by Danielle Andrews Sunkel and Tracey Manailescu, Producers www.weddingconf.com
Wow! What an amazing conference, even if we do say so ourselves! This was indeed the best conference we've held to date.
Photo courtesy of Rhonda Lam, Devoted to You
Attendees were met at the airport and whisked off to our host resort, the 6-star, Beaches Turks & Caicos, where they were greeted by the Conference Producers, Danielle Andrews Sunkel and Tracey Manailescu, and Sandals Promotions Manager, Gina Tsirmpas, a chilled towel and a rum cocktail.
Later that evening Beaches held a Welcome Cocktail Party, complete with a live performer, cocktails and hot and cold canapes. Attendees got to hobnob with the Speakers and were encouraged to visit the Wedding Office where the new Martha Stewart Sandals Wedding Collection was being previewed on the Plasma screens. Cakes and accessories from the collection were also on display.
The next day seminars began at 8:30am. The speakers were amazing and spoke to both our beginner attendees as well as our seasoned pros, everyone was able to take away valuable info and tips from each seminar. Andy Ebon reminded everyone why they got in to the business and brought everyone to tears with his letter to Wedding Coordinators, Ciara Daykin taught everyone to find their "flavour" of client, speak directly to them when marketing and realize their full potential as RockStar Wedding Planners. Jo-Anne Brown delighted everyone with her experience and tips from over 2000 weddings in the Caribbean. She included tips and directives about working with local sources, importing, transport and international Customs and Tariffs. Attendees were able to enjoy everything the resort and island had to offer after 1:30pm, and enjoy they did!
Photo courtesy of Sheila Baragianis, Pink Ribbon Weddings
Day 2 started with a RockStar Design seminar from award-winner, Simon Daykin, followed by an educational seminar on planning Destination Weddings from the Producers, Danielle Andrews Sunkel and Tracey Manailescu. Our special guest and Keynote Speaker, Sasha Souza, wound up Day 2 with a fantastic seminar. She included tips about business, the right client for you, working with Colour and Inspiration Boards. She also gave us previews from her new book, "Signature Sasha Souza", due out January 2010.
That afternoon, delegates donned Wedding Dresses and took part in the largest known Trash the Dress Photo Shoot. We had 12 professional photographers and about 50 amateurs on the beach snapping away like a wall of paparazzi. What a great time we all had jumping off piers, racing down waterslides, floating in a lazy river, swimming in the ocean and splashing through fountains all while wearing our wedding dresses!
Day 3 was Sandals/Beaches Day where every attendee got the chance to become Sandals Certified. Our training was interupted by some furry monsters, Cookie Monster, The Count and Elmo to name names. All of the attendees had a great time getting their photos with the characters and we've already seen a bunch of Facebook Profiles updated with the pictures.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Thompson Events
That evening Beaches treated our group like royalty! The delegates and speakers went on a Catamaran Cruise for cocktails and hors d'eourves, then met their travel companions and were treated to a gorgeous Gala set up beside the French Village Pool. The night included tons of food stations, beautiful floral and feather centrepieces, live entertainment, awards to Top Sandals Sellers, raffles from over 22 sponsors with a Grand Prize of 5days/4nights at any Sandals or Beaches Resort! Lucky Lady, Sandra Aaron, was the winner.
Many new friends were created and several relationships were made stronger. Each Conference delegate and Speaker got to see how much can be accomplished, shared and learned when people put aside their egos and help improve eachother. We are all better Wedding Professionals for it.
A HUGE thank you to our host resort Beaches Turks & Caicos and especially Sandals Poromotion Manager, Gina Tsirmpas. This was by far the easiest Conference we have ever put together and considering this conference was 1,600 miles from our hometown, that says A LOT!
The conference sounds like it was incredible and I’m sorry I had to miss it! Surely there were friendships made, as is always the case with these amazing conference – bonds that will last a lifetime! The pictures speak volumes and it shows that this was a conference that should not have been missed! Lesson learned for next one!:)
I want to publicly thank you both, Danielle & Tracey, along with the 5th Annual conference team for putting this fabulous event together! It was educational, inspirational and most of all rewarding to be with everyone who share the same passion as myself! It was simply a great experience that will forever be a part of my fondest memories! I already am working on some of the great knowledge passed by our panel of experts & know I will be creating magic like you all did in my heart! Thank you again!! Can’t wait for #6!
Looks like an AMAZING conference. Maybe next year when my baby is older I might be able to come. Sounds like Sandals treated you guys great. So fun to have local Calgarians as speakers!
WOW! The conference looks like it was amazing! I can not wait until next year to come and see it for myself! I can not wait to learn all the information and meet WPIC people from aroud Canada! The pictures looked amazing!
The Conference just keeps getting better and better every year. Can’t wait till next year.Beautiful pictures and fantastic memories for all. Love the trash the dress sessions. Looks like so much fun.
This conference was incredible! It had something for everyone, whether new to the business or a Seasoned Pro.
I’ve been to many conferences over the years and I can’t get over how amazing this conference was. From the personal greeting from the Producers upon arrival, the Welcome Cocktail from Beaches, the amazing Speakers, the comraderie and openess of the attendees, the beyond fun “Trash the Dress” and Catamaran cruise and to the incredible opportunity to become alligned with Sandals. This conference surpassed all!
Thank you to the hard work of the Producers and Conference Committee, and for the incredible treatment we received at Beaches.
Hi I,ve been reading your page and am so very interested and fascinated by the certification that you offer. I am a certified Events and Planning Coordinator and is in the process of setting up my wedding planning business. Attending your classes would be greatly beneficial to me and my endeavours, however, the most unfortunate thing is that I’m living in Jamaica. So my question to you is, “Would you consider offering this course on-line?” It would be very beneficial to me and I’m sure that it would help many more persons in Jamaica.
Anxiously awaiting your answer.
Koye Edwards
Hi Koye,
Thank you for your kind words! We are actually in talks to offer another class in Jamaica. (We’ve been there twice to certify the Sandals and Beaches Wedding Teams.) If we do come, it will be to Montego Bay. Send us an email at info@wpic.ca and we will notify you of class dates or if we offer an on-line course.