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

Knot Party Invitation

Oahu Wedding Association members! The Knot is throwing a fabulous party for wedding industry people, and you're invited! We hope to see you there.

Cocktails & Connections hosted by The Knot with Darbie Sherwood WHAT: Join us for fabulous cocktails, delicious treats and live music to keep you networking all night. Mingle with O'ahu's savviest wedding industry professionals and get a sneak peek at what's new at The Knot! WHEN: August 23 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. WHERE: YWCA of O'ahu Laniakea Center 1040 Richards Street Honolulu, HI 96813 Valet parking available Space is limited so RSVP by August 18!

 

Wedding vendors, if you haven’t registered already for “Cocktails & Connections” hosted by The Knot, please do so today!  This cocktail party is open to all wedding vendors (advertisers and non-advertisers)!  Space is limited, so please RSVP today!

Click here to register  http://www.theknot.com/RSVP/Oahu2011

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!

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.

SEO Seminars for Hawaii Wedding Professionals

On the heels of Jeannemarie Viggiano's upcoming Social Media 101 Workshop on April 20 comes seminars on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) by Ben Marumoto, OWA member and owner of Hawaii Web Pros & Hawaii SEO Seminars. Ben's seminars will be on May 5 at the Dole Ballrooms.

There will be two seminars: a FREE, one-hour introductory seminar in which Ben will introduce the basics, possibilities, and business potential of SEO, and a second value-added full seminar that will get more in-depth. Click here for more info on each seminar.

The free introductory seminar is from 8:30-9:30am on May 5. The full seminar is from 10:30am-4:00pm and includes a one hour lunch break and time for questions. Seating is extremely limited.

A discount of 20% off your investment in the full seminar is available for OWA members; contact Ben Marumoto or OWA Past President Dave Miyamoto for the discount code.

If you've always wanted to improve your search engine rankings and even get on Google's Page 1 above the fold, then Ben's seminars will definitely be worth your time.

Click here to register for the Hawaii SEO Seminars.

OWA Members: Visit Hawaii Bridal Expo FREE (well, almost)

This is HOT OFF THE PRESS: Oahu Wedding Association member Brad Buckles, producer of Hawaii Bridal Expo, is extending a great offer for OWA members. Come by and visit his show at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall on Friday, January 22, and get in for almost free. Just bring in a canned good donation.

Come by and visit other Hawaii wedding professionals, support our local wedding industry, and make a donation for a great cause.

OWA meeting locations

We are so fortunate to have awesome members host our meetings. Its so cool to check out our members shop and meet the people behind the company name.