1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,440 Shannon: You've already got that customer. 2 00:00:01,460 --> 00:00:04,900 If less people are getting married, that means it's simple math. 3 00:00:05,100 --> 00:00:07,170 If you want to continue to make. 4 00:00:07,535 --> 00:00:11,215 A good living, you're going to have to make more money from each wedding 5 00:00:11,275 --> 00:00:12,635 if there's less weddings overall. 6 00:00:12,645 --> 00:00:16,425 So we definitely help you do that both on the education side and then 7 00:00:16,465 --> 00:00:18,705 also on the exhibitors for sure. 8 00:00:20,935 --> 00:00:23,045 Becca: I'm Becca Pountney, wedding business, marketing expert, 9 00:00:23,295 --> 00:00:26,104 speaker, and blogger, and you're listening to the wedding pros 10 00:00:26,104 --> 00:00:27,435 who are ready to grow podcast. 11 00:00:28,485 --> 00:00:31,815 I'm here to share with you actionable tips, strategies, and real life 12 00:00:31,815 --> 00:00:34,835 examples to help you take your wedding business to the next level. 13 00:00:35,415 --> 00:00:39,165 If you are an ambitious wedding business owner that wants to take your passion 14 00:00:39,184 --> 00:00:42,544 and use it to build a profitable, sustainable business, doing what you 15 00:00:42,544 --> 00:00:44,145 love, then you're in the right place. 16 00:00:44,574 --> 00:00:46,405 Let's get going with today's episode. 17 00:00:47,995 --> 00:00:51,255 Today I'm joined by Shannon Underwood, Vice President and Conference 18 00:00:51,255 --> 00:00:52,795 Director of the Wedding MBA. 19 00:00:53,114 --> 00:00:55,894 If you've listened to my podcast previously, you'll have heard me talk 20 00:00:55,925 --> 00:00:59,464 all about that big wedding industry conference I attended in Vegas last year. 21 00:00:59,695 --> 00:01:02,644 Well, that was Wedding MBA, so I'm thrilled to be chatting with 22 00:01:02,644 --> 00:01:04,014 Shannon for today's episode. 23 00:01:04,375 --> 00:01:08,755 With 200 exhibitors, over 150 educational seminars and thousands 24 00:01:08,755 --> 00:01:12,135 of attendees, this event for wedding pros is the biggest in the world. 25 00:01:12,445 --> 00:01:15,605 Today, she's going to give us a little sneak peek behind the scenes of what 26 00:01:15,605 --> 00:01:19,845 goes into organizing such a huge event and why it's worth all of you attending. 27 00:01:20,045 --> 00:01:22,179 Shannon, welcome to the podcast. 28 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:23,930 Shannon: Thank you so much for having me. 29 00:01:23,940 --> 00:01:25,560 So happy to be here. 30 00:01:26,050 --> 00:01:28,160 Becca: I am so happy to have you on here. 31 00:01:28,390 --> 00:01:29,270 I will never forget. 32 00:01:29,289 --> 00:01:33,729 We met when I came out to Vegas and I said to my friend, I was like, I'm going to 33 00:01:33,820 --> 00:01:35,990 look out for Shannon who runs this event. 34 00:01:36,020 --> 00:01:39,950 And the first person I bumped into when I walked in to register for my badge. 35 00:01:40,315 --> 00:01:40,615 was you. 36 00:01:40,765 --> 00:01:42,685 and, it was a pleasure to be there. 37 00:01:42,685 --> 00:01:44,155 It was a pleasure to come out to Vegas. 38 00:01:44,445 --> 00:01:48,045 Anna, I'm really excited for my audience to meet you today and to 39 00:01:48,045 --> 00:01:52,344 find out a little bit more about Wedding MBA and what goes into 40 00:01:52,434 --> 00:01:55,055 organizing such a huge, amazing event. 41 00:01:55,075 --> 00:01:56,034 So take me back. 42 00:01:56,355 --> 00:01:58,264 How did Wedding MBA start? 43 00:01:58,265 --> 00:01:59,064 When did it start? 44 00:01:59,105 --> 00:02:00,565 And how did it start its life? 45 00:02:00,975 --> 00:02:06,275 Shannon: Wedding MBA started 17 years ago, actually in Phoenix. 46 00:02:06,294 --> 00:02:09,925 So our first wedding MBA was at the Phoenix convention center. 47 00:02:09,925 --> 00:02:15,245 And we had about 300 attendees, maybe two exhibitors. 48 00:02:15,334 --> 00:02:19,624 I don't know any exhibits really the first year we might've had our own booth. 49 00:02:20,104 --> 00:02:22,019 And it was. 50 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:30,170 It was small, but we were figuring things out and hush, it was so exciting that we 51 00:02:30,170 --> 00:02:31,970 just had to continue doing it each year. 52 00:02:32,410 --> 00:02:32,739 Becca: Love that. 53 00:02:32,750 --> 00:02:36,549 And what's so funny and will be funny to my listeners is you talk about it and you 54 00:02:36,549 --> 00:02:38,729 say, you know, we started 17 years ago. 55 00:02:38,950 --> 00:02:39,949 It was so small. 56 00:02:39,950 --> 00:02:41,420 There's only 300 people. 57 00:02:41,685 --> 00:02:44,935 I can tell you, Shannon, that the biggest conferences here in the UK, 58 00:02:45,115 --> 00:02:47,545 we only have about 150 to 200 people. 59 00:02:47,565 --> 00:02:52,415 So to us, 300 people already sounds like a huge amount of people. 60 00:02:52,434 --> 00:02:55,585 So tell us, so 300 people in the first one. 61 00:02:56,074 --> 00:02:58,565 Now, what do you expect typically at a wedding MBA? 62 00:02:59,465 --> 00:03:05,185 Shannon: We expect between 5, 500 and 6, 000 attendees and we'll 63 00:03:05,225 --> 00:03:10,005 probably be about 225 booths or so, so it's gonna be a big one. 64 00:03:10,755 --> 00:03:12,334 Becca: What an amazing expansion. 65 00:03:12,334 --> 00:03:13,745 So where did the idea come from? 66 00:03:13,745 --> 00:03:16,135 Why did you decide to do that first wedding MBA? 67 00:03:16,144 --> 00:03:18,834 Why did you decide to do an educational conference? 68 00:03:18,984 --> 00:03:20,075 Shannon: You know, it's interesting. 69 00:03:20,075 --> 00:03:24,885 We are a family run business and my parents, Had gotten their start in 70 00:03:24,885 --> 00:03:27,564 wedding photography and videography. 71 00:03:27,635 --> 00:03:31,874 Actually, that was my dad's first job starting in high school. 72 00:03:31,874 --> 00:03:36,964 And so they actually had run a videography convention. 73 00:03:36,965 --> 00:03:38,735 It was called wedding MBA. 74 00:03:38,900 --> 00:03:43,340 But totally different audience many years before that. 75 00:03:43,410 --> 00:03:50,279 So we had felt like at this point, there was room and need for an all industry 76 00:03:50,300 --> 00:03:57,209 conference where the education really got ramped up with our start in bridal shows. 77 00:03:57,230 --> 00:04:00,909 We noticed there were a lot of really talented, talented wedding 78 00:04:00,909 --> 00:04:03,129 pros that just weren't making money. 79 00:04:03,169 --> 00:04:04,599 They weren't staying in business. 