Wedding Network USA Vol1, No2 by Cherie Ronning

Business Expertise Education Networking Has your business BEEN growing? We can help!

Business

Record Retention Guide 18 5 Tips On Realizing Your Goals 20 What do you want your website to do for you? 22

WNUSA News

Save the Date Sasha Souza Speaking 27

Board Member and Member Spotlight Jennifer Taylor 4 | BreeAnn Gale 10 | Heather Halstead 12

Wedding Network USA emagazine | Volume 1, Number 2 | February 2010

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chérie Ronning Founder, Executive Director Owner, Uncommon Invites

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Jennifer Taylor President National Member Benefits Chair Owner, Taylor’d Events By Jennifer

Brian Dale Vice President National Ethics Chair Owner, Wave Link Music, Inc.

Cindy Rosen Secretary Owner, Encore Events

Linda Barclay Treasurer National Finance Chair Owner, Barclay Event Rentals

Peter Barnett Board Member National Membership Chair Owner/Chef, Premiere Catering

Molli Barss Board Member National P/R & Marketing Co-Chair Owner, Soiree Special Event Planning

Don Boshears Board Member National P/R & Marketing Co-Chair Private Events Director, Columbia Tower Club

Donna Hoff Board Member National Web Marketing Chair Owner, The Wedding Genies

Eric Newland Board Member National Education Chair Owner, Hybrid Moon Videography

Gayle O’Donnell Board Member National Communications Chair Owner, All About Weddings and Celebrations

Musings

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Jennifer Taylor, Taylor’d Events by Jennifer

HAPPENINGS Portland, Oregon Meeting Southwest Washington Meeting

6 8

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT BreeAnn Gale, Pink Blossom Events Heather Halstead, Sorella Events

10 12

MEMBERS IN MOTION The Bravo! Wedding Affair

14 15

INDUSTRY INSIGHT 5 Reasons to use a Booking Agency for Wedding Music

MEETING SPONSORS MEMBER BENEFITS

17 17

BUSINESS Record Retention Guide for Businesses 5 Tips On Realizing Your Goals What do you want your website to do for you?

18 20 22

WEDDING NETWORK USA NEWS February 2010 Guest Speaker Weddings Portland Style Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities Calendar of Events Save the Date - Sasha Souza Speaking NW Wedding Scoop Code of Ethics Founding Members

13 23 24 25 27 29 31 BC

SUGGESTED READING

ADVERTISER INDEX Brasserie Montmartre Snapshot eMagazine - Pacific Northwest Weddings

26 28

CONTACT: Wedding Network USA | 1-888-509-6872 Info@WeddingNetworkUSA.com | www.WeddingNetworkUSA.com This publication is published and designed by Shiela Strubel, Strubel Studios, Snapshot eMagazine. © 2009-2010

MUSINGS

Chérie Ronning Founder and Executive Director

2010. Wow, the start of a new decade and the start of business improving for all of us. I recently had lunch with Peter Barnett from Premiere Catering, and as we were discussing the outlook for 2010 he reminded me of one thing. We are in a business that is recession proof. Even though we may not be booking the same numbers or dollar amounts, we are still booking business. Perhaps you need to take a look at your marketing strategies and come up with some new ideas for the current economy. Do NOT discount the dollar value of what you offer overall. Someone may still be interested in those full service packages and happy to pay the price. Take something out of the packages you currently offer, give them a lower dollar amount and special name. Show options they can add on to suit their needs and their budgets, and make them feel as if they are in control of the pricing. Hopefully you set some business goals for 2010, and next you are tackling the marketing to reach those goals. One huge factor is your “brand” and

how you use it. This is not just a logo, but a carefully crafted marketing process that never loses touch with the look and feel of your company. Every company is unique and needs to market accordingly. At upcoming meetings we will be bringing in specialists in this field and others. February kicks off our first networking meetings. These events will be held every other month, and give you plenty of time to meet new people and rev up your contact base. Also in February, ISES is bringing Sasha Souza to Portland and Seattle. WNUSA is partnering with them to promote this special event. Sasha is a member of the “Top 25 Trendsetters” for Modern Bride Magazine, and her new book Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design will be available for purchase and signing at these events. She will be in Portland on February 23rd and in Seattle on February 24th. This is a great opportunity to meet Sasha in your own city, not at a national conference. Come and be inspired! Every day offers you an opportunity to promote your company and yourself, don’t waste a single one.

Chérie Ronning

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Jennifer Taylor Taylor ’d Events by Jennifer WNUSA Founding President

I grew up as an Air Force brat. We lived in Northern California and also had a four year stint in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, I tell people I did my time in the Big House (2nd thru 5th grades), then back to Northern California. In 1985 we finally came back to Washington, where I graduated from Woodinville High School in 1989 and got a Bachelor of Arts degree (Music – Vocal emphasis) from Western Washington University in 1993. From 1993 until 2000 I worked for Eddie Bauer at the corporate office. Then I moved on to Western Wireless / Cellular One from 2000 until 2005, when they finally told me they no longer needed my services and I did not want to move to Atlanta. Friends ask me how I got started as an event planner and I respond “I really don’t know, it just happened”. I had helped friends plan their weddings in the past because I always ended up being the most organized person in the wedding party. I was an inventory accountant / material planner and working in a technical, male-dominated industry really helped me develop the assertiveness and professionalism I needed to be a great wedding planner. 4

