business
the LAST wedding at Executive Inn, Evansville IN
We will have the last wedding at Executive Inn in Evansville, Indiana, tomorrow August 1, 2009. I’m so sorry to see this venue go, especially after the renovations that were completed in the ballrooms and atrium. The downtown stadium project has picked this location, and the hotel will be torn down.
Below are a few events that we planned and are fond of:
two photos above were taken by: studio b
Tomorrow, Alex Harlen will celebrate her wedding reception with her new groom, Kris Jones. We’ll be setting up today to make it look fabulous.
Big hugs out there to the Executive Inn staff who work tirelessly on so many private and corporate functions!
on vacation…
Our office will be closed from Friday, July 3rd until Monday, July 15, 2009. Please everyone have a safe Fourth of July and we’ll be back soon! Refreshed and ready to go (including blogging)!!!
Pinched the cool photo from: http://www.confrontingintelligence.com
eventology 2009 wrap up…
It’s been painfully obvious that I haven’t been in the studio for the past two weeks due to several business trips.
Last week I was in Indianapolis for Eventology 2009, a midwest conference for event professionals. Produced by Katasha Butler of K. Sherrie & Co. I was so excited to be asked to be a part of it. The speaker lineup was with some of my dear planner friends and industry confidants Liene Stevens with The Smart Planner and Terrica Skaggs with Fabuluxe, Inc.
Because of blogging, online networking groups and twitter; this was one of the best conferences I have ever attended. Many of us have talked and shared stories (both personal and business) before we actually ever met in person.
To wrap up the event, I’m going to give you my take-away thoughts (brides please indulge me, this post will mean more for the planners):
- Almost everyone was the same in person as they are with their online persona; if not, they were even BETTER! I’m talking about you Melissa, Kelly, Andria – among many others!
- Only certain husbands should attend an event conference that is 99.9% made up of women. Tim Gill is your man for such an occasion. Not only did he hang well with the ladies, he opened every single door we walked through. Don’t think I didn’t notice.
- Monica Gill (the blessed wife of Tim) gave me the best compliment of the day and she doesn’t even know it.
- Swag bags are something that should never be underestimated and when you have pieces of Dreamy Gela to heavenly chocolates in them, they are that much better.
- Being a speaker at an event like this, holds a lot of responsibility. The feedback from my peers, personally moved me more than words can say. I’m inspired to do more speaking…and continue my passion for motivating others.
- It was a surreal moment to hug my online friend of six years, Jennifer. She helped me more at the beginning of my business and never asked for anything in return.
- I learned not to stand next to Terrica too long, because through no fault of her own, you can end up feeling short and frumpy.
- I met so many amazing professionals that are so serious and dedicated in continuing their education and growth of their business. For anyone that thinks wedding planners are silly, light-headed, creative creatures; then you and I will have a heated debate.
- Never knew a $17 dollar martini existed. It does. In Indy.
- My son, Boy Wonder, has truly become a legend in twitterland. Many people asked about him, which is amusing.
- A personal thanks to all of you that laughed or chuckled at least once during my presentation.
- Liene is very creative, especially with her Crayola trick. That’s lady’s mind never seems to rest.
- I have huge regrets (as usual) of not being able to spend more time with more of the people that attended. Would have really liked to sit down and talk with many of you.
- Planners know how to party and they have the best stories. If we collaborated, the real stories of weddings would be the size of a huge encyclopedia.
- Sometimes, GPS systems don’t know that an airport has physically moved, like just a few miles over. Who does that?
The next large wedding conference on the horizon is Engage! 09 produced by the remarkable Rebecca Grinnals & Kathryn Arce with Engaging Concepts, Inc. This is an exclusive event that is well-known in the industry to inspire event professionals to new heights in their business.
In lieu of Tax Day; take a look at our previous blog post on the “the Skinny on your Wedding Taxes” and a great post today by Kay at Howerton+Wooten Events, “Wedding Planning Tax Write Off’s“
happy birthday to our best team member
Today is April Fool’s Day and the Birthday of one of our most important members of our team. He’s was recently featured by professional photographer, Memories by Michelle. Just see below and her blog post featuring our very own and quite famous…
Ranger
Why Ranger is a good Team Member:
- If you are at the computer, he is happy to cuddle up underneath to keep your feet warm.
- He is always available to hug and kiss; which is scientifically proven to lower humans blood pressure.
- He helps clean the office; well actually he just licks the floor a lot.
- He guards the office from the UPS deliveries, until the driver gives him a biscuit.
- Always happy and upbeat….what else can you ask for?
- He’s chocolately goodness, without the calories.
You can follow Ranger and his adventures on Twitter….
update on 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year award
Remember we mentioned how honored we were to be nominated and chosen as a finalist for 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
The award banquet was held and we attended. Really did not know that they had hundreds of applicants that were narrowed down to five finalists. They made us go on stage….
photo credits: chris berneking
Met with one of our groom’s, Brandon McClish and conducted a little business. I believe we were talking about orchid bouquets. Perhaps he was asking for his fiancee, Blair Zeller.
We did not win, that honor went to Trazy Zeller Jewelers. However we still left with this nifty little plaque and a smile !!
tgif wrap up!
Is anyone else out thankful that it’s Friday? I am! I’d also like to ask Mother Nature to tell Old Man Winter to go to sleep. I’m so over the cold and cannot wait for spring!
Any-hoo, it’s a TGIF wrap up at the planning…forever events studio and we’d like to update our blogger readers on the happenings around here.
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We’d like to welcome to our client family: Blair Zeller + Brandon McClish, Maddy Heine + Gregg Wong, Christy Majors + Brandon Hayes and April Grigsby + Andrew Warnke. Thank you so much for choosing us to help you with your upcoming wedding, it’s an honor.
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Looking forward to Eventology 09 in Indianapolis in April, as a the featured lunch speaker for event professionals. I strongly believe in continuing education in your respective industry because that’s what keeps you at the top of your game. The fact that I’ve been recognized and asked to share my knowledge, is incredibly flattering. I feel that I’m representing our demographic area which often gets lost/forgotten by the wedding industry. We have fabulous events here too!!! {whew, had to say it}
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When it rains, it pours! In this instance its good news. No, it’s GREAT news. For the first time our Chamber Commerce of Southwest Indiana is hosting 2009 Business Awards.
I’m so pleased to announce that planning…forever events was anonymously nominated and chosen as a finalist for 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
I’m floored and beyond honored to be recognized in this category. As a business owner, you are only as good as the team you surround yourself with and I am blessed to work with amazing people on my team and in the wedding industry who consistently help us do what we do. Which is: please the client.
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And finally,
Dates are filling up fast on our calendar. If you are contemplating using a wedding planning service, feel free to contact us for complimentary consultation. We know that many of our clients don’t really know how this service “works” and have a lot of questions when we meet. We welcome answering any of your questions! Email: staff {at} planningforever.com for more information.
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