80 00:04:05,355 --> 00:04:09,005 We would see these sad stories of someone that was just so creative 81 00:04:09,045 --> 00:04:13,105 that just really couldn't monetize their creativity and their hard work. 82 00:04:13,105 --> 00:04:17,405 So that's really what inspired us were our exhibitors at the time. 83 00:04:17,555 --> 00:04:22,365 And we had America's largest bridal show that we had sold, you know, some years 84 00:04:22,365 --> 00:04:25,095 back now, but that was our inspiration. 85 00:04:25,975 --> 00:04:29,455 Becca: And so you started out in Phoenix and obviously now the events in Las Vegas. 86 00:04:29,465 --> 00:04:31,535 So at what point did that change happen? 87 00:04:31,535 --> 00:04:32,645 And, and why Vegas? 88 00:04:32,745 --> 00:04:33,685 Shannon: Why Vegas? 89 00:04:33,985 --> 00:04:39,545 We just really outgrew our Phoenix area both just the facility in terms 90 00:04:39,545 --> 00:04:44,069 of being able to see enough people and then just things to do, there's so many. 91 00:04:44,140 --> 00:04:48,050 So much to do in Las Vegas and we really felt like if we were going to 92 00:04:48,050 --> 00:04:52,930 make this thing big, we needed to go somewhere where everyone wanted to be. 93 00:04:52,940 --> 00:04:57,700 We needed an international destination and Vegas is definitely that right spot. 94 00:04:58,110 --> 00:04:58,909 Becca: Yeah, absolutely. 95 00:04:58,909 --> 00:05:01,809 Although I found when I flew out because I flew out to Vegas last year, 96 00:05:01,810 --> 00:05:05,350 I flew on a Friday night and I had my laptop because I wanted to do some 97 00:05:05,350 --> 00:05:09,010 work on the plane and everyone else on the plane, it felt like was on a 98 00:05:09,020 --> 00:05:11,780 or bachelorette party coming over. 99 00:05:12,070 --> 00:05:15,520 from the UK, and there's me, like, sitting, doing my work on the plane. 100 00:05:15,710 --> 00:05:20,410 So it's definitely the party city, but It was a great location, a great place 101 00:05:20,410 --> 00:05:24,420 to be able to come and a great place for people to meet because I was talking 102 00:05:24,420 --> 00:05:27,780 to people who'd flown from all over the world and you know, even people from 103 00:05:27,780 --> 00:05:31,890 within the States, it almost taken them as long as it did for me to fly over. 104 00:05:31,930 --> 00:05:33,600 So it's a perfect destination for us. 105 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:38,290 We fly to, the English love Las Vegas, the English fly to Las Vegas all the time. 106 00:05:38,300 --> 00:05:38,970 Oh, I love it. 107 00:05:39,130 --> 00:05:40,724 So there's lots of people. 108 00:05:40,885 --> 00:05:42,255 Shannon: Oh, I love it. 109 00:05:42,255 --> 00:05:46,085 And it's fun to compare the flight out versus the flight back. 110 00:05:46,145 --> 00:05:49,605 Like our wedding MBA attendees, they feel really good about themselves 111 00:05:49,605 --> 00:05:52,175 because they're there more for business and they kind of stay 112 00:05:52,175 --> 00:05:54,754 away from, you know, the craziness. 113 00:05:54,755 --> 00:05:59,074 They have fun, but it's not too crazy, but they always sort of laugh at 114 00:05:59,075 --> 00:06:00,735 people as they're going home, right? 115 00:06:00,735 --> 00:06:03,985 Like they go out, they're so excited and then they come back and they're just. 116 00:06:03,985 --> 00:06:04,284 Yeah. 117 00:06:04,635 --> 00:06:07,095 are just tired and hungover. 118 00:06:07,105 --> 00:06:11,905 So they're sort of looking at him and laughing and saying, I learned a lot. 119 00:06:12,155 --> 00:06:13,575 What did you, what did you do? 120 00:06:13,585 --> 00:06:15,725 So yeah, we, I totally get what you're saying. 121 00:06:16,335 --> 00:06:18,274 Becca: It was, it was a, it was a great trip. 122 00:06:18,274 --> 00:06:21,104 It's a great city and a great place to be and a lot of fun. 123 00:06:21,104 --> 00:06:23,424 And obviously a lot of wedding inspiration there. 124 00:06:23,445 --> 00:06:26,625 Again, lots of people come out from the UK to go and get married in Vegas. 125 00:06:26,625 --> 00:06:28,915 I know last year there was a, you did a, Awesome. 126 00:06:28,925 --> 00:06:31,645 People did a tour of the chapels in Las Vegas as well. 127 00:06:31,685 --> 00:06:34,185 So, you know, it's, it's the place that people think of when 128 00:06:34,185 --> 00:06:35,425 they think of weddings too. 129 00:06:37,004 --> 00:06:37,494 Shannon: Absolutely. 130 00:06:38,155 --> 00:06:41,515 Becca: So over the years, Wedding MBA has obviously evolved 131 00:06:41,655 --> 00:06:43,305 from what it was originally. 132 00:06:43,505 --> 00:06:47,255 As you look forward to this event coming up in 2025, where have you got to now? 133 00:06:47,255 --> 00:06:50,545 What are your aims with the business and how do you see this year's events? 134 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:53,920 Shannon: Everything's changing, right? 135 00:06:53,930 --> 00:06:59,910 So I think that our attendees feel a lot of pressure to get better quality 136 00:06:59,910 --> 00:07:04,610 leads to close those leads because things have slowed down a little bit for them. 137 00:07:04,620 --> 00:07:08,720 So education becomes increasingly more important. 138 00:07:09,195 --> 00:07:13,375 For that reason, they see more competitors pop up, whether it's another venue down 139 00:07:13,375 --> 00:07:17,805 the street or another planner that they're trying to compete with, or a DJ that 140 00:07:18,114 --> 00:07:20,395 just decided to do this as a side job. 141 00:07:20,425 --> 00:07:24,554 They really are feeling that pressure to really, I think, ram things up. 142 00:07:24,594 --> 00:07:26,705 So Wedding MBA is there to help. 143 00:07:27,005 --> 00:07:31,669 They're there to help both on The education side, and then also the 144 00:07:31,669 --> 00:07:35,789 exhibit side, you know, what is it that we can offer on a wholesale side that 145 00:07:35,789 --> 00:07:40,520 might be able to be added to packages so that you can monetize, you know, 146 00:07:40,539 --> 00:07:42,010 you've already got that customer. 147 00:07:42,039 --> 00:07:45,960 If less people are getting married, that means it's simple math and we want to 148 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:51,790 continue our lifestyle and, and continue as a wedding pro to continue to make. 149 00:07:52,325 --> 00:07:53,525 A good living. 150 00:07:53,745 --> 00:07:56,235 You're going to have to make more money from each wedding if 151 00:07:56,235 --> 00:07:57,415 there's less weddings overall. 152 00:07:57,425 --> 00:08:01,495 So we definitely help you do that both on the education side and then 153 00:08:01,505 --> 00:08:03,755 also on the exhibitors for sure. 154 00:08:04,380 --> 00:08:07,280 Becca: And I'm sure you see attendees coming back year after 155 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:10,270 year after year because there's always something new to learn. 