As the wedding season winds down, creative conferences start to pick up, and we often find that planners and creatives are overwhelmed with the amount of industry opportunities that pop up this time of year. We get tons of questions about the take-away: Who are the speakers? Will there be good networking opportunities? Will I learn anything that will make a big impact? and—the question of all questions—Is it worth the expense? So, we've done a little homework for you by rounding up some of our favorite upcoming retreats, workshops and conferences. So sit back, open a bottle of cab, and get to planning something for yourself. Cheers!
August
Photo courtesy Bradley James Photography
Trouvaille Workshop August 9–12, 2015 / Chicago, Illinois
A comprehensive four-day luxury (yes, please) workshop experience brought to life by Aisle Planner Rhiannon Bosse of Hey Gorgeous Events, Trouvaille Workshop is a perfect place for planners, designers and creatives to share ideas and practices in an intimate (only 24 attendees are accepted), encouraging and holy-gorgeous! atmosphere. You’ll attend educational sessions, participate in hands-on floral arranging, and walk away with a fresh outlook on planning and design practices. Although we've just caught wind that the upcoming event is SOLD OUT, it's never too early to mark your calendar for next year!
October
Bliss & Bespoke October 26–29, 2015 / Charleston, South Carolina
An all-inclusive luxe retreat for women wedding planners and designers hosted in the oh-so-charming Charleston, SC, Bliss & Bespoke is continually host to some of the industry’s top leading ladies--making it the perfect place to network with industry leaders and walk away with life- (and business-) changing connections. (Also, we’re pretty thrilled Aisle Planners Kristin Polhemus of Reverie Made and Lynn Easton & Augusta Cole of Easton Events will be speaking this year.)
November
Oh So Inspired November 1–4, 2015 / Sonoma, California
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From killer speakers to collaborative workshopping activities to festivities at a “secret venue” (we’re dying to know!), Oh So Inspired is a four-day event where designers, planners and creatives get together in dreamy wine country (we had you at wine country, we know) to share, learn and rekindle their design flame. (Spoiler Alert: You’ll walk away with an awesome headshot.)
Be Sage Conference November 1–3, 2015 / Dallas, Texas
A self-described “meeting of the minds,” Be Sage is a three-day conference that’s focused on tried-and-true business education. While its two founders, Kelly Simants and Michelle Loretta are business-savvy pros who come from traditional business backgrounds, they also love to have fun. Be prepared to learn (a lot) while letting loose.
Making Things Happen November 2–3, 2015 / Chapel Hill, North Carolina
A two-day conference (with limited seats, so hurry!), created by Lara Casey (Publisher & editor-in-chief of Southern Weddings and founder of the Making Things Happen movement) Making Things Happen starts with a collaborative workshop on Day 1, followed by some good ol’ fashioned business and goal-setting essentials on Day 2. You’ll cover everything from conquering fears to taking bold leaps to eliminating distractions. https://vimeo.com/117458080
Creative At Heart Conference November 15–16, 2015
Need to up your social media and blogging game? Creative at Heart is the place to do it. This two-day conference offers industry leaders teaching everything from social media to branding to finances. All in all, there will be about 120 creative industry professionals in attendance (so brings lots of business cards).
Engage! 2015 Luxury Wedding Business Summit November 16–18, 2015
Held twice a year, the Engage Luxury Wedding Business Summit is full of, well, luxury. You’ll learn from the crème de la crème of the wedding industry at an are-you-kidding-me-this-is-so-perfect luxury resort. This year’s happens to be at Rosewood & SLS Lux Resorts at the Bahamas. Not too shabby. Aside from a killer tan, you’ll walk away with lifetime connections and practical solutions for strategically growing your business.
December
Inspire Smart Success December 1–4, 2015 / Carmel, California
A four-day networking and education seminar, Inspire Smart Success is full of networking opportunities, hands-on workshops and practical education. You’ll enjoy wine country as your backdrop and learn among floral designers, bloggers, magazine editors, photographers and techies alike.
February
Lav & Fab Creative Conference February 29–March 2, 2015 / Napa, California
What I love about Lav & Fab is that its speakers span various creative professions, speaking to the fact that, regardless of what creative field you’re in, we all face similar challenges and find inspiration in similar ideas. You’ll hear from The Bachelorette's Desiree Hartstock, Rachel Hollis (writer, chef, tv host and event planner) and The Party Goddess Marley Majcher. We also love that our very own Aisle Planner Fearon May with Fearon May Events is behind this exciting event.
Anyone who's attended any of these fabulous events will attest, carving out just a handful of days out of your busy year to attend any of these creative conferences could be just what you need to jump start your year ahead. Happy workshopping!
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