BEYOND THE AISLE: Venue Sales, Strategy & Success
Event description
Book more weddings, boost revenue, and master venue sales — all in one power-packed day!
Beyond the Aisle is an exclusive, one-day event designed just for wedding venue owners, sales teams, and managers who are ready to book more weddings, convert more tours, and run a smoother, more profitable business.
With top industry experts, hands-on strategies, and real talk from people who actually know venues, you’ll walk away with game-changing insights you can implement immediately. Plus, with only 120 spots available, this intimate, high-impact event will sell out fast.
Don’t miss your chance to learn, network, and level up your venue—grab your ticket before it’s gone!
FULL DAY TICKETS & PRICING:
General Admission (by April 21st) - $195
Late Registration (by May 5th) - $225
Last Minute (by May 10th if seats still available) - $250
$50 Discount for Wedding Venue Map Members
SCHEDULE:
9:00AM – Check-In, Hot Espresso Bar by Kineo Coffee and Cold Brew Bar by Cafecito Mio, Light Bites by John Michael Catering presented in the Meeting Room
9:30AM – Welcome from Emcee Vanessa Negron of Sweet Miss V's in the Grand Ballroom
9:45AM - Snap, Plan, Profit: A Strategic Approach to Your Wedding Venue Photos Presented by Shantel Campbell
10:30AM – Persistent, Not Pushy: Mastering the Art of New Lead Inquiries presented by Ian Ramirez
11:45AM - Group Photo & Helper Hub Opens - Connect with businesses that support venues
12:00PM – Lunch Plated Salad and Buffet provided by John Michael Catering
1:15PM - The Power of Personalization: Why One-Size-Fits-All Tours Are Killing Your Sales presented by Shannon Tarrant
2:30PM - A Trendy Break
3:00PM – Panel Discussion: Trendy & Profitable – Wedding Trends That Boost Venue Revenue moderated by Paul Pettie and paneled by leading Central Florida wedding planners
- Anna Christine Events - Christy Subler
- The Chaos Coordinator - Shadow Anderson
- For the Love Of Events - Amanda Borrero
- Immaculate Events - Dieudonne Thomas-Wilson
- Melanie Paige Events - Melanie Snyder
4:00PM – Heart Leadership: The Power of Purpose, Connection, and Joy presented by Anthony Lambatos
4:45PM – Closing Remarks
HOTEL:
Traveling in from out of town or want to make a night of it?
Here's a list of our recommended hotels near the venue that are conveniently located near Colonial Town Park, a charming area with great restaurants.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Mary At Colonial Townpark
- Orlando Marriott Lake Mary
- Westin Lake Mary
- Residence Inn Orlando Lake Mary
HELPER HUB:
Running a wedding venue takes more than just bookings—it takes the right tools, resources, and expert support.
At the Helper Hub, you’ll meet hand-selected businesses that specialize in helping venues operate more efficiently, grow their sales, and solve common challenges.
Take advantage of the long lunch break to have real, in-person conversations with these industry pros, explore solutions tailored to your needs, and make valuable connections. Plus, they’ll be available all day—so whenever you’re ready, they’re here to help!
Featuring:
EVENT SPONSORS:
Event Design & Coordination
Food & Beverage
> Kineo Coffee Mobile Espresso Bar
> John Michael Catering and Weddings
Decor
Audio/Visual
HAIR & MAKEUP
SEMINAR DESCRIPTIONS AND SPEAKER BIOS:
Meet Your Emcee:
Bringing the energy, the fun, and just the right amount of sass, Vanessa Negron is your MC for the day! As the owner of Sweet Miss V's, a powerhouse cake and dessert company, she’s built a loyal following both in-person and on Instagram, mastering the art of connecting with couples and turning clients into raving fans.
You might also know her as the co-host of the Wedding Sassholes podcast, where she keeps it real about all things weddings and business. Get ready for a high-energy, no-BS, all-fun day with Vanessa keeping the momentum going!
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Snap, Plan, Profit: A Strategic Approach to Your Wedding Venue Photos
Description: High-quality venue photos are one of the most powerful yet often overlooked advertising tools in your arsenal! Displaying the right photos is critical to every wedding venue’s marketing strategy and profitability because they both serve as the first impression and set you apart. Many venues take a “set it and forget it” approach with their imagery, but this session will equip you with a clear plan to acquire fresh content effortlessly, curate your venue photos, and strategically use these images online to boost website traffic and bookings.
Attendees will leave with...
- A step-by-step plan for chasing down photographers
- Learning how to choose your top marketable venue images
- HOW to best utilize your photos across your website, social media, and wedding profiles to boost website traffic and bookings.
Presented by Shantel Campbell
Shantel’s journey in the wedding industry began in 2013 as the Marketing Manager for Orlando’s top catering company, Arthur’s Catering. With a strong background in marketing strategy, graphic design, social media management, and digital advertising, she has helped elevate brands and drive business growth.