156 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:14,270 There's always something new to see and I talk a lot about helping people be 1 157 00:08:14,270 --> 00:08:17,790 percent better than their competitors, like finding the new things, finding the 158 00:08:17,790 --> 00:08:19,699 new inspiration, looking at what they do. 159 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:24,240 So, you know, I'm guessing your people that come back, they come back because 160 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:27,150 they're always learning something new and it's worth them attending year after year. 161 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:28,390 Shannon: Absolutely. 162 00:08:28,420 --> 00:08:32,520 And we're starting a new fun pilot program this year where we're 163 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:35,740 doing some hands on education, which we're really excited about. 164 00:08:36,019 --> 00:08:40,329 We're starting it in a smaller way this year, and then hopefully for the following 165 00:08:40,329 --> 00:08:42,009 year, it will be something really big. 166 00:08:42,019 --> 00:08:47,759 So I think there's increasing evidence that people want to do things that are 167 00:08:47,759 --> 00:08:53,319 hands on and so exciting and just to kind of be part of the presentation. 168 00:08:53,340 --> 00:08:55,100 So you'll see a little bit of that. 169 00:08:55,380 --> 00:08:59,540 This year with some contests we have going on and then some live 170 00:08:59,570 --> 00:09:01,800 hands on demo, which will be so fun. 171 00:09:02,190 --> 00:09:05,690 And then you'll see if things go well, which I think that it will, then you'll 172 00:09:05,690 --> 00:09:09,830 see a continuation and expansion of that moving into the following years. 173 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:10,939 Becca: Love that. 174 00:09:10,940 --> 00:09:14,189 That sounds very exciting, and I'm looking forward to seeing more about it. 175 00:09:14,479 --> 00:09:16,089 Now, people may be wondering. 176 00:09:16,430 --> 00:09:17,930 Who goes to Wedding MBA? 177 00:09:17,930 --> 00:09:19,870 Is there a certain sector of the market? 178 00:09:20,020 --> 00:09:21,329 Is it people from all over? 179 00:09:21,329 --> 00:09:23,270 You know your audience better than anyone else. 180 00:09:23,500 --> 00:09:26,059 Who are your typical Wedding MBA attendees? 181 00:09:26,060 --> 00:09:29,569 Shannon: Our average attendee has been in business for seven years or longer. 182 00:09:29,890 --> 00:09:31,409 They're a wedding professional. 183 00:09:31,409 --> 00:09:34,640 So any of those core categories, they're not just one. 184 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:38,620 I mean, venues and planners are our largest groups, but we get everything 185 00:09:38,630 --> 00:09:44,480 from Florists to caterers, to photographers, to DJs to officiants, 186 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:49,180 really anyone that you can imagine that's part of the wedding day, right? 187 00:09:49,430 --> 00:09:53,280 So those are our biggest groups that come to wedding MBA. 188 00:09:53,610 --> 00:09:56,510 Becca: Okay, so every different kind of edit type and one of the things I 189 00:09:56,510 --> 00:10:00,060 thought was really smart when I came out and I loved it on that again on 190 00:10:00,060 --> 00:10:04,230 that first day when I checked in and everyone gets their lanyard and just 191 00:10:04,230 --> 00:10:08,100 explain to everyone how the lanyard system works so that you can identify 192 00:10:08,100 --> 00:10:09,610 the other people that do what you do. 193 00:10:10,225 --> 00:10:10,865 Shannon: Absolutely. 194 00:10:10,905 --> 00:10:12,725 The lanyards are color coded. 195 00:10:12,735 --> 00:10:18,475 So if I say a caterer, I'm going to be able to meet other caters just by 196 00:10:18,475 --> 00:10:20,395 looking at the color of the lanyard. 197 00:10:20,405 --> 00:10:22,535 And then there will be a key when you check in. 198 00:10:22,545 --> 00:10:26,125 I'll say this color means this type of vendor and you'll 199 00:10:26,225 --> 00:10:27,275 be able to see it yourself. 200 00:10:27,325 --> 00:10:31,635 So it's a great way to just start open conversations with people, whether 201 00:10:31,635 --> 00:10:35,375 they're in your category, or maybe you want to know more about another category. 202 00:10:35,695 --> 00:10:37,585 So it's an easy way to identify. 203 00:10:38,115 --> 00:10:39,185 Becca: I think it's so smart. 204 00:10:39,215 --> 00:10:41,845 It's such a simple way, but it's a great way for people to network. 205 00:10:41,845 --> 00:10:45,735 So some of the people I've been talking to here from the UK who are thinking of 206 00:10:45,735 --> 00:10:50,055 coming out they, they want to connect with planners who are planning weddings out in 207 00:10:50,055 --> 00:10:52,025 the U S and so I'm like, well, it's great. 208 00:10:52,025 --> 00:10:54,175 Cause you can come in and you can just look around the room. 209 00:10:54,175 --> 00:10:57,605 And if you spot that color lanyard, you can go right up to them and you will 210 00:10:57,615 --> 00:11:00,170 automatically know that they probably are a planner or a wedding planner. 211 00:11:00,210 --> 00:11:02,230 Or if you want to meet a venue, a photographer is a 212 00:11:02,230 --> 00:11:03,950 really, really smart system. 213 00:11:03,980 --> 00:11:06,860 And I think if people make the most of it, they can make some 214 00:11:06,860 --> 00:11:08,520 incredible new connections as well. 215 00:11:08,530 --> 00:11:11,130 I'm sure you see people making relationships and business 216 00:11:11,140 --> 00:11:12,200 connections all over the place. 217 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:13,080 Shannon: They do. 218 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:17,270 And I think it's so much fun because sometimes someone will, will pick 219 00:11:17,270 --> 00:11:19,790 someone and just say, how's it going? 220 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:22,540 You know, they'll, they'll meet someone that has the same vendor 221 00:11:22,540 --> 00:11:27,450 category and they'll kind of Exchange email addresses is pretty common. 222 00:11:27,700 --> 00:11:28,450 And then just. 223 00:11:28,705 --> 00:11:31,485 Really talk to each other throughout the course of the year and say, Hey, 224 00:11:32,085 --> 00:11:33,725 you know, what are you doing about this? 225 00:11:33,725 --> 00:11:35,255 Or what do you remember about that? 226 00:11:35,255 --> 00:11:38,885 And there's also great ways to connect with our speakers. 227 00:11:38,915 --> 00:11:41,265 I feel like they're very accessible. 228 00:11:41,535 --> 00:11:44,905 They're really put you in a position where you feel at ease and you 229 00:11:44,905 --> 00:11:48,335 feel comfortable and we're doing a speaker meet and greet this year. 230 00:11:48,475 --> 00:11:52,125 So it will make it easier to make those face to face connections. 