Behind The Veil

Behind The Veil: The Knot Real Weddings Study and BudgetingThe Knot and Wedding Wire are the main sources that couples use for finding and booking vendors.  it is also where many of them go to get their information.  Find out where they get their numbers and more!Our guest: Tom Chelednik, North America Director of Vendor Engagement, The Knot WorldwideTom Chelednik, North America Director of Vendor Engagement, The Knot WorldwideTom Chelednik has over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing, with 16 specifically in the wedding industry. From 2008 - 2020, Tom held several sales positions at The Knot, including Regional Director of Sales and Director of Training and Enablement. He led teams instrumental in growing and retaining new business across 20 states and Canada, ultimately helping wedding professionals book more weddings and grow their businesses. During his time at The Knot, Tom traveled the country 70% of each year to speak with and learn from wedding professionals. Tom is passionate about sharing the knowledge he has gained over the years and continues to coach pros, specifically to help them increase their leads and bookings. In addition to The Knot, Tom was the COO of The Treasury Venue Collection in St. Augustine, Florida, where he learned firsthand what it was like to operate a wedding venue. During that time, he also helped build an online learning platform called Venue Profit Pro, designed for wedding venues nationwide to improve their marketing and sales results.  Tom rejoined The Knot Worldwide in the summer of 2022 and is now The Director of Vendor Engagement. When he's not traveling around the country, Tom spends time with his family, which now includes three grandchildren.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Behind the Veil: luxury lifestyle conciergeThe most valuable asset we posses is time. When planning a wedding, a honeymoon, or any escape, having a someone to take care of every detail could be immeasurable!Our Guest: Shauna Norton - Founder of Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life)Known for her attention to detail, she stands as the owner of a thriving Lifestyle Concierge service. With a proven track record in project management and a knack for strategic problem-solving, Shauna is a versatile entrepreneur who has honed her skills across various industries. Her expertise spans operations management, financial planning, and event execution.Dolce Vita is the vision of founder Shauna Norton, a Jamaican native who grew up in the US. Possessing a lifelong love of travel and new experiences, Shauna has traveled extensively. Throughout her experiences, has forged an extensive network of contacts and sources that allows Dolce Vita Concierge to deliver a broad world of services to clients inside and outside the US.Shauna Norton holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida International University. With licenses including SIE, Series 6, and 63, she combines academic excellence with financial expertise.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Ever want to know what really goes on behind the scenes on "Say Yes To The Dress"?  Or wish you could ask a burning question to one of the stars about your wedding dress?  This coming Tuesday is your chance!This week we welcome the amazing Monte Durham - one of the stars from TV's Say Yes To The Dress Atlanta.Finding the right dress has never been easy for most brides.  The idea of going shopping for a dress downright scares some brides.  But now, throw in issues with fabrication, transportation, and labor, and the perfect dress can be something nightmares are made of.Monte's whole job is to take that complicated mess and bring it down to easy to digest small bites, that allow you to stay in the joy zone while also giving you sound advice about what is, and what is not, your perfect dress.Monte Durham the Fashion Director at Bridals by Lori, the South’s premier bridal salon featured on TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta. A native of small-town West Virginia, Monte describes his ascension from one-room schoolhouse to the fashion industry an unlikely story. Before he found his way to bridal, Monte worked in fashion merchandising and hair styling, then made a name for himself as a Washington, D.C.-based bridal image consultant. His work has appeared in the pages of The Washingtonian, Martha Stewart Living, Brides Magazine, and several other publications. Monte’s no-nonsense fashion commentary and naughty sense of humor have made him a favorite and regular guest on CNN and Fox. Monte’s current project is building the M.O.N.T.E. brand, a line of hair care line that’s sold in Salon MONTE Located in the Watermark in Historic Old Town Alexandria.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Being a wedding planner - The good the bad and the not so prettyWhen you tell someone that you are an event and wedding planner, most think they know what you do.  