I consulted with Gayle O’Donnell at All About Weddings & Celebrations and Wendy Wojcik at Weddings with Wendy to see if I had a shot at planning weddings professionally. They both thought I was calm and collected enough to handle any situation. They took me under their wing and gave me the tools, information and encouragement I needed to start Taylor’d Events by Jennifer in 2005. One week later the company I was working for was sold, so I took that as a sign. From 2007 through 2009, I had the pleasure and privilege of working with and learning from Janel Schlitt of Occasions, LLC. In 2009, I decided to go back out on my own and re-open Taylor’d Events by Jennifer. It was about the same time Chérie Ronning was looking to start a new wedding business related networking organization. I told her I would be up for anything she brought to the table. Almost a year later, here I am Founding President of Wedding Network USA. WOW! It has been quite a year!

USA is to bring the wedding industry together and become one of the best business resources for all in the industry. As creative business people we are always trying to find the next big thing that is going to help our company. Most of us don’t have the patience to read all the books and blogs, or do the research about how things like social media really work. The reason I am involved is as a group we can help each other; where one person is weak, someone is strong and we can help each other. In the past 5 years, I have truly enjoyed getting to know a whole new industry, meeting great friends and great locations within the Pacific Northwest. I can’t wait to see what Wedding Network USA can do in its first five years!

Jennifer Taylor Best regards,

Taylor’d Events by Jennifer

For the launch parties, Chérie asked all the board members what was their vision for Wedding Network USA and why were we involved. My vision for Wedding Network ©2009 WEDDING NETWORK USA • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

HAPPENINGS

PORTLAND January 6, 2010

Portland, Oregon

The January 6th, 2010 Portland Educational meeting was held at the Hotel Vintage Plaza. The room was set with a festive layout for the New Year. 69 members and guests were in attendance for the evening. The Hotel Vintage Plaza and Pazzo’s catering staff were amazing. They served an Italian family-style feast, during which serenades were provided by Josh Killingsworth with ‘A Rose and A Song’. The speaker for the evening was Tshombe Brown, a business coach who spoke about goal setting for our businesses in 2010. Eric Newland of Hybrid Moon Videography captured Tshombe on video and this will make its way to our website soon. Eric Holen of Holland Studios photographed the event, and you see a portion of those photos here. The full slideshow is available on our Facebook page. A big thank you to Mari from Muse & Susan from Ultraviolet Events for stepping in and taking the reins while I was at a wedding rehearsal. I know that everyone had a great evening! Christina Safford, Muse ©2009 WEDDING NETWORK USA • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

HAPPENINGS

SW WASHINGTON January 12, 2010

Vancouver, Washington On Tuesday, January 12th, 2010, the Southwest Washington chapter of WNUSA met for their first breakfast meeting at the stunning Crane Manor Mansion in Vancouver.

28 individuals representing event and wedding industry businesses in the Vancouver-Portland area converged for a delightful breakfast of quiche Lorraine, petit morning-glory muffins, and fresh Hood River apple crisp topped with pecan-oatmeal streusel, prepared by Black Swan Events and Penny Wise Food and Gifts. On crossing the threshold onto the marbled foyer of the Crane’s 8000 square-foot grand manor, guests, awed by the superb Tiffany chandelier, the soaring marble columns and intricate inlaid floors, were then drawn in by the savory bouquet of mulled cider wafting through the house and up the magnificent staircase. Abacus Event Rentals provided additional seating and linens for the event. Chérie Ronning, founder of WNUSA, and owner of Uncommon Invites, opened the

meeting by welcoming new members. She explained how WNUSA strives to encourage small business and foster professional excellence through a spirit of cooperation and continuing education for its members. Tshombe Brown, owner of Your Signature Coaching and Consulting, and author of The Magnetic Entrepreneur, spoke on goal setting. He emphasized the importance of defining goals, and how necessary it is to acknowledge and tap into the emotional aspect of realizing one’s goal even before achieving it. Enthusiasm ignited into synergy when April Williams, of April Williams Photography, who had been shooting the event, offered to share her sales goal with the group. Timid at first, Tshombe coached April with the group’s support as she honed, defined, embraced, and powerfully articulated her business goal for the next 12 months. On ultimately proclaiming her goal, cheers ensued, because each member in the room had become invested in, and a part of April’s goal. Continued on page 11

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Seattle, Washington

BreeAnn Gale Pink Blossom Events

People often ask me why I got into the wedding and event planning business. The answer is simple: I am obsessed with planning events! I grew up planning vacations and parties for friends and family and never realized it could be something I could do for a living. One day in college, it dawned on me, I really could turn my passion into a career. That is when Pink Blossom Events was born. Since 2006 I have been helping my clients turn their dreams into a reality. Whether it is a small seaside ceremony or a surprise fortieth birthday party, I am there to see that every detail is fulfilled. Once in a while I have to pinch myself knowing that I am able to spend my days making people’s ideas come to life.

