promote diverse backgrounds and cultures amongst our membership and in the wedding industry. Even though our initiative is still in its infancy stage, compared to the length of time silence and oppression ...

Member News – June 2022

Member News - June 2022 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. --- Do your ...

Taking Advantage of Tech in 2022: Downloading the Update Your Event Company Needs

Taking Advantage of Tech in 2022: Downloading the Update Your Event Company Needs As the wedding industry evolves, so too does the tech landscape. New apps and software are always emerging to support business operations, so event professionals are wise to keep tabs on the latest trends and update their tech regularly. But it can be challenging to keep up ...

Member News – May 2022

Member News - May 2022 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. Take time to ...

Member News – April 2022

Member News - April 2022 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. Rev. Christopher T. ...

Member News – March 2022

Member News - March 2022 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. -  -  - ...

Member News – Feburary 2022

Member News - Feburary 2022 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. Rebecca Grant of ...

International Wedding Association Announces Partnership to Reduce Carbon Footprint

International Wedding Association Announces Partnership to Reduce Carbon Footprint The Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) is thrilled to announce that they are now a Carbonfund.org Small Business Partner, which will offset their overall carbon footprint to promote sustainability. “This is a very exciting step in the right direction toward continuing our commitment to environmental sustainability,” says Sarah Roshan, Director of Community Service for WIPA. ...

WIPA and TISOH announces the Certified Wedding Industry Professional certification

WIPA and TISOH announces the Certified Wedding Industry Professional certification FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 22, 2022 CONTACT: For TISOH: Emily Julaton, (702) 947-7200, contact@certplace.com For WIPA: Kelly Treadway, (844) 444-9300, kelly@wipa.org The CWIP is for all professionals in the wedding industry. From wedding planners, whether independent or venue-based, to all the ancillary vendors, from entertainment to venue, to florists, design and décor, food & beverage, ...

Member News – January 2022

Member News – January 2022 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. Kevin Dennis of WeddingIQ is ...

Member News – December 2021

Member News – December 2021 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. Berit Bizjak, Founder ...

Getting Automated for Success in 2022

Getting Automated for Success in 2022 Every business faces operational bottlenecks from time to time, especially when navigating growth. While it’s a natural occurrence, internal gaps can lead to lost time and revenue if left unaddressed. Thus, entrepreneurs must be monitoring their businesses regularly to identify areas for improvement in all stages of its life cycle. As we head into ...

Virtual Inclusive Awareness Conference

Virtual Inclusive Awareness Conference The National Gay Wedding Association's Virtual Inclusive Awareness Conference is coming up on January 5, 2022 (featuring some of WIPA's very own). The NGWA is happy to announce special partner pricing for members of The Wedding International Professionals Association! We are offering a Conference + Membership Bundle for $395. This bundle will provide you with 1 year of ...

Member News – November 2021

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. Kevin Dennis of WeddingIQ was featured on GoodShuffle for ‘Best Tips on ...

Leading Event Associations Partner with Aim to Advance Inclusivity

Leading Event Associations Partner with Aim to Advance Inclusivity (Scottsdale, AZ) —The National Gay Wedding Association (NGWA) and Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) are pleased to announce a collaboration to advance inclusion initiatives in the events industry.     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact:Corinne Dudine, WIPAinfo@wipa.org Leading Event Associations Partner with Aim to Advance Inclusivity  (Scottsdale, AZ) —The National Gay Wedding Association (NGWA) and Wedding ...

How to Take Action on Your Big Dreams Before 2021 Ends

How to Take Action on Your Big Dreams Before 2021 Ends As we settle back into a comfortable swing of business, many wedding professionals are finding that they spent most of 2021 rebuilding and recovering from a tumultuous couple of years. While vital to keeping one’s business sustainable, it may have meant putting a pin in something you’ve been wanting ...

3 Ways to Expand Your Network You Haven’t Considered Yet

3 Ways to Expand Your Network You Haven’t Considered Yet They say your network is your net worth, so if your relationships have been lacking since the start of COVID, it’s time to step your game up. Over the past year-plus, we’ve all learned the ropes of virtual networking via Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Hangouts. While it helped us to ...

Member News – September 2021

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. We are very excited to announce that Melissa ...

Considering a New Market? Here’s What You Need to Know Before Expanding

Considering a New Market?Here’s What You Need to Know Before Expanding Sometimes it takes a massive shift in our foundation to uncover the realizations that will help us grow our businesses. In the quietness of 2020, many wedding business owners were faced with the hard-to-answer questions that are typically pushed off in favor of client deadlines, jam-packed schedules, and overflowing ...