In reality, there is so much more to, and the job is different for every client.Our Guest: Marina Luri-ClarkMarina Luri-Clark is the owner and creative director at Marina Luri Events, an event planning & design company with offices in New York, Connecticut, and Italy. With over 20 years of international experience in the event industry, Marina has successfully and creatively executed events throughout the United States and Europe. Some of her past accomplishments include a birthday celebration with a concert by  Beyonce, a Polo tournament & gala on a private island, and several high-profile weddings - including a recent collaboration with Level by Toni Breiss for Tiffany Trump & Michael Boulos.Continuously mercurial, Marina’s creative ideas, exceptional attention to detail, and calm demeanor make her one of the most sought-after event professionals. Her unparalleled work ethic, enthusiasm and passion are evident in every project she takes on. Her international upbringing, fashion experience and extensive travel have cultivated her love of unique locations, art and design which she graciously weaves into every event. Couples love her ability to be cool under fire – and CEO’s admire the way she innovatively problem solves and negotiates. Both know that she will do whatever it takes to deliver a flawless eventSupport the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Bringing Flair & Excitement to Your Wedding From Down UnderEvery couple always seems to look for something to make their wedding standout.  Sometimes this can include going back to basics, such as having an MC guide your night.Meet Nathan Cassar, Australia's Premier Award-Winning MC - specializing in truly unforgettable events that always leave a lasting impression.Based in Sydney, Nathan Cassar MC has for over 10 years (and counting) proudly done what he is most passionate about – creating 1000s of lasting memories through the power of live entertainment and a flair for the extraordinary. Nathan is the standout go-to choice for smooth and exceptional weddings and corporate events and transforms every event, no matter the size, into a thrilling and unforgettable experience, never settling for anything less than perfection. Whether as a Cruise Director for Princess Cruises, at the helm of a wedding reception, or leading a major awards gala evening, Nathan knows how to bring energy and excitement to every gig he hosts. It's also no surprise that he's been hailed as a leader in the industry, earning accolades including:• Two-Time Winner - Best Wedding MC - Wedding Industry Awards (Western Sydney) 2023 & 2022• 2nd Overall Best Wedding MC - Australian Wedding Awards (National) 2022• Winner - Best Wedding MC (NSW) - Lux-Life Global Wedding Awards 2023• Winner - International Wedding Awards Best MC (Local & Country Round Awards) 2023• Winner - Australian Achiever Awards 2023 - Remarkable Customer Service in Bridal & Wedding Services & Supplies (National Winner)• 3rd Place - ABIA Wedding Awards - Master of Ceremonies (NSW) 2022• Winner - Most Entertaining MC (NSW) - Lux-Life Global Excellence Awards 2022From humble beginnings as a high school competitive public speaker and co-founder of the UOW Debating Society (SWORDS) to Cruise Director for Princess Cruises, Nathan's award-winning entertainment career has taken him all over Australia and the world. Companies and organizations that have engaged and featured Nathan’s MC talents in the past include events hosted by the REA Group, the Marlow Hotel Group, Cancer Council NSW, University of Wollongong, Nectr Energy, MG Motor Australia, Standards Australia, and local city councils including Campbelltown and the Northern Beaches. He is also a preferred MC of some of the most notable venues in Sydney, including Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Sheraton Grand Hyde Park, The William Inglis Hotel, Burnham Grove Estate, Centennial Homestead, Grow Wild Wildflower Farm, and 12 Micron and Watersedge at Campbell’s Stores (part of The Venues CollectionSupport the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

The value of a wedding planner for DIY couplesPlanning a wedding is no easy task, even for the best DIY couples. But if you are really Doing It Yourself, do you really need a wedding planner too?  And for planners - How do you show the value of hiring a planner to a couple?Our guest today: Cassie LaMereBlending a lifelong passion for exceptional event curation with a keen eye for detail, Cassie LaMere stands as a paragon in luxury event planning. As the Founder and Creative Director of Cassie LaMere Events, she has redefined the art of creating memorable experiences, merging meticulous design with a flair for the extraordinary.From her early days, Cassie was destined to dazzle. Her innate desire to transform every occasion into a cherished memory has been the cornerstone of her 15-year career. This journey has seen her evolve from a zealous entertainer into a venerated architect of bespoke events, celebrated for her commitment to excellence and innovation.The philosophy of personalization and authenticity is at the heart of Cassie LaMere Events. Each event is a tapestry of unique experiences woven with the threads of Cassie's diverse expertise across various sectors. This holistic approach ensures that every aspect of the event, from conception to execution, resonates with the client's vision and exceeds their expectations.Cassie's leadership extends beyond the realm of event planning. Her firm, a namesake testament to her dedication, is a collective of skilled designers and coordinators who share her enthusiasm for crafting joyous moments. Their work transcends the ordinary, creating luxury experiences that not only meet but anticipate the discerning standards of their clientele.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Behind The Veil: Your Trending in 2024!Weddings are usually the first place where the latest trend is going to make its appearance.  