Pink Blossom Events is your destination for Wedding and Event Planning in the Northwest. We believe in turning the expected into something unique. Your guests arrive expecting a cookie cutter event, but we want to surprise them by making your occasion truly unique. We specialize in weddings, auctions, corporate events, and milestone birthdays. I became a part of WNUSA for a chance to help make a difference in the way wedding professionals are able to gain information and learn from their peers. In addition, I joined 10

as a way to improve and grow my business. I felt that I needed to be in an organization that was there for me and gave me opportunities to learn the tools I needed to advance my business beyond where it is today. I believe that WNUSA is that organization. From small groups to the monthly meetings, education of the industry is WNUSA’s focus. As their mission statement says, “Wedding Network USA is a non-profit networking organization focusing on industry businesses. Our goal is to give wedding professionals a variety of opportunities for professional development through the sharing of business expertise, educational topics and networking.” I am thrilled to be a Founding Member of WNUSA and continue to grow my business using the tools I learn through the organization.

BreeAnn Gale Owner, Pink Blossom Events

Continued from page 9

Discovering other businesses as partners, rather than competitors can be beneficial for all involved. Next, Don Richardson of Digital Popcorn, provided “tech-tips of the month” on how to increase visibility in electronic media, and Becky Klotz from Designcorr Inc. imparted 3 extremely useful year-end tax tips for small businesses. As the formal meeting concluded, Meghan Scheels of Cakes by Design presented a petite wedding cake. The delicious, moist spice cake was wrapped in fondant, and beautifully displayed the WNUSA logo. February’s meeting for the WNUSA’s Southwest Washington chapter will be held on Tuesday, February 16th, at the Pickled Heron Ballroom in Ridgefield, WA from 9:00 AM to 10:30AM. Topics for the group will include discussions on bringing small business goals into focus, and how creating small business success teams will help achieve these goals.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Portland, Oregon

Heather Halstead Sorella Events

When I finished planning my own wedding years ago, I thought, “thank goodness that was over”. I went back to my interior design business and never had another thought about wedding planning. Then, a close friend approached me and asked me if I could help her “design her wedding”. We worked together to plan every aspect of her wedding. I really enjoyed doing it and to make it even better, I was getting paid for my time and my opinions! The wedding turned out beautifully and both the bride and groom were beyond grateful. It was an amazing experience and I was thankful to be such a big part of their special day. After that wedding, I started getting calls from their family and friends asking if I could help with their weddings as well. After each wedding, I found myself looking forward to the next wedding. I realized that my passion for interior design was now taking a backseat to my newfound passion for wedding coordination. For a few years, I did both wedding coordination and interior design under my interior design business name. After much thought, I decided that I would put all of my focus into wedding coordinating and really try to make a name for myself. I was talking to a friend of mine in the wedding industry who suggested I attend an Association of Bridal Consultants meeting. I took her recommendation and signed up for a meeting. 12

Shortly thereafter, I received a phone call from Chérie Ronning. During my phone conversation with Chérie, she gave me a ton of invaluable advice and many words of wisdom. I was so impressed that someone who did not even know me would take so much time out of her day to help me succeed. I met Chérie and others for the first time at The Gala in 2007. What an amazing experience! I have benefited greatly from the monthly meetings, coordinator meetings, and wonderful relationships I have built with the people in this incredible industry. I am excited to be a founding member of Wedding Network USA and I am looking forward to all of the wonderful things I will learn from this organization!

Heather Halstead

Seventh Annual

CONVENTION September 21-23, 2010 Las Vegas Convention Center

Seminars & Exhibits Wedding Job Fair

SAVE THE DATE

Owner, Sorella Events

MEMBERS IN MOTION All About Weddings and Celebrations Affairs to Remember

The Northwest’s First Radio Show Just for Brides premieres February 13, 2010 on KKNW 1150 AM. The radio show will air on Saturdays 11am-12pm. Each week Seattle bridal industry experts Gayle O’Donnell of All About Weddings & Celebrations and Greg Lowder of Affairs to Remember DJ Entertainment will chat with bridal biz pros who’ll offer tips, tricks and the low down on weddings, relationships and how to avoid those Bridezilla 14

melt-downs. Tune in each week to hear the solutions to all your wedding quandaries. Have a question or topic you’d like to hear addressed on the show? Please leave us a comment so we can get an answer for you, or find an expert perfectly matched to solve your wedding dilemma. Listen to Nearlywed Radio, a program created so you can enjoy your big day in a stress-free way. www.nearlywedradio.com

Was your company chosen as a Wedding Wire Bride’s Choice Awards 2010 Winner? If so - please contact us at info@weddingnetworkusa.com, so that we can list all of the winners in our next newsletter.

