Friday, May 21, 2010

June Meeting Invitation

DON’T FORGET TO VIEW OUR MAY NEWSLETTER AT www.neawp.org
TO SEE WHAT WE ARE UP TO!


NEAWP Austin Chapter Meeting
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
11:00am-1:00pm

The Hilton Hotel- Downtown
500 East 4th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
512.482.8000

You are cordially invited to the June 2010 Nuptial Essentials Association of Wedding Professionals (NEAWP) Austin Chapter meeting, “Nuturance”.  

YOUR SPACE
We are pleased to make our second trip to the Hilton Hotel in downtown Austin! Thank you to our very own NEAWP member, Elizabeth Rison for hosting this event. You can find out more at www.hilton.com.

YOUR SPONSOR
I would like to thank Olga Lee of Polka Dots- A Cupcake Factory for being our featured sponsor of the month.  Take the time out of your day to visit this charming SWEET SHOP located at 2826 Rio Grande in a house built in the 1900’s. To find out more about Polka Dots, visit their website at www.polkadotscupcakefactory.com.

YOUR NOTES
Still need an NEAWP business nametag?  If you would like a professional name tag for the meetings, bring $7.00 to the meeting. The next order will be placed on June 10, 2010. All name tags must be paid for prior to being ordered. Look at a sample in our April newsletter online.

We are rounding up our teams for the NEAWP event Olympics this summer! Start getting into shape!

Visit our new blog at www.neawp.blogspot.com

Our next online wedding certification course will be in June. Tired of taking your precious time to train staff? Leave that to us! Get back to making money and not giving away free information. Contact John atjohnjohn@nuptialessentials.com. Scholarships are available!

DO NOTE: YOUR RSVP DATE IS MEMORIAL DAY!

YOUR THEME
Change- Participating in new activities and fashions and liking the novelty of one’s life.

YOUR SPEAKER
We are hitting you with the “one-two punch” in June! You are getting two speakers for the price of ONE! Thank you to Cortney Zieky, PWC our education chair.

Jim Gentil- Mr. Positive
            Jim Gentil worked for The Dow Chemical Company for 25 years.  He served as Public Relations manager, Community Relations manager, and for the last 12 years of his corporate career he was a lobbyist and Manager of State Government Affairs.  Jim retired from Dow in 1996 and moved to Austin to continue his dream of providing his positive, motivational message and materials to those who need it.

            Jim's lifetime experiences include being a teacher for 14 years in addition to being an author, speaker and magician. He has successfully owned and operated a pizza parlor, published a weekly television guide and operated a video production company. He has served as news director for a radio station in Texas City, Texas and was TV news anchor for the first cable television station in Galveston, Texas.  He also anchored corporate television news programs while serving as public relations manager for the Dow Chemical Company. He has lived a total of 10 years overseas, nine in Korea and one in Germany.

            Jim is the author of a success motivational guidebook, The 60-Second System of Success,  and  Positive People Power!  as well as publisher of The Positive People Power! Newsletter  andThe Positive Spiritual Living Newsletter which are available free on e-mail.   He has tremendous enthusiasm, an eager interest to help people and a strong desire to spread his philosophy of POSITIVE PEOPLE POWER! to anyone expressing a commitment to have a better life for themselves. 

David J. Neff- Social Media Guru
My name is David J. Neff. I help Non Profits and people for a living. I do that with Ridgewood Associates and Lights. Camera. Help. I also do large scale collaborative events like Non Profit Bar Camp and VideoCamp Austin. I would say that I am a Teacher, Speaker, Blogger, Network Weaver, and Social Media Scientist.  For over 10 years I have done things that have never been done before at Non Profits. This includes launching the American Cancer Society's first software program , building the first ever user generated Web Site for those affected by cancer, and starting their Social Media, Online Giving an Film departments.

I'm currently working on getting my own non profit up and running. It's called Lights. Camera. Help. We help all other non profits focus on good through our film festival, education and the world's first film focused volunteer program. I was named one of the "Top 20 Social Media People in the state of Texas" by the Austin American Statesman in 2009. The American Marketing Association awarded me the "Non Profit Social Media Marketer of the Year" in 2009. I also was also a past twice recipient of a American Cancer Society Futuring and Innovations grant. I am also responsible for helping start The Frozen Pea Fund to fight Breast Cancer and a co-founder of the successful Austin Tweetups : Social Media for Social Good. I am also a published author with articles in PRSA Tatics and the new 2010 version of the book People to People Fundraising.