Our guest today is a source for truly what is trending and what you should be prepping for!Our guest - Nicole EttenhoferAbout Nicole EttenhoferNicole Ettenhofer is the VP of Growth & Strategy for George Street Photo & Video, a national wedding photo and video company based in Chicago, IL with experience serving thousands of customers and offering best in quality wedding coverage at an affordable cost. With over a decade of experience in the wedding industry, Nicole is an expert in wedding trends and couples photography and has helped the company achieve accolades such as The Knot’s Best of Weddings every year from 2020-2023 and The Knot’s Best of Weddings Hall of Fame for the company’s commitment to quality and value. Before joining George Street, Nicole served as a thought leader within the event and hospitality industry for over 20 years. As for her personal life, Nicole resides near Denver, CO with her husband and two dogs and is an avid hiking enthusiast.About George Street Photo & Video:Established in 2004, George Street Photo & Video was founded to make wedding and engagement photography more accessible and personal. With 20 years of experience documenting love stories, George Street is an award-winning company that pairs wedding planners and couples with best-in-class photographers and videographers nationwide. George Street prides itself on its personalized approach, providing photojournalistic wedding and engagement content and virtual customer service support so clients can feel confident going into their big day. To learn more, visit www.georgestreetphoto.com.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Season is back with a vengeance!  So are the long hours that come with it.  From working with existing clients, to onboarding new clients, to finding clients at all... It can all become overwhelming.Our guest today: Carissa Kruse / Carissa Cruse WeddingsCarissa is a wedding industry maven and a marketing and conversion strategist.  She works with overworked wedding professionals to increase their profitability and cut their workload in half, using her Endless Engagement Methos.  They can have long term success with scrambling to get couples while getting lost in the weddings of running their business.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Writing, and then speaking, wedding vows can be a stressful experience.  What happens if you can't figure out how you feel, or fear speaking in front of an audience.  It is already a high stress day, and now add this to the whole experience.Our guest today is Tanya PushkineTanya Pushkine was born and raised in Brussels, Belgium to an American-born musical conductor and German/Belgian painter. Upon moving to the USA, she was soon accepted to The Juilliard School’s Drama Division. Immediately upon graduation, Tanya was selected to play Mozart’s wife in Amadeus on Broadway, followed by roles on television, stage, and film in both Europe and the US.After a successful 10-year career, and the birth of two children, Tanya changed paths entirely and joined the corporate world with leading roles at LVMH, Sephora, L’Oréal, Barnes & Noble, Clarins, and Nestle Skin Health. From being a Cultural Director to running Public Relations and Corporate Philanthropy departments for luxury brands, Tanya was fortunate to work closely with Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Naomi Watts, Eva Mendez, John Legend, and many more. As a global communications and brand strategist, she conceived, directed, and produced major initiatives, events, and philanthropic programs.Never letting go of her acting chops, she kept actively using the skills to coach leaders on public speaking and presentations…. until the wedding universe became her calling.Tanya had been helping friends and family with their vows and toasts for years. Her own second wedding prompted her to become a professional wedding "vow whisperer." She made the bold decision to leave the corporate world and make her way essentially creating a new category in the wedding business.Tanya’s business, The Vow Whisperer, is a service whereby Tanya coins herself as a producer and creator of epic wedding ceremony experiences. She helps couples write their vows but in their own words. She is not the writer but brings out everything from anecdotes, memories, obstacles, incredible moments, intentions for the future, and much more, and collaboratively willcraft the vows using the person’s own words. Additionally, Tanya coaches on public speaking—the delivery of the vows, which includes enunciation, voice projection, making eye contact while reading off a vow book, poise, confidence, body language, and all the tips and tricks to make it a perfect presentation of the most intimate part of a ceremony. Tanya officiates, and offers ceremony planning, as well as coaching family members and friends who want to officiate. She also works with wedding parties on speeches and toasts.Tanya is based in New York City with her husband, has two children, and works globally in several languages. She is currently on the board of the New York Chapter of WIPA.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