Bravo!Wedding Wedding Affair TheThe Bravo! Affair Unique • Inspiring Unique • Inspiring • • Unforgettable Unforgettable

st Sunday, 2010 Sunday,February February 2121st, , 2010 11 p.m. 11a.m. a.m. ~~44p.m. Embassy HotelDowntown Downtown EmbassySuites Suites Hotel

www.BravoWedding.com www.BravoWedding.com Purchase tickets click here

Industry Insight

5 Reasons to use a Booking Agency for Wedding Music by Nancy Tice, NW Artist Management Music sets the mood and ambience of your entire wedding celebration, so it has to be right! The best way to save time, money, and frustration is to book your wedding music with a reputable booking agency. Whether you know exactly what you want, or especially if you don’t have a clue where to start, let the expertise of a professional agency be your “search engine”. Their goal is to make finding your music easy, affordable, and fun. 1. In addition to having an informative website, an agency will be able to send you complimentary press kits, demo CD’s, and video links, and offer fresh ideas you may not have thought of on your own. They have worked with hundreds of artists for many years, and know who can be 100% counted upon to provide the most professional services possible. 2. Booking direct with a band won’t always save you money. Many bands and DJ’s offer 16

an agency much lower prices because they handle multiple inquiries, promotion, contracts and bookkeeping for them. Therefore, quotes will usually be very competitive. 3. If an artist has an emergency such as illness, the agency will be able to provide a qualified substitute, even if it is at the last minute. 4. You don’t have to book a “name” band or DJ in order to get an excellent and affordable group. An agency will be able to recommend smaller bands and ensembles that still have a big sound, but at much lower prices. 5. Even if you are accustomed to searching the internet for information and services on your own, it can be a daunting and timeconsuming task to find a great band. With busy lives and schedules, most people agree using the services of an agency is priceless because of all the time it saves which translates into “Peace of Mind”!

Meeting Sponsors February Portland: Untraviolet Events Susan Duyck, Meeting Host Brasserie Montmartre - Venue & Catering Araxa Studio - Photography Barclay Event Rentals Flowers Tommy Luke

February SW Washington: Black Swan Events Gabrielle Dowding, Meeting Host The Pickled Heron Gallery - Venue Penny Wise Food - Catering April Williams Photography – Photography

February Seattle: This is a joint meeting with ISES The Ruins - Venue and Catering Sasha Souza, Speaker

Member Benefits What types of Member Benefits would you and your company like to see offered by your association? Do you need suggested resources for insurance, accounting etc. or a new company to purchase promotional marketing pieces from? Do you have some great resources to share? Please email us with your thoughts, resources, requests and let us see what we can do to make them a reality. info@weddingnetworkusa.com

Do you want to be an In Kind sponsor at an Event in your area? Contact the WNUSA office at 1-888-509-6872 to offer your services, such as photography, floral, rentals etc. and be listed in the newsletter in the future as well as on our website.

BUSINESS Record Retention Guide for Businesses by Becky Klotz, EA, LTC | Designcorr, Inc.

In business, good record keeping is essential not only for tax reporting purposes but also for the success of the company. The guidelines below give retention periods for the most common business records. Call us if you’d like more information or assistance with your record retention program.

Accounting Records Accounts payable

7 years

Accounts receivable

7 years

Audit reports

Permanent

Chart of accounts

Permanent

Depreciation schedules

Permanent

Expense records

7 years

Financial statements (annual)

Permanent

Fixed asset purchases

Permanent

General ledger

Permanent

Inventory records

7 years (Permanent for LIFO system)

Loan payment schedules

7 years

Purchase orders (1 copy)

7 years

Sales records

7 years

Tax returns

Permanent

Bank Records

Retention Period

Bank reconciliations

2 years

Bank statements

7 years

Cancelled or substitute checks

Retention Period

7 years

(Permanent for real estate purchases)

Electronic payment records

7 years

Corporate Records

Retention Period

Board minutes

Permanent

Corporate Records

Retention Period

Board minutes

Permanent

Bylaws

Permanent

Business licenses

Permanent

Contracts – major

Permanent

Contracts – minor

Life + 4 years

Insurance policies

Life + 3 years (Check with your agent. Liability for prior years can vary.)

Leases/mortgages

Permanent

Patents/trademarks

Permanent

Shareholder records

Permanent

Stock registers

Permanent

Stock transactions

Permanent

Employee Records

Retention Period

Benefit plans

Permanent

Employee files (ex-employees)

7 years (Or statute of limitations for employee lawsuits)

Employment applications

3 years

Employment taxes

7 years

Payroll records

7 years

Pension/profit sharing plans

Permanent

Becky Klotz, EA, LTC Designcorr, Inc. PO Box 1885 Clackamas, OR 97015-1885

Real Property Records Retention Period Construction records

Permanent

Leasehold improvements

Permanent

Lease payment records

Life + 4 years

Real estate purchases

Permanent

503-655-4775 designcorr@comcast.net

BUSINESS 5 Tips On Realizing Your Goals by Michelle Loretta, Sage Wedding Pros Set goals, plans, intentions, and resolutions. But first … you’ve got to put your plans into action.

1 – Visualize Your Outcome

Visualization is very powerful in realizing your goals. It’s the premise of many books written to help people realize their dreams: The Secret and Think and Grow Rich. In David Allen’s book Getting Things Done he discusses that the first part of beginning a project is knowing what the outcome will be. He says: “Choose one project that is new or stuck or that could simply use some improvement. Think of your purpose. Think of what a successful outcome would look like: where would you be physically, financially, in terms of reputation, or whatever?” Let’s try it. Think of one thing you want to accomplish. What does the end result look and feel like? The more often you do this, the more tangible this goal becomes. With good practice, visualization becomes a part of your life and your goal becomes highly integrated in the way you live. Sage Wedding Pros is dedicated to creating sustainable businesses in the wedding industry. Committed to education, information, and inspiration. Devoted to building camaraderie and cohesion within the wedding profession. Find more business education, visit www.sageweddingpros.com

So … where are the goals, the plans, the intentions that you made? Do you have them readily at hand? Take them out weekly and take the time to visualize.

