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ALL THINGS WEDDINGS
In any book, chapters are there to separate actions, give further insight into a character or motive, and in general move the story swiftly along. Our lives, like books, also take place in chapters. Usually these chapters contain life-changing moments and milestones. Just like in a book, a chapter of my professional life is coming to an end. For two wonderful years I’ve served as the president of WIPA. When I took this position I never realized the twists and turns of this particular plot! They have all led me to where I am today – with wonderful memories, lots of new friends and, I humbly hope, with a legacy that I leave in the able hands of my successor, Sharon Dexmier, founder of Napa Valley Linens. New Professional Chapters Like a chapter in a book, an organization’s chapters offer structure and definition to the larger purpose. The process of chapter formation is long and complicated, but we have taken those crucial first steps in Phoenix with Regional Directors Heather Crabtree and Jennifer Thinnes from Outstanding Occasions, Lindsay Pitt from Toast::Signature Events in Atlanta, Ashley Stotts from Daryl & Co. in Houston and Linda Alpert from Affairs by Linda in Chicago. And a New Personal Chapter I’m kidding, of course, but this is what it’s all about, isn’t it? The reason we are in this business. It’s about the personal relationships we create, the heart and soul we put into our efforts to get to know our clients, colleagues and, in the process, ourselves. There’s a reason biographies are best sellers. There is nothing better than celebrating the chapters of our lives! I’m not big on cliff hangers in books or life so I’ll tell you now that this story of WIPA is not coming to an end for me as I will continue to always be part of the association. While this is not the end of the book by any means, think of it as a book mark so you can find your way back to where we left off. Until the next chapter, I remain always yours, Pauline Parry OUR FEBRUARY 2012 EVENT
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WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
WIPA would like to welcome and thank our newest Members for joining and supporting such a wonderful association, as we continue to expand across the Nation! We would like to highlight what it is that makes them “Wedding Industry Professionals!”
Carrie Smith
Wildflower Linens
9623 E. Desert Cove Avenue
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
602.803.6690
carrie@wildflowerlinens.com
www.wildflowerlinens.com
Wildflower Linens is the leading designer and producer of specialty table linens and chair covers. Our full service rental company has redefined the special events linen field in terms of style, glamour and customer care while becoming a prestigious provider to clients nationwide and abroad for functions of all sizes, budgets and occasions.
Nicki Collins
Catering Sales Manager
Bold American Events
887 West Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
404.815.1178
ncollins@boldamerican.com
www.boldamericam.com
Bold American was established by Fifth Group Restaurants in 1996. Bold is a full service event company offering innovative and chef inspired menus as well as award-winning floral and decor. Based out of King Plow Arts Center, we offer catering services at premier venues around Atlanta. Whether you are planning a large corporate event or intimate social gathering, we will make it exceptional, memorable and Bold.
Caitlin Sakacs
Director Sales & Marketing
Lounge Appeal, Inc.
16860 S. Main Street
Gardena, CA 90248
888.229.9990
caitlin@loungeappeal.com
www.loungeappeal.com
Lounge Appeal is a lounge furniture rental company ready to take your event to the next level. We rent high quality lounge furniture for private, corporate and social events. A comfortable seating environment is a great addition to any event. Call us at 888.229.9990 and give your next event some Lounge Appeal!
Maria Renee Patté
Catering Sales Manager
The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa
41 Tunnel Road
Berkeley, CA 94705
510.549.8559
mpatte@claremont-hotel.com
www.claremont-hotel.com
Elizabeth McDonald
Catering Sales Manager
InterContinental Hotel Los Angeles
2151 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067
310.789.6402
Elizabeth.mcdonald@ihg.com
www.intercontinentallosangeles.com
The InterContinental Los Angeles provides an intimate setting for the perfect wedding day. Featuring an enchanting garden, extraordinary cuisine and outstanding service, we take pleasure in fulfilling your every desire to ensure an unforgettable experience. Minutes from Beverly Hills and close to Santa Monica, this luxurious urban oasis is the ultimate wedding destination.
Sharon Alexander
President/Owner
Sweet Sensations
10 The Boulevard, Suite 209
Newnan, GA 30263
770.252.9117
info@sweet-sensations.com
www.sweet-sensations.com
Where Art Meets Cake. Custom designed artwork in the form of sugar and cake for weddings and events.