Nurturing Your Relationships With Venues

Nurturing Your Relationships With Venues In the wide world of the wedding industry, venues hold a unique position in a couple’s planning journey. While the average couple books upwards of 13 vendors for their big day, the venue is typically their starting point. In one fell swoop, they can decide their wedding date, confirm their maximum headcount, and receive a ...

Sitting Down with WIPA SoCal Member Henry Chen.

Henry Chen is a member of WIPA and Founder of Wedding Chat Marketing Everyone has different stories of how they got started in the industry. Tell me yours. “14 years ago in 2007, I was always a big basketball fan and I started interning for one of the NBA basketball teams that I loved and that’s when I first started ...

WIPA’s Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Dear Members and Colleagues,Over the last year, we’ve continually shared our Diversity + Inclusion efforts with you and feel it's time to talk more openly about our journey. We recognize that WIPA has not historically been as inclusive as it should be. We have not represented all types of weddings and wedding professionals in our marketing and social media, and ...

Time to Audit Your Marketing Plan? Get Started with These 4 Tips

Time to Audit Your Marketing Plan? Get Started with These 4 Tips To say 2020 was challenging for wedding pros is an understatement. As we look forward to 2021 and 2022, smart wedding pros will use the experience of 2020 to ask and answer some important questions, such as, how we do business in a post-Pandemic world and what sustainability ...

Member News – May 2021

Member News - May 2021 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. David Krieger of Krieger ...

WIPA Partners with Equally Wed Pro as Pride Month Nears

WIPA Partners with Equally Wed Pro as Pride Month Nears   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact:Corinne Dudine, WIPAinfo@wipa.org WIPA Partners with Equally Wed Pro as Pride Month Nears (Scottsdale, AZ) — The Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) and Equally Wed Pro are pleased to announce a partnership to advance inclusivity initiatives in the events industry. “WIPA is committed to allyship and we are thrilled ...

Implementing Upcharges Smartly (Without Being Salesy)

Implementing Upcharges Smartly (Without Being Salesy) There isn’t a business owner in the world that would turn down an opportunity to increase revenue from every sale. Yet, not many take advantage of the chance to upsell — even when it’s right in front of them. Some may not recognize it whereas others may feel uncomfortable pushing an upcharge, but a simple ...

Earth Day 2021 | 9 Tips For Event Sustainability

Earth Day 2021 | 9 Tips For Event Sustainability As WIPA works towards more sustainable events, we have tips for making your events more environmentally responsible in recognition of Earth Day 2021! Sustainability with any event may never be 100% however there are ways to reduce our carbon footprint and offset the rest. 1. Avoid single-use plastics and instead consider compostable containers.Plastic ...

Back to Business, Part 1 – NSBWEP Webinar

Back to Business, Part 1 - NSBWEP Webinar WIPA MEMBERS, join The National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals on April 22nd at 5pm for the webinar "Back to Business, Part 1 with @CROWDPASS... As the States re-open and our industry gets back to business, we are overjoyed with getting back to work but also concerned with navigating our ...

Revealing 4 Must-Have Elements of Your Business Structure

Revealing 4 Must-Have Elements of Your Business Structure Running a successful business can often feel like you're spending the bulk of your time working on client work, but smart wedding pros know that they must also commit to optimizing your business structure to keep clients happy. After all, a disorganized and chaotic backend is enough to alert clients to deeper ...

Leading Event Associations Partner with Aim to Increase Representation in Industry

Leading Event Associations Partner with Aim to Increase Representation in Industry FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact:Corinne Dudine, WIPAinfo@wipa.org Leading Event Associations Partner with Aim to Increase Representation in Industry (Scottsdale, AZ) —The National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals (NSBWEP) and The Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) are pleased to announce a collaboration to advance diversity and inclusion initiatives in the events ...

3 Things to Consider Before Starting the Hiring Process

3 Things to Consider Before Starting the Hiring Process 2020 was a difficult year for countless reasons, but one of the hardest challenges for business owners was the decision to lay off employees due to a lack of live events and, consequently, a drop in revenue. As the light at the end of the tunnel becomes brighter, some wedding pros ...

Member News – April 2021

Member News - April 2021 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.  Ideaction Consulting brought Stephanie ...

Establishing Expectations (The Right Way) With Your Fellow Vendors

Establishing Expectations (The Right Way) With Your Fellow Vendors Working in the wedding and events industry involves crossing paths with many different personalities. On one hand, you’ll find creative partners that seem to get you and your thought process instantly. On the other hand, you’ll also find those who you have to work a little harder to get on the ...