231 00:11:52,165 --> 00:11:52,475 And. 232 00:11:52,785 --> 00:11:54,155 Our speakers really want to help. 233 00:11:54,205 --> 00:11:57,475 I mean you know from experience they really want to help people and they 234 00:11:57,475 --> 00:12:01,135 want to meet you face to face because they're up there on that big stage but 235 00:12:01,135 --> 00:12:04,745 they actually want to make that personal connection too so our speakers are a 236 00:12:04,745 --> 00:12:07,155 really great resource for attendees too. 237 00:12:07,865 --> 00:12:09,985 Becca: Well I love that you bring up the speakers because that's what I 238 00:12:09,985 --> 00:12:11,415 was going to speak to you about Nick. 239 00:12:11,435 --> 00:12:15,325 So I've been to a lot of conferences, I've spoken at a lot of conferences and 240 00:12:15,325 --> 00:12:18,535 I think one of the downfalls sometimes of some of these conferences is that the 241 00:12:18,535 --> 00:12:22,755 education is poor, that there's education isn't very good or people stand up 242 00:12:22,755 --> 00:12:26,245 there and they'll talk about how amazing their business is but it just makes the 243 00:12:26,245 --> 00:12:28,705 people in the audience feel kind of bad. 244 00:12:28,975 --> 00:12:32,695 And when I came out to Vegas last year, I was blown away 245 00:12:32,805 --> 00:12:34,615 by the standard of education. 246 00:12:34,905 --> 00:12:37,895 I think you have the best educators in the industry, the people that I've 247 00:12:37,895 --> 00:12:41,265 had on my podcast, the people that I really rate, every single one of them 248 00:12:41,265 --> 00:12:43,185 pretty much is there in that room. 249 00:12:43,495 --> 00:12:47,135 And I think the education is the best education that you're going to get in 250 00:12:47,135 --> 00:12:48,615 the industry anywhere in the world. 251 00:12:48,615 --> 00:12:51,595 So talk to me because I know that's important to you. 252 00:12:51,735 --> 00:12:55,455 How do you ensure that level of education year after year after year? 253 00:12:55,455 --> 00:12:57,115 And how do you get people to keep coming back? 254 00:12:57,935 --> 00:12:58,615 Shannon: Absolutely. 255 00:12:59,375 --> 00:13:03,315 I think the hardest part about my job is saying no. 256 00:13:03,685 --> 00:13:08,585 So for us, we have a lot of speakers that apply, but there's a lot of 257 00:13:08,595 --> 00:13:10,405 people out there that are not ready. 258 00:13:10,405 --> 00:13:13,855 You know, they might be ready at some point, but they're not ready or they're 259 00:13:13,855 --> 00:13:16,335 just not of the wedding MBA mindset. 260 00:13:16,365 --> 00:13:20,565 So we look for people like yourself, Becca, that are really looking to 261 00:13:20,575 --> 00:13:25,790 give Actionable content and make it easy to follow and easy to understand, 262 00:13:26,030 --> 00:13:29,880 but by talking up to the audience and not down to them and not making 263 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:31,800 it a commercial or an ego boost. 264 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:34,980 And so our speakers are just really vetted. 265 00:13:34,990 --> 00:13:39,270 So if they're not of the same mindset is us, it's a no. 266 00:13:39,270 --> 00:13:39,840 And. 267 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:42,810 You wouldn't believe how many people want to be speakers. 268 00:13:42,810 --> 00:13:44,960 It's incredibly high. 269 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:49,050 I thought everyone's supposed to be scared of public speaking, but it seems like 270 00:13:49,050 --> 00:13:51,430 that's the most common question I get. 271 00:13:51,560 --> 00:13:54,320 But to protect our audience and their investment and their 272 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,150 time, it's really important. 273 00:13:56,585 --> 00:14:00,745 That we find people that give actionable takeaway items that they 274 00:14:00,745 --> 00:14:04,475 can bring back to their hometown and really implement immediately. 275 00:14:05,425 --> 00:14:09,025 Becca: And I really respect you because I know it's difficult to say no to people, 276 00:14:09,065 --> 00:14:12,295 but actually that's what makes your event run year after year after year because 277 00:14:12,295 --> 00:14:15,310 people know if they're gonna, you know, come out to Vegas, and I've told that to 278 00:14:15,310 --> 00:14:16,630 the people from the UK, they're coming. 279 00:14:16,630 --> 00:14:19,880 It's a big commitment for them to leave one country, fly across 280 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:21,200 the world, and come to Vegas. 281 00:14:21,490 --> 00:14:26,150 But I've said to them, I can guarantee you that it will be the best education 282 00:14:26,150 --> 00:14:29,950 you will get in the world, because I know how important it is to the 283 00:14:29,950 --> 00:14:31,495 organizers, to Shannon, to everyone. 284 00:14:31,495 --> 00:14:33,375 Ensure they have the best people in the room. 285 00:14:33,375 --> 00:14:35,715 And I think it's great that you set that standard. 286 00:14:35,715 --> 00:14:37,675 I know that you spend a lot of time on it. 287 00:14:37,675 --> 00:14:40,425 I know you look at it every single year and make sure 288 00:14:40,425 --> 00:14:41,705 you're giving people the best. 289 00:14:41,715 --> 00:14:43,595 But there's a lot of sessions as well. 290 00:14:43,595 --> 00:14:45,665 There is no way that people could go to everything. 291 00:14:46,325 --> 00:14:47,025 No, no. 292 00:14:47,175 --> 00:14:48,715 That's why they have to come back every year. 293 00:14:48,715 --> 00:14:49,125 Shannon: Right? 294 00:14:49,395 --> 00:14:51,655 It was fun when you and I first met. 295 00:14:51,695 --> 00:14:53,845 I, you had a like. 296 00:14:54,090 --> 00:14:58,230 I'm, I'm anticipating a big fan club for you for this year because 297 00:14:58,350 --> 00:15:02,530 you have these groupies that were like, is that, is that, and you were 298 00:15:02,710 --> 00:15:04,530 just picking up like your lanyard. 299 00:15:04,530 --> 00:15:09,610 I mean, it really, it left a lasting impression on me when we first met. 300 00:15:09,620 --> 00:15:12,360 So you've got such a strong reputation. 301 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:15,685 I'm so excited to bring you out to Lettingham BA. 302 00:15:16,195 --> 00:15:18,755 Becca: Well, I hope so because I, sometimes I wake up at night and 303 00:15:18,755 --> 00:15:21,735 think, is anyone going to come and sit in the English girls talk or are 304 00:15:21,735 --> 00:15:23,375 they all going to be somewhere else? 305 00:15:23,375 --> 00:15:24,115 Shannon: Oh, yes. 306 00:15:25,275 --> 00:15:26,495 They love the English girl. 307 00:15:26,495 --> 00:15:28,724 Yes, they do. 308 00:15:28,725 --> 00:15:31,115 Becca: It's going to be a lot of fun and it is, yeah, you do such 309 00:15:31,115 --> 00:15:32,285 a great job at the education. 