VAWP 2026 Annual Education Conference
Rooted & Ready
Two days of connection, education, and fresh inspiration for Vermont's wedding and event professionals.
- December 9–10, 2026
- Hotel Champlain | Burlington, Vermont
Growing Together and Shaping the Future of Vermont's Wedding Industry
The wedding industry is always evolving, and growing a successful business means staying connected, informed, and ready for what's next.
The VAWP Annual Education Conference brings Vermont's wedding and event professionals together for two days of meaningful connections, fresh perspectives, and practical education.
Whether you're looking to strengthen your business, connect with fellow professionals, or gain new ideas to put into action, Rooted & Ready is an opportunity to learn, grow, and move forward together.
The Conference Experience
Two Days of Connection and Learning
Wednesday, December 9
Cocktail & Networking Reception
5:00 PM–7:00 PM | Mezzanine
Kick off the conference with an evening of conversation and connection.
Holiday Toy Drive: Bring a new unwrapped toy to support our holiday toy drive and be entered into a special raffle.
Thursday, December 10
Annual Education Conference
8:00 AM–5:00 PM
A full day of educational presentations, breakout sessions, networking, and opportunities to connect with industry professionals.
Opening keynote
Meghan Ely
OFD Consulting
Are You Ready for the New Way of Doing Business in Weddings?
The wedding industry is changing, and so are the couples we serve. From evolving priorities and expectations to the growing influence of social proof, today's wedding professionals need to rethink how they connect with and serve the next generation of clients.
Industry expert Meghan Ely will examine the current state of the wedding business and share practical strategies for navigating this evolving landscape. Learn how to adapt your approach, strengthen your reputation, and position your business for continued success.
Breakout Sessions
Learn from Industry Experts
From marketing and client communication to networking and long-term business planning, our breakout sessions are designed to address the challenges and opportunities wedding professionals face today. Each of our four breakout sessions will be offered twice, allowing attendees to choose two different presentations during the conference.
Nina Addeo
I Do Weddings
The Gen Z Booking Journey: What Couples Need to See Before They Inquire
Jen Sulak
Pink Hair Jen
Awkward Networking
Mike Kiesling
Edward Jones
Exit Planning: Start with the End in Mind
Katie Mast
Rock Paper Coin
Hard Conversations, Happy Clients: The Guide to Modern Conflict Resolution
Afternoon keynote
Mike Lanner
ETERNITY
Say “I Do” to AI: Practical Tools for Venues, Planners & Wedding Pros
In this closing keynote, Mike Lannen, founder of Eternity, a Burlington-based web design, digital marketing, and AI consulting firm, shows venues, planners, and vendors where AI saves the most time and where it should stay out of the way. This is not your average AI session. You’ll see live examples built for the wedding business, learn how couples now use ChatGPT to find and vet vendors, and leave with tools and prompts you can use Monday morning. Do more with less, and keep the personal connection couples hire you for.
Registration
Join Us for Rooted & Ready
Invest in your business, strengthen your industry connections, and gain fresh ideas to carry into the year ahead. Your conference registration includes both the Wednesday evening networking reception and Thursday's full day of educational programming.
VAWP Members
$325
Full two-day conference registration
Non-Members
$425
Full two-day conference registration
VENUE & ACCOMMODATIONS
Experience Burlington at Hotel Champlain
Located in the heart of downtown Burlington near the shores of Lake Champlain, Hotel Champlain provides a welcoming setting for two days of education, networking, and connection.
Join fellow wedding and event professionals in one of Vermont's most vibrant destinations, with downtown restaurants, shops, and waterfront attractions nearby.
- Hotel Champlain | 60 Battery S. Burlington, VT 05401
Staying Overnight?
Make the most of your conference experience by staying at Hotel Champlain. A dedicated reservation link is available for VAWP conference attendees.
OUR CONFERENCE SUPPORTERS
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The VAWP Annual Education Conference is made possible in part through the generous support of businesses that believe in the strength and continued growth of Vermont's wedding and event industry. We're grateful for their partnership and commitment to helping our professional community thrive.
Other Conference Sponsors
Host Venue: Hotel Champlain
Florals: Floral Vita
Florals: Honey Flora
Swag: Shelburne Gift Co.
Media Sponsors: Party Slate
Rentals: Vermont Tent Company
Linens: BBJ
Stationery: Over The Moon Stationary
Ice Cream: Mason Plas
Lounge Area: Assorted Artistries
Technology: Encore Event Production
Thanks to our Fireside Chat Panel
Catering: Daniel Sansom from Let’s Pretend Catering
Rentals: Emily Davis from Vermont Tent Company
Planner: Katie Hopkins from Katie Hopkins Events
Florist: Emily Kudlicak from Tipsy Tulip
Photographer: Keith MacDonald from Keith MacDonald Photography
Venue: Jessica Markey from the Woodstock Inn
Are You Ready for the New Way of Doing Business in Weddings?
