Your Guide to Attending Wedding MBA 2025
This year’s Wedding MBA is nearly here — set your calendars for November 11-13! Regardless of this being your first time on-site or your tenth, attending one of the biggest industry conferences of the year requires a bit of preparation. So, before you pack your bags and get on your flight to Vegas, let’s dive into a few must-dos.
Take extra care with travel
Wherever you may be coming in from, it’s super important to have a game plan ready when it comes to travel. For November, specifically, keep in mind that Daylight Saving Time is creeping up on us, meaning that you may have an extra hard time with jet lag. Additionally, it’s worth noting that as of right now, we’re still in the midst of a government shutdown, so airport wait times with security may be a bit longer than normal. Keep an eye out for delays and flight changes to give yourself plenty of wiggle room if needed.
With this time away from your business, although it’s only a few days, you may also want to prep your team and your clients that you’ll be harder to reach during sessions and travel time (plus time zone differences!).
What’s your ideal ROI?
Don’t wait until you’re on the ground to start thinking about what your goals are for the conference. Wedding MBA is definitely an investment of time and money, so it’s important to check in with yourself (and your team) on what would make this a worthwhile trip. Education is just the tip of the iceberg — networking and post-conference implementation are just as crucial.
Even if you’re planning to attend as a speaker, it’s a good idea to have an outline or schedule to maximize your time. Check out the MBA schedule for any education or other speakers you’d like to connect with and see if you can manage a quick introduction. Beyond that, note-taking and reviewing slides (if the speakers provide a copy) are easy ways to help keep the ball rolling once you get back to business.
Have a team attending with you? Get organized in advance and decide who is going to what ahead of time so you can take advantage of all the educational sessions. When you return to the office, set aside some time so you can all share your top takeaways from your respective sessions.
Industry events you don’t want to miss + scheduling tips
As someone who has been a longtime attendee, the conference is truly a whirlwind. Three days may seem like a long time, but in between the mixers, other industry events, networking, and education, it’s a lot to take in and absorb. Instead of waiting to feel out the vibe on-site, map out a strategy ahead of time to streamline your schedule.
And during your time on the tradeshow floor, don’t forget to come say hi to me at the WeddingPro Booth- I’ll be there Thursday at 1pm PT!
Additionally, here are some MBA-adjacent events (in addition to the Wedding MBA Opening Night Party on November 11, plus the Speaker Meet and Greet and Kickoff