2 – Define The First Step

I’m a list-maker, so naturally I like to break down my goals and plans into hundreds of little baby steps. But, in reality, once I’m done with my list, I can be a little overwhelmed: “1039 to-do’s just to get this website up!” That’s not encouraging!

So … let’s focus on one thing at a time. What is the very first step that needs to take place? Focus on the first piece. It’s that first step that you need to get the ball rolling. This first step could be as simple as “phone Sally to ask her about her biz” or “spend 45 minutes researching web designers”. Make time to do the first step. Once that’s done, move onto the next one. Move towards your goal one step at a time. This is how good habits are established.

3 – Find A Method Of Accountability

If you REALLY want to make your plans a reality, you need to find a method of accountability that works for you. This may mean taking on an accountability partner that checks in with you. This can be as informal as telling your sister your goals and asking her to check in with you weekly. Accountability partners can also help you get over the fear of accomplishing a goal. Once you share your goals with someone, they become even more tangible. Once it’s “out there” they’ve become part of reality. There’s something powerful about sharing your hopes and dreams with people. If you aren’t prepared to share your goals with the world, find something that you can do to hold yourself accountable. This is where knowing your numbers can really pay off. Tracking your performance – whether its sales or weight loss – can be very powerful in determining how you’re doing. Open up an Excel

spreadsheet and start tracking down your numbers. Chart your progress.

4 – Review Your Goals

Schedule a small block of time to review your goals weekly. It’s important that you do this weekly and not monthly. A month is a little too long to let things slide through the cracks. Ask yourself: 1. Where am I at in achieving this? 2. Do I need to readjust this goal? 3. Is there something I’m neglecting on my list? 4. How do these fall into the other things I have to accomplish in my biz? 5. Do I need to reprioritize my workload? And, then … visualize (see #1).

5 – Be flexible

Don’t strive for perfection. Strive for excellence. No one is perfect. Perfection is not something anyone can achieve. Excellence is a state of being and something you can BE. It is a something you constantly work at in your life. Be excellent! Be flexible and kind to yourself. In your weekly review, if you need to tweak stuff, it’s OK. Did something fall behind schedule? As long as you don’t have a hard deadline (to a client or colleague) this is OK. Flexibility is important to making sure you’re still having fun doing all of this. Reprinted with permission from Sage Wedding Pros © 2010 Michelle Loretta & Kelly Simants

BUSINESS

What do you want your website to do for you? by Don S Richardson, Digital Popcorn Generate Business of Course! If you have a business website, chances are that you want the website to bring you business. Getting traffic is just not enough. The real benefit of having a website is in generating more business. Your website can be used to acquire new leads, sign people up to receive an email newsletter make a direct purchase or many other desirable actions that can lead to a sale. Most importantly measure the results! Then evaluate and adjust. √ Self Evaluation

• Does your website provide general education related to the goods and services you offer? • Is the site informative regarding how to make a good buying decision? • Can visitors to my site find what they are looking for? o Does everything on the site work? • Is there a clear “Call to Action?” o Do the site visitors know what they are supposed to do? o Is it easy for site visitors to accomplish the desired task or desired action?

Educate the Visitor Does your website provide

general education related to the goods and services you offer? Be sure to have additional information available on the website that educates the reader about making a good buying decision. Identify the various quality levels of services similar to yours. 22

Then tell why yours is different? What makes yours special? What sets your goods and services apart from the rest?

Provide Information Is the site informative re-

garding how to make a good buying decision? Information you provide to a visitor to your website must be relevant. It needs to be specific and speak clearly in language that is easy for the reader to understand. The message should be focused and deliberate to your intended audience.

Ease of Use Can visitors to my site find what

they are looking for? Have five people who fit your target demographic visit your website and take it out for a test. Get their input about the personal experience and observations they made while visiting your site. Take good notes. See if there are any action items that need to be taken care of immediately. Also, any items that need to be worked on. Does everything work?

Include a Call to Action When you have identi-

fied the “desired action” that you want site visitors to do, then you need to make sure that they can accomplish this “desired action” easily. Does your website have a Call to Action in the right places? Is it clear what you want the visitors to do? Have you made it easy for them to contact you, sign up for an email newsletter or to make a purchase? Is the experience user friendly for the visitor?

Measure Results Keeping track of the number of

completed “desired actions” can help a website owner to see if their efforts are paying off. Evaluate what is working, what is not and explore how improvements can be made to achieve better results. © 2010 Don S Richardson - Reprinted by permission www.digitalpopcorn.net | Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/dpnews

Do something that your competitors are not doing.