About the Speaker
Meghan Ely is an award-winning wedding industry speaker, PR expert, and founder of OFD Consulting, a public relations agency that helps event professionals elevate their visibility through media strategy, thought leadership, and speaking opportunities. Recently, she published her first book, 20 Wedding PR Tips for 2026.
A sought-after voice in the industry, Meghan has taken the stage at top conferences including Wedding MBA, Landlocked Luxury, The Special Event, NACE Experience, and the Engage! Summit. Her most-requested speaking topics include wedding PR, editorial strategy, reputation management, brand positioning, and navigating press in the digital age.
Meghan’s publicity work through OFD Consulting has earned client features in major media outlets such as The New York Times, Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, People, Architectural Digest, and Style Me Pretty. Her campaigns have been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America, and RSVP Club recognized her as the 2025 US Educator of the Year.
In addition to her speaking and PR work, Meghan Ely is a past national president of WIPA and currently serves on the Allied Council for the National Society of Black Wedding and Event Professionals. She also leads the OFD Collective, a media membership community for wedding pros seeking to grow their press presence and speaking opportunities through education, live coaching, and ongoing editorial support.
About the Session
The wedding industry has undergone significant transformations, requiring pros to adjust their approach on many levels. Priorities have changed, and so has this new generation of couples that we’ll be seeing on our rosters for the year ahead. In this session, industry expert Meghan Ely will walk attendees through the state of the wedding business as we know it today and the impactful measures necessary to thrive in this evolving landscape.
What You'll Learn
- How the next generation of couples differs from previous generations
- Ways to adapt your business strategies to changing client needs and expectations
- Why social proof is increasingly important and how to use it to build credibility and trust
BREAKOUT SESSION
Nina Addeo
I Do Weddings
The Gen Z Booking Journey: What Couples Need to See Before They Inquire
About the Speaker
Speaker bio coming soon.
About the Session
Gen Z is entering the wedding market, bringing new expectations for how they discover, evaluate, and book wedding professionals. Marketing strategies that worked just a few years ago may no longer be enough to capture attention, establish trust, and turn interest into inquiries.
In this session, wedding marketing expert Nina Addeo will examine how today's couples research vendors, what influences their decisions, and the touchpoints that determine whether they reach out or move on. From websites and social media to reviews, email communication, and the overall client experience, attendees will learn how to create stronger first impressions and connect with the next generation of wedding clients.
You'll leave with practical strategies to strengthen your marketing, improve communication, and build trust without starting from scratch.
What You'll Learn
- How Gen Z couples research and evaluate wedding vendors
- Which types of content build trust and what causes potential clients to lose interest
- The website elements that influence inquiry and booking decisions
- How communication expectations have changed and what couples want from vendors
- Practical ways to update your marketing for today's wedding consumer
BREAKOUT SESSION
Jen Sulak
Pink Hair Jen
Awkward Networking
About the Speaker
Jen Sulak, known as "Pink Hair Jen," is a speaker, creative consultant, experimental artist, and podcast host who encourages people to embrace their individuality and build authentic connections.
Through her work with Weirdo Weddings Photography, Jen has created a welcoming space for people who often feel overlooked, misunderstood, or out of place. Her creative approach centers on helping others feel seen, heard, and empowered to show up as themselves.
As a speaker, Jen brings energy, creativity, and genuine connection to every conversation. She uses personal experiences and fresh perspectives to challenge traditional thinking, encourage meaningful dialogue, and inspire audiences to embrace their stories and approach their personal and professional lives with greater authenticity.
About the Session
Networking doesn't have to feel intimidating, even if you're introverted, experience social anxiety, or simply aren't sure how to start a conversation.
In this fun, interactive session, Pink-Haired Jen Sulak brings a fresh perspective to making meaningful connections. Through personal stories, creative exercises, and practical advice, Jen will help attendees rethink traditional networking and embrace the qualities that make them unique.
You'll leave with greater confidence, new ways to approach conversations, and practical ideas for building relationships that can make a lasting impact on your personal and professional life.
