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Bridal Shows, Inc. Newsletter Copyright 2009
by Naomi Hulme, CEM, Bridal Shows, Inc.
October 12, 2009

Greetings!

The air is cooler, the nights are longer, and the holidays are just around the corner! We hope everyone is enjoying the fall season and gearing up for the new year as well.

The temperatures outside might be getting cooler, but as usual things are heating up at Bridal Shows, Inc.! We always have something cooking to help build businesses. Right now, our focus is on our Spring bridal show season, putting together a new and improved website, and the upcoming 4th Wedding Professionals Business Conference on November 18, at the Plano Centre.

If you have not already registered to attend the Business Conference, don't wait a second longer! Not only do you save money by registering early, you also secure your seat at the seminars of your choice. Visit our website or give us a call at 972-713-9920 for further details.

In promoting the Business Conference, Bridal Shows, Inc. exhibited in the Celebration Enterprise event at the Plano Center on Wednesday, September 30th, produced by Collin County Business Press. Thank you to Nichole Brawner and Nicole Albanese for helping Naomi at the show. Thank you to Banks and the Collin County Business Press for sponsoring our Business Conference.

in this issue
  • Turn Over a New Leaf
  • Plano Bridal Show: Review
  • From Cakes to Bridal Show Promotions!
  • Business Conference Round Table Event!
  • Benefits of Exhibiting at the Conference
  • Naomi's Notes: Expertise
    by: Naomi Hulme, CEM
  • New Wedding Trends
  • Who loves Door Prizes?!
  • Congratulations!
  • Happy Halloween!

  • Plano Bridal Show: Review

    Thank you to all the companies that participated in the Plano Bridal Show last month on September 13th at the Plano Centre. Exhibitors were able to meet face to face with 461 registered brides out of over 1,800 total attendance. The event was a great success as wedding businesses made on the spot bookings and gathered hot leads to follow up on throughout the next year. Thank you to "Brides by Demetrios" for a fantastic fashion show! Because the Plano Bridal Show is always very limited on space, be sure and book your booth for both Plano Bridal Show dates in 2010 now! (March 14 and September 12, 2010)

    Congratulations to the two companies that brought in the most coupons for the Plano Bridal Show Coupon Contest! Prizes will be credited to the March 2010 Plano Bridal Show.

  • First Place: (FREE 10 x 10 Booth) Perfect Wedding Guide
  • Second Place:($300 off) Heard National Science Museum

  • From Cakes to Bridal Show Promotions!
    Ruthie

    Ruthie Stivers (Delicious Cakes) has had a 22 year relationship with Naomi Hulme and Bridal Shows, Inc. Ruthie's husband, Butch, having recently retired from a 27 year career in the Trane Company, needed something to do. The two decided that he would continue to run Delicious Cakes so Ruthie could pursue her REAL passion of Promotions, PR, and developing sponsorships with Naomi and Bridal Shows, Inc.

    Ruthie has spent the last 6 years building the image of Delicious Cakes and will now use her talents to assist Naomi and Bridal Shows, Inc. grow to the next level!

    Get ready for this exciting new leap forward!


    Business Conference Round Table Event!

    Part of our full-day Wedding Professionals Business Conference includes the popular Round Table Discussions. This is an opportunity for business professionals to brainstorm with one another on industry topics, solutions to common obstacles, and tips on how to improve and grow their businesses.

    Tables will be set up with different discussion topics and will each have a different Discussion Leader. If you are interested in becoming a Round Table Discussion Leader, please contact Nichole Brawner at 972-713-9920 as soon as possible to see if there are still openings.

    Here's a sneak peek at some of the Round Table Topics/Leaders that we currently have scheduled:

    Discussion Topic: TBD
    Discussion Leader: Meredith Liewehr, Perfect Wedding Guide

    Discussion Topic: Owning Your Business From 2009 On
    Discussion Leader: H&R Block
    We can help you learn about every tax advantage and then some. Starting a business, Running a business, Retirment Planning, Net Operating Losses, Hiring your children etc.

    Discussion Topic: What Does the IRS Look For When They Review Your Return?
    Discussion Leader: H&R Block
    Learn about what the IRS is looking for when they audit your return, both your business return and your personal return. Make sure you are following the new 2009 tax regulations.

    Discussion Topic: Your Money or Your Life
    Discussion Leader: Rapid Success Partners
    Does it feel like a certain choice keeps cropping up in your life? If so, this roundtable discussion will offer ideas that can bring balance to your life while increasing your bank account.

    Discussion Topic: Fearless Manifesting
    Discussion Leader: Rapid Success Partners
    If passion at work is fizzling, then it's time to play a bigger game. Fearless Manifesting offers three easy steps to rev up your passion and profits. Go from Now what? to What's next? Business growth strategist and CEO of Rapid Success Partners, Tina Ferguson, shares how doing less will actually help you make more.