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

Contact us today to join this cooperative marketing offer. Brand an image for your business with Television combined with Online Advertisement. Advertising regularly in the KOIN Local Showcase and on Weddings Portland Style: H Sets you apart from all other vendors in your category. H Allows you to appropriately communicate what is unique about your business. H Puts a face behind the name adding credibility and trust to your business. H Pre-qualifies your clientele. H Reaches your target demographic without your physical presence. H Promotes your service or product to over 100,900 households every week! H Promotes your service or product to over 250,000 unique visitors ONLINE every month! “Weddings Portland Style” is a weekly television show on KOIN Local 6 Broadcast channel 6 that informs future brides about the latest trends and hottest venues for weddings in the Portland Metropolitan area. As Portland’s only television show focused on wedding planning for the discerning Brides-to-be. “Weddings Portland Style” allows brides to hear advice and tips from local wedding experts in the comfort of their own home! The show has been broadcasting in the Portland Metro area since 2001. “Weddings Portland Style” airs Saturdays at 9am on KOIN Local 6 and on KOINLocal6.com. Look at what current sponsors say about the show… “We know your show is the best tool to reach out to our market.” AniA Collection “Outside of referrals, TV is our main lead generator.” Best Car In Town “I get recognized as that lady from the wedding show that does invitations!” Uncommon Invites Contact Tyler Bel at 505.464.0677 or Eric Newland at 503.502.1991

WN USA NEWS

Monthly Meeting Sponsorship Opportunities If you would like to be featured and/or speak about your company at a monthly WNUSA dinner meeting, we have sponsorship opportunities available that allow every member an opportunity to participate.

Speaker Sponsor:

Cost: $200 – 1 per meeting Available to all members, 6 meetings/year January, March, May, July, September, November Benefits include: 8’ display table; 3 minutes of speaking time at the meeting; introduce the guest speaker; an annual listing as a Speaker Sponsor on the website and in the monthly emagazine newsletter.

Spotlight Sponsor:

Cost: $75 – 2 per meeting Available to all members, 6 meetings/year February, April, June, August, October, December Benefits include: 4’ display table; 2 minutes of speaking time at the meeting; an annual listing as a Spotlight Sponsor on the website and in the monthly emagazine newsletter.

Meeting Host: 1 per meeting

Available to meeting planners, 12 meetings/year Cost: Time / Works closely with the Regional 24

Director to execute the meeting Benefits include: 1 bistro display table at the meeting, 2 minutes of speaking time, an annual listing as a Meeting Host on the website and in the monthly emagazine newsletter.

In-Kind Sponsor: # limited by needs

Available to all members, 12 meetings/year Cost: Trade donation of floral, rentals, music, printed materials, photography etc. Benefits: 2 minutes of speaking time at the meeting; a Marketing Table as described below; an annual listing as an In-Kind Sponsor on the website and in the monthly emagazine newsletter.

Marketing Table: Cost: $25

Available to all members, 6 meetings/year February, April, June, August, October, December Benefit: 1 bistro, 4’ or ½ of a 6-8’ display table (depending on availability at the Venue), introduced at the meeting; an annual listing as a Table Sponsor on the website and in the monthly emagazine newsletter.

Monthly Meeting Venue/Catering Sponsorship Opportunities For Venus and Catering Companies we offer 4 tiers of participation to allow you choose which is the best marketing opportunity for your company, when you choose to host a WNUSA dinner meeting at your facility.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 2010 Note: All prices are inclusive. Tier 1:

Cost – provide venue and food for free Benefit: 1 Bistro table for display, 5 minutes of speaking time + tours of the facility during the cocktail hour; receive a full page ad in the monthly emagazine newsletter and an annual listing in the newsletter and on the website.

Tier 2:

Cost – provide venue and food for $10.00pp Benefit: 1 Bistro table for display, 3 minutes of speaking time + tours of the facility during the cocktail hour; receive a 1/2 page ad in the monthly emagazine newsletter and an annual listing in the newsletter and on the website.

Tier 3:

Cost – provide venue and food for $17.50pp Benefit: 1 bistro table for display; 2 minutes of speaking time at the meeting; receive a ¼ page ad in the monthly emagazine newsletter and an annual listing in the newsletter and on the website.

February 9, 2010

WNUSA Monthly Meeting - Portland Brasserie Montmartre

February 16, 2010

SW WA Monthly Meeting - Ridgefield The Pickled Heron Gallery

February 21, 2010

Bravo Wedding Affair - Portland Embassy Suites – Portland Downtown The Wedding Scoop - Salem Salem Conference Center

February 23, 2010

Sasha Souza Event - Portland Left Bank Annex

February 24, 2010

Sasha Souza Event - Seattle The Ruins

February 27, 2010

Tier 4:

Cost – provide venue and food for $25pp – our maximum amount that we can pay Benefit: Introduced at the meeting; listed on the website and in the emagazine newsletter as the meeting location for the month.

The Wedding Scoop - Portland Courtyard Marriott

February 28, 2010

Panache Show - Seattle Columbia Tower Club

WNUSA thanks Founding Member Brasserie Montmartre for their generous donation of venue & catering for our February meeting!

Save the date Sasha Souza

Where & WHEN

Left Bank Annex 101 N. Weidler • Portland, OR 97227 Tuesday, February 23, 2010 • 5:30 PM The Ruins 507 Roy Street • Seattle, WA 98109 Wednesday, February 24, 2010 • 5:30 PM

Speaking Topic

Weddings by Design: Emerging Trends in Wedding & Event Décor As a member of Modern Bride Magazine’s “Top 25 Trendsetters”, Sasha Souza is one of the premiere event designers and a top innovator in the wedding industry. Souza is the recipient of numerous awards including the Special Events Magazine Gala Award winner for “Best Dining Tabletop Design”, Event Solutions Magazine “Designer of the Year” and three ISES Westie Awards.

