Category Archives: VIP Summer Class of 2015

May 13
0

Why Pay For Intern Training?

By | eLearning, FAQ, mentoring, Millennials, US Department of Labor, VIP Summer Class of 2015, working with interns | One Comment

Just a quick note to say thank you to all the support and love since we launched!  Applications are rolling in and you’ve got a few more days to get yours in before the deadline. Apply here.

I wanted to address the reason of price, in case that is causing any sort of hesitation on your side.

So, why pay $75/intern for this training?

Have you ever heard the saying: “the grass is greener where you water it.”
photo credit: sujan sundareswaran

photo credit: sujan sundareswaran

How much does your wedding planning firm currently invest in training and development for your interns? Some of you guys might say, “well, nothing.” But actually, that’s a lie.

If you are training your interns on the fly, you are paying with your precious time.

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May 11
1

Hands-on Requires Letting Go.

By | junior event, mentoring, Millennials, VIP Summer Class of 2015, working with interns | No Comments

For interns, I firmly believe there is only so much you can read about event planning…at some point (I suggest, after six weeks), you just have to do it.

I have planned hundreds of events, of all shapes and sizes, since 2003 and I must admit, I learn something new with every single one.  Maybe we figured out the ballroom lights in Mercury Hall are on dimmers that sometimes self-adjust as if they are haunted…or that the loading dock at that one particular downtown hotel (you know the one) is a NIGHTMARE for load-in/out.  Or maybe we learned how best to communicate with that DJ who never seems to respond to any emails we send them…not one, not at all.

These are the true teaching moments.

And in these “finesse” moments, it truly tests your abilities to stay calm, cool and collected…and your true colors shine.

Can you think fast on your feet and do it with a smile?
(photo credit: Nadine Photography)

moments like these make wedding planning look easy – photo credit: Nadine Photography

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May 09
0

Why Interns are NOT a Pain in the Ass.

By | FAQ, mentoring, Millennials, VIP Summer Class of 2015, working with interns | One Comment

WARNING – controversial topic ahead…grab some popcorn and voice your opinion below!

 

Despite popular belief, I want to squash any preconceived notions that working with interns is a pain in the ass.  Well, wait…let me clarify.

When you’ve got the RIGHT interns mixed with the RIGHT training solution, you can’t go wrong.

So far, we’ve shared a few insider secrets on:

…but you might be sitting there wondering, “yeah Mary, that’s all well and good, but WHY interns?  Why bother?  How will they truly help my business scale and grow?”

Great question.

And I’ll answer that one with a question: Read More

May 06
1

My Journey as a Mentor in the Events Industry

By | CSEP, eLearning, ISES, mentoring, VIP Summer Class of 2015, working with interns | 2 Comments

mbwHello, my name is Mary Baird-Wilcock, CSEP, Founder and CEO of The Simplifiers.  For those whom I haven’t met yet, howdy, hi, lovely to meet you!  My journey as a mentor in the events industry has been nothing sort of an epic global adventure, truly.

You see, I launched The Simplifiers back in 2003, as a full-service event planning company, based in Austin, Texas…in my pajamas, in my home office, as you do.  Spinning off from my 7+ years of experience working in commercial radio, producing large-scale concerts and community events, I decided to follow the way of my entrepreneurial parents and start my own small business.

It was my dream, after all… 

…planning events with passionate clients and amazing vendor partners who value my knack at staying super organized, always under budget and cultivating a collaborative, fun experience in the event design process.  Plus, I finally found a profession that truly APPRECIATED my attention to detail! (all the OCD gals in the crowd, holla!)

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