I earned my BS in Public Relations from the University of Texas in 2000 with a minor in Business from the McCombs School of Business. I earned my Certified Internet Webmaster certification in 2003. I currently live in Austin, TX and enjoy filmmaking, hosting a TV show, live music, photography, halloween, and spending time with my dogs and my friends.

YOUR CHARITY

Don’t forget to “keep the change and pay it forward”. Empty out that  change jar in your car and donate to this monthly cause. The money will be used at Christmas for Toys for Tots!

YOUR POLICIES
1.     The 2010 meeting fees are $30.00 per meeting for current NEAWP members. Payments received after the deadline or at the door will be assessed a $5.00 fee.
2.     Guests are always welcome. They need to be added to your RSVP list and you will receive the reservation confirmation. The 2010 guest meeting fees are $50.00 per non member
3.     If you show up to the meeting without a reservation confirmation, the cost will be $35.00 per current NEAWP member and $55.00 per guest.
4.     You can pay with any major credit card via PayPal on our website by simply going towww.associationofweddingprofessionals.com/ca_meeting.com then click the meeting you would like to attend. All PayPal payments must be received by Monday May 31, 2010 at 12:00pm. All checks must be made payable to: NEAWP.  Any payments received after the deadline or at the door, will be assessed a $5.00 fee.  The 2010 NSF fee for checks is $50.00.
5.     To ensure your reservation at the meeting, RSVP to amy@nuptialessentials.comYou will receive a confirmation reservation email. Bring a copy of your confirmation email  to the check in table the day of the meeting. If your RSVP changes after May 31, 2010 at 12:00pm you will be charged the full meeting amount.
I look forward to seeing you all at the meeting! Our meeting will be kept within the time allotted so you can get back to making lots of money!

Now go plan beautiful events!
Amy Mader, PWC
President


Thursday, May 20, 2010

Martha Stewart Weddings DIY: Announcement Flags


Announcement Flags Clip Art
Download the PDF file, and print onto medium-weight 11-by-17-inch paper. (If your home printer won't use that size of paper, most copy shops will be able to print it for you; simply put the file on a disc or a thumb drive and take it to one.)
Cut the paper into a triangle by cutting from the corners of one end to the center of the opposite end (use a paper trimmer or a craft knife and a metal yardstick or long straightedge).
Paint a 1/2-inch dowel white or whatever color you want. The paint will seal the wood to avoid splinters and will provide a washable surface, as well as create a polished look. We used an 18-inch-long dowel, but most lumberyards sell dowels up to 48 inches long, which would make a very tall flag.
Attach the wide end of the flag to the dowel with double-sided tape, and tie on a ribbon bow.
Vest, shirt, bow tie, and shorts from Crewcuts by J.Crew.

NECI June Courses Starting

NECI

I am pleased to announce the next online NECI wedding course will begin June 21st,2010
We will be granting scholarships up to $150.00 until June 14th, 2010.

Please contact John Cook,Admissions Advisor, Ph# 210-823-6522/ johnjohn@nuptialessentials.com
I would be happy to answer any wedding course, payment arrangements, and scholarship details with you.
Our Distance Education wedding course is offered anytime!

***Did you know that We are the first and only vocational school for wedding consulting instruction licensed and regulated 
by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Style Me Pretty DIY: Favor Bags by Twig and Thistle


Featured on Style Me Pretty:
And speaking of fabulous DIY details, I am so excited to share this adorable project for DIY Gift Bags that Kathleen of Twig & Thistle designed exclusively for SMP readers. It’s too cute to resist and I am pretty sure that I am going to be making these time and time again. Kathleen is behind some of our all time most popular DIY features including these adorable hot cocoa bags and these perfect favor boxes. You can check out all of her goodies on her etsy shop, as well as some pretty fab ideas on her blog, perfect for the chic crafty bride.
diy favor bags
diy favor bags
Materials
Ink Jet Color Printer
5×7 White Paper Bags
Treats
Instructions
1. Download the bag graphic and type in names and wedding date in spaces provided. Follow the directions in the PDF for printing with an Ink Jet Printer. If you don’t have an Ink Jet or if your printer doesn’t allow you to print odd formats, you can print directly onto sticker paper (found at office supply stores) and post apply to the bag.
2. Help maintain freshness and keep sweets from leaving oil stains on the paper bag by lining with a glassine envelope.
3. Add a little more detail to the bags and scallop the top with a pair of pinking shears or rotary cutter.
4. Fill bag with treats and serve!
White paper bags can be found here and glassine bags can be found here.

Upcoming May Mentor Meeting

DON’T FORGET TO VIEW OUR MAY NEWSLETTER AT www.neawp.org
TO SEE WHAT WE ARE UP TO!

