Today I'm chatting with Danielle Andrews, President and Co-Founder of the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada. Danielle and I met at a Wedding Industry Conference we were both speaking at so we decided that we would discuss why attending conferences matters to your wedding business.In the episode we discuss the importance of attending conferences, gaining hands-on experience, and keeping up with education in the industry. Find out more about WPICWant to meet other likeminded wedding pro's so that you can share ideas, network and help each other out? Then why not go ahead and join my free Wedding Pro community over on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/weddingprosreadytogrow/Find out more about how I can help you grow your wedding business over on my website or Instagram page:www.beccapountney.comwww.instagram.com/beccapountneyTime stamps:Importance of attending conferences [00:00:00] * Danielle and Becca discuss the importance of attending conferences to learn from others and improve event planning skills.Danielle's journey in the wedding industry [00:01:00] * Becca interviews Danielle about her journey in the wedding industry, from planning her own wedding to starting her own institute.Common mistakes in the wedding industry [00:07:05] * Danielle discusses the common mistake of "faking it til you make it" in the wedding industry and the importance of education and experience.Importance of gaining experience [00:08:34] The speakers discuss the importance of gaining experience in the wedding industry and how it can be done through job shadowing and volunteering.Building confidence and doing a photo shoot [00:10:15] The speakers talk about how experience and doing a photo shoot can help build confidence in the wedding industry.Benefits of attending conferences [00:14:43] The speakers discuss the benefits of attending conferences, including networking, learning best practices, and experiencing different aspects of the industry.Making the most of conferences [00:17:17] Tips on how to make the most of attending conferences, including researching seminars, networking, and attending non-wedding seminars.Importance of positivity at conferences [00:21:27] The importance of being positive and open-minded at conferences, and how negativity can affect networking opportunities.Recommendations for conferences [00:23:31] Recommendations for conferences based on niche, including Wedding MBA, Engage, DWP, and Love Mexico.Importance of Education and Conferences [00:26:34] Danielle and Becca discuss the importance of education and conferences in the wedding industry, and how they constantly update their information to keep up with the changing trends and technologies.Investing in Education [00:30:28] Becca and Danielle talk about the common mistake of dropping education when struggling with bookings, and how investing in education is an investment in your business that has a return on investment.Aha Moments from Conferences [00:33:33] Danielle shares her recent aha moments from online trainings and in-person conferences, particularly in gaining inspiration for event design and learning about marketing through reels.Learning Resources [00:34:11] Danielle and Becca discuss the importance of attending conferences and keeping...