WIPA Partners with Timothy S.Y. Lam Foundation for Diversity + Inclusion Initiative

WIPA Partners with Timothy S.Y. Lam Foundationfor Diversity + Inclusion Initiative FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Media Contact:Corinne Dudine, WIPAinfo@wipa.org WIPA Partners with Timothy S.Y. Lam Foundation for Diversity + Inclusion Initiative (Scottsdale, AZ) — The Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) and the Timothy S.Y. Lam Foundationare pleased to announce a partnership to advance diversity and inclusion initiatives in the events industry. The Foundation has ...

Member News – March 2021

Member News - March 2021 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. Rachel Dalton, Celebrity ...

Diversity + Inclusion (February Update)

Diversity + Inclusion (February Update) This is our Diversity + Inclusion Committee and we are WIPA! Our journey as Members for WIPA’s 2021 Diversity + Inclusion Committee began in February with our first meeting taking place on February 9th. We took a deep dive into what was our ‘why’ for joining the committee, what we are hoping to achieve throughout ...

Bridging The Racial Divide

Bridging The Racial Divide You're invited to join your WIPA Atlanta Chapter members on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. as we host our first 2021 Diversity & Inclusion Series “Talk” (virtually). Sponsored by The King Center in bringing people of diverse backgrounds together over dinner to talk about bridging the racial divide. In keeping with Dr. King’s assertion “we are ...

Member News – February 2021

Member News - February 2021 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. Tanya Pushkine aka The ...

The True Value of Firm Boundaries & How to Draw Them

The True Value of Firm Boundaries & How to Draw Them Ah, boundaries. It’s one of the stickier subjects in life, both in personal and professional aspects. While they’re absolutely necessary for preserving your sanity, it can be a difficult line to draw when you know it’s possible that it could disappoint others. This is particularly challenging for creative service ...

Member News – January 2021

Member News - January 2021 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. Julie Bunkley and ...

Successfully Working with Clients During a Crisis

Successfully Working with Clients During a CrisisBy Oleta Collins, Flourishing Art Natural disasters are unpredictable, yet inevitable. It’s less about if and more about when, so event professionals must always be prepared with a backup plan. As a company based in central California, we are no stranger to crises — earthquakes, wildfires, mudslides, flooding and, now, a global pandemic. These types of ...

Not All Accountants are Created Equal: 3 Types of Financial Professionals

Have you ever worked with an accountant that didn’t advise you in the way you needed? Maybe your bookkeeper can’t seem to help you with your business strategy, or your tax accountant doesn’t really ‘get’ your business. Here’s the thing: not all accountants are created equal. Tax, accounting, bookkeeping, and financial strategy are all different aspects of your business finances. Each of …

Las Vegas Chapter Event With Mindy Weiss

Las Vegas Chapter Event With Mindy Weiss WIPA Las Vegas started out the year with a bang for our first quarter event and Board installation featuring guest speaker and celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss. We started the day with a member-only exclusive, Mimosas with Mindy, where she answered all our members’ industry questions. After this intimate session, our cocktail reception ...

3 Quick and Easy Ways to Style Your Grooms

3 Quick and Easy Ways to Style Your Grooms If you’re a planner, photographer, or florist, many of your services end up being pretty focused on the bride, right? But what about the groom? How can you style his suit or tuxedo to help him be his most dapper self on the big day? Over the past several years, I’ve ...

Four Reasons Why You Should go to Wedding MBA

Four Reasons Why You Should go to Wedding MBA Where do wedding professionals continue learning? None other than Wedding Merchants Business Academy, of course! While there are many fantastic educational outlets for wedding and event professionals, the Wedding MBA seminar offers something special. The WIPA team is thrilled to be working at this year’s event and hopes to see our ...

Brunching with Business Leaders | WIPA SoCal Chapter

Brunching with Business Leaders | WIPA SoCal Chapter The energy was buzzing, mimosas were served, and the esteemed guests mixed and mingled on a sunny morning in Southern California. Tucked away on the Newport Coast, the Pelican Hill Resort was the perfect venue for WIPA’s SOCal’s 2017 “Brunching with Power Couples.” The brunch mixer brought together the industry’s finest for a morning ...

Making the Most of Your Off-Season

Making the Most of Your Off-Season By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting Many event pros look forward to the off-season like kids look forward to summer vacation. It’s a time to wind down and take a deep breath from what’s been a very hectic year. While there is nothing wrong with using part of that time to relax and maybe even ...