Oahu Wedding Association's saywhat: News, Information, & Gossip About Hawaii Wedding Professionals

OWA Needs Your Pictures!

The Oahu Wedding Association is designing the artwork for our 2011 marketing campaign, and we'd LOVE for you to be a part of it!

We're looking for original images that capture the essence of having a Hawaii wedding on Oahu, and if you have the right image, it may be featured in our print ads, website, and other ad media! To participate, simply email OWA Director of Marketing Eric Mansperger for image specs and other information. Having your image in our magazine ads, online presence, and other media is a great way of getting your name out and adding another quality "client" to your portfolio!

This invitation is for all OWA members, not just photographers! So wedding coordinators, videographers, DJs, florists, designers, etc., if you have the right picture, we'd love for you to submit it!

OWA/Hawaii Bridal Expo Opportunity: Secrets of The Pros

Hi All!

We are happy to announce that OWA will be hosting the Secrets of the Pros talks on the stage of the upcoming Hawaii Bridal Expo at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

We will be having a total of 5 talks over January 21st, 22nd, and the 23rd. We are looking for five sets of expert panels to speak at one of each five talks. We will be putting together a list of questions for you to answer (so you don’t have to come up with an entire presentation) and will be doing Q&A with the audience. All OWA members will have free admission and will be able to pick up their badges at the door.

This is an awesome opportunity for our members to represent themselves and our organization as industry leaders. Each talk will have slots available for all different groups of vendors, such as Coordinators, Photographers, Videographers, Florists, Venues, Catering, Cakes, Bridal Salons, Rentals, Entertainment, and any other wedding enhancement services.

The slots are going to be open for both OWA members as well as other companies participating in the January Expo. We would, of course, love to have as many OWA members represented as possible!

The tentative time slots are as follows:

Friday, January 21st :

#1 - 7:30pm

Saturday, January 22nd:

#2 - 12:30pm

#3 - 3:30pm

Sunday, January 23nd:

#4 - 12:30pm

#5 - 2:30pm

Please note that we do have limited slots so we’re on a first come, first serve basis. Please respond with your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd preferred time slots by Monday, January 10th. After we receive everyone’s time slot requests, we will be in contact with the finalized schedule as well as more information on the talk details.

Thank you!

Best,

Eric Mansperger
OWA Marketing Chair

Image courtesy GERALYN CAMARILLO / Hokulii Images

Seminar Invitation: "The Changing Face of Retail", November 17, Hilo Hattie's

OWA members, you may find this useful.

 

 

TTRA and AMA Hawaii present The Changing Face of Visitor Retail An Industry Luncheon Panel Featuring Marketing Director for Royal Hawaiian Center, Ms. "Sam" Shenkus Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Hilo Hattie, Mr. Carlton Kramer Vice President of Merchandising & Advertising for Maui Divers Jewelry, Mr. Doug Kreul Moderated by Senior Director of Market Insights for the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, Chris Kam Wednesday, November 17, 2010 11:30 am - 1:30 pm The NEW Hibiscus & Plumeria Meeting Rooms at Hilo Hattie's Flagship Store, 700 North Nimitz Highway FREE PARKING Menu Mixed Greens with Champagne Vinaigrette Sauteed Mahimahi with Lomi Tomato Beurre Blanc Lilikoi Mango Cheesecake with Fresh Berry Compote   11:30 am — Check-in and networking with light refreshments and entertainment Noon — Lunch is served 12:45 pm — Program begins over Kona coffee and dessert 1:30 pm — Aloha and mahalo When Wednesday, November 17, 2010 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM   Where Hilo Hattie's Flagship Store 700 North Nimitz Highway NEW Hibiscus & Plumeria Meeting Rooms Honolulu, HI 96817  When Wednesday, November 17, 2010 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM   Where Hilo Hattie's Flagship Store 700 North Nimitz Highway NEW Hibiscus & Plumeria Meeting Rooms Honolulu, HI 96817 FEE Event Registration Member Registration Fee - AMA      $30.00 Member Registration Fee - TTRA     $30.00 Non-member registration fee          $35.00  View Event Summary  RSVP Friday, November 12, 2010 Please respond by visiting the event registration page here.

Info on the OWA/NACE Hawaii Joint Meeting & Social, October 12

It's that time of year again!  Hawaii's two most influential wedding/special events organizations come together to throw their annual joint party and networking get-together for wedding & special event professionals!  Join us for an evening of great food, fun games, the annual Tabletop Design Contest, and much more!  This is your opportunity to expand your circle of colleagues by meeting members of both organizations and getting your name out.

Don't forget to bring LOTS of business cards.  You'll be passing them out all night!