Courtney Townsend
Catering Sales Manager
Montelucia Resort & Spa
4949 E. Lincoln Drive
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
480.627.3024
ctownsend@montelucia.com
www.montelucia.com
Montelucia Resort & Spa is nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain and offers perfect choices for setting the scene for your idyllic wedding celebration.
WIPA INDUSTRY NEWS - JANUARY 2012
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| Written by: Joyce Scardina Becker, CMP Events of Distinction joyce@eventsofdistinction.com WIPA Founding Sponsor and First President |
Congratulations to the following WIPA members who received “2012 Bride’s Choice Awards” from WeddingWire.com:
- Nahid Farhoud, Owner of Wedding Elegance by Nahid
- Denise Jermyn, Continental Catering
- Carol Rosen, CSEP, WIPA Director of Certification and Owner of Party Designs by Carol
Nahid Farhoud also was recently featured in three wedding publications: the Grace Ormonde Wedding Style blog for a wedding she produced in Mexico; South Asian Bride Magazine for a styled engagement shoot; and Maharani Weddings for an Indian wedding in San Diego.
Continental Catering is thrilled to announce that they have also just begun their long overdue kitchen remodel, scheduled to be completed next month.
WIPA NEW EXCLUSIVE MEMBER BENEFITS
As a growing organization, WIPA is continually adding benefits that will help our members thrive. In addition to our top-notch
education and popular meetings, we have several NEW and EXCLUSIVE member benefits that I can't wait to tell you about!
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS
A new "Members Only" area on our website gives you access to past speaker presentations at no additional cost! At your convenience you can view sessions from our top speakers or watch a session again with members of your team. We also have an up close and personal interview with the infamous Cheryl Fish one of our Leadership Advisory Board Directors that is so very inspiring. We will throughout the year continue these interviews with the LAB. Coming next month will be Rebecca Grinnals of Engaging Concepts.
EXCLUSIVE INFORMATION
WIPA-nars!! Our first WIPA-nar will take place Tuesday, January 31 at 1 p.m. PST. Lynn LaFond DeLuca, Beverly Clark Enterprises on
the topic Creating Your Perfect 2012 Wedding Marketing Plan - look out for invite! Again at NO COST to members! Future WIPA-nars
will be listed on our website wipausa.org with topics, dates and times.
EXCLUSIVE DEALS
We have arranged for WIPA members to receive discounts from Budget Rent a Car and Constant Contact! For more information please go to www.wipausa.org.
REFRESH
Just want to take a quick moment to remind you of exciting WIPA news. We now have regional groups in Houston, Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago and soon will have directors in Greater Pittsburgh, Miami and Washington State! Our Student membership policies are now in place and open for membership! WIPA is sponsoring wedding education tracks at The Special Event, Event Solutions and Catersource conferences in 2012. And during Event Solutions, we will also be co-organizing The Wedding Luncheon with ISES Las Vegas. This will be held at the Bellagio Resort, Las Vegas, Monday, February 27, 2012. Prepare to see a great program by celebrity wedding planner
Marcy Blum and cake designer, Sylvia Weinstock. This event always sells out fast! To purchase tickets, go to www.esideafactory.com.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for your support of WIPA. They say Rome was not built in one day and that is the same for WIPA. But rest assured that our fabulous Board of Directors and Leadership Advisory Board are working very hard to make sure that we continue to grow and evolve;
always keeping our eye on our mission to create a strong wedding industry through community building and world-class education
SEND US YOUR HOT TOPICS!
If you have an idea or story to share, tell us about it!
WIPA, we need your input to tell us what you and your colleagues are discussing so we can bring it to the forefront at WIPA meetings and address it together as WIPA professionals. You matter, your feedback matters so we can educate our wedding industry, other event professionals, and most importantly, educate brides and the media as to what we have to say in accordance with our vision and mission and core values! We can't wait to hear from you! Please email your "Hot Topic Ideas" to your Education Director, Liese Gardner at liese@reachmecca.com.
FUTURE EVENTS
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Park Plaza Hotel, Hollywood
Speaker: Bernadette Coveney Smith, 14 Stories
Monday, February 27, 2011
Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas
ISES Las Vegas / WIPA Wedding Luncheon for Catersource/Event Solutions
Speaker: Marcy Blum, Marcy Blum Events
March 8
San Francisco, California
Four Seasons Hotel
Speaker TBD
April 10
Newport Beach, California
Pelican Hill Resort and Spa
Lara McCulloch-Carter, Ready2Spark
The Industry Revolution is Here…Are You Ready?
May 8
San Diego
TBD