What You'll Learn
- Practical ways to navigate networking anxiety and uncomfortable social situations
- Strategies for making authentic connections and building meaningful relationships
- How to embrace your personal story and use what makes you unique
- How communication expectations have changed and what couples want from vendors
- Creative approaches to starting conversations and strengthening future connections
BREAKOUT SESSION
Mike Kiesling
Edward Jones
Exit Planning: Start with the End in Mind
About the Speaker
As an Edward Jones financial advisor, I believe it's important to invest my time to understand what you're working toward before you invest your money. It's also important to understand the level of risk you're comfortable accepting when investing so we can balance it with the steps necessary to reach your long-term goals.
Whether you're planning for retirement, saving for college for children or grandchildren, or just trying to protect the financial future of the ones you care for the most, we can work together to develop specific strategies to help you achieve your goals. We can also monitor your progress.
About the Session
Whether you're planning to step away from your business in a few years or decades from now, preparing for the future starts long before you're ready to leave.
In this session, Mike Kiesling of Edward Jones will discuss the importance of proactive exit planning and the steps business owners can take to prepare for a successful transition. From personal and financial considerations to the long-term needs of the business, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how thoughtful planning can create greater flexibility and confidence.
You'll learn why it's important to begin planning early, how to prepare for unexpected changes, and what to consider as you work toward your next chapter.
What You'll Learn
- Why exit planning should begin well before you're ready to leave your business
- The personal, financial, and business factors to consider when developing an exit strategy
- Steps you can take now to prepare for unexpected circumstances
- How proactive planning can support a smoother transition into your next chapter
BREAKOUT SESSION
Katie Mast
Rock Paper Coin
Hard Conversations, Happy Clients: The Guide to Modern Conflict Resolution
About the Speaker
Katie is a highly respected leader in the Wedding, Event, and Creative Industries. She has worked with renowned brands such as HoneyBook, The Rising Tide Society, Aisle Planner, and Rock Paper Coin. Having spent almost a decade as a business owner of a destination wedding and event planning company, Katie now dedicates her time working with companies to help them grow and develop their genuine communities, promote ongoing education and diversity, and build strong and healthy brand partnerships.
Katie is known for being the biggest advocate and the kindest hype-girl for the modern-day wedding industry. She is beloved by her colleagues and the community for her open heart to mentor, willingness to keep learning, deep-rooted love for encouragement, and genuine friendship.
Originally from California, Katie now lives in North Carolina with her husband Josh, their children Beckett and Olivia, and two beloved pups. She escapes to the coast whenever possible, enjoys her daily oat milk latte, and is a proud Enneagram 2.
About the Session
Conflict is an inevitable part of running a wedding business, but how you respond can make all the difference.
Today's wedding professionals navigate rising costs, longer planning timelines, instant digital communication, social media comparisons, and increasingly complex client expectations. Beyond managing events, budgets, contracts, and vendors, they're also managing emotions, family dynamics, decision fatigue, and the pressure surrounding one of life's most meaningful celebrations.
In this session, Katie Mast of Rock Paper Coin will share practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations with confidence and professionalism. Attendees will learn how to recognize potential conflicts early, establish healthy boundaries, and guide clients and vendor teams toward productive solutions.
You'll leave with communication frameworks, practical scripts, and tools to resolve tension while protecting relationships, strengthening your reputation, and supporting your business.
What You'll Learn
- How to recognize early signs of conflict before situations escalate
- Strategies for responding thoughtfully rather than reacting emotionally
- Ways to establish and maintain clear professional boundaries
- How communication expectations have changed and what couples want from vendors
- Practical scripts and communication frameworks for difficult conversations
- How to resolve tension while preserving client and vendor relationships
Afternoon keynote
Mike Lanner
ETERNITY
Say “I Do” to AI: Practical Tools for Venues, Planners & Wedding Pros
About the Speaker
Mike Lannen is the Founder and AI Whisperer at Eternity, a leading web design and AI consulting firm based in Burlington, Vermont. With nearly three decades of experience in digital innovation, Mike is a nationally recognized speaker, known for his engaging and insightful presentations on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. As an Eagle Scout and an openly neurodivergent professional, he brings unique perspectives to problem-solving and creative strategies. Mike is deeply committed to building user-friendly digital experiences and fostering authentic client relationships. Passionate about smart home technology and AI advancements, he remains at the forefront of innovation, empowering businesses to thrive in an increasingly automated world. Off the stage he is hanging out with his wife Mollie and their two lovely daughters.
About the Session
In this closing keynote, Mike Lannen, founder of Eternity, a Burlington-based web design, digital marketing, and AI consulting firm, shows venues, planners, and vendors where AI saves the most time and where it should stay out of the way. This is not your average AI session. You’ll see live examples built for the wedding business, learn how couples now use ChatGPT to find and vet vendors, and leave with tools and prompts you can use Monday morning. Do more with less, and keep the personal connection couples hire you for.