Destination Weddings

Lisa Light, wedding planner and CEO of Destination Bride, is a dynamic speaker and planner who has a lot to say about destination weddings, the fastest growing trend in the 125 billion dollar American Wedding Industry. Lisa came to wedding planning through her study of anthropology, and love of travel.  She has build a prestigious wedding planning company, Destination Bride, and the $1 internet site dedicated to destination weddings, www.destinationbride.com

Lisa has written a book on destination weddings:  Destination Bride: A complete Guide to Planning Your Wedding Anywhere in the World. Her company motto is "we make your wildest dreams come true...at home or abroad,".  Known for her energy, creativity, and ebullience, Lisa speaks with passion and experience about what it takes to guide dreams - in whatever exotic location - into reality.

Lisa will be speaking to all wedding vendors and planners about How to Plan a Destination Wedding and How to Enter into the Destination Wedding Market.

Sandals

Joan Rodriquez from Sandals/Beaches Resorts is going to go through and tell us how we can earn 12% in sponsor fees by booking our clients honeymoon and/or destination wedding travel. She is going to explain how this program is just one of the many benefits of being an ABC member!

Who's Hiding In Your Address Book?

Mary Kurek’s system for organizing an ideal network   has transformed thousands of business owners into "business celebrities," and launched a unique networking club endorsed and produced by Chambers of Commerce.  Her articles have appeared in NC business journals and Board of Realtors® magazines nationwide.  Her 60-second networking and marketing tips are heard throughout eastern NC on WTKF and WJNC Radio.

Internet Marketing

Eric Hause is publisher of the Coastal Carolina Bride suite of magazines and web sites. Raised in eastern North Carolina, he has been involved in the region's travel and tourism industry for over 25 years. In 2001, he put his experience in destination marketing to work to promote destination weddings on the North and South Carolina Coasts. He served as Director of Marketing for the Outer Banks Wedding Association for five years and published Outer Banks Bride Magazine. He also publishes Crystal Coast Bride Magazine and web site, Grand Strand Bride Magazine and web site,  WilmingtonNCBride.com, and the upcoming PlantationBride.com and HiltonHeadBride.com. He is also a partner in Panache Events, LLC, which produces wedding showcases on North Carolina's Outer Banks and Crystal Coast. 

Linen Trends

Jodi Solomon of Connie Duglin Linens will be showing us some of the newest linen trends in the industry.  She has also graciously donated all of the linens displayed at the event!

Hotel Rooms/Overnight Stays

We do have a block of hotel rooms at a discounted rate at the Quality Inn, Havelock, NC.  Just call them at 252-444-1111 and mention the Association of Bridal Consultants for the discounted rate of $82 per room per night.