Souza’s first book Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design is a stunning, hard cover wedding design book featuring beautiful photography of all aspects of wedding design including never before seen Sasha Souza Events real weddings. A culmination of her many years as a top wedding designer, Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design provides brides, event planners and florists with unique wedding design inspiration and is the first book of its kind to offer details on event design ranging from color couture, to floral, to creating inspiration boards, and much more. To register: www.isiesportland.com or www.isesseattle.com

WNUSA thanks Five Star Sponsor Strubel Studios for their generous donation of time designing our newsletter!

Snapshot eMagazine presents Pacific Northwest Weddings V NEW Awe-Inspiring Guide V 4,000 Subscribers Free subscription V Flipping Page Digital Magazine (direct hyper links to your website and email.) 97% of brides and grooms use the Web in their planning process. V Downloadable PDF File V Green, Sustainable Magazine V Incredibly Low Cost Advertising (1/4 pg ONLY $112)

Spring 2010 Issue: Amazing advertising opportunity! Reserve your advertising spot today. With purchased ad, receive a free listing at www.snapshotemagazine.com. WNUSA members receive $20 off your ad cost. We also offer ad design (starting at $35). Benjamin Thompson | ben@snapshotemagazine.com | 360.904.4533 Shiela Strubel | marketing@strubelstudios.com | 503-830-2511 Strubel Studios, Snapshot eMagazine | 360-546-3975 | Vancouver, WA

Submit Wedding/Bridal topic articles. If your article is approved to be published, you will receive a free 1/4 page ad.

Suggested Reading Many of our Members have suggested books that they feel will be beneficial to all of us. As you think about authors who have inspired you, please take the time to send us the Author’s Name and Book Titles. If you would also care to write a short Book Review we will post that information on the website for all Members to share. Look for this section under Suggested Reading on the left tab of the website or go to: www.weddingnetworkusa.com/reading

Books To Add ”The Fine Art of Small Talk” by Debra Fine

“Getting Things Done” by David Allen

“The Big five For Life” by John P. Strelecky

WEDDING NETWORK USA Code Of Ethics I Agree To:

Return inquiries to current as well as potential clients and vendors in a timely manner. Show consideration for other professionals by extending the utmost level of kindness, regard and cooperation. Observe all laws and obtain all pertinent licenses and permits required by law. Provide written contracts to clients to establish an understanding of all charges, services, products and performance expectations. Honor all agreements made with clients and vendors. Use the Wedding Network USA logo for advertising and promotional purposes for my company in compliance with Wedding Network USA rules for using the logo. Add a link from my website to the Association website. Be a credit to the industry by implementing good business principles, which will protect the public against fraud and unfair practices. Safeguard all privileged information about clients in a confidential manner.

Maintain adequate and appropriate insurance coverage for all business activities to assure my company’s ability to continue to do business and honor contracts. Abide by all government regulations and laws so as to favorably represent Wedding Network USA. Strive for excellence in my field by continually improving my knowledge base and be willing to share that proficiency with other Wedding Network USA Members. Give credit where credit is due and will not plagiarize another’s work. Recognize individual boundaries of competence and be forthcoming and truthful about professional experience and qualifications. Put the client’s interest first if engaging in affiliate activities, accepting commissions or referral fees. Treat employees with esteem and fairness, advocating conditions of employment that will safeguard their rights and welfare. Note from the Executive Director: We read dozens of Code of Ethics policies from industry groups and used the best of what we felt expressed the concerns of Wedding Network USA.

FOUNDING MEMBERS 2009 Gabrielle Lennartz Black Swan Events

Don Richardson Digital Popcorn

Monica Newby A Grand Affaire Catering

Amy Nuttman Blush Bridal Consultation Group

Shirley Easton Dippity DooDads Chocolate Fountains

Kay Stringfellow A Pickled Heron Gallery

Sara Maletis Brasserie Montmartre

Monica Mayer Divine Designs

Max Mikhaylenko MAXM STUDIO

Denise Novak AA Party Rentals

Denise Hall Jennifer Maust Bravo! Publications Inc

Tanya Stone Elements in Bloom

Melody Davis MG Davis Events

Emma Smith Emma Jane Photography

Mindy Milton Mindy Milton Events

Cindy Rosen Encore Events

Craig Mitchelldyer Mitchelldyer Photography, Inc

Donna Hays Pauline Muccahy Abacus Event Rentals Christina Lyons Elizabeth Fowler Rachelle Webster Abernethy Center Adam Tiegs Adam’s DJ Service Greg Lowder Affairs to Remember Amy Prutch AJ’s Studio Loren Callahan Alante Photography Julie Noice Alderbrook Resort & Spa Alesia Zorn Alesia Zorn Calligraphy Gayle & Jim O’Donnell All About Weddings & Celebrations

Nora Sheils Bridal Bliss Craig Slater Bugsie Productions, LLC Stuart Butler Butler Transportation Meghan Scheels Cakes by Design Stephanie Weishaar Camas Meadows Golf Club Katie Arnold Catering by Bo Robin VanDerveer Cedarbrook Lodge Krysta McLaughlin Charlotte’s Weddings & More Liza Ragan Choice Linens Mindy Woodard Class Act Events

