Make it a Point to Commit to Lifelong Learning

By Gloria Boyden, MWP™, Association of Bridal Consultants, Carmel, Ind.From the time people are born until they leave this earth, learning is a part of their lives. The same holds true for wedding professionals. The Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) was created to provide the best education for current and future wedding professionals, particularly planners. The ABC helps people grow professionally, helps them learn trends and the latest wedding ideas, and educates them about new technology. Business of Brides is a dynamic national conferenceOne way the ABC does this is through its Business of Brides Annual Conference every November. This year’s theme is “California Dreamin’,” and it includes speakers who will offer insights on a wide range of topics. There is a nice balance of international speakers, new member speakers, and keynotes of national fame. The complete schedule of events and presentations can be found on the ABC website at www.BridalAssn.com.What’s new about annual conference? It is no longer being planned by the director of education. Conference has its own director, JoAnn Gregoli, MBC™. However, the director of education does have input into the speakers and topics. The change means annual conference will be an even more top-notch educational experience for ABC members.Seminars, Webinars, Programs for professional growthThe education department also offers regional seminars and monthly webinars that anyone can access for a nominal fee. In addition, the Professional Development Program (PDP) is an in-home study course to teach new planners how to do weddings. It is currently being updated. While the PDP touches on business issues, it is not intended to be the definitive piece on running a business. That’s why Renee Grannis, past ABC director of education, wrote the Weddings as a Business course—to teach wedding professionals the correct way to run a business and become profitable in the wedding industry. The educational point systemSince education is ongoing for all professional wedding planners, in 2006, the ABC education department set up a points system. The keystone of the points system is education. Forty total points are possible in education. However many true professionals are able to get 40 points and more when they apply for their status. Points are needed to move and advance to higher designations. The points system has two separate grids. Both are found on the home page (www.BridalAssn.com) and under the “Members Only” tab. Grid #1 is for 0-74 points and those are sent to the corporate office. Grid #2 is right under that and is labeled 75 points and above. Those applications are sent to the director of education. The highest designations within the ABC require the most points. Designations and pointsEach individual member keeps his/her own points tally. But each point claimed requires documentation. For instance, if you claim two points for a regional seminar, you must have a certificate to prove that you attended. Webinars give half a point if the member completes an essay and the presenter sends an e-certificate. For 2015, the designations will be as follows: • Registered (0-24 points)• Certified Wedding Planner™/CWP™ (25-49 points) • Professional Wedding Planner™/PWP™ (50 – 74 points) • Accredited Wedding Planner™/AWP™ (75-124 points)• Master Wedding Planner™/MWP™ (125 or more points and a successful interview at annual conference)• The wedding vendor categories are similar with the V for Vendor instead of the P for Planner, i.e. Professional Wedding Vendor™ (PWV™).Wedding professionals keep their earned designation status as long as they maintain their ABC membership. They do not have to reapply after accomplishing the level that is certified and recorded by the ABC office, and they are not required to move higher. The importance of continuing educationIn addition to needing education for advancement, ongoing education is needed to maintain ABC membership. Annually, each consultant member must present six hours of continuing education to renew. Auxiliary members and vendor members are not required to do that, but they are encouraged.The only way to be viewed by the outside world as a professional and not as a hobbyist is to maintain a solid education foundation with continuous updates. The world is a changing place and the ABC strives to keep abreast of all those changes and offer the best education to its members. Whenever possible, planners should attend ABC seminars, webinars, and the Business of Brides Conference. Education, particularly the annual conference, will energize and prepare industry professionals for the coming year and inspire them to return to future conferences. The networking opportunities, inspiration, and sheer fun and enthusiasm offer a huge return on investment! ••