310 00:15:32,515 --> 00:15:35,505 Now for people that are thinking of coming, and I know this was 311 00:15:35,505 --> 00:15:38,115 the case for me last year when I obviously had never been before. 312 00:15:38,125 --> 00:15:39,295 I'd seen about it online. 313 00:15:39,295 --> 00:15:39,895 I'd read about it. 314 00:15:39,895 --> 00:15:41,295 I'd spoken to people about it. 315 00:15:41,670 --> 00:15:45,790 But when I first looked at the program and first saw the sheer size of it, I 316 00:15:45,790 --> 00:15:48,180 just had this huge sense of overwhelm. 317 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:51,670 So if there's people listening who are kind of thinking of coming, but they're 318 00:15:51,670 --> 00:15:55,010 feeling so overwhelmed with the size of it, do you have any tips for them about 319 00:15:55,010 --> 00:15:56,660 how to get the most out of the event? 320 00:15:57,225 --> 00:16:00,015 Shannon: Your guide is really that downloadable program. 321 00:16:00,025 --> 00:16:03,155 So I think even just going on to the wedding mba. 322 00:16:03,165 --> 00:16:06,595 com website, clicking on schedule, and then you'll have a downloadable. 323 00:16:06,595 --> 00:16:09,485 It's 25 pages, but you'll have a downloadable version 324 00:16:09,885 --> 00:16:11,865 that we take a lot of care. 325 00:16:12,150 --> 00:16:15,760 With so you'll see three bullet points about each of the classes. 326 00:16:15,770 --> 00:16:19,440 That's really an advertisement to like, what is this class about? 327 00:16:19,450 --> 00:16:20,230 Is it for me? 328 00:16:20,250 --> 00:16:24,140 So I focus on those three bullet points with the classes and don't feel 329 00:16:24,140 --> 00:16:27,850 like you have to go see everything just really focus in and what's 330 00:16:27,850 --> 00:16:29,350 most important to your business. 331 00:16:29,350 --> 00:16:32,290 Now, you know, maybe you're doing a real focus on social media. 332 00:16:32,630 --> 00:16:35,920 And so then you kind of narrow down that group or maybe you're 333 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:40,740 looking at lead generation or sales or trends or whatever it might be. 334 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:42,220 I would look to that focus. 335 00:16:42,250 --> 00:16:45,840 The good news is within the specialties, you don't have to make a choice. 336 00:16:46,260 --> 00:16:51,270 So if you are a, you know, gown and tux, you know, company owner, 337 00:16:51,490 --> 00:16:55,630 you would actually just go to those classes during that timeframe. 338 00:16:55,630 --> 00:16:56,430 You don't have to. 339 00:16:56,515 --> 00:17:00,345 Do, but we actually, we have a lot of companies that do more than one thing. 340 00:17:00,355 --> 00:17:01,485 They might be a florist. 341 00:17:01,525 --> 00:17:03,975 They might also be a wedding designer, a planner. 342 00:17:04,275 --> 00:17:05,275 And that's great too. 343 00:17:05,275 --> 00:17:08,955 So then maybe they're jumping in and out of rooms, but for the 344 00:17:08,955 --> 00:17:13,065 specialty classes, it's basically like two types of education and one. 345 00:17:13,365 --> 00:17:17,795 You've got a specialty coursework and then you have the general classes and 346 00:17:17,825 --> 00:17:20,885 for the specialty, typically you don't have to make a whole lot of choices. 347 00:17:21,215 --> 00:17:22,965 So it doesn't feel as overwhelming. 348 00:17:23,065 --> 00:17:27,475 But for the general classes, you will have to go through and just 349 00:17:27,625 --> 00:17:29,185 kind of look at it up in advance. 350 00:17:29,185 --> 00:17:32,315 But I do recommend people to look up the speakers in advance too. 351 00:17:32,325 --> 00:17:36,365 You know, if they see a speaker's name on there, To follow them on social media, 352 00:17:36,395 --> 00:17:40,145 see if they like, you know, the angle and the perspective that they have. 353 00:17:40,245 --> 00:17:43,805 And that can also help them to make a better decision on classwork. 354 00:17:44,075 --> 00:17:45,265 Becca: Yeah, that's a great idea, actually. 355 00:17:45,265 --> 00:17:47,195 And I, again, I would recommend that to people. 356 00:17:47,215 --> 00:17:49,835 Go check out the Wedding MBA podcast, because they do a great 357 00:17:49,835 --> 00:17:52,465 job of interviewing a whole bunch of different speakers. 358 00:17:52,745 --> 00:17:54,875 And by going and listening to those and hearing about the 359 00:17:54,885 --> 00:17:57,955 topics, you can then decide, is this speaker resonating with me? 360 00:17:57,955 --> 00:17:59,805 Does this sound like I want to hear more from them? 361 00:18:00,085 --> 00:18:02,585 or actually maybe I'll, I'll go to a different class. 362 00:18:02,965 --> 00:18:05,225 And I also back up exactly what you said, Shannon. 363 00:18:05,225 --> 00:18:08,445 I think the more prepared you are before you come, the more 364 00:18:08,445 --> 00:18:09,385 you'll get out of the event. 365 00:18:09,385 --> 00:18:10,835 So this was me last year. 366 00:18:11,065 --> 00:18:15,475 I checked into my hotel in Vegas and I sat on my bed with my printed 367 00:18:15,475 --> 00:18:17,915 schedule and a green highlighter pen. 368 00:18:18,095 --> 00:18:21,055 And I literally went through every page of the schedule and Thought, 369 00:18:21,055 --> 00:18:22,255 who do I want to chat with? 370 00:18:22,255 --> 00:18:23,175 Who do I want to meet? 371 00:18:23,205 --> 00:18:24,705 Which topics are of interest to me? 372 00:18:24,715 --> 00:18:28,315 And I went through with my highlighter and I highlighted everything I wanted to go 373 00:18:28,315 --> 00:18:32,695 to, but it really helped because then I kind of had a vague plan of, I want to go 374 00:18:32,695 --> 00:18:35,345 to this room and then I'm going to go to this room and then I'm going to go here. 375 00:18:35,345 --> 00:18:36,245 Then I'm going to take a break. 376 00:18:36,575 --> 00:18:39,965 So I do think it is, although you can just pop into any session. 377 00:18:39,995 --> 00:18:42,575 I think if you want to get the most out of it, planning ahead. 378 00:18:43,265 --> 00:18:46,145 Otherwise, you talk to people, and I had this even when I was out last year, and 379 00:18:46,145 --> 00:18:47,855 they're like, oh, I missed this session. 380 00:18:47,855 --> 00:18:49,415 I didn't realize they'd already spoken. 381 00:18:49,415 --> 00:18:50,885 And, and the, the moment's gone. 382 00:18:50,885 --> 00:18:53,375 So get your highlighters out, everyone. 383 00:18:53,375 --> 00:18:54,785 Get your, get your schedule. 384 00:18:56,045 --> 00:18:56,345 I love it. 385 00:18:56,345 --> 00:18:56,525 Highlights. 386 00:18:56,525 --> 00:18:56,765 I love it. 387 00:18:57,735 --> 00:19:02,085 Now the other big part of the exhibit of the wedding, BA is the exhibition. 388 00:19:02,385 --> 00:19:06,225 And again, I think this is a huge part of the event. 