Throughout her career, she has led the marketing efforts for some of Central Florida’s most sought-after wedding venues, including Casa Feliz, Howey Mansion, and Tavares Pavilion. As the owner of IDO Marketing, she’s here to help you take a critical look at a foundational piece of your venue so you can increase visibility, attract your ideal couples, and grow your business!
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Persistent, Not Pushy: Mastering the Art of New Lead Inquiries
In today’s wedding industry, venues face The Great Ignore—where engaged couples inquire, then disappear into the void. With a generation accustomed to ghosting and avoiding sales pressure, how do you stay top of mind without feeling like a pest? This session will teach you the difference between being persistent and being pushy, equipping you with follow-up strategies that add value, build trust, and ultimately lead to more conversations and bookings.
Attendees will leave…
- Discovering how to make every touchpoint feel helpful, not salesy, so couples want to keep the conversation going.
- Getting a proven timeline and cadence strategy to re-engage leads without overwhelming them.
- Learning how to leverage email and text automation to stay in front of couples—without losing the personal touch.
Presented by Ian Ramirez
Named one of Houston Business Journal's 40 Under 40, Ian José Ramirez, CSEP, is the Co-Owner of Madera Estates and Co-Founder of the Venue Help Desk, a WeddingPro Educator, and a passionate wedding venue expert and educator in the wedding and event industry.
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The Power of Personalization: Why One-Size-Fits-All Tours Are Killing Your Sales
If your venue tours feel more like a routine than a relationship-builder, you’re leaving bookings on the table. In this session, you’ll learn how to ditch the cookie-cutter approach and create personalized experiences that resonate with each couple. Stop giving tours that blend in—start giving tours that book.
Attendees will leave…
- Knowing how to uncover key details before the tour to tailor the experience
- With strategies to incorporate thoughtful, unexpected touches that make tours unforgettable
- Equipped with tech tools to help couples visualize their perfect day
Presented by Shannon Tarrant
Shannon Tarrant is on a mission to help event pros learn a proven system for success. With over 20 years as an off-site caterer and then venue manager, she developed both companies into local powerhouses.
A professional go-getter today, she is a no-bs speaker and the co-host of The Wedding Sassholes podcast, sharing her industry wisdom while running her own businesses - Wedding Venue Map and Venue Help Desk.
Shannon tells it like it is, whether you’re ready for it or not.
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Panel Discussion: Trendy & Profitable – Wedding Trends That Boost Venue Revenue
Wedding trends are ever-changing, but one thing remains constant—couples are willing to pay for what’s trending! From jaw-dropping décor to immersive guest experiences, staying ahead of the trends isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about increasing your bottom line.
In this dynamic panel discussion, Paul Pettie will lead a conversation with top wedding planners who live and breathe trends every day. They’ll share insider insights on what couples are asking for, where trends are headed, and how venues can package and monetize these trends for maximum impact.
Key Takeaways:
- Spotting What’s Hot – Learn how wedding planners identify emerging trends and how venues can adapt them into sellable upgrades that today’s couples crave.
- Short-Term Fads vs. Long-Term Profit – Get expert strategies on how to capitalize on trends quickly while integrating evergreen elements that keep your venue profitable year after year.
- Standing Out from the Competition – Discover the must-have offerings that make planners recommend your venue first—and why exclusive, trend-forward experiences make all the difference.
Panel: Leading Wedding Planners | Moderator: Paul Pettie
With an extensive marketing career that includes collaborations with major brands like Capital One, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Walt Disney World, Paul Pettie brings a wealth of corporate experience to the wedding and event industry.
As the Business Development Director, Paul has achieved remarkable success. Under his leadership, Madera Estates has seen its tour-to-close conversion rate double from 20% to 40%. His strategic initiatives and innovative approaches have been integral in helping the venue achieve multiple six-figure revenues over the past three years.
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Heart Leadership: The Power of Purpose, Connection, and Joy
Whether you are in a leadership position or not, the way you show up every day has a significant impact on the people around you. In this inspiring keynote, Anthony shares the essence of “Heart Leadership”, a paradigm where understanding and authenticity aren’t just nice-to-haves but critical assets for anyone looking to develop as a respected leader. You’ll learn how to stay energized in our high-pressure industry and how to lead through adversity with resilience. Whether you’re seeking to refine your leadership style or want to be more intentional about your influence, “Heart Leadership” is key to having a positive impact on the people in your life.
Attendees will leave with -
- Strategies to integrate fun and productivity for a stronger team
- The tools to build authentic connections at work
- A purpose-driven approach to leadership and resilience
Presented by Anthony Lambatos
Anthony Lambatos grew up in the catering business working for his father and founder of Footers Catering in Denver, Colorado. Anthony and his wife, April, purchased the business in 2010 and have successfully made the transition to a second-generation family business. They recently moved Footers Catering into a new facility that will also house their newest venture – an event center called Social Capitol.
Anthony is passionate about helping other companies create great places to work and inspiring people with heart leadership and does that through his sister company MIBE (acronym for make it better everyday).
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