AV is needed at every single wedding.  For most, they will reach out to a DJ or entertainment company when needing to book a sound system or music.  What should you know before you start reaching out? A little knowledge can save you big money!Our Guest today: Damon RussellDamon has been in the wedding industry since 2003 and likes to think that he is a pioneer. In 2007, wireless LED technology did not exist so he Macgyvered” LEDs to provide wireless lighting on the shores of Bimini island. Damon is also the owner of COMPLETE media, who also provided, what he likes to believe, was the first Live Stream event back in 2009.  Damon has created incredible lighting and AV experiences for countless weddings and has worked with companies like T-Mobile, Jaguar, NACE, ILEA, McDonalds, BET, Tony Robbins, The History Channel and HGTV.  Complete Media is the most requested wedding and event service company in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach Florida and North America. By offering multiple services, such as DJ, up lighting, wedding video, event and wedding photography, customized monograms and of course photo booth, we keep our pricing affordable without sacrificing quality. Complete Media has serviced thousands of weddings and events in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach Florida. So when it comes to our DJs, up lighting, wedding videography, wedding photography, monogram and photo booths we can confidently say we know how to give you not only that you want but also exceed your expectations.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

This week we speak to the founder of Heritage Park Hospitality Group.  The company behind the management of some of the most sought after locations in the Florida Keys.Doug Barrow is the founder of Heritage Park Hospitality Group, a full service boutique management and investment group with a vision for the future of hotel stays and travel. He has always shared an eye for detail and a passion for the hospitality industry, bringing creativity and innovative ways of thinking to the small boutique hotel market. With over 25 years in the industry, he has built his experience from grassroots and humble beginnings.His early career started in operations with major brands such as Hyatt, Marriot, and Starwood Hotels and later in his career, he worked directly for larger management firms. More recently, his passion and focus have been on independent collections that reserve a unique place in the market and attractive ambiance to travelers who are looking for a hotel experience, not just a room.He has extensive experience overseeing developments and renovations to distressed or underperforming properties. He has become a trusted advisor to many hotel owners looking for more creativity and opportunities to maximize their assets in their markets. He was recognized as Orlando Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40 business professionals in 2014 and has been a guest speaker for UCF Rosen Hospitality school. Most recently, his company was a recipient of Travel Weekly’s Magellan Award which recognized the Elements Collection, a hospitality site focused on offering intimate wedding experiences for couples and their guests in the Florida Keys.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Finding the right photographer is a daunting process.  Especially since they are going to be in your personal space on your wedding day.  What should you be asking, and how do you know if they are telling the truth?Our guest: Bonnie Sindelar Bonnie lives in Nebraska and is the founder of two companies: Genesis Photography and Happily Ever Photo. She founded Genesis Photography 9 years ago, and while she's shot almost every portrait genre over the years, (including weddings), she specializes in family and maternity portraits with the incorporation of drone photography. Two years ago, Bonnie also created Happily Ever Photo, which is an online directory for US portrait photographers of all genres. The directory is unique in many ways, but one of the distinctive features is that it only lists photographers who are charging rates that could produce a liveable wage. Her goal with this directory is to support and promote professional photographers while also helping clients find their perfect photographer using multiple unique filtering options.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

When planning a wedding, couples and vendors, do not typically want to dive into legalities.  But in this day and age, it is more important than ever to protect yourself, as the couple and as the vendor.Our guest today is both a successful planner and a lawyer!  Leah Weinberg is well known throughout the industry as a true event professional, but recently Leah has decided to go back to her roots in law practice.  Taking her vast experience in the wedding planning world and combining it with the letter of the law.  Leah Weinberg – co-founder of Oduberg Law, LLP and co-owner of contract template shop Legally Set – is an attorney, a recovering wedding planner, and the author of The Wedding Roller Coaster.After nearly a decade in the wedding industry as the owner of Color Pop Events, a New York City-based wedding planning company, Leah is returning to her roots as an attorney to assist her former colleagues in the events industry, along with other entrepreneurs and business owners.Her work and insights have been published online and in print with Vogue, the New York Times, People, CNN, CNBC, Bravo, Martha Stewart, and The Knot, among others.A WeddingPro Educator with The Knot + WeddingWire since 2020, Leah travels throughout the country sharing insight with her peers regionally, as well as at national conferences such as Alt Summit, NACE Experience, and The Special Event.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

