Wedding Industry Friends: Join Me in Cancun for the "Inspire Smart Success Experience"

While we often blog about bridal style and chic city weddings, there's one thing you probably didn't know about Merci New York: Not all of our readers {or clients!} are brides.
In fact, some of our readers won't be walking down the aisle anytime soon.  They will, however, be setting up your aisle, bringing in the flowers, taking the photos and making sure all goes to plan. In other words, our readers are also the amazingly talented wedding industry... And so guys, this post is for you.
As both a fashion stylist and a blogger, I get to collaborate with many amazingly talented people in our industry every day.  I'm constantly on photoshoots, editorial assignments and weddings with some truly fascinating folks.  I count myself very lucky for that... and I truly revel in moments spent exchanging ideas, building our businesses and enjoying a casual exchange of experiences, which is why I am thrilled to be a speaker at Stacie Francombe's awesome Inspire Smart Success Experience in the Riviera Maya, Cancun this December.

"Inspire Smart Success Cancun" is sure to be quite the conference.  I've posted everyone's pretty faces above so you can peruse the all-star cast of speakers on this December 3-6 event, however, the real meat and potatoes behind the conference can be found on the ISS site, right here... Yes, there will be little ol' me sharing tips on how to build a blog that promotes your brand.  But I'll also be co-hosting an intensive styled-shoot workshop with my friend the very talented Mike Colon... someone who I've had the honor of working alongside as a stylist, and someone many photographers would love to learn from.
So, my own stuff aside, imagine the takeaways of face time with some of the fabulous industry greats headlining this event.  A dinner with Diann Valentine or a pow-wow with Preston Bailey, while basking in the warm Mexico sun, no less?  Yes, please!

If you're sold on joining us in Mexico but not quite sure if you can make the investment, I have a treat for you... {I love treats}.
The first two industry professionals who email us at style {at} merci new york {dot} com with their very inspiring reason to attend, will receive a 50 percent off ticket to the three day event, compliments of our lovely little blog.
So act fast, and shoot us your note now.  I'm excited to meet you in Mexico!  {p.s. scroll down to hear about a handful of the many notable speakers Stacie has gathered for the experience}!

Notable speakers will include:

Preston Bailey has been lauded as one of the world's premiere event designers and tastemakers. With 30-plus years of experience under the auspices of his namesake company Preston Bailey Designs, he is best known for his ability to completely transform raw, ordinary spaces, into opulent, theatrical environments, translating his clients’ fantasies into awe-inspiring reality. His one-of-kind events have attracted such clients as: Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, Joan Rivers, Donna Karan, Liza Minnelli, Matt Lauer, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ivanka Trump and others.  Also an author, he has written four bestselling books entitled Design for Entertaining, Fantasy Weddings, Inspirations and his newest book, Celebrations was released by Rizzoli in October '09.   Headquartered in New York City, Preston Bailey Designs maintains international offices in Indonesia and the Middle East.

Diann Valentine From humble beginnings to soaring above and beyond achieving her wildest dreams, internationally acclaimed wedding, event and interior designer Diann Valentine continues to turn fantasy into reality as this vivacious innovative mastermind gives couples around the world the wedding of their dreams. Valentine has also unveiled a collection of wedding invitations and stationery exclusively with Wedding Paper Divas to meet the under served needs of brides looking for a fresh perspective on their printed ensembles. Valentine is world renowned as the go-to wedding and event designer who takes classic traditions and gives them a modern and unique flare that sets her apart from anyone else in her industry. The incredibly sought-after and admired Valentine is the creative genius behind the jaw dropping weddings of Usher, Toni Braxton, Kelis, Lela Rochon, and Boyz II Men crooner Shawn Stockman just to name a few.

Shawn Rabideau  For over twelve years Shawn Rabideau has worked in all aspects of the event production and design industry and is the founder and President of Shawn Rabideau Events & Design; a full-service event production, destination, floral design and lifestyle company that produces and designs intimate to large-scale events such as weddings, bar/bat-mitzvahs, product launches and more!  Shawn is most notably known for his appearances on Bravo TV’s hit reality series Bethenny Ever After and Bethenny Getting Married?.  He has appeared on ABC's Good Morning America, Fox News, the Style Network’s Whose Wedding is it Anyway? and TV Land’s Best Night In.  Through the past decade Shawn has been involved with, and overseen the production and design of, numerous private celebrity events; most recently Bethenny Frankel and Star Jones. 

Mike Colón is an international wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Newport Beach, California. He has been shooting professionally for twelve years and has traveled the world photographing extravagant weddings, fashion, and editorial assignments for his discerning clients. His resume of celebrity clientele boasts some of the biggest names in Hollywood, the music industry, and professional sports. Mike's gift for capturing life has been recognized by numerous publications worldwide including Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Marriage, People, Us Weekly, Instyle, Rangefinder, Photo District News, Popular Photography, American Photo, Shutterbug, and dozens more. His work also appears in many of the Amherst Media and fine art photography books found in bookstores today.  Colón travels the world teaching professional photographers the latest techniques in digital photography. He is a regular speaker for the wedding industry teaching at virtually all of the major photography conferences in the country. He has taught classes for several accredited photography schools including the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara.  Mike is also a spokesperson and on the advisory boards of top corporations like Apple, Epson America, Lexar Media, Pictage Inc., and Tamrac Inc.  Mike resides in Newport Coast, California with his beautiful wife and four children. Mike is a man of faith who exhibits integrity and generosity in his business and personal relationships. In his free time, he enjoys surfing, snowboarding, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and most anything else that keeps his body and mind active.

Christopher Confero approaches every design with new and fresh ideas.  Deemed a “one man wonder,” his knowledge of floral design, lighting, graphics, space planning and décor allows him to offer full event development from concept to execution. Christopher’s background in the arts allows him to create full productions that go from the audition, to opening night, to closing curtain within a five-hour time span. Much planning and careful rehearsal go into these events — the lighting dramatic, the atmosphere sensual. Every detail is carefully thought out and designed to guarantee a memorable experience for his clients and their guests. Youth also gives him another level of design and style sense that most event “planners” do not have. His signature style, the marriage of tradition and luxury, combines traditional elements but insist they have meaning for today.

xx,