A Love Story: Wedding International Professionals Association
Great leadership is pivotal to the success and longevity of an organization. Over the past four years of serving on the International Board for WIPA (Wedding International Professionals Association), I’ve seen chapters rise and fall as a direct result of their board and president. The thing about leadership is that talented professionals make it look effortless, when in actuality it’s incredibly complex and difficult. Without forward-thinking leaders, WIPA would cease to exist.
During various board retreats, I’ve shared my passion for fostering this skill and stressed the importance of proper tools and training for the pros at the helm. Last year, Meghan Ely came to me and said, “I agree that this is important, and I want to see this initiative continue, even after we’re gone, so let’s start a committee.” Hence the Leadership Development Committee was born. The LDC is WIPA’s first free standing council. I’m intensely proud of what we’ve started and honored to be working alongside some brilliant minds to make a lasting impact.
In my new role as the Chapter in Formation Director, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting four different chapters in 2024 so far to review our standard operating procedures and offer advice for the unique challenges facing the Philadelphia, New York City, Northwest Florida Panhandle and North Carolina chapters. Being able to give back to an organization that has changed the trajectory of my career, and life, in ways I could have never imagined is hugely rewarding.
Did you know WIPA was one of the catalysts for why I took my business bicoastal? During the pandemic, California was shut down and the events industry was at a standstill for the foreseeable future. I suddenly had more free time than I knew what to do with. When a WIPA leader invited me out to Atlanta to attend one of their upcoming in-person events, I hopped on the next plane out of LAX. The city of Atlanta was bustling, people greeted you with such warmth and the events community welcomed me with open arms. Before I knew it, I was house hunting in Atlanta and embarking on a new adventure. The rest, as they say, is history. Currently, there are more than 20 chapters around the country. I’m honored to continue to work with innovative thinkers to bring chapters to new cities and create countless opportunities for our members to connect, grow their businesses and expand their horizons. You never know where life (and events) will take you, and having a community of friends wherever you go is something that I can directly attribute to my involvement in WIPA.