389 00:19:06,345 --> 00:19:10,065 I feel like I didn't explore as much as I could have done last year because I was 390 00:19:10,070 --> 00:19:11,775 running from room to room meeting people. 391 00:19:12,205 --> 00:19:15,615 So if people are coming and there are some great exhibitors, how do 392 00:19:15,615 --> 00:19:19,085 you think attendees can get the most out of that exhibition hall? 393 00:19:19,085 --> 00:19:19,985 What should they be doing? 394 00:19:20,645 --> 00:19:26,815 Shannon: I think the best form of action would be on the first day, so November 395 00:19:26,865 --> 00:19:31,590 13th, on that first day of exhibits when they open, I would definitely 396 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:35,750 walk through everything, but I'd probably take notes and take photos. 397 00:19:35,810 --> 00:19:37,260 That's a good recommendation. 398 00:19:37,260 --> 00:19:41,380 I have sometimes you forget things and then you want to connect and I 399 00:19:41,390 --> 00:19:44,340 have every year where someone will call me in a panic and say, Oh my 400 00:19:44,340 --> 00:19:45,800 gosh, I met this amazing vendor. 401 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:49,540 And we help, we hope to connect them with them afterwards, but it 402 00:19:49,540 --> 00:19:52,610 does help if you take photos of the boost you're most interested in. 403 00:19:52,650 --> 00:19:56,095 And then on the second day, Use that second day that exhibits are 404 00:19:56,095 --> 00:19:59,185 open to walk through exhibits. 405 00:19:59,205 --> 00:20:02,855 And then we also have these 10 minute show floor talks and they're given 406 00:20:02,855 --> 00:20:04,945 by our exhibitors specifically. 407 00:20:04,945 --> 00:20:08,175 So if there's something you really want to know more about, maybe it's a 408 00:20:08,185 --> 00:20:12,665 CRM or a new linen line, or, I mean, it was just a lot of variety on there. 409 00:20:12,875 --> 00:20:14,735 You might want to sit in on some of those classes. 410 00:20:14,735 --> 00:20:17,525 They're more hyper focused, so you're not going to want to go to all of 411 00:20:17,525 --> 00:20:21,085 them, but there are some definite ones you might want to pick and choose. 412 00:20:21,375 --> 00:20:24,735 Becca: Yeah, and I found, especially last year, some of those smaller stage 413 00:20:24,735 --> 00:20:28,185 talks in the exhibit hall, if there was a piece of software that I was 414 00:20:28,185 --> 00:20:32,675 interested in or a computer program and they maybe had a 10 15 minute session, 415 00:20:32,685 --> 00:20:35,525 it just gave you an opportunity to go and hear more about that software 416 00:20:35,525 --> 00:20:37,435 and think, is this interesting to me? 417 00:20:37,455 --> 00:20:40,400 And then if it is, maybe I can go have a longer conversation 418 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:41,600 with them back at their booth. 419 00:20:41,610 --> 00:20:45,560 So again, get your highlighters out everyone, go through those talks because 420 00:20:45,580 --> 00:20:48,600 there are some, there's some gold in there and I think you, you do need 421 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:50,320 to look through and see what's there. 422 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:53,820 And I think the thing is that that's really important and again, anyone 423 00:20:53,820 --> 00:20:56,810 listening that's going to the event for the first time, I would really 424 00:20:56,830 --> 00:21:01,385 encourage you to, before you go, Think about what your goals are for the event. 425 00:21:01,395 --> 00:21:03,185 Like, what is it that you want to get out of it? 426 00:21:03,185 --> 00:21:04,355 And be really clear on that. 427 00:21:04,515 --> 00:21:06,465 Because I think when we turn up at an event and we don't know 428 00:21:06,465 --> 00:21:09,315 what we want, it doesn't always turn out how we wanted it to be. 429 00:21:09,365 --> 00:21:12,145 But when we turn up at an event and we think, right, my goal this year 430 00:21:12,145 --> 00:21:15,685 is that I want to connect with this speaker and this speaker, or I want 431 00:21:15,685 --> 00:21:19,175 to find a new piece of software to help my business run more smoothly. 432 00:21:19,470 --> 00:21:23,710 Or I want to find the next big trends that are coming into the industry in 433 00:21:23,710 --> 00:21:26,620 the US so that we can bring them back to the UK and do them here first. 434 00:21:26,870 --> 00:21:27,070 All right. 435 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:30,730 So if we know what we're going for, then we can plan our trip. 436 00:21:31,110 --> 00:21:31,600 around that. 437 00:21:31,610 --> 00:21:33,850 And there's a variety of reasons you might want to go. 438 00:21:33,910 --> 00:21:37,280 I mean, if you're English, just the chance to come to Las Vegas tax 439 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:39,680 deductible is a great reason to come. 440 00:21:40,070 --> 00:21:42,740 And at the same time, it's a chance to meet people. 441 00:21:42,910 --> 00:21:46,350 I mean, one of the reasons I came last year was, I think it's the only 442 00:21:46,350 --> 00:21:51,640 time when all those smart wedding educational people are in the same 443 00:21:51,930 --> 00:21:54,670 place because they're based all around the world, all across the States. 444 00:21:54,740 --> 00:21:57,230 And you won't see those people in the same room. 445 00:21:57,925 --> 00:22:00,395 all together at any other point in the year. 446 00:22:00,705 --> 00:22:02,035 Shannon: That is so true. 447 00:22:02,045 --> 00:22:07,115 I know that people will say that they run into more people from like their hometown, 448 00:22:07,965 --> 00:22:11,735 but wedding MBA then because you're always so busy when you're in the thick of it. 449 00:22:11,865 --> 00:22:15,895 So you get that face to face networking time, which is really neat. 450 00:22:15,905 --> 00:22:17,280 And then sometimes people will. 451 00:22:17,500 --> 00:22:20,600 organize evening events to get together with their sort of 452 00:22:20,630 --> 00:22:24,720 micro groups or small groups and that's another great opportunity. 453 00:22:24,990 --> 00:22:27,820 Becca: So talk to me a little bit then about the social side of Wedding MBA 454 00:22:27,820 --> 00:22:30,650 because we've talked about the education, we talked about the exhibition, but 455 00:22:30,650 --> 00:22:33,070 you do have a social side of it too. 456 00:22:33,450 --> 00:22:34,030 Shannon: We do. 457 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:36,740 We have a party on November 13th. 458 00:22:37,060 --> 00:22:38,260 It's at the Hard Rock. 459 00:22:38,540 --> 00:22:41,190 So you're getting two in one on that one. 460 00:22:41,200 --> 00:22:42,350 There's no charge to get in. 461 00:22:42,350 --> 00:22:44,780 You just wear your lanyard so people know who you are. 462 00:22:45,140 --> 00:22:49,690 And we can really see everyone in there on that seat because 463 00:22:49,690 --> 00:22:51,040 you're like dancing and talking. 