Sheraton Waikiki Honolulu Suites 2255 Kalakaua Avenue Honoulu, HI 96815 Phone: 808-922-4422 Click Here for Map & Directions Click here to RSVP for special advance price of $40 per guest (NACE Hawaii members: Click here to register via NACE Hawaii's website)

Schedule of Events

3:30pm –	Designers & Teams to begin setting up in the Honolulu Suites
5:30pm –	Tabletop Design Contest Setup to conclude
6:00 pm –	Registration & Networking. Judging of tabletop designs to begin and continue through dinner.
6:45 pm –	Welcome of guests & audience Marino M. Regalado Certified Professional Master of Ceremonies Welcome & Brief Overview of Oahu Wedding Association Eugene Kam OWA President Welcome & Brief Overview by the Hawaii Chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives Herb Yamamoto NACE Hawaii President Welcome by Mary Eichholtz & Doreen Nozoe Sheraton Waikiki
7:00 pm –	No-Host Cocktails & dinner. Tabletop Design Contest judging to continue.
7:45 pm –	Tabletop Design Contest judging to conclude. Votes to be tabulated by OWA & NACE Hawaii boards. Interactive Teambuilding Games by David Louis of Dynamic Sounds and Marino M. Regalado of Ninja Entertainment
8:30 pm –	Announcement of Tabletop Design Contest winners Awarding of prizes. Formal program concludes.

The Menu Farm to Plate Kai-inspired Family Style First Course Caesar Salad with hearts of romaine & chili pepper Garlic Dressing Hamakua Tomato and Maui surfing feta cheese salad Balsamic Dressing Tarragon compressed kunai watermelon salad With feta cheese & Shaved Prosciutto Artisan Breads Served with Hummus & Soft Butter Entree Kai Market "Signature" Slow-Cooked Braised Short Ribs Served with Glazed Baby Carrots with thyme & Lehua Honey-Glazed Molokai Sweet Potato Mash and Kai Market Living Wall Herbs Fresh Fish of the Day Poached with Big Island Vanilla & Owen Kaneshiro's Garlic & Gingered Bok Choy Pork Tenderloin With Fiji Stuffing Dessert Bread Pudding Beverage Royal Kona Coffee Regular & Decaffeinated Assorted Herbal Teas Assorted beers, wines, soft drinks, juices, and bottled water At an additional cost

We'll see you there!

Hawaii Wedding Designers: Info on the OWA/NACE Hawaii Tabletop Design Contest

It's that time of year again, where we challenge the best creative minds in the Hawaii wedding industry for a night of fun and friendly competition with the Second Annual OWA/NACE Hawaii Tabletop Design Contest! This year's contest will expand on last year's event to make it more fun, challenging, and creative!

This year's contest happens during the NACE Hawaii/OWA joint meeting on Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at the Honolulu Suites at the Sheraton Waikiki. Setup begins at 3:30pm, with judging to begin at 6:00pm. This is your opportunity to showcase your creativity, your talents, your team's talents, and have some fun in the process. Cash prizes for the top designs!

Here are the contest rules:

• Teams will consist of a minimum of two people and a maximum of four people. Team members may belong to more than one team (e.g., a florist may contribute her talents to more than one team, if it's okay with the designers involved).
• There is a $40 entry fee per team.
• Team identities will be kept secret during judging, in order to keep the judging impartial and objective.
• Designers will be creating designs for a table of 10 guests.
• The Sheraton Waikiki will supply a standard banquet round table, chairs, linen, china, silver, and glassware from their own house supply, but you are invited to bring in your own in order to achieve a more original look. If you want to use the Sheraton equipment, please submit a list of your needs to Eugene or Herb so that they can request the items from the venue. We will need your list no later than Monday, Oct. 4th.
• You may begin to load-in and set up at 3:30pm, and you have two hours to set up, from 3:30-5:30pm. All decor must be brought on location that day and taken down at the end of the event.
• Bringing in specialty items that will require access to the loading dock? Please advise Herb or Eugene so that the hotel can be notified.
• Set-up location is in the Honolulu Suites. Your table and material, if you requested it in advance, will be ready for you when you arrive.
• You are limited to a budget of $250.
• This year's theme is Green/Sustainability.
• Judging: Your peers (NACE Hawaii & OWA members) who attend the meeting that night will anonymously judge and vote for their favorite designs during cocktail hour and dinner. Judging will close at the end of dinner, and winners will be announced at the end of the night.

Cash prizes (and a year's worth of bragging rights) for winning teams!
 

Images courtesy DAVE MIYAMOTO & Co.

Start thinking of your designs and putting together your teams, then let us know! To register your team for the event, please contact your organization’s President:

• NACE Hawaii – Herb Yamamoto / herby@hawaiicaterers.com / 220-8465
• OWA – Eugene Kam / OWAPres@gmail.com / 228-4278

We look forward to your innovative and original designs!

