What an absolute whirlwind of inspiration, strategy, and pure breakthrough energy! I’m finally back at my desk after spending an incredible few days in Orlando for the 2026 Wedding Pro CEO Summit. I attend quite a few industry events, but there is something truly magical about a room filled entirely with wedding industry leaders who are ready to stop just "hustling" and start truly scaling.
Before the summit even officially kicked off, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the phenomenal Brandee Gaar, CEO and Founder of Wedding Pro CEO, for a podcast episode. We gave everyone a sneak peek of what was coming up at the conference, diving deep into what it really takes to move from operator to true CEO. If you listened to that episode, you know we were already amped up—but nothing could have prepared me for the magic that happens when you put all that energy into one room.
The overarching theme of this year's summit was "Turn Down the Noise," and Brandee set the perfect tone during her opening keynote. In an industry where we are constantly bombarded with competing strategies, algorithm shifts, and endless advice, it’s incredibly easy to stay busy without actually being focused. The entire week was dedicated to cutting through that clutter to focus on what actually moves our businesses forward: Marketing, Sales, Profit, and Team.
What makes the Wedding Pro CEO Summit so distinct is that it isn’t just about passive listening; Wednesday was a full Workshop & Implementation Day where we rolled up our sleeves to work on our businesses. The tracks were packed with brilliant minds tackling the exact bottlenecks we face as CEOs.
In operations and tech, Katy Padilla showed us how to build a truly AI-powered wedding business, while Erica Jankowski broke down how a "marketing team of one" can use AI systems to reclaim over 10 hours of work a week. On the legal side, Braden Drake hosted a live "Legal Audit" workshop to help attendees identify contract exposures, and Kiley King from Hot Take HR delivered an eye-opening session on compliance and worker classification.
For those looking to step out of the daily grind, Susan Southerland mapped out how to build a middle-management structure, and Georgia DeFrancisco provided a powerful framework for delegating without creating chaos. We also leaned heavily into sales, with Feyisola Ogunfemi giving an amazing blueprint for selling your team and process rather than just yourself, and Taylor Hedden showcasing how to craft high-end proposals that make saying "yes" effortless for luxury clients. Between those deep dives, Michelle Taylor's wealth strategy sessions, and Angelica Pompy's breakdown on driving actual profit from social media, attendees left with true, tangible momentum.
Kristin Hubbard, CEO of Our DJ Rocks, and her Director of Sales, Jennie Smith, introduced "The Dandelion Effect." They shared a powerful framework showing how true branding goes way beyond fonts and logos, proving it must be deeply rooted in your values and carried entirely through your culture, sales, and client experience.
Susan Southerland hosted a hands-on workshop focused on building middle management, breaking down the leadership structures needed to define ownership so your business can maintain high standards without you acting as the bottleneck. We also leaned heavily into perfecting our operations with Taylor Hedden, who led a practical session on mapping the client journey from inquiry to delivery. She helped us pinpoint exactly where to automate, what to delegate, and where we need to lead to create a high-touch experience that practically sells itself. Between these deep dives and the rest of the incredible lineup, attendees left with true, tangible momentum.
On Tuesday afternoon, I had the honor of taking the main stage to speak to this room of brilliant CEOs. My topic is one that I am deeply passionate about: "Culture Is Not a Vibe. It's a Business Strategy."
In the creative world, we talk a lot about "company vibes"—the fun team dinners, the beautiful aesthetics, or the flexible schedules. But I wanted to cut right through the fluff.
True company culture isn't what you say it is on your website; it is the exact system that drives performance, protects your financial margins, and dictates how your business operates when you are completely out of the room. I challenged everyone to look at culture as a framework rooted in concrete standards, true accountability, and relentless consistency. At the end of the day, your culture is simply what your team actually does under pressure.
Building a sustainable business means building a team that can execute at a high level without you constantly overseeing them, and I hope everyone walked away with a blueprint to make that a reality.
As we wrapped things up with the farewell breakfast on Thursday, the final charge to the room was simple: Find your one thing and execute relentlessly.
I want to extend a massive thank you to Brandee Gaar and the entire Wedding Pro CEO team for putting together such a high-impact, transformative event. It was an absolute privilege to speak, to sponsor, and to learn alongside all of you.
To every CEO I met, spoke with, or shared a laugh with in Orlando—let's keep turning down the noise, stepping into our power, and building businesses that serve our lives. I can't wait to see how much we've all grown by the time the next summit rolls around!
A huge shout-out to all the sponsors that made this event possible!
Planning and Design: @blushbbg
Floral Design: @bluegrasschicfloral
Furniture: @gala_rental
Photo: @angelikakrugphotofilm
Production/DJ: @irock.us
Signage + Paper: @dbsinvitations
Photobooth: @photoboothrocks
DJ: @ourdjrocks
Stage: @eventworksrentals
Sweatshirts: @comeleonsupplyco
Coffee Bar: @kineocoffee
Draping: @swagdecor
Venue: @alfondinnweddings
Floral Software: @detailsflowers
Small Business HR & Recruiting: @hottakehr