Katherine Sealy Event Cosmetics Cheri Baber Event Floral Jacqueline Mandell Exquisite Weddings Patricia Norris Fireworks! Selena Ross Peggy Hartman Floral Dreams Kay Dietl Flowers For You Louella Scott Flowers Tommy Luke Sara Perrin Folio Photo and Design

Wendy Hosford Lindsi Leahy LillyPilly Floral Artistry Callie Meyer Lisa Dupar Catering

Heidi Moon Moon Mansion Roger Moore Moore Creative Weddings Matthew Ferris MPF Events Alice Nafziger Dorcas Popp Glenn Howard Sue Koshiyama Multnomah Athletic Club Christina Safford Muse Tatum Dwyre-Seitz Kelly Cooper Jacquelyn Renalds New and Blue Jenny Harding New Chapter Weddings

Don Boshears Columbia Tower Club

Eddie Redman Robby Sortore Grand Event Rentals

Linda Conklin Columbia Winery

Dwayne Thomas GreenLight Creative, LLC

Nancy Tice Northwest Artist Management

Connie Crane Crane Manor

Leialoha Kaula Hali’a Event Planning

Linda Smith Notes of Celebration

Amy Vallejo Anticipate Wedding & Event Planning

Mark Lopez Crave Catering

Emily Pollock Amanda Fischer Novelty Hill - Januik Winery

April Williams April Williams Photography

Michelle Davenport Creative Childcare Solutions, Inc.

Eric Holen Roberta Cloutier Holland Studios Olivia Olson Hotel Lucia

Kevin Venables NW Mobile DJ Service

Robert Gassen Humanature Photography

Stacy Lynn Crawford NY Institute of Photography

Chris Holzgraf Huntington Images

Heather Matheny Oregon Bride Magazine

Eric & Heather Newland Hybrid Moon

Robin & Erik Pierce Paparazzi Tonight

Erin Hight Jake’s Catering

Paul Rich Paul Rich Studio

Jodell Hinojosa Jo Foody Catering

Judy McManus Perfect Wedding Guide

Chesney Schmidt All The Flutter Eric Wright All Wright Music Scott & Amanda Shama Ambient Sky

Octavia Hunter Araxa Studios John Liles Audient Consulting, LLC Andrea Hoyt August Veils Tania Shepard Azzura Photography Linda Barclay Barclay Event Rentals

Steve Cox Kevin Tallmadge Creative Ice Trisha Dirks Stephanie Simmons Crowne Plaza Hotel Dani Weiss Dani Weiss Photography David Barss David A. Barss, Photographer

Indelisa Montoro Belle Jour Floral Design

Pam Wolle Daybreak Carriages

Kevan Inouye Kevan Inouye Private Florist

Penny Jones Penny Wise Meals & Gifts

Christine Richards Black Belt Business Solutions

Becky Klotz Design Correspondence

Amber Darrington Le Cookie Monkey

Mistie Beaudoin Peter Corvallis Productions

BreeAnn Gale Pink Blossom Events

Heather Halstead Sorella Events

Susan Crow Portland Bride & Groom Magazine

Shiela Strubel Strubel Studios Snapshot eMagazine

Michele Starry Portland Classical Chinese Garden

Marcy Richards Taste Chocolate/The Doll House Tea Room

Amy Ipina Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront

Jennifer Taylor Taylor’d Events by Jennifer

Marilyn Storch Portland Wedding Planner, Inc. Amy Miller Premier Bride of OR & SW WA Peter Barnett Mike Peters Matt Foreman Premiere Catering

Lauren Barnes Garr The Grand Papery Invitations Kehaulani Petersen Sean Osaki The Heathman Hotel & Bar Melia Soldati The Heathman Lodge Sheena Kalso The Invisible Hostess

Georgia Rafati Rafati’s Elegance In Catering

Heather Bush The Manor

Eli Darland Rare Form Limousine

Candice Szarzec The Petal and the Stem

Rebecca Ellison Rebecca Ellison Photography

Petrel Chapman The Wedding Cottage

Carole Lombardi Red Star Tavern Hotel Monaco Emma & Will Darden Reversed Lens Photography Lora Heil-Frone Rose City Bridal Showcase Michelle DeRouen Seattle Bride Magazine Dixie Duncan Seattle Metropolitan Bride & Groom Sean & Candice Hoyt Sean Hoyt Photo Documentary Leslie Wheatley Seattle Parties Kerry Garrow Signature Weddings & Events

Donna Hoff The Wedding Genies Amy Richardson Tom Douglas Catering Susan Duyck UltraViolet Events Chérie & Pat Ronning Kevin Ronning Melissa Pogue Uncommon Invites Kurt Beadell Auriana Albree David Robinson Emily Crumpacker Page Winograd Eric Sandstrom Meg Goldman Chris Barrie Karen Rich Emily Michel Faith Adams Vibrant Table Catering & Events

Kirstie Warren Simply Wed

Brian Dale Jillian Cook Wave Link Music, Inc.

Danyelle Tinker Skamania Lodge

Maureen Haley Wedding Officiant

Nelliena Moetului Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club

Kelly Hagerman Widmer Brothers Brewery

Molli Barss Soiree Sol Neelman Sol Neelman Photo Journalist

Tshombe Brown Your Signature Coaching