By Tracey Manailescu, Co-founder and Vice President of The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada Inc.
Celebrating Connections at Tamala Ngwang’s Book Launch
WPIC Inc. was thrilled to attend the official launch of Igniting Sparks, Building Connections! by WPIC alumna Tamala Ngwang of Especial Events. The afternoon was a vibrant celebration of community, collaboration, and authenticity, true to the spirit of Tamala’s inspiring book.
Professional photos: Stolen Moments Photography
WPIC Co-founder, Tracey Manailescu, was honoured to be invited as a panelist for the fireside chat. Alongside other industry professionals, she shared insights and stories about building meaningful connections in business and life. The panel was moderated by the wonderful and vibrant Danique Robinson, and my co-panelist was the charasmatic Edwin Nganji, Founder and Board Chair of We Care International.
The event was far from ordinary! Guests enjoyed a lively networking activity where they found one thing in common with someone new, a fun bingo game to break the ice, and even a skit that brought laughter and relatability to the room. Tamala delivered a heartfelt speech that had everyone nodding along, followed by a book signing and plenty of delicious food at Heaffles.
It was an afternoon filled with warmth, wisdom, and true connection, just like Tamala’s book.
1. What inspired you to write “Igniting Sparks, Building Connections!” and how does it reflect your personal journey as an event professional
Igniting Sparks, Building Connections was born out of the desire to help business owners, marketers and event planners use events strategically to achieve their business goals. With over 20 years of experience in event planning, I’ve learned that true success comes from building strong, authentic relationships. Whether its adding value to a customer life or forming partnerships. The results are usually more favourable when the relationship goes beyond a transactional one.
2. With years of experience in the event industry, what has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about building genuine connections with clients and vendors.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that when it comes to building genuine connections, quality always matters more than quantity. Often, I see people focus on getting to know a lot of people with the hope that it might lead to something. People are usually good at sensing when someone wants to be close, because they are looking to get something in return. To be able to build genuine connections, there should be a “spark” something that is intriguing. That spark usually helps as conversation starters but, just like personal relationships, it takes time, patience a willingness to truly understand the other person.
3. What role does consistency and follow-up play in your connection strategy, and how do you maintain those relationships over time?
There is a saying that says out of sight out of mind and that applies perfectly with follow ups. If a brand does not have a good follow up strategy, an attendee can have a great experience but over time that memory will fade. Imagine you went to a party and met a fascinating person, if you did not engage at a deeper level to exchange contact information, you will see that the connection ended before it really began. If you implement consistent follow up strategies, such as monthly newsletters, personalized check-ins, or quarterly meet and greets, it will keep your brand top of mind and naturally guide your clients along their decision-making journey.
4. In your opinion, what sets apart a good networker from a truly impactful connector in the wedding and event space?
A good networker identifies the purpose or objective of networking, before attending any event. This will guide the way they communicate. For example, if the purpose is to find a vendor who they can partner with, it would be more beneficial to be strategic in who they engage with. On the other hand, if the intention is to build brand awareness, the approach might be to reach a wider audience and make as much meaningful introductions as possible.
What sets apart a truly impactful connector is their ability to go beyond surface level interactions. It’s not just about meeting people, it’s about fostering mutual understanding and creating space for collaboration.
In the wedding industry, planners thrive when they build strong, reciprocal relationships with preferred vendors. These connections form the foundation for mutual referrals and long-term trust. If a vendor does not know you, they will likely be hesitant to hire or refer you. Even when they do know you, the question becomes, why would they recommend you over someone else? This comes down to the strength of the relationship. Do you share the same values? Are you reliable? Can they count on you to step up when challenges arise? These are the qualities that elevate a professional from being just a good networker to becoming a trusted, go to in the industry.
5. Connection is at the heart of both weddings and business. What are some of the most impactful strategies you share in the book that help readers cultivate meaningful, lasting relationships?
One of the most impactful aspects of Igniting Sparks, Building Connections is the emphasis on building and nurturing relationships through five core relationship-building principles:
- 1. The Initial Meeting –Attracting Your Audience
- 2. The Dating Phase –Building trust and excitement
- 3. The Commitment Phase –Nurturing Loyalty
- 4. When Things Get Rocky –Handling Challenges
- 5. A Lasting Relationship –Evolving with Your Audience
These stages mirror the natural progression of any meaningful relationship, whether in weddings or business. By applying these strategies, readers can cultivate deeper, more authentic connections that not only drive long-term loyalty but also lead to sustainable business growth.
We wish you tons of success with your book and your business moving forward!
Tracey and Danielle
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