We never stop learning… engage09 conference

Posted by Andy Mann Posted in General, News | 2 Comments »

Learning is a fundamental part of Tropical Imaging. It’s part of our DNA. We love new techniques, new ideas, new ways of doing things whether it’s in Photoshop, with the camera or on a bigger scale using multimedia and movies to tell your story. Aside from the technical “how can we do it better” side of the company we also have the marketing and “business side” and I recently went to the Cayman Islands to attend engage09 – a small but powerful wedding conference with some of the top people in the industry. What did I learn? Who did I see and meet?

The engage09 conference is the brainchild of Rebecca Grinnals of Engaging Concepts. I’ve known Rebecca for many years from when she was working with the Sandals/Beaches Resorts, however it wasn’t until this year that the timings fitted together and I had the opportunity to attend.

Who was there??   From the official website you can see the great list of speakers and this included  -
Darcy Miller – Martha Stewart Weddings - Darcy had some great advice on how to be featured as a  “real”wedding in the magazine – interested? let’s do it !!
Preston Bailey – Preston Bailey Designs -  simply out of this world designs  – you could buy a house in this price range !! amazing
Carley Roney – The Knot – amazing stats and figures on the whole market from their exclusive survey – good news is that photography is a key area and destination weddings are up!!
Marcy Blum – Eventiste – great insight from a top coordinator
Sylvia Weinstock – Sylvia Weinstock Cakes – some great ideas and a no nonsense business woman too – plus she can dance !!
Millie Martini Bratten – BRIDE’S Magazine – “THE” magazine  – 75 years old – wow – great to meet Millie again.
Antonia van der Meer – Modern Bride & Elegant Bride Magazines – all about the trendsetter awards and real wedding submissions… things to work for!
Bee Kim – WeddingBee.com- a great success story and she knows her stuff about web 2.0 and beyond…
Susan Moynihan – Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine - great conversations and already sending her weddings to publish!
Michelle Rago – Michelle Rago, LTD – she designed the first night party and I hope we can work with her in the future on some exciting plans.
Randy Fenoli – Kleinfeld Bridal – have to admit – never seen the TV show  – but fun to meet – plus we photographed a friend’s wedding – she works for Gucci.
Sean Low – Preston Bailey Designs  and new new consulting company – already talking with him about some new plans and strategy – awesome !
Abby Larson – Style Me Pretty – One of the first people I met  – great blog!!
Simon T. Bailey – “Release Your Brilliance” – great ideas and a great dinner host too!!

There were many other speakers too – all great – with only 48 hrs it just wasn’t possible to meet EVERYONE or mention them all above..

I also met many people who were attending rather than speaking – coordinators and especially coordinators who specialize in destination weddings, wedding locations, florists, event planners and organizers, wedding bloggers, marketing managers for the knot, local Cayman vendors and event people and several great staff from the Ritz Carlton – both local to Cayman and regional also.

I have to say that this “cocktail party”, networking, meet and great kinda thing is not my forte or strong suit. Some people do it without effort – I have to work at it… but the event was so well done it was easier than expected.

What did I learn – well my main takeaway is that the Turks and Caicos Islands as a whole needs to raise its game. We have an outstanding collection of hotels, resorts, venues, natural resources and talented people, but we need to do more… it’s not that other destinations are so much better than here – it’s more a case of being a hidden gem and we need polishing.

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