How do you nurture and manage your professional, industry relationships throughout the year?

“I stay in touch with professionals via email and arranging fun, informal meet ups. Sharing enthusiasm for an industry partner’s current projects and successes spreads excitement and also prompts collaboration…Attending networking events, such as those by the ABC, to stay in touch with industry partners has made for a better understanding and more fruitful experience in my career.”- Christina Domino-Philpott, Hornblower Cruises & Events, Newport Beach, Calif.“We always thank our vendors on social media before an event by saying how much we’re looking forward to working with them. After, we compliment them on their efforts. When we blog about it, we thank the team of vendors (including links to their websites). They say it takes a village to raise a child. Our philosophy is that it takes a village to put on a wedding. When we bring our best efforts to the table, we create magic, which is what we all want for the bride and groom!”- Cathy MacRae, PWP™, Creative Weddings Planning & Décor, Calgary, Alberta, Canada“The vendors and partners that I work with are very special, so I try to get together once a quarter for coffee or drinks to discuss business, how to support each other, but also to just have quality time with good people. I also like to send gifts throughout the year to thank them for their hard work.”- Diane Kolonavić oloja, Dee Kay Events, Manalapan, N.J.“If a colleague, even in the same profession, asks for help or advice, give it to him or her in a spirit of generosity. This lifts us all as an industry and promotes good will and professionalism. After all, our goal as wedding professionals is to make sure our events go as smoothly as possible!”- Cantor Deborah Davis, Deborah Davis Custom Wedding Ceremonies, San Diego“What I do is highlight everyone’s success instead of talking about their faults. This grows a stronger community as everyone else starts doing the same!”- Ilse Diamant, CWP™, Diamant Events, Mexico“We attend every ABC and NACE event possible. Networking within a friendly and nurturing environment is the best way to learn your industry…Wearing a genuine smile and helping others to smile at events also seems to go a long way in developing relationships!”- Tim Ryan, Treasured Memories, Massapequa, N.Y.“I like to stay connected via social media. I have joined a few local networking groups that focus on certain demographics or cities in order to garner new leads and vendors to refer. Face time at those meetings gives me the confidence to recommend them to my couples as people I trust to do their jobs with the same passion and diligence as I do. We also send holiday cards to our preferred vendors with a coupon at year’s end.”- Christine Young, Y-Knot Party & Rentals,Mesa, Ariz.“A few times a year, I host a luncheon where we gather to discuss the events we have done together as we reflect on the days’ events, the good the bad, and what may need improvement as well as consider upcoming events. It’s the best way to get everyone together, have their undivided attention, and hear their perspectives and about any upcoming changes in their companies.”- Cindy Morley, ABC™, Eventful Moments, LLC, Palm City, Fla.“We are loyal to our vendors and supportive of our industry colleagues. We nurture these relationships by giving repeat business and glowing referrals. We send client referrals to our industry colleagues when we cannot take new events that come our way. We work hard to be supportive and collaborative members of our greater events community. What blesses one, blesses all, and when we take the time to be helpful, everyone wins!”- Merryl Brown, CWP™, Merryl Brown Events, Montecito, Calif.“When I started 10 years ago, I attempted to introduce myself to anyone and everyone. There were a handful of venues and professionals who were receptive, and I’ve kept those relationships going by working together as a team for the bride and groom. I make sure they have everything they need to get their job done, and they, in turn, pick up the ball and run with it. It’s a win-win!”- Kathi R. Evans, ABC™, All the Best Weddings & Celebrations, Toms River, N.J.“Even though most of our preferred vendors have become our friends, we manage a work-style relationship at work. Although we demand our requests are fulfilled and accomplished, we do it in a respectful manner. We always, try to understand what it takes [for our vendors] to get things done, and we let them know how much we appreciate [them]. We also have coffee breaks and luncheons, every three months, whether or not we have worked together within that timeframe.”- Jaymar Pinzon, Panama City, Panama“Happy clients come and go, but vendor relationships are the ones that will remain, so the best practice is to learn from one another. When I started my company, I participated in a few of my vendors’ event days. For example, I delivered floral arrangements on a Saturday and saw firsthand what it took for a floral vendor to complete event tasks! This guided me greatly in explaining to my clients the proposal of a floral contract.”- Debra Thompson, PWP™, Weddings By Debra Thompson LLC, New Rochelle, N.Y.“I attend scheduled and networking meetings, have business/casual lunches, and make myself available to assist my professional colleagues with events. I love sending thank you cards for any assistance given or congratulatory cards for achievements…I also like to send a simple ‘how’s it going?’ or some other emoticon. I keep it short and sweet so as not to interfere with anything they may have going on and to keep myself on schedule.”- Retha Ballestracci, PWP™, An Unforgettable Moment, Fredericksburg, Va.