    We have more verbal commitments for round table discussions and are working to confirm these. If you are an exhibitor or attendee planning to be at the Conference and you would like to lead a round table discussion, please call Nichole Brawner at 972-713- 9920, x. 106.


    Benefits of Exhibiting at the Conference

    If your business markets to wedding professionals and/or business owners then the Wedding Professionals Business Conference is a great opportunity for you to exhibit what you have to offer to hundreds of professionals!

    The wedding industry is a vast and diverse group of individuals that desire to grow their businesses and achieve their dreams. Just like any other business they need assistance from companies that specialize in areas outside their expertise such as promotions, marketing, accounting, insurance needs, printing, training, suppliers, etc.

    If you are unsure how exhibiting in the Business Conference could benefit you or want to learn more about this exciting opportunity to make face-to-face interactions with potential customers, call Nichole Brawner at 972-713-9920 or email her at [email protected].


    Naomi's Notes: Expertise
    by: Naomi Hulme, CEM

    Once you decide to start a business or decide to improve the business you have, it takes a lot of determination to learn everything you can and stick to it for a long time. Making a commitment to working on your business is a daily task. It can either be a joy or a burden, depending on how you look at it. Learning the hard way is usually the road most people take. Hopefully over time, those things we learn help us become better at what we do, and then we learn again because everything changes continually. The key is "we must learn" or the trials and challenges didn't change us.

    Time is always moving on. Therefore, we must learn today. Today is the day we decide to be the best that we can be. Learn as much as you can to be an expert in your field. Be a student of your profession. Write articles about your expertise.

    Design your own experience by having a plan. Do not be afraid to take a risk or make a mistake. Learning from our mistakes is part of what makes us better at what we do. If we learn one new thing each day, imagine what knowledge and experience we will have over time.

    Get out there and make it happen. Strive to be an outstanding expert-and never stop!


    New Wedding Trends

    In last month's newsletter we asked for companies to send in current wedding trends they see happening right now. Thank you to Susan Clark of Sweet Memories Cakes & Caterings for submitting the following info. Restaurant Gift Certificates were sent her way! If you would still like to share current trends you've observed, please email us at [email protected] and we will send you a gift as well!

    From Susan Clark, Sweet Memories Cakes & Catering:

    New trends that we see in the market place: With catering some girls with smaller budgets are going back to the wedding cake reception and offering 2-3 small hor'd while they are having their pictures taken. Don't forget to share with the guest that there will be a cake rececption following the wedding. This will allow the guest to eat before or after the wedding reception so they will not leave the reception and not have a chance to visit with the bride.

    Cake trends are really fun. Color is really in and so is the BLING!!! There is also excitement in the Indian Weddings as they have some beautiful color trends and design of their own.

    New colors trends are the purples, pinks, olive greens, turquoise, along with black and browns.


    Who loves Door Prizes?!

    Who DOESN'T love door prizes?! Anyone that has been around Bridal Shows, Inc. for very long knows that we love to give stuff away! An added perk to attending the Wedding Professionals Business Conference is the many door prizes we give away. We try to make sure as many people as possible leave that day with a prize in hand.

    Door prizes will include business books, cd's, restaurant gift cards, and more!

    If you are interested in gaining a little added exposure by donating a door prize, call Nichole Brawner at 972- 713-9920 ext. 106. All companies donating door prizes will be listed in the conference program (if given enough advance notice) and announced at the event.

    Keep in mind that the door prize must be FREE, in other words no "$50 off a $100 purchase," or "20% off," etc.


    Congratulations!

    Congratulations Ruthie on her new baby, no it's not a cake, it's a granddaughter, Amelia (Abby & Andre's little baby girl).


    Happy Halloween!

    Turn Over a New Leaf

    Who says you have to wait until January 1st to make new resolutions? Resolve to make changes today that will increase business and productivity and help you achieve your goals.

    The world around us changes everyday, so if you are not growing constantly you are not just remaining stagnant, you are acutally going backwards! Invest in yourself and your business by attending seminars and reading books and articles. Poll your peers and seek advice from successful business owners to garner new ideas for your own life.

    One great way to boost your knowledge and connections is to attend the 4th annual Wedding Professionals Business Conference on November 18th at the Plano Centre. This educational event was designed to help YOU with seminars, exhibits, networking, and round table dicussions.

    Make the time to advance your mind and business! Register to attend today, or call us for more information.

    Don't let your dreams blow away with the changing winds, take charge of your own development and growth today!


    Congratulations Naomi!

    Naomi has received the Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation through the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).

