Benefits of Membership - Association of Bridal Consultants

Association membership includes $24.00 for a one-year subscription to Dialogue.

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State Coordinators
Click Here to view a list of State Coordinators.
To maintain local contact with you, state coordinators represent the Association in those states with large memberships. 

State Coordinators encourage networking with local meetings and state newsletters. They also handle individual state activities including co-op advertising, state meetings and bridal show booths. State Coordinators generally have their own full-time wedding planning businesses, but they can be a valuable resource for questions that cannot be answered on this website. State Coordinators keep in touch with the Association’s staff and can express your needs and concerns.

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Insurance
The Association, through a related company (ABC Member Insurance) can provide access to General Liability as well as Errors and Omissions Liability coverage, and also individually underwritten health insurance for members in most states.

Members pay for their own coverage, but can obtain some of the best pricing available in the market because of their membership in ABC.
One-Page liability insurance overview for ABC members

Request for Quotation for ABC Member

Click for information about ABC Member Individual Health Insurance Coverage

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Special Staff
Click Here to see our staff list.
Need specific in-depth help? Time with Association staff experts by phone or in person can help. Consultations are available from: 

• Director of Education 
• Director of Ethnic Diversity 
• Financial Consultant 
• General Counsel 

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Information Services
Contact the Association for answers to any bridal or wedding business-related questions you might have. 

Whatever the question, from etiquette to management, you can get the answer. If we don't have the answer, we'll do the research or provide sources that can help. 

Your questions can be answered by mail, phone, fax, or e-mail. 

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Brochure Design Critique
When you are designing your business cards, brochures, flyers, ads. etc, you can hire the Association for a critique of the content and design, reflecting proven trends in marketing to brides. But you can also do very well just by asking a fellow member for his or her feedback.  

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Professional Development Program 
A major benefit of Association membership is the Professional Development Program. This allows you to establish your credentials through comprehensive distance education. Along with participation in seminars and the recognition of peers and clients alike, members can increase their recognition ultimately to Master Bridal Consultant. 

Each of the three levels requires greater effort, and certificates are awarded at each level, showing you have achieved that level of performance. Each term is trademarked. 

The first step in the progression is to enroll in the Professional Development Program. This program leads to the designation of Professional Bridal Consultant, the beginning of our educational progress. 

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Job Placement Assistance 
You can tap into the Association's network to help find employment. This service can be quite effective, especially if you are just starting out. Send your resume and the geographic area you are interested in to the office. 

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Business Name Search 
When you create or change your business name, the Association can check it's extensive database to determine if the name may already be in use by another consultant level member in your area. This service does not replace copyright or trademark protection, but provides a good starting point.

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Advertising
The Association advertises on the national level. This advertising encourages the bride to use the services of Association members. 

In addition, you may benefit from co-op advertising in your local or regional publications, sharing the cost with the Association.

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Media Relations
The Association has been quoted by most major networks, magazines and newspapers from coast to coast.

This national publicity for the Association helps members through increased name and logo recognition. While the media needs comments from the national level, they often prefer local opinions and we provide your name to the media.

Finally, you can get press releases sent by the Association to your local media for important activities of joining, renewing, participating in meetings and completing phases of the Professional Development Program.

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Referrals
As a direct result of advertising and publicity, as well as listings in various books, many brides contact the Association for referral to a wedding professional. You select the ZIP codes for your market areas. The Association offers brochures which you can provide to brides describing the benefits of working with a professional. 

**This benefit is only for Consultant members. 

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Auxiliary Members

When you join as a consultant member you may enroll a second person from the same company as an auxiliary member at discount. 

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Annual Conference
The Association conducts its Business of Brides Annual Conference the second weekend in November. 

Areas of interest at the conference include the trade show, roundtables, seminars, workshops, off-site dinners and time with the experts. 

Limited to ABC members, their guests, and members of other professional organizations, the conference plays an important role in networking and educational content. 

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Local Meetings/Newsletter
To maintain local contact with you, state coordinators represent the Association in those states with large memberships. 

State Coordinators encourage networking with local meetings and state newsletters. They also handle state business including co-op advertising, state meetings and bridal show booths. State Coordinators keep in touch with the Association staff and can express your needs and concerns. 

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Educational Seminars
The Association staff conducts a wide variety of seminars and workshops. These offer you an opportunity to network with other wedding professionals. Seminars and workshops are designed to improve your professionalism as you enter the wedding consulting business. Seminars are scheduled throughout the year and are listed in the Dialogue newsletter and on this site. 

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Dispute Resolution
If you have a problem with another member or client; or a bride has a problem with you, you can be assured of an impartial review of your case through the Association's established dispute resolution procedures. 

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Corporate member Support
Corporate members frequently offer Association members discounts and promotions not available to the industry at large. 

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Market Survey/Research/Statistics 
The Association offers members information on the trends in the national wedding industry. This can be a useful benefit when formulating or updating your business plan. 

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Liaison With Top Magazines & Professional Organizations
When a national magazine needs a quote for a story they often call the Association. As a member, you name could be given to them if your business ties in with what they need. 

The Association of Bridal Consultants also networks with other professional organizations, offering discounts to members of this association as well as other nationally recognized associations.  style='font-size: 10.0pt'>

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Wedding Industry Promotion 
When the industry is promoted by the Association your business thrives as well. When a bride reads a story about an international trade association backing consultants it may help her realize the importance of hiring an ABC wedding coordinator. 

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Apprenticeship Program

Many state and country coordinators offer an informal program to help Novice members learn by working with experienced consultants. 

The programs may offer an excellent opportunity to learn from the experts, who often are willing to share, while not "giving away the store." Contact your state coordinator for details on how you may be able to benefit from this helpful program. 

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Membership Listing
This benefit can be useful when you have a question/problem that can be answered through the extensive network of the Association. 

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Window Sticker
As a member of the Association you can display the logo of an international trade organization in a prominent place so that brides passing through your front door can see a symbol of your professionalism. 

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Logo Items
Distinguish yourself from the many guests while working at a wedding by wearing an ABC name badge. Other logo items include shirts, hats, coffee mugs, and bumper stickers. Use any of these as a conversation starter to highlight your professionalism. These logo items are available to Association members. 

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Certificates
Every member of the Association receives a frameable quality certificate. This benefits you as a member because it reinforces your professionalism. 

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Networking
As a member of the Association you will be able to access other professionals in the industry. Other members can provide support ideas that are used in different areas of the country. Networking is reported to be one of the most useful aspects of Association membership. Click here to signup as a member