Back to School – Places to Learn and Be Inspired this Autumn

Back to School – Diary dates for an inspiring Autumn

September always has that back to school feeling, doesn’t it? Whilst you might still be incredibly busy delivering the last of the summer’s gorgeous wedding celebrations, there’s an element of looking ahead and planning for the next season and next year (with hopefully a little bit of rest and recuperation thrown in).  I’m a big believer in constant learning and looking outside the obvious for inspiration. So here are some events, places and spaces you might like to explore this autumn to help you and your team get your venue bookings to the next level:

The Luxury Wedding Fair: 22nd – 24th September

Brand new this year, this high-end wedding show, is organised by the experienced team at Ocean Media who have successfully produced the biggest mainstream wedding show, The National Wedding Show for many years. Sitting alongside the National Wedding Show, The Luxury Wedding Fair promotes itself as being the right location for  “Businesses looking to meet high-net-worth couples from the most affluent areas of London and the Home Counties”.

With the likes of Alan Hannah, Nicki Macfarlane, Urban Retreat at Harrods and more on board, it looks like it will be an exciting addition to the luxury wedding show market – we’re intending to visit to check it out, you might like to as well.

Brides The Show: 29th September – 1st October

For more inspiration aimed at your bride and groom client base, consider a visit to the established and always vibrant, Brides The Show, which has been hosted at Islington’s Business Design Centre for several years now. Always full of a very beautiful mix of fashion, impressive décor and design, wow cakes and flowers, as well as handy workshops and learning opportunities, this is a seriously fun day out and a way to build your wedding industry knowledge, catch up with your dream team of wedding suppliers, look to expand your portfolio of services & recommended lists and gain ideas for your own venue showcases.  

UK Wedding Conference: 21st November

Now for something more ‘conference learning’ based – organised by Guides for Brides who say:

The UK Wedding Conference 2017 is designed for wedding industry professionals to give you the tools to grow your business. You’ll go home full of practical ideas on how to digitise your business and maximise sales and enquiries.

I’ll be part of the industry expert line-up at this event and will be running a Q&A surgery about bridal psychology and the best understanding of your client base.  It would be great to see you!  Register and book your session via the above website.

The Showman’s Show: 18th – 19th October

I’m very much looking forward to attending this show, especially for the ‘outdoor event services’ industry.  The use of the outdoors is at an all time high with the popularity of outdoor celebrant-led wedding ceremonies, glamping, shepherds huts, festi-style weddings and all sorts of outdoor temporary structures being so popular for weddings, so this is a very relevant show to inspire with all the kit and equipment that’s at our disposal. I look forward to engaging with some new companies that I haven’t see or heard of and have a chance to see their structures and kit in operation – if you already host outdoor events or are looking to add these to your offering, this show could provide some very useful inspiration and contacts.

Farm Business Innovation & Country House Innovation: 8th – 9th November

The diversification and innovation event for farm-owners and landowners as well as Estate and Country House owners to transform their business and make more money from their land and their property.

A very full event programme of seminars and workshops with a whole range of experts designed to help places and spaces thrive commercially. I will be speaking on how properties can be successful in the modern wedding market. Come and say hello on 8th November at 2pm.

Training by Kelly Chandler Consulting.  20th September – 17th November

I couldn’t resist a little mention of my own highly popular training events. Written and designed especially for successful, unique wedding locations. With a mix of operational best practice to service the modern couple teamed with modern marketing tips and advice, delegates leave feeling inspired, re-energised and with fresh, often inexpensive ideas they can implement to their venue offering straight away.  Options include one-day intensive training (with groups of up to 10) and bite-sized evening workshops.  

Whatever you choose, do try to get out and about this autumn (it’s always good to meet new people & see new things). My motto is to always be curious.

Image credits:  Farm Business Innovation Logo // Farm Business Innovation 2016 Image // UK Wedding Conference // UK Wedding Conference – David Bostock Photography // KC Consulting Training //  Brides The Show – London Bride // Brides The Show // The Showman’s Show – Newbury //  The Showman’s Show