engage!09 :: something blue scholarship awarded to...

Wow. We were totally overwhelmed with the number of applications received for the engage!09 :: something blue scholarship! We laughed, we cried, our hearts were touched, we were moved and most of all, we were very, very, very torn. In the perfect world, we would award each and every one of you a scholarship but of course, that is not possible.

We are pleased however, to announce that the panel ultimately chose Monica Gill of The White Box of Wedding Design based in Milwaukee, WI to receive the first ever engage! Scholarship. We have just called Monica to share this news and she is of course, shocked and thrilled to have the opportunity to join us in Grand Cayman June 21-24, 2009.

Monica truly is a ‘rising star’ in the wedding industry — we loved her thoughtful essay and candid words. We also love her sense of style and her innovative approach: “gently guiding a bride” and “offering a ‘new generation’ of wedding consulting” in her stunning studio in the heart of Milwaukee. She is young and vibrant and seems to ‘get it’ on every level. Be sure to visit her gorgeous, clean and simple website at www.whiteboxwedding.com. We have a feeling we just might be learning a thing or two from Monica along the way ! We cannot wait!


For those of you who did not receive the scholarship, we would still be honored to have you join us at the event but understand if circumstances do not allow this time around.

Congratulations to Monica and thank you again to each of and every one of you for sharing your story with us. In our eyes – you are all * stars! *

Rebecca & Kathryn

engage!09 Scholarship Opportunity!!!!

We recognize that there are many “rising stars” in this amazing industry and want to afford those who may not be in a financial position to attend this event an opportunity to do so.  We’re thrilled to be able to offer a scholarship to one very deserving recipient to attend engage!09 something blue.  This scholarship will cover the $2000 attendance fee and the recipient will be responsible for travel costs and accommodations.  So, without further ado, here are the details.  

In 400 words or less, please tell us why you are most deserving of this opportunity, what you hope to gain, personally and professionally, by attending this event and what aspects of engage!09 appeal to you most.     

All submissions must be emailed to engage@engagingconcepts.com no later than 5pm EST Friday, January 23 with the subject line:  engage! scholarship.  You must include your name, company name, and link to your website and blog (if applicable).  A panel of engage!09 speakers will review the submissions anonymously to determine the recipient.  Recipient will be notified and announced right here on the engage!09 blog at 12pm on Friday, January 30.

Best of luck!

SPEAKERS

Many of the top names in the luxury wedding industry will be on hand to share their candid insight, unique perspectives and best advice for staying on top in these challenging times!

Confirmed speakers include ::

Darcy Miller – Martha Stewart Weddings 

Preston Bailey – Preston Bailey Designs 

Millie Martini Bratten – BRIDE’S Magazine

Carley Roney - The Knot

Sylvia Weinstock – Sylvia Weinstock Cakes

Antonia van der Meer – Modern Bride & Elegant Bride Magazines

Rosie Amodio - In Style Weddings

Marcy Blum –Eventiste

Bee Kim - WeddingBee.com

Susan Moynihan – Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine 

Lara Casey – Southern Weddings Magazine

Michelle Rago – Michelle Rago, LTD

Randy Fenoli - Kleinfeld Bridal

Sean Low – Preston Bailey Designs

Harmony Walton – The Bridal Bar and Get Married Television 

Abby Larson – Style Me Pretty

Laura Novak – Laura Novak Photography

Liene Stevens – The Smart Planner 

Alison Hotchkiss – alison events llc

Thayer Allyson Gowdy - Thayer Photo

Joanne Brown – Celebrations LTD 

Simon T. Bailey - “Release Your Brilliance”

Rebecca Grinnals & Kathryn Arce – Engaging Concepts 

Don't miss this unprecedented gathering of many of the most respected and accomplished leaders in the wedding industry today for intimate, up-close and candis discussions on today's wedding market and the opportunities and challenges that face us all! Learn much more at www.engage09.com

PROGRAM

Based on attendee feedback from the first two engage! events, we have expanded the program, in terms of number of speakers as well as time, to interact and connect in a meaningful and impactful way - both formally and informally. A sample of the planned program includes ::

Sunday  21 June

Arrivals throughout the day of speakers and attendees

Evening Welcome Beach Party at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Monday 22 June

