Competition vs. Collaboration: Can’t we just get along?

       The Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) brings together wedding professionals from all fields – apparel specialists, bakers, caterers, DJs, florists, hair & makeup artists, invitation designers, musicians, officiants, photographers, planners, rental companies, transportation companies, venues, videographers, and MORE. Not just one from each field – multiples.
       Are we colleagues or competitors? Can we collaborate with each other, or will we continually be in conflict?
       Join us at ABC’s Local Networking group gathering on September 29^th as Elise Enloe, MBC, and Kerline Docteur, PBC, lead us in exploring the answers. What are the dynamics of competitive and collaborative relationships? Can there be “friendly” competition? What are the risks of collaboration? Ms. Enloe and Ms. Docteur will discuss these questions to guide us in developing a balanced business philosophy. We will also see examples where collaboration has been successful for all the businesses involved.

Elise Enloe, MBC™
Elise Enloe, Master Bridal Consultant™, is the Director of Education and Florida state coordinator for the Association of Bridal Consultants. After retiring from the US Navy, she launched her career as a wedding consultant with Attention to Details Weddings & Events. Ms. Enloe holds a Master of Education degree from George Washington University and teaches Event Management courses at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Elise has developed and delivers ABC Expanding Horizons seminars and has presented at ABC’s Annual Conference and The Special Event. She is the author of Working from Home and Virtual Offices for Wedding and Event Professionals and other ABC educational publications.

Kerline Docteur, PBC™
Kerline's passion for event design began in 1999 when a couple, new to Central Florida, asked her to plan their wedding in less than three months. Rising to meet the challenge, Kerline worked diligently, executing both ceremony and reception more beautifully than the couple had envisioned. A Distinguised Graduate of the Professional Development Program of the Association of Bridals Consultants (ABC), Kerline holds the designation of Professional Bridal Consultant™ with ABC. As the principal for Joie de Vie Weddings & Events, Kerline ensures every client's event is both seamless and distinctly their own. Kerline holds a B.S. in business from Florida A&M University's School of Business and Industry and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Time-line:
Registration 10:45 -11:15am
Networking 10:45am- 11:30am
Welcome & Annoucements - 11:30am- 11:45am
Lunch served 11:30am
Speaker Presentation 12:00 - 12:45pm
Q & A 12:45pm- 12:55pm
Door prize give-aways- 12:55Pm

 Remember:
This meeting is limited to the first 75 attendees to sign up!

** Who likes free drinks? I do! **
When's the last time you told someone that you attend ABC meetings? Better than that, when's the last time you invited someone to attend an ABC meeting? Here's some motiviation: For every guest you invite that actually ATTENDS an ABC CFW meeting, you will receive one brand spankin' new ABC CFW BUCK {a $5.00 buck to be specific}. These BUCKS can be used toward the admission to future meetings, or to purchase a drink at a future meeting! So if you invite 5 people? That's $25 in BUCKS baby! This is open to both members & non-members!! Sorry! Guest cannot be a family member {husband/wife/sister/niece's estranged son's son etc..} and cannot have attended an ABC meeting in the three months prior to the meeting you are inviting them to. So if you want credit for inviting someone to the July meeting, they cannot have attended October, January or February meetings to be eligible! Questions? Ask on the CFW FB page!

** "Members Only" Privileges **
All of these privileges apply ONLY to ABC CFW meeting attendees!
Express registration at monthly meetings!
Special "Members Only" name tags!
Special door prize drawings!
"About Me" presentations!
Contests with GREAT prizes!
Super Secret "Members Only" meetings!
Industry recognition!
More details to follow!

** Why yes, dahling, it is easy to become an ABC member! **
Whether you are a wedding planner, coordinator, consultant, designer, florist, photographer, graphic artist, baker, chocolatier, venue representative, caterer, jewelry designer, travel agent, hotel representative, officiant, hair & makeup artist, rental company, DJ, or even a person that makes little baby tuxedos for dogs...YOU can join the ABC!

ABC offers memberships to planners and to vendors, and yes, it is true, ABC members sometimes do get special little bonus treats like oh...an all inclusive trip to someplace lovely & exotic like Turks & Caicos for $399, AIRFARE INCLUDED!! Plus the whole "we've been around since 1955 and are the largest and most respected bridal association in the WORLD" thing kinda helps! As the esteemed Martha would say..."it's a good thing". :)

If you sign up for membership while in attendance at one of our lovely monthly meetings, we will waive the application fee! Just for you. Because you're good enough, you're smart enough, and gosh darn it, we like you a whole lot!

   Come mix, mingle, and make new connections with a variety of wedding and special event professionals! Bring plenty of business cards, because you won't want to miss this opportunity.

Grow your business!

The Association of Bridal Consultants Central Florida West brings this event to you.

The Association of Bridal Consultants has been the professional organization for the wedding industry since 1981 and has over 4,000 members in 26 countries on six continents. The Association of Bridal Consultants is a membership service organization, designed to increase awareness of the wedding business and improve the professionalism of members. Membership is open to all wedding-related vendors. As a member, you can benefit from a local and national networking system, educational programs, and more. Visit http://www.bridalassn.com for more info.