As a wedding planner, sometimes it is really difficult to put in writing what we actually do.  From finding the venue, to hiring the vendors, and event a nod to being a physcologist, a good wedding planner can make it feel effortless...but a bad wedding planner can make it feel like a nightmare.  So what make a good wedding planner, and what questions should you be asking to ensure you are working with a true pro?Our guest this week: Marley MajcherMarley Majcher is the CEO of The Party Goddess!, a nationally acclaimed full-service event planning and catering company. From understated elegance to rock star fabulous, Majcher is known for creating the most talked about parties of the year for a client list ranging from top-tier businesses to A-list celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Sofia Vergara and Britney Spears. As The Profit Goddess!, Marley is also quickly establishing herself as one of the best resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs out there. She is a top business coach in Los Angeles, and the author of But Are You Making Any Money?, a witty and lauded business guide praised by Forbes as "a great how-to book for any entrepreneur."Majcher is the party planning and entrepreneurial expert people turn to for all things entertaining. Her popular savvy and business sense have earned her appearances on various outlets and shows including “Fox and Friends,” Fox Business, MSNBC, “Extra,” “Good Day LA,” Bravo, E!, MTV, HGTV, FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC and The Wedding Channel.For a hands-free experience, ask Alexa to play the latest podcast episode of Behind The Veil with Keith Willard. The BEHIND THE VEIL Show is the winner of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Telly Award for best online unscripted series, and the NACE One Award for Innovator of The Year.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Everyone has heard the term Master Of Ceremonies.  Visions of a Bob Barker on Price is Right may come to mind.  But what is a Masters of Ceremonies?  And as more and more weddings start redefining their own rules, do they really need one?Our Guest: Artem LomazArtem Lomaz: Wedding & Event MC. Artem Lomaz: Artem Lomaz has been continuously redefining the role of the wedding and event Master of Ceremonies. Whether accompanying a DJ or band, the award-winning MC - honored twice as "Entertainer of the Year'' in his career - is known to industry insiders as a meticulous performer with a refined presentation style and personalized methodology that captures the spirit and character of each of his clients’ events. Artem ultimately helps bring wedding and event storyboards to life, anywhere in the world!Artem is strictly a Master of Ceremonies (MC), not to be confused with DJs and/or band leaders who take on the role. Artem is also a big hip-hop fan (specifically 90's and early 2000's).For a hands-free experience, ask Alexa to play the latest podcast episode of Behind The Veil with Keith Willard. The BEHIND THE VEIL Show is the winner of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Telly Award for best online unscripted series, and the NACE One Award for Innovator of The Year.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Having a conversation about budgets can be hugely stressful, especially when talking about budgets for a wedding.  So how do you do that while keeping the joy in planning?Our Guest today is Rachel DurciRachel Durci is a Financial Wellness Coach and the Founder of Effortless Budgeting. She is passionate about supporting individuals and couples on reaching their financial goals through coaching, education and encouragement. Her mission is to empower couples to feel comfortable having meaningful money conversations with each other, and to empower individuals to feel confident in their financial decisions. She understands that talking about money is something that makes most of us anxious. She wants to empower others to share their money story, because sharing can lead to gaining the confidence needed to reach financial success. She offers individual and couples coaching sessions as well as corporate presentations.For a hands-free experience, ask Alexa to play the latest podcast episode of Behind The Veil with Keith Willard. The BEHIND THE VEIL Show is the winner of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Telly Award for best online unscripted series, and the NACE One Award for Innovator of The Year.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Planning a Destination wedding?  With Americans traveling overseas at record levels, so to are the weddings.  Our guest today has planned events all over the world and will give you insight into what it takes.Our Guest: Susan SoutherlandAs president of Just Events! Group, Inc., Susan Southerland leads one of the most highly regarded teams in the event industry today. After graduating from the University of Florida in 1992 and starting out as a sole proprietor, Susan has grown Just Events! Group, Inc. into a multimillion-dollar business. She achieved a long-time goal in 2018 when her company was named to Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America.A driven businesswoman and talented event planner, Susan has worked with thousands of clients around the world hosting events throughout the United States, Italy, Mexico, and the Caribbean. She has authored several books related to the event industry and is a popular conference speaker. Her business advice has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Inc. Magazine, and other periodicals around the world.In addition to running her company, Susan has served as a consultant for world-renowned resorts, cruise lines, and small business owners who want to start or improve their event businesses. As an entrepreneur, wife, and proud mom to four great kids, she strives to help other aspiring business owners learn how to find the right balance to achieve their goals.