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Current WISN USA Members
Current WISN USA Advisory Board MembersRichard Babick
Christine Boulton
Diane Freeland
Jacqueline Johnson
Maya Kalman
Brian Lawrence
Christi Masi
Sharon Naylor
Evan Reitmeyer
Membership ConsiderationIf you are interested in becoming a WISN or WISN Advisory Board member please contact Shane McMurray at: email: info@theweddingreport.com or phone: 520.399.8580 |
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Rick founded Design Research in October, 1998, thus recently celebrating the firm’s tenth anniversary. For the past 26 years, Rick has spent all of his professional time engaged in research relating to design intensive products and brands. He is also the founder of Design Research Reports, Inc., a sister company that produces syndicated studies of retail sales report data. Prior to founding Design Research, he spent 16 years as head of market research for Lenox, Inc. At Lenox, he led a staff of ten that conducted more than 75 studies per year, half of which were design tests. At its height, his group supported more than 6 divisions and 15 brands in multiple countries and multiple channels of distribution.
Christine Boulton is a 25 year veteran of the wedding industry and is focused on helping small wedding businesses succeed. Through her company Think Like A Bride she has dedicated herself to understanding what today's wedding professional needs to prioritize in their busy work day. Boulton’s cutting-edge approach in all areas of media takes very complicated information and simplifies it, making it understandable for her readers to digest. Her approachable nature then allows them to stay in close contact with her to get needed details for specific needs in their markets.
Diane Freeland, a certified wedding planner, started planning events more than 20 years ago. In 2006, after many years of moving in another direction professionally, but still assisting in planning weddings and events for friends, she returned to her first love, thus, the creation of Events of Sophistication. She has been named the official event coordinator for Baltimore Fashion Week.
Ms. Freeland is actively involved in giving back to the community. In 2008, Freeland co-founded The Magic Wand Project, an organization dedicated to providing prom attire for young men and women whose families are not able to afford the costs of gowns and tuxedos.
Jacqueline Johnson is a renowned wedding industry personality with experience working with Conde’ Nast, Bridal Guide Magazine, Advertising Director at Travel Agent Magazine and International Travel Director at New York magazine. Currently she is the President/CEO of JACQUELINE JOHNSON & ASSOC. INC. a Media Company that provides comprehensive Bridal & Honeymoon guidance through interactive-target marketing utilizing the following vehicles/websites: GlobalWeddingResoure.com, MarryCaribbean.com, BlogTheWeddingGuru.blogspot.com, Wedding & Honeymoon Correspondent, Questex Publications.
Maya Kalman began her career in the events business in an unusual way—by having her own nuptials appear on a Food Network’s reality wedding program.That was ten years ago; since, Swank Productions has grown into one of the leading event design firms in New York City. Kalman’s ability to transform empty spaces into lasting experiences is just one of the things that set her apart. Her events are “one-offs” that exude uniqueness and a style that is all her own. Her attributes, specifically, listening to her clients, are credited for much of her success in creating what they want. The feat is very difficult when dealing with people of affluence but Kalman’s flair, style and grace continue to rise above the growing challenges.
Brian Lawrence has been in the wedding industry for 30 years, first as a pioneer of one-stop-shopping chain of wedding retail stores and then for 14 years as Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Encore Studios, an upscale invitation brand. His outreach to the industry expanded through marketing seminars and authoring "The Wedding Expert's Guide to Sales and Marketing" and "The Invitation Business Report" . 3 years ago he established a web design and marketing company that serves the wedding industry, "Local Traffic Builder". Previously selected on the advisory board for "The National Stationery Show and "Greetings Etc Magazine", Brian Lawrence possesses tremendous insight involving the changing invitation trends as well as analyzing factors and market conditions that continue to change demand in the invitation business.
Christi Masi is the founder of The Healthy Bride® training women to successfully meet life challenges. An avid, international mountain climber, her professional background includes 11 years of sales and marketing at Starbucks Coffee. Christi's outstanding leadership ability and natural enthusiasm has motivated women to complete triathlons, 10K races, and summit climbs of Mt. Rainier. Not to mention health and fitness goals for pivotal life moments like class reunions-and weddings!
Sharon Naylor is the author of over 35 wedding planning books for brides and grooms, bridesmaids and the parents, and as a noted wedding expert has appeared on top television programs including I Do!, Get Married, Good Morning America, Primetime, ABC News, Fox 5 News, and many more. She has also been featured in InStyle Weddings, Modern Bride, Brides, Wedding Channel, The Wall Street Journal, Bridal Guide, Southern Bride, New York Bride, New Jersey Bride, Get Married, Marie Claire, Glamour and as the featured tip-a-day expert at Bridal Guide as well as a columnist at GorgeouslyGreen.com and other sites. She is Weddzilla.com's Advice Guru, co-host of "Here Come the Moms" on Wedding Podcast Network, and a wedding industry spokesperson for several Fortune 500 companies. She lives in Morristown NJ with her husband Joe.
Evan Reitmeyer is the president of MyDeejay, Inc., an award-winning boutique wedding disc jockey firm in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area. His expertise in such diverse topics as millennial marketing, search engine optimization, and "green" business operations has made him a highly requested speaker and writer. Evan has led interactive seminars for the International DJ Expo and other industry events and is a contributing writer for Mobile Beat Magazine and the WeddingAces blog. He is also the founding president of the American Disc Jockey Association's DC area chapter.
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