Hawaii Wedding Pros, Mark Your Calendars: This month's OWA Meeting

This month's Oahu Wedding Association General Membership Meeting will be on September 28, 2010 at the lovely Bayer Estate in Aina Haina, HI. Mark your calendars to be there for our Photographer's Showcase, where OWA photographers will showcase their best work and tell you about recent trends in Hawaii wedding photography.

The meeting is from 6-9pm. Cost is $10 each, up to 2 people per company; each additional employee is at $15 per person.

In addition to the Photographer's Showcase, Craig Matsumoto with Streams Hawaii will provide musical entertainment. Joe Ho with Mystical Sounds Productions will provide audiovisual services. And come taste some new and fantastic wines courtesy of Tamura's Fine Wines & Liquors! Special thanks to Suze Mirikitani with the Bayer Estate for hosting us.

Keep an eye out for the Punchbowl invitation & RSVP soon! We look forward to seeing you!

A Call for Teams for This Year's OWA/NACE Hawaii Tabletop Design Contest

The joint Oahu Wedding Association / NACE Hawaii Party is coming October 12, and the boards of directors for both associations are planning a very fun and lively networking event at the Sheraton Waikiki. A highlight of last year's party was the Tabletop Design Contest, which had six teams entered with the winning design produced by Kelly Sugano of A Perfect Day and Naomi Lee with Les Saisons.

 

Images courtesy DAVE MIYAMOTO & Co.

Last year, there were six very creative, very original, and very fresh design ideas. This year's Tabletop Design Contest promises to be bigger, better, and with new challenges...and we're looking for teams to showcase their creativity and talents! Do you have what it takes to be a part of the best teams of wedding & event professionals in Hawaii? This is a GREAT opportunity to showcase your product, service, and your genius!

    
Images courtesy DAVE MIYAMOTO & Co.

We will be announcing the design parameters very soon, but for now, we need you to start putting together your teams, brainstorming, and at the next NACE Hawaii & OWA meetings, we will be asking you to let us know if you and your teams are interested in participating!

    
 

Images courtesy DAVE MIYAMOTO & Co.

The boards of directors for the Oahu Wedding Association and NACE Hawaii are excited and look forward to your participation and creativity!

Social Media 101 Workshop for Hawaii Wedding Professionals

Sponsored by UHM Pacific New Media, the Oahu Wedding Association presents Social Media 101 on Tuesday, April 20, from 6-9pm, at the Pacific New Media Lab at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

Don't know where to begin with social media? Do you have FaceBook and Twitter accounts but don't have the slightest idea on what to do with them? Jeannemarie Viggiano will show you how.

Topics covered:

• FaceBook: Start your own personal page and fan page and why (if you already have them we'll go over how to leverage them better);
• Twitter: How to open your account and leverage your profile;
• LinkedIn: Professional site

Whether you are a complete newbie or a seasoned professional, come learn something new on how to use new social media to build your Hawaii wedding business. Jeannemarie will not simply be lecturing; this workshop will be hands-on!

The cost for this workshop is $25 and is limited to only 25 students. Email your RSVPs to Jeannemarie at info@jeannemariephoto.com TODAY to reserve your spot!

About Jeannemarie Viggiano: Jeannemarie is an award-winning Hawaii wedding photographer who uses social media extensively to promote her wedding photography business and to stay in touch with clients and friends. Prior to shooting weddings in Hawaii, she was a fashion industry art director in New York. Click here to visit her website and get more information on Jeannemarie.

We're Number 1! No Ka Oi!

According to The Knot, "Hawaii is No. 1 in the nation for casual weddings," reports Erika Engle in the February 18 online edition of the Honolulu Star Bulletin. Engle's report mentions that "half of the wedding ceremonies in Hawaii take place on a beach," as well as "38 percent of wedding receptions." The article also contains some useful wedding trends and statistics.

Read the full story here.

Image courtesy RICHARD WAINSCOAT/Ainakai Photography

February Oahu Wedding Association events

OWA members, mark your calendars for this month's events!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at 6pm: The OWA board will hold its monthly board meeting. The meeting is open to all members, so even if you aren't on the board, you are invited to join us and voice your thoughts and opinions. The board would love to hear from you as we chart the course for our association's marketing, operations, and direction for the rest of the year. The board meeting will be held at CoffeeTalk on Waialae Avenue.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 6pm: Join the Oahu Wedding Association for its monthly general meeting/party! Networking, informative presentations, and much more will in store for those who attend. The meeting will be held at the Waikiki Aquarium; cost to attend is $10 for members ($15 for guests), which includes dinner, an informative presentation by new media strategist Barbra An Pleadwell, tour of the Aquarium, and networking with some of the best wedding professionals on Oahu!

To RSVP for the general meeting on February 23, email OWA Secretary Cecilia Domingo at owasec@gmail.com for an invitation.

We look forward to seeing you!