DAY ONE:
The Signature C.E.O. Conference this year was held on the beautiful grounds of The University of Maryland campus at The Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center on October 31st and November 1st of this year. The stage was set to bring together event professionals near and far of diverse professions with one goal in mind – to enhance their business acumen and to excel at business leadership.
THE SPEAKERS:
On Day One, the energy level was high! Event Pros arrived totally engaged to learn new business techniques and to network with new and old friends. Speaker, Jocelyn Delk Adams, award winning author and food blogger of Grandbaby Cakes, led the morning with an impactful lecture on key objectives such as following your curiosity to find purpose, developing growth and engagement, diversifying your reach and much more. Her vibrant personality and wealth of knowledge definitely set the tone for the start of the conference.
Our second speaker, Myleik Teele, not only is a social media expert but she is a successful business owner, strategist, and innovator. She is the founder of curlBOX, an exclusive monthly subscription box full of amazing products for the stylish entrepreneur. Her lecture engaged the audience on “Taking your business to the next level with Social Media”. She gave an indepth conversation on the explanation of the different social media platforms, how to drive lead generation, increase traffic to your website, incorporating brand personality and voice, embracing the visual, and much more. Attendees were ready to take on social media at the end of her talk.
Speaker, Funlayo Alabi, (Co-Founder & CEO of Shea Radiance) addressed the audience on “How to Dare to be Different.” One of her most stimulating points during her lecture stated, “The only asset that you have that is truly unique and cannot be duplicated or reverse engineered is you”. Taking that one phrase and having it as a your mantra for anything you will help you to succeed and not worry about the competition. You are your greatest asset.
Right before lunch, Dominique Broadway, guided the attendees on a step by step plan to set and reach revenue goals. Dominique, is an award-winning Financial Planner, Personal Finance Coach, Speaker, Finance Expert, Entrepreneur and the Founder of Finances De•mys•ti•fied & The Social Money Tour. Dominique stressed the fact that life is unpredictable and it is important to prepare, especially as an entrepreneur. From budgeting with inconsistent income to creating a retirement plan to the best ways to separate business and personal finances; she covered an array of financial key initiatives for smart business owners to stay on track and to prepare for financial success.
The day continued with more of our dynamic speakers. Tiffany Chalk of Tiffany Chalk Events touched on that very important question that we all have circling in our minds every day – are we pricing correctly and are we pricing based on our value. Tiffany dove straight in…optimizing the pricing strategy, charging your worth – pricing to win, pricing to perform. After her engaging talk, everyone was able to define strategies to identify their ideal client, how to value their time, and how to sell their service and not their price.
AllSeated Co-Founder, Sandy Hammer, addressed having an effective technology tool kit. She identified business apps that will help business leaders to be more efficient managing their business and also save money. She stressed that technology is our friend and that without it a business will not survive. Don’t be behind the technology curve, be in front of it.
Meryl Snow of Meryl Snow Consultants definitely had the crowds attention with her infectious personality and a topic that everyone wants to perfect in their business – prospecting and closing deals! Meryl stressed 5 easy rules to follow when closing the sale – treat closing as a process, set appropriate closing objectives, let close emerge from conversation, wait for the right moment, and celebrate your success. When you are in front of your clients, always close for the sale.
To round out the end of day one, Brian Wendroff, led a discussion on the benefits of having an accounting system to manage and grow your business. Brian is the founder of the accounting firm, Wendroff & Associates and is a certified professional QuickBooks instructor. From keeping track of revenue expenses to monitoring cash flow and budgeting, to tax preparation and planning. A wealth of financial information to keep wedding pros on track and having the ability to manage their finances with an effective accounting platform.
THE WELCOME PARTY
To round out the evening, we had a wonderful celebration hosting all of the attendees, speakers, and sponsors. The evening cuisine was catered by Caribbean Caterers, dessert provided by Couture Cakes by Sabrina, floral decor by Edge Floral Event Designers, chair and tableware by Select Event Group, linens by CV Linens, and live entertainment by Tony Craddock Jr. and Cold Front Music.
OUR SPONSORS:
Special thanks to all of our collaborative Sponsors that helped to make the the conference a success:
Caribbean Caterers | Edge Floral Event Designers | AllSeated | Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center | Tony Craddock & Cold Front Music | Memories of Bliss Photography | Chew Entertainment | A-list Photobooths | Couture Cakes by Sabrina | CV Linens | Famous Dave’s Catering | Fingers in Ink | 5-12 Desserts | DC Sweet Potato Cake | Fluffness | Norman’s Popcorn | Papered Wonders Inc | Sweet Pearlz Cheesecakes | Sugar Shack Donuts | Ten23 Designs | Tierra Floral Design | Blackwall Hitch | The Day Designer | Lebanese Taverna | Marriott Westfield’s Dulles | Ruth Chris Steakhouse Arlington | The Lara Casey Shop | Virtue Feed & Grain | Aisle Always Love | Calligraphette & Co | Shea Radiance | Tracy’s Gourmet
Photography Credit: Memories of Bliss Photography
Conference Founder & Producer: Tara Melvin of Perfect Planning Events
THE SWAG:
THE ATTENDEES IN ACTION:
The Venue – The Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center
Conference signage by Ten23 Designs.
Conference brochures by Perfect Planning Events
Linens sponsored by CV linens; Chairs sponsored by Tierra Floral Event Designs.
Signage by Fingers in Ink.
Break Sponsor – Norman’s Popcorn
Monogram cookies by 5-12 Desserts.
Signage by Fingers in Ink.
Lunch. Linens sponsored by CV Linens. Florals by Edge Floral Event Design. Swag by Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center.
Lunch sponsored by Caribbean Caterers.
Break Sponsor, Sweet Pearlz Cheesecakes.
Speaker gifts sponsored by Papered Wonders Inc.
We love our Speakers!
Florals by Edge Floral Event Design.
Hashtag signs by Ten23 Designs. Photo booth by A-list Photo Booths.
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