    As of last year, the CEM Learning Program had certified 840 graduates from 15 countries. The CEM designation, created in 1975, is recognized globally throughout the exhibitions and events industry as the premier mark of professional achievement. Programming is conducted globally through IAEE's network of licensees.

    The program can take up to three years, and Naomi completed it in less than a year. Naomi has produced over 250 consumer and trade shows since 1988. After doing some research, Naomi is currently the only consumer bridal show producer to hold this designation.


    Four Steps to Retake Control
    of Your Time!

    by: Sarah Zink
    (speaker at 4th annual Wedding Professional Business Conference)

    Cost Your Time
    How much is your time worth? Take a moment to figure out how much you're worth. Using your gross salary, factor in what your company pays on your behalf for benefits, perks, etc. Divide that by 45 hours per week (NO, you can't divide by 60, or 50... even if you work that much). Use this figure when trying to determine tasks. Is it worth it for you to do any given task based on what you cost the company per hour? If you're spending hours organizing the supply cabinet, and it's not your job to do so, you're not only wasting time, you're wasting the company's money.

    Block Your Time
    Be aggressive about planning your time, because in essence, you are managing your energy. When your co-workers invade your office to chat, make a point that you're happy to meet them in the break room at 10:15, and block off 15 minutes for that purpose. Block off other chunks of time to read and answer emails and voicemails, and to work on larger projects. Don't hesitate to close your door or put a sign on your door/cubicle indicating your need some quiet time to focus.

    Set Goals
    How do you know you're successful at planning your time if you don't set goals? Turning reports in on time, creating/finishing projects, etc. are the benchmarks for many people when determining if they are successful at time management. Decide for yourself what the goals are for you and then see what it will take to make that happen.

    Learn to say "No"
    All too often, we are tempted to say "yes" in order to be cooperative, when in reality, we are simply self-sabotaging. In the privacy of your home, car, or office, practice saying "no" in a firm, yet pleasant way. "Thank you so much for thinking of me, but I simply can't take on another task right now." If it's your boss asking you to take on more work, let them know that if you are going to work on the new task, something else will have to slide... give them the opportunity to decide what task WON'T get done in order for you to complete this new one.


    Naomi's Book of the Month

    This month's book selection is:



    How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life
    by: John C. Maxwell







    You may request a copy of my "Book Suggestions" at any time.

    Happy Reading!
    ~Naomi


    Testimonial

    "I am so very pleased with the amount of referrals/results (that are still coming in by the way) we have received from the Dallas Bridal Show. It was our first show and it will not be our last. We are looking forward to showing in the January show!"

    ~Monique Heidari-Ramos, Maple Manor Hotel


    Bridal Show Schedule

    Dallas Bridal Show
    ** 21st Year **
    January 23-24, 2010
    Dallas Market Hall

    Fort Worth Bridal Show
    ** 13th Year **
    February 20-21, 2010
    Amon Carter Exhibit Hall

    Plano Bridal Show
    ** 21st Year **
    March 14, 2010
    Plano Centre

    Fort Worth Bridal Show
    ** 13th Year **
    July 17-18, 2010
    Amon Carter Exhibit Hall

    Dallas Bridal Show
    ** 21st Year **
    January 31-August 1, 2010
    Dallas Market Hall

    Plano Bridal Show
    ** 21st Year **
    September 12, 2010
    Plano Centre


    Visit us on myspace!! In order to connect with brides we have joined countless others on myspace.com. Check out our pages using the links below:

    myspace.com/dallasbridalshow

    myspace.com/planobridalshow

    myspace.com/fortworthbridalshow

    Do you have a myspace account? Add us as a friend to keep the network growing!


    Updated Website Coming Soon!

    As an added bonus to our exhibitors, we list exhibiting companies on our Bridal Shows, Inc. website and also offer opportunities for additional advertising. We've heard from so many over the years that the website alone has drawn quality brides to to their business and has been a tremendous marketing avenue for getting business.

    This year we are excited to be updating the look of our website as well as adding some new features to make it more user-friendly.

    Stay tuned for more information about the new and improved website!


    New Posters Coming Soon

    We will be ordering new posters to promote the Spring 2010 Bridal Show Season. If you are interested in receiving one or more posters, email [email protected] with the following information:

    Your Name:
    Company Name:
    Street Address:
    City, State, Zip:
    How Many Posters Needed:

    A sample picture of the poster is below.


    Quick Links...

    More About Us

    Newsletter Archives

    Wedding Professionals Business Conference

    Pictures from the Dallas Bridal Show

    American Trade Shows, Inc.

    Association of Wedding Professionals (AWP)

    Professional Wedding Guild (PWG)

    June Wedding, Inc. (JWI)



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    phone: (972) 713-9920