Continental Breakfast

Welcome, Introductions and State of the Wedding Industry Address

Unveiling of "The 2009 Best of Weddings from The Knot" by Carley Roney

Releasing Your Brilliance with Simon T. Bailey

Networking Luncheon

Conversations with: Darcy Miller, Millie Martini Bratten & Antonia van der Meer 

"Inside the Wedding Studio" with Preston Bailey, Marcy Blum & Sylvia Weinstock

Intimate Dine Arounds at Grand Cayman's finest restaurants, hosted by our VIP Speakers

Desserts & a Nightcap poolside at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Tuesday 23 June

Continental Breakfast

(4) 50-minute Small Group, Interactive Business Breakout Sessions featuring: Sean Low, Harmony Walton, Laura Novak, Michelle Rago, Randy Fenoli, Susan Moynihan, Lara Casey, Abby Larson, Liene Stevens, Alison Hotchkiss, Thayer Allyson Gowdy and Joanne Brown

Afternoon on own to enjoy Grand Cayman: beach, spa, snorkel, swim with the Stingrays, shop, explore and more!

"Something Blue" Dinner Celebration

Wednesday 24 June

Morning at leisure

Departures throughout day

TRAVEL

ACCOMMODATIONS

The host resort for engage!09 :: something blue is the award-winning, 5-Diamond The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

Special room rates are being offered at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman for $249.00 plus tax and resort fee.  

AIR

Grand Cayman is located in the British West Indies just 1 hour and 10 minutes from Miami.  It is served by a number of direct flights from major gateway cities such as New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Charlotte, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, London and Toronto on Cayman Airways, American Airlines, Spirit, Delta, Continental, US Airways, Air Canada and British Airways. Connecting flights are widely available through these cities.

A special engage!09 :: something blue desk will be set up at Cayman Airways for attendees beginning February 2, 2009 to assist with airline bookings and to offer special group rates.  More information will soon follow.

PASSPORTS

Please note that a valid Passport is REQUIRED to travel to the Cayman Islands and upon re-entry to the United States. Please plan accordingly and ensure that your travel documents are up to date well in advance of June!

EXTENDED STAY

For those wishing to spend a few extra days in paradise - we invite you to do so!  The special room rate will be extended for a limited time and we are happy to guide you in planning a fun-filled and relaxing getaway in this tropical island setting.

COST

The cost to attend engage!09 is $2000 per person. Aside from the unprecedented opportunity to connect with the “best of the best” in the luxury wedding industry in an intimate setting at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman*, this summit will include :: 

   -Round-trip ground transfers in Grand Cayman to and from Owen Roberts Airport and The Ritz-Carlton,Grand Cayman   

   -Welcome Party on Seven Mile Beach Sunday evening

   - (2) Continental Breakfasts 

   -Monday's educational and inspirational symposium 

   -Wedding Industry Networking Luncheon

   -Unique small group "Dine-Around" hosted by our VIP speakers at one of Grand   Cayman's finest restaurants

   -Desserts and Nightcaps following Dine-Around

   -Four (50)-minute targeted business breakout sessions  

   -Something Blue Dinner Celebration

And of course you’ll have time to explore and experience fabulous Grand Cayman during the afternoon before the celebratory gala dinner Tuesday evening. 

Not to mention - plenty of surprises in addition to our infamous swag bags!!

Special room rates are available at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman of $249.00 per room plus taxes and resort fees.

Registration will open Monday, February 2, 2009 at 9am est via the website and will be limited to only 125 registrants in order to keep the event intimate and impactful.  The first two engage! events SOLD OUT and we expect to do the same with engage!09 so plan accordingly.  Fully paid registration ensures your spot.  Payment may be made via Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Check and PayPal.

Registration is non-refundable but is transferrable.

*Please note::  aside from the VIP Dine-Around, all events are taking place at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.  Airport transfers are only included to and from Owen Roberts International Airport and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

Announcing the Official Launch of the engage!09 Website

We are thrilled to officially announce the launch of www.engage09.com  with all of the details of engage!09 :: something blue at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman June 21-24, 2009.

Stay tuned to this blog for updates along the way including registration announcements, speaker spotlights, travel details, sponsors, attendee news and so much more!!

We cannot wait to see you all in Grand Cayman for what promises to be an extraordinary event!!