464 00:22:52,460 --> 00:22:55,150 I'm sitting but the kickoff party will start. 465 00:22:55,150 --> 00:22:57,050 It's from 6 to 7. 466 00:22:57,050 --> 00:22:59,260 We'll actually have the speaker meet and greet. 467 00:22:59,300 --> 00:23:01,420 So that's a little bit more low key. 468 00:23:01,700 --> 00:23:04,810 We'll have some nice instrumental music playing in the background 469 00:23:05,170 --> 00:23:09,090 and just an opportunity to just kind of shake hands with the people 470 00:23:09,090 --> 00:23:13,050 that you're probably following on social media or podcast or wherever. 471 00:23:13,360 --> 00:23:17,540 And then at 7 o'clock till midnight, it's a DJ takeover party. 472 00:23:17,830 --> 00:23:20,870 So what that becomes is just a lot of fun. 473 00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:25,680 There's a lot of dancing, a lot of networking just a lot of enjoyment of 474 00:23:25,750 --> 00:23:30,230 other people that are in the industry and being able to have a good time with them. 475 00:23:30,240 --> 00:23:33,210 So that's the biggest event because it's for everyone. 476 00:23:33,490 --> 00:23:37,950 But we do find that a lot of people also organize, you know, additional dinners 477 00:23:37,950 --> 00:23:40,810 and other fun meetups along the way too. 478 00:23:41,060 --> 00:23:41,340 Becca: Yeah. 479 00:23:41,340 --> 00:23:42,960 And again, you have a Facebook group, don't you? 480 00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:46,580 A Wedding MBA Facebook group that I joined last year, where if people 481 00:23:46,580 --> 00:23:47,680 are attending, they can join that. 482 00:23:47,710 --> 00:23:50,680 And I noticed that a bunch of social events were posted on there. 483 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:52,440 So is that a good place for people to connect? 484 00:23:52,750 --> 00:23:53,700 Shannon: Absolutely. 485 00:23:53,740 --> 00:23:58,060 It definitely starts getting, I think, more active the closer you 486 00:23:58,060 --> 00:24:00,410 get to the event, but absolutely. 487 00:24:00,410 --> 00:24:01,470 Definitely join there. 488 00:24:01,795 --> 00:24:06,445 A great place for updates is also just the wedding MBA to like our page for 489 00:24:06,505 --> 00:24:09,005 Facebook or to follow us for Instagram. 490 00:24:09,015 --> 00:24:12,785 So if we have other kind of fun things that you should know about, 491 00:24:12,785 --> 00:24:15,975 or maybe an exhibitor that's brand new to us, things like that, that's 492 00:24:15,975 --> 00:24:17,525 a great way to get updates also. 493 00:24:18,365 --> 00:24:18,815 Becca: Amazing. 494 00:24:18,825 --> 00:24:21,345 I'm really looking forward to your speaker meet and greet this year. 495 00:24:21,345 --> 00:24:23,085 I think it's a great opportunity. 496 00:24:23,085 --> 00:24:24,435 I think it's a really great idea. 497 00:24:24,475 --> 00:24:26,485 I'm definitely going to make sure that I'm there. 498 00:24:26,525 --> 00:24:29,605 So if you are there in Vegas, come find me at the speaker meet and greet. 499 00:24:29,775 --> 00:24:32,145 And for those of you that are not familiar with Vegas, because again, 500 00:24:32,145 --> 00:24:34,885 when I was planning to come last year, all of these things, I didn't know. 501 00:24:35,145 --> 00:24:38,045 So the hard rock is right there on the strip, right in the middle. 502 00:24:38,215 --> 00:24:41,935 But what it's, I didn't realize till I, just before I came is that You can 503 00:24:41,935 --> 00:24:45,245 get to the convention center really easy in Las Vegas from the Strip. 504 00:24:45,245 --> 00:24:49,345 So you can go to and from the convention center to the Strip just on the monorail 505 00:24:49,355 --> 00:24:52,115 or by Uber and it isn't that far away. 506 00:24:52,115 --> 00:24:54,795 I know people worry about, should I stay by the convention? 507 00:24:54,795 --> 00:24:55,825 Should I stay on the Strip? 508 00:24:55,875 --> 00:24:59,325 I would say wherever you stay, it's not that hard to get from one to the other. 509 00:24:59,345 --> 00:25:02,925 So you can have a little bit of Vegas time if you want, or you can stay in the 510 00:25:02,925 --> 00:25:06,335 quiet by the convention center, but the Hard Rock's right there on the Strip. 511 00:25:06,335 --> 00:25:08,375 So that's a little bit of the Strip experience on that note. 512 00:25:09,235 --> 00:25:09,795 Shannon: It is. 513 00:25:09,855 --> 00:25:14,035 And we do have a list of a lot of hotels that we've negotiated. 514 00:25:14,045 --> 00:25:14,985 Really good. 515 00:25:14,985 --> 00:25:16,765 I'm very proud of the prices. 516 00:25:17,045 --> 00:25:20,045 If you look on the wedding MBA site and just click on hotels, 517 00:25:20,435 --> 00:25:24,375 there will be hot links to a lot of choices are also be price points. 518 00:25:24,785 --> 00:25:28,815 So, it just makes that planning process just a little bit faster and 519 00:25:28,815 --> 00:25:30,715 easier and the monorail is great. 520 00:25:30,725 --> 00:25:31,315 You're right. 521 00:25:31,570 --> 00:25:36,140 Monorail is the way to go if you just want kind of an easy way, but yes, 522 00:25:36,140 --> 00:25:39,510 Uber and Lyft work, work out well too, especially when you're going 523 00:25:39,510 --> 00:25:41,160 from the airport to your hotels. 524 00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:44,690 Becca: Yeah, I used the Monorail a lot last year and my step count in Vegas, 525 00:25:44,730 --> 00:25:49,750 like you lose weight that week because I walked so many steps because everything 526 00:25:49,750 --> 00:25:54,030 is so huge, not just Wedding MBA, like literally everything in Vegas is massive. 527 00:25:54,940 --> 00:25:59,350 Now, Shannon, obviously you believe that continuing education. 528 00:25:59,645 --> 00:26:00,345 is important. 529 00:26:00,355 --> 00:26:03,315 That's why you put on this event every single year. 530 00:26:04,065 --> 00:26:06,075 But why do you think it's that important? 531 00:26:06,075 --> 00:26:09,715 Why should wedding businesses pay attention to their continued development? 532 00:26:10,025 --> 00:26:11,345 Shannon: I think it's circular. 533 00:26:11,695 --> 00:26:16,835 So you as a business owner, if you're investing in yourself and 534 00:26:16,845 --> 00:26:21,335 improving in yourself and your business, It will come back to you. 535 00:26:21,355 --> 00:26:25,335 It will come back to you from other people referring you business 536 00:26:25,365 --> 00:26:28,585 because they're going to say, wow, I haven't seen that before. 537 00:26:28,585 --> 00:26:29,935 Like who thought of that? 538 00:26:30,165 --> 00:26:34,155 It will come back to you on new leads because you're going to be doing better 539 00:26:34,205 --> 00:26:36,815 posts, maybe better copy on your website. 