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Event Pros, and even couples, dream about getting their wedding published.  Either online or in-print.  Prestige, PR, Marketing, SEO’s - Being published covers them all.  But how?Our guest today is Meghan Ely, considered by many to be the guru of PR for the wedding and event business.OFD Consulting owner, Meghan Ely, combines in-the-trenches event experience with a love of wedding PR to empower her clients to take their businesses to new heights. A long-time industry speaker and writer, she is a Wedding Pro educator with The Knot + WeddingWire, as well as a regular contributor to Wedding Planner Magazine, Catersource and Special Events.com. Meghan represents clients globally and has earned them overage with the New York Times, Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, Refinery 29, Domino, Forbes and Real Simple, among other outlets. Her team’s publicity efforts are regularly honored by the Public Relations Society of America. The National Association of Catering and Events just named her Speaker of The Year for 2023. She is one of the few that will give you exact and tangible steps to get your event published today!  She is directly responsible for getting businesses quoted or featured in the NY Times, Parade Magazine, People Magazine, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, and Modern Luxury Magazine just to name a fraction of the publications.For a hands-free experience, ask Alexa to play the latest podcast episode of Behind The Veil with Keith Willard.The BEHIND THE VEIL Show is the winner of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Telly Awards for best online unscripted series and the NACE One Award for Innovator of The Year.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

For most couples getting married, the basics of hosting a wedding are pretty straight forward.  Venue, Catering, Florals, Music, Photography.But then there are the rentals to think about.  What do people sit on, eat on, and drink with.  Then there are the linen, up lights, and furniture...So what should you expect when looking at rentals?  How much?  What is your responsibility?  Should you even do it?Our guests today: Eva LeungEva is a Miami native who has worked in the industry for 15+ years.  She is currently an account executive at Bubble Design Rentals, which focuses on furniture decor and design.  The company has offices in Miami, Orlando, and NY, and services all of FL and the NE region.  Eva has worked on countless corporate, promotional, and TV/media related events.  Many of them have been focused within real estate, technology, food/wine & spirits, automotive, yachting and luxury, in addition to many social type of events. She is enthusiastic about the dynamic growth happening in the industry, and fascinated to see how the convergence of AI and/or technology will impact events.  She believes professionals will be able to deliver more unique and immersive experiences to clients in the near future.  In addition, she is excited to see or partake in helping to revolutionizing gatherings we work on in the near future.Eva is currently also on the board of NACE, in addition to being a head of committee on AREAA.  A graduate of UPenn - Eva also enjoys traveling, art, cultural, culinary events and tennis. Conversational in Spanish, Cantonese, some Mandarin, Italian and French - Eva hopes to contribute to the continued burgeoning plethora of events in this ever evolvingSupport the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci

Season is back! So are the long hours that come with it. From working with existing clients, to onboarding new clients, to finding clients at all, running a business can become overwhelming.Our guest today makes it her business to help planners become more efficient and more profitable:Carissa Kruse Weddings Wedding Industry Maven and a Marketing and Conversion Strategist. She works with overworked wedding professionals to increase their profitability and cut their workload in half using her Endless Engagement method, so they can have long term success without scrambling to get couples and getting lost in the weeds of running their business. Live Show at 2:00 PM ET on Tuesday at www.youtube.com/@BehindTheVeilPodcastThe Behind The Veil Podcast Version is available the same day, after 5:00pm EST, on most major podcast players including iTunes, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Google Podcasts.For a hands-free experience, ask Alexa to play the latest podcast episode of Behind The Veil with Keith Willard.The BEHIND THE VEIL Show is the winner of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Telly Awards for best online unscripted series and the NACE One Award for Innovator of The Year.Support the showBehind The Veil Crew:Host: Keith Willard www.keithwillardevents.com www.instagram.com/keithwillard Co- Host: Marci Guttenberg www.anaffairtorememberbymarci.com www.instagram.com/anaffairtorememberbymarci