Wedding Professional Associations

How many of you belong to professional organizations?

If so how has it benefited your business or not?

We also receive invitations for business mixers, went to one last night.

For me these kinds of organizations have been very beneficial, networking has been great for my company.

Anything that gets you in front of the right people.

In our town there is NACE (National Association of Catering Execs) and AFWPI (Assoc For Wedding Professionals Internatonal). Both are seen as somewhat of a joke in this area.

For example, joining NACE can get you exclusive access to some venues where only NACE members are allowed to perform at. But I've seen these venues, and they are way too snooty for my tastes and thus would not be places my clientele would use! (too high cost, over $50 a head).



Political events can do the same thing, without having to pay Annual Dues. Most of these functions happen on Tuesdays so they have no impact on the weekends. Meanwhile, you're seen by wealthy and upper-middle class persons, many of whom know someone or are planning weddings themselves.

Just a thought...

If you notice my signature graphics, I belong to two organizations (albeit, not "professional" organizations). They are fraternal by nature.

I have never had a lack of work, nor a lack of contacts, since I became a member... ;)

The American DJ Assoc.
In more ways than I have room here to describe.
Our chapter has about 40 members locally. All fantastic & true professionals.

ADJA, NAME, Southern New England Association of Professional DJs [SNAP], Capital District Wedding Association, Albany Wedding Association, Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, Association of Bridal Consultants, and the American Bowling Congress.

Of all those, only ONE has netted a single engagement, in fact several. Care to take a wild stab? It's as easy as ABC and the answer will bowl you over, so strike up the guesses, don't spare the turkeys or split your answer, get your mind out of the gutter, and shoot an average sanctioned thought.

ADJA, NAME, Tampa Bay Bridal Assn, Wedding & Event Professionals (both are local groups) and non-wedding related local organization-Carrollwood Area Business Assn. I can't say that I have gotten any more business from one organization over the other, but I think they all play a part in my business success

It always isn't about meeting brides, it's also important to network and develop relationships with the other wedding vendors in your area. When a bride goes to a hall and sees the halls preferred vendor list with my name on it; then goes to the photographer and sees their preferred list with my name on it; and the caterer; and the videographer; etc; and all those vendors tell the bride they know me personally, I think it does weigh in on the decision making.

I agree Bob with you 100% nice post Carolyn.
I have laid most of my recent success in a new town to making vendor connection and being asked to be a preferred DJ at several events. It also helps to connect with other locals who have such connections as it will help fill in the gaps when they are busy yet want quality such as theres for their preferred venue. Thanks MAESTRO!!!

Care to take a wild stab? It's as easy as ABC and the answer will bowl you over, so strike up the guesses,

I'm going to take a total stab in the dark at it: the bowlers, right?

I once belonged to ABC - but a Bridal Consultant with actual clients is often just as rare as a DJ with real bookings. :)

ADJA, NAME, SNAPDJ, MADJAM, BNI, International Association of Firefighters, and Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts.

The last two are the only ones who have given me work. It's a brotherhood thing. The BNI has been a fun group to belong to but as of yet no referrals. Then again I haven't been able to give them any either. BNI is a work in progress. SNAPDJ & MADJAM are Local DJ networking groups that have supplied quite a bit of information and education although mostly from SNAPDJ. NAME, I have received a key chain and wallet card and that's about it. ADJA has much better association benefits. ADJA I'm keeping, NAME I'm not sure about.

Local Chamber of Commerce here. It's helped us and the yearly fee is very nominal.

We get to volunteer for various local projects, which gives us more visibility in the community.