540 00:26:37,820 --> 00:26:39,610 It comes back to you. 541 00:26:39,630 --> 00:26:43,660 So although you're putting it into yourself and you do have to take 542 00:26:43,660 --> 00:26:48,600 the time out of your busy schedule, I promise you it will pay off 543 00:26:49,190 --> 00:26:51,260 both emotionally and financially. 544 00:26:51,260 --> 00:26:55,220 I think it's good to have a little bit of a break to see a more aerial 545 00:26:55,220 --> 00:26:57,750 view of your business because you're so in the thick of it. 546 00:26:57,760 --> 00:27:02,210 Sometimes you get so caught up in things you don't see See business 547 00:27:02,210 --> 00:27:05,810 opportunities that might be just sitting right there in plain view. 548 00:27:06,160 --> 00:27:11,050 And then also just having the tools and abilities, you know, we might want to do 549 00:27:11,050 --> 00:27:15,060 some great things for our business, but we might not know how, and we might not 550 00:27:15,060 --> 00:27:19,980 have the budget to hire an individual specialist for each aspect of that. 551 00:27:19,990 --> 00:27:23,700 So then you become that specialist and during your downtime or 552 00:27:23,700 --> 00:27:25,750 off season, it's a great time. 553 00:27:26,055 --> 00:27:30,845 To really, instead of just waiting for the next wedding to be setting 554 00:27:30,845 --> 00:27:35,165 yourself up to make more money and be more profitable when you are busy. 555 00:27:35,325 --> 00:27:36,005 Becca: Absolutely. 556 00:27:36,005 --> 00:27:37,985 And it's a date to get in the diary. 557 00:27:37,985 --> 00:27:40,745 It's a date to look forward to after a busy wedding season. 558 00:27:40,755 --> 00:27:43,665 And you can see that it's a place where people are just happy to come 559 00:27:43,675 --> 00:27:45,175 back to you, happy to reconnect. 560 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:46,570 Get some new ideas for their business. 561 00:27:46,870 --> 00:27:51,330 And I can see myself why people come back year after year after year, 562 00:27:51,370 --> 00:27:53,700 because they have such a great time. 563 00:27:53,980 --> 00:27:56,740 So if you're listening to this and you're thinking of coming out to Wedding 564 00:27:56,740 --> 00:28:00,720 MBA, I am sure you can tell from this episode, I encourage you to do it. 565 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:01,150 I think it's. 566 00:28:01,245 --> 00:28:04,015 One of the best things you could do for your wedding business this year. 567 00:28:04,025 --> 00:28:07,445 If you do want to get your ticket, you can get them on the wedding MBA website. 568 00:28:07,445 --> 00:28:11,375 I'll link to it in the show notes and make sure you use my coupon code. 569 00:28:11,385 --> 00:28:14,705 Use the code Becca B E C C A because you get a really great 570 00:28:14,705 --> 00:28:16,055 discount when you use that. 571 00:28:16,055 --> 00:28:18,745 And if you've got questions, you want to find out more, do reach out to me. 572 00:28:18,935 --> 00:28:19,905 I'm going to be talking. 573 00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:23,140 On the stage, all about the subject of judgment. 574 00:28:23,150 --> 00:28:24,690 So the talk is called, Oh, snap. 575 00:28:24,970 --> 00:28:27,750 And we're going to be talking about how people make snap judgments of 576 00:28:27,750 --> 00:28:31,460 you and your business and how we can make the right first impression. 577 00:28:31,460 --> 00:28:33,940 So if you want to come hear this English accent out in 578 00:28:33,940 --> 00:28:35,440 Vegas, I hope you'll join me. 579 00:28:35,775 --> 00:28:39,175 In my stage talk, and I'm sure Shannon will be popping ahead in 580 00:28:39,415 --> 00:28:41,235 to my room at some point as well. 581 00:28:41,585 --> 00:28:44,275 Shannon, it's been so fun having you on the podcast today. 582 00:28:44,305 --> 00:28:47,895 Now I always end the podcast with the same question, and it's this. 583 00:28:48,135 --> 00:28:51,275 What's one thing you wish you'd known sooner in your own business? 584 00:28:52,375 --> 00:28:56,795 Shannon: Creativity used right can be profitable. 585 00:28:57,775 --> 00:29:00,065 Becca: Creativity used right can be profitable. 586 00:29:00,065 --> 00:29:00,595 Shannon: Yeah. 587 00:29:00,675 --> 00:29:04,115 I mean, the other way to maybe say it is. 588 00:29:05,930 --> 00:29:08,660 You can profit from your creativity. 589 00:29:08,860 --> 00:29:09,270 Becca: Absolutely. 590 00:29:10,275 --> 00:29:14,655 Shannon: I think sometimes we don't invest enough time and looking at new 591 00:29:14,655 --> 00:29:17,355 perspectives and ways to approach things. 592 00:29:17,355 --> 00:29:22,275 And we could actually be turning down some business opportunities because of it. 593 00:29:22,285 --> 00:29:25,205 So use that creative brain that you have. 594 00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:29,590 and use it to make more money and offer more for your 595 00:29:29,590 --> 00:29:30,940 business and for your clients. 596 00:29:31,270 --> 00:29:32,040 Becca: Absolutely. 597 00:29:32,040 --> 00:29:33,410 I 100 percent agree with you. 598 00:29:33,410 --> 00:29:36,860 There's so many creative people out there and you absolutely can make money 599 00:29:36,870 --> 00:29:41,140 from your passion and be profitable and go to Vegas, see us out there and 600 00:29:41,140 --> 00:29:43,060 learn all about how to do it better. 601 00:29:43,240 --> 00:29:44,680 Shannon, it's been so much fun. 602 00:29:44,730 --> 00:29:45,450 Thank you so much. 603 00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:49,020 I'm so excited to see you back in person in November. 604 00:29:49,475 --> 00:29:50,115 Shannon: Thank you. 605 00:29:50,125 --> 00:29:52,205 We can't wait to see you on stage Becca. 606 00:29:54,395 --> 00:29:55,995 Becca: I love that conversation with Shannon. 607 00:29:56,005 --> 00:29:58,835 Didn't you, you guys all know from listening to the podcast how 608 00:29:58,835 --> 00:30:00,875 much fun I had in Vegas last year. 609 00:30:00,875 --> 00:30:03,515 So I do hope that you'll consider joining me this year. 610 00:30:03,785 --> 00:30:06,285 If not, take a look and try and get it in your budget. 611 00:30:06,560 --> 00:30:09,490 For the year after, because it really is worth attending. 612 00:30:09,710 --> 00:30:13,170 And for all of you who know, I've been planning to get my book written 613 00:30:13,210 --> 00:30:14,460 by the time I'm in Las Vegas. 614 00:30:14,470 --> 00:30:17,580 So for me, the time is ticking down because I can see the 615 00:30:17,590 --> 00:30:19,170 dates getting closer and closer. 616 00:30:19,410 --> 00:30:21,810 And I hope you'll all be there to celebrate with me too. 617 00:30:22,030 --> 00:30:22,880 I'll see you next time.