NEAWP May Mentor Meeting
Tuesday May 25, 2010
10:00am

NECI Office
10133 Planters Woods Drive
Austin, Texas 78730
866.766.NECI



MAY MENTOR MEETING
HUH?
I am hosting the May Mentor Meeting for NEAWP! You got that rightJBarbara has handed the reigns over to me to go crazy with you all. Before she freaks out, on a serious note, I am hosting the meeting for her. You are most welcome to attend the meeting. Come one, Come all! Here are my rulesJ

POLICIES
1.       We will start at 10:00am. If you stay through lunch, I might suggest we order pizza since I will need to eat and have my diet coke.
2.       Bring beverages or snacks if you would like to have them.
3.       Kindly RSVP so I will know how many are coming.
4.       There is no fee to come. Just bring your questions and be ready to talk.
5.       It is casual. This is a forum for anyone in the industry to come and ask questions about anything (well hopefully it will pertain to events, however I am fairly well versed in baseball, tennis, real housewives reality show (that would be all cities), kids, pta, volunteering etc) .
Directions
We are meeting at my stomping ground. Directions from 360 and 2222
Go west on 2222 (that is toward the lake)
Take a left on River Place Blvd.
Take a left on Big View Dr.
Take a right on Planters Woods Dr.
It is the last house on the left.

Now go plan beautiful events!
Amy Mader, PWC
President

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Message from our President, Amy Mader :)


Do you ever want to take your company to the limit? Do you want to exceed your own expectations? Just when you think you can’t push yourself any further, what will make you go further? I just completed reading the book “Ticket to the Limit” by Randy Cohen who is the CEO of Ticket City in Austin, Texas. I know everyone says “I do not have time to read during the busy time of the wedding season” because I was everyone. However, I found that I could read 1-2 paragraphs at a time waiting for a meeting to arrive, waiting for my daughter at ballet class, or my son to finish up with baseball practice. I began by underlining the portions of the book that I felt were relevant to my business or myself as a leader, business owner, parent , collegue and friend. When I completed the book, I realized that ¾ of the pages were dog eared and there were marks on almost every page. This book is not about how to run your business, but it discusses how to be a productive human being and that will allow you to be a successful in your business and personal life. The book is divided into chapters regarding the Randy’s  Rules of Reason. There are 10 of them.

1.       Be Passionate. Love what you do.
2.       Live your values.
3.       Put family first.
4.       Take care of people. Find the amazing.
5.       Have fun. Learn to laugh.
6.       Have a big heart. Make a difference.
7.       Never stop learning.
8.       Take chances. Put yourself out there.
9.       Be a rock star! Work hard and play hard.
10.   Follow through. Master the game.

I love all 10 of the rules.. but the first one I would like to address is rule 9. Be a rock star! Work hard and play hard. Would you like to know how to become a rock star? Well read on! First, a rock star is a person who is living his dream- doing what he is meant to do! So let’s go--

1.       Show up! Keep your promises and commitments no matter what!
2.       Think of every day as an audition for your greatest gig.
3.       Band together and leverage your team members’ individual skills and talents.
4.       Don’t forget to play your greatest hits. Take what you are known for and deliver on expectations.
5.       Leave your ego at the door.
6.       Give your other team members room for “solos”. Let them shine.
7.       Leave it all onstage. Give every day everything you’ve got.
8.       Treat your clients like VIP’s and give them all access passes to you and your business.
9.       Say “thank you” (a lot!), and show deep appreciation for your fans.
10.   Make the world your stage and give the performance of a lifetime!
Always remember: How you do anything, is how you do everything!



Best- Amy 
Amy Mader, PWC 


Monday, May 17, 2010

Featured Wedding: Julia and Nick

Not all Austin weddings happen in Austin. Earlier this yeartwo NEQSP members were involved in Julie and Nick's Destination wedding at a private resort near Playa Del Carmen in Mexico.
Skip Neal, the Honeymoon Guru organized the trip for the couple, as well as all the guests, and Eric Hegwer an Austin Wedding Photographer was selected to fly down and photograph the event.
The texas couple planned a ton of unique details, a custom ring bowl from Plamoma's Nest, Unique out of town canvas bags filled with favors for the guests traveling in from all over the country, custom tiles as placecards, and they even stitched a texas flag to a canvas bag filed with some Texas dirt, that they put at their feet during the ceremony so they would be standing on Texas soil when they got married.














All in all there were 15 guests in attendance, a nice mix of friends and family all together for a fantastic wedding weekend in Mexico. Congratulations to you both!