Roadmap to Venue Success Education Day

on October 13, 2021
in Wedding Pro Events

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Roadmap to Venue Success Educa...

When we held the first-ever Roadmap Education Day all about how to run a venue successfully at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando, we all learned a lot!

When someone knows what they do and how well they do it, then decides to share it, others like to learn and listen. “I had a vision of bringing local venues together to learn how to run a venue successfully, to increase bookings, share ideas with each other and build networking relationships that will last well past the event.” That’s why Shannon Tarrant, Founder of WeddingVenueMap.com decided to host a morning of learning and discussion and to interview a panel that represented a wide gamut of venues available in Central Florida.

The morning began with check-in at the lobby of the beautiful Seagrass Room of the Margaritaville Resort Orlando. Shannon looked beautiful with her hair and make-up done by GAD Artistry, saying hello to attendees and making introductions. From the beginning, the day was captured on film by KMD Photo & Film and on video by Captured by Elle.

With Jimmy Buffett playing in the background and under the stairway shadow of margarita glass chandeliers, attendees enjoyed a morning start with a tasty offering of assorted pastries, fruit parfaits, yogurt, and traditional morning java and juice.

Shannon’s vision of bringing local venues together to connect had attendees encouraged to follow and share their Instagram accounts with each other using QR codes as they mixed, mingled, and made introductions to start the morning conference.

With the help of organizer Sharlene Arcia, CWP, from LT Events, the day, the conference room, and lunch were set up and ready to go. Fast Breaks Entertainment provided the audio/visual and the large screen made it easy to see all the screens that were being shared.

Shannon’s message of “Don’t be the same. Find your direction. Be BETTER!” was reflected in the various gifts provided, journals by The Bridal Finery, pens, canvas totes by A Chair Affair, and suitcase candy holders.

The first speaker, Tom Chelednik from the Treasury Venue Collection in St. Augustine was a wealth of informative ways to help venues see the reasons and ways to track information to move their venues forward.

Shannon then introduced the panel of amazing women who are running successful venues throughout Central Florida – Jane Curtis McLean of the Alfond Inn, Tamuel Cowart of Cypress Grove Estate House and Luxmore Grande Estate, Helen Waldron of the Orlando Science Center, Jessica Watson of Up the Creek Farms, Melanie Halusek of Bella Collina, and Aleshia Beatty George of Venue 1902.

Questions ranged from ‘How to handle a specific situation’ to ‘Costs’ and ‘What’s the best way to work with a chef’. The answers were as varied as the women themselves and the venues they represented. For those not able to attend, the event was broadcast and livestreamed by Omarvelous Productions.

Everyone went On Vacation for lunch and were welcomed with cold island drinks to start with. Tables had decor and chairs that were provided by A Chair Affair, and magnificent tropical centerpieces by Bluegrass Chic were placed throughout the room, again reminding you of your tropical environment. Lunch was served on Natural Burlap table cloths and Jungle Skin print napkins that were provided by Connie Duglin Linen and reflected the vibe of the resort.

With a menu of roasted jerk chicken, fingerling potatoes, and a medley of vegetables, all followed by an assortment of tropical desserts by Vanessa from Sweet Miss V’s. You know the dessert table looks good when it was overheard, “Life’s short, let’s eat dessert first!” and “I’ll start lunch with dessert.” Certainly, a group of women that knew their minds and lead by example.

During lunch, everyone had fun in the photobooth by Party Shots Orlando and listened to music provided by LT Entertainment and a number of tasty raffle baskets provided by Mission BBQ.

When asked how she felt about the first-ever Roadmap to Venue Success education day Shannon said, “My word of the year 2021 is CONNECTION! Standing in the corner and watching venues talking and sharing their thoughts on how to run a venue successfully was a moment I’ll never forget.”