This month we got to come together with our local wedding industry with our annual Speed Networking event that was sold out!
With a focus on networking first our attendee’s got the chance to have 5 minute conversations with over 20 different wedding professionals all specifically curated for them by Shannon herself to ensure that each attendee wasn’t paired with someone they already had a strong connection with to ensure everyone got the most out of the event.
The incredible hosting venue, Margaritaville Resort Orlando, provided us an incredible space with tables, chairs, and linens to make setup a breeze. Along with event space Margaritaville also provided our guests with refreshments like delicious light appetizers and a non-alcoholic beverage station.
I had a great time at the speed networking event. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The whole event was so well organized. I was able to connect with many of my fellow vendor friends and also so many new faces, and new vendors during this event. Margaritaville was an excellent host, Press Play Entertainment provided great background music, the I Heart Cakes by Yari cupcake treat was AMAZING, and I can’t wait to see the photo and video from Perfect Sky Films. – Kelly Hunsberger, Orlando Ceremonies by Kelly
This was the first speed networking event with Wedding Venue Map. I thought it was done exceptionally well! I liked the QR code to Instagram accounts. The timing was good, I was able to connect with several good leads. I also met a few unique vendors, pyrotechnics and outdoor restrooms for example. The speed networking event was definitely worthwhile. – Kenny Zail, USA Game Show
Capturing all the amazing connections and moments made with both photo and video was Perfect Sky Films.
I absolutely loved attending this event – my first time ever and I enjoyed being a part of it. In comparison with a standard networking event where groups tend to congregate together, speed networking actually forces the person to talk and ask about another person’s business and and in turn learn something they didn’t expect they would. – Lazzat Olarti, Lazzat Photography
During the event we need a lot of clear instructions for our attendees to know it’s time to move on to the next connection or when it’s time to break in between the two sessions of speed networking. Our sponsor, Press Play Entertainment, provided the perfect DC/MC services with light mingling music during conversations and sounds with announcements at each time the attendees were intended to move onto the next place.
It was so nice to have it already organized and predetermined of who I would be meeting as well as knowing there was a time limit to really make it count. I got to talk to so many more people than I have at regular events. I got to connect with other photographers, venue owners, florists, bakeries, and other wedding professionals. It was so beneficial and refreshing! I wish every event was speed networking! – Amy Britton, Amy Britton Photography
Our guests got to have these cute cupcakes as a sweet treat during the event or on their way out from I Heart Cakes by Yari.
I’m so happy that I attended the networking event yesterday, it was so much fun connecting with new people! I really loved being able to chat with different vendors in the industry and get to know them on a different level, getting their feedback and advise was golden. – Yari Diaz, I Heart Cakes by Yari
Last night’s speed networking event was the best ever, and I’ve been to a ton of speed networking events! Shannon Tarrant’s imagination, and creativity showed through last night: the directional arrows and race cars on the table indicating which way we moved through the room to speed network was fun and thoughtful. A special shout out to everyone who helped make this evening perfect. If you don’t know, Shannon Tarrant or if you’re not part of The Wedding Venue Map community, join today, and get to know her and the team; you’ll really like them. – Ann Taylor, A Chair Affair
I had a great time and connected with so many new faces. Although I’m sure A LOT of hard work went on behind the scenes, the event was so well-organized that movement throughout the ballroom to meet with different professionals was nothing but fluid and seamless. One of the things I enjoyed most was helping brainstorm collaborative ideas with industry partners and learning about and encouraging those just starting their footprint in the wedding world. I connected with event planners, venue managers, photographers, bakers, make-up artists, entertainment, décor, and furniture rental specialists, and even a new mobile craft coffee cart company. I always meet new people and make connections at Shannon’s WVM events, but the speed networking event was like 3 events put into a 3-hour timeframe. I met SO many people and look forward to connecting with them moving forward. – Dana Pencak, Artistic Talent Group
I found it very useful and made a bunch of contacts. It was easier to speak with people when you are forced into a one on one situation, there were no awkward moments waiting for someone to finish speaking to someone you want to speak with, and I found I made more connections than the I normally do as I tend to just speak with one or two others, maybe someone briefly inline at the snack table or bar. This was you had a limited time to discuss what you needed and move on to the next person. Lot’s of fun and a great venue. I am looking forward to working with some of the connections I made in the near future. – Michelle Andrews, Orlando Special Effects
I decided to attend this event because it was the perfect environment to really connect with people. The one-on-one personal conversations allowed me to dig in to what other people do in our industry and really expand my network. My favorite part of the event was meeting such nice, friendly people who love what I love! I was able to connect with DJ’s, Entertainers, florists, bakers, and so many unique businesses that I can now recommend to my brides. – Rachel Demetropoulos, Events by Rachel
It was my first event with you all, and I had a great time! I think it was well worth the money spent to make the connections necessary to continue to grow my business. The cupcakes were incredible! I decided to attend because I had previously attended a speed networking event and had a lot of success getting to know people. My favorite part was definitely the networking and being exposed to so many people. – Brittani James, Love Out Loud Events
It was great. Had fun! Met some new people. Already doing a style-shoot with a new planner. – Jill Heaton, Jill Heaton Event Decor
As always, I enjoyed the Speed Networking event. One of my favorite events you do! – Cindy Vasquez, Beaute Speciale
Overall the event was a hit with every seat filled and all of our attendee’s making speedy connections with new faces they may have never met or don’t frequently get to chat with that can improve their business! Speed Networking proves to be such a great way for our local wedding industry to connect the team at Wedding Venue Map consider putting on the event two times a year (keep an eye out for a bi-annual speed networking).
Special thank you to our sponsors for this event:
- Hosted by Margaritaville Resort Orlando
- Light bites by Margaritaville Resort Orlando
- Photo & video by Perfect Sky Films
- DJ & MC by Press Play Entertainment
- Sweet treat by I Heart Cakes by Yari
The following month, in May, we had the chance to host a laid-back happy hour networking event for our wedding industry at a Centrally located wine bar, Grape & the Grain. We focused on getting together with our wedding pros and just casually networking while enjoying their beautiful indoor and outdoor space with some nice drinks!
Gabriel from Premier Dueling Pianos said “I loved the event! The wine and charcuterie were delicious, and the guests were incredibly fun and interesting. I connected with a woman named Michele and a woman named Michelle, both in the travel industry as agents. I got to learn about all sorts of specialized types of travel agents; I learned part of how networking works in the travel industry; I learned about a book that one of them had just published; and I even heard her mention the idea of giving self-published cookbooks to clients as a gift!”
These events help us with a Wedding Venue Map passion of bringing the Central Florida wedding industry together.
