Frequently Asked Questions
What is WEN?
Formed in 1997, WEN is an acronym for “The Wedding and Event Network.” It is a networking group for wedding and event professionals. Members are florists, event planners, DJs, musicians, ministers, wedding venues, wedding publications, caterers, travel agents and any other specialty vendors in the wedding and event industry. The group provides an opportunity to meet together once per month to shake hands and trade business cards with others within the industry.
In addition to showcasing the host venue, each meeting will “feature” a few vendors such as a photographer to capture the event for a write up and a slide show on WENaz.com after the meeting, a caterer to provide some hors d’oveurs, a DJ or musician to provide some entertainment, a florist to provide a few centerpieces and a specialty vendor or two for some fun and flavor. The network operates largely on the trading of professional favors for the exposure to other professionals in the industry across all fields of expertise.
WEN meetings have no agenda or educational content. Many WEN members are also members of their various professional associations and receive educational content from those meetings, leaving attendees free to network and make personal contacts.
The blog on WENaz.com enhances that networking function by providing a forum for various professionals to educate others and add to the excellence in the industry by inviting “Guest bloggers” to write about inter-industry topics on a regular basis.
Where are the meetings?
Meetings are hosted at various locations across the Phoenix Metropolitan area each month, typically at hotels, golf clubs, bridal boutiques and other meeting spaces. Invitations go out by email two weeks in advance. Please send a note to wenaz1@cox.net for inclusion on that list. An announcement is made on Facebook as soon as the upcoming meeting is scheduled and the current meeting has passed.
When are the meetings held?
Meetings are typically held on 4th Thursdays each month from 630 in the evening until 830. The night is adjusted on rare occasions to accommodate holidays or major industry functions.
Should I/How do I send an RSVP?
We are glad to have anybody attend who wishes to attend- whether they sent an RSVP or not. Please come and participate with us. To provide a head count a couple of days in advance to the host venue and the caterer is very important and it’s the polite thing to do, so please let us know you are coming. WEN also prepares nametags for attendees. If you only become available late in the day to attend, we have “Hello, My name is” tags available.
Meeting invitations are sent by email about 2 weeks in advance of a meeting and then again as a reminder 1 week in advance and then finally on the day of. Please don’t respond to the address from whence it came. Send a note to wenaz1@cox.net with your name, company name and the names and companies of your guests or co-workers.
How should I dress?
Attendees dress in business casual. This industry attracts several artistic and creative people so it can vary wildly from suits and ties to jeans and button down shirts. As you meet people, you will want to appear in the manner that you wish to be seen to promote yourself, your abilities and the nature of your business.
Can I host a meeting?
Sure! The facility needs to be part of the wedding and event industry and have accommodations for more than 100 people and be reasonably close to the city center. Send an inquiry to wenaz1@cox.net for further details.
Can I be a featured vendor?
Absolutely. We often keep a notebook at the check-in table for interested vendors. Just put your name in the category that you wish to be featured in and we’ll find an event that would provide the best opportunity for you to display your wares and abilities.
Our email list is substantial and your name and/or logo will be featured on the email blasts across the industry, the Facebook page and the meeting write up on wenaz.com so even those who do not attend the meeting will have a chance to see it.
Can I bring my promotional materials and business cards?
Of course! We always have a table to put out business cards and other promotional material for others to view and pick up at the end of the meeting. Also, keep a handful of business cards in your pocket to hand to people as you meet them.
How much does it cost to attend a meeting/become a member?
The door fee is always $10 per person. New vendors are welcome to attend one meeting without becoming a member to see if it is a “fit.” We are confident in the value of WEN and we hope that attendees will see the benefit of networking in this setting and will wish to become members. Membership is $75 per year. One membership per organization and you can bring your staff under that umbrella for the door fee per person.
How do I become a member?
You can find a PayPal link at the bottom of any page here on WENaz.com to purchase a $75 annual membership with your credit card. You can also purchase or renew a membership at any one of the meetings with cash or a check.
Will I be able to use the WEN email list for my company newletter/sales specials/open houses etc?
When addresses are added to the email list, it is with the understanding that we don’t sell or use the list for any other purpose but WEN business and meeting invitations. Members who attend regularly will develop contact lists of thier own for use when such needs arise.
What do I get for my membership?
You will get a listing on the membership roster here on WENaz.com which is used by many in the industry as a resource when finding event professionals. The bigger value is in attending meetings. It only takes a handshake to become the beginning of a profitable professional relationship. We hope you’ll attend as often as your schedule allows so that the opportunity for that handshake is not diminished. Attendance ebbs and flows each month with new attendees, regular attendees and even past members renewing.
I’d love to participate but I can’t attend on Thursdays because of night classes, scouts, sports etc. What can I do?
We have chosen a night that suits the nature of our industry. Most work their crafts on the weekends. Other industry associations and functions generally block out 4th Thursdays to allow for our meeting and we appreciate it. Very rarely, we change the date to accommodate a major holiday or a major industry function. Perhaps you could consider participation as a guest blogger or the using the ad space on our front page. In any case, use the contact page to request inclusion on the email list for invitations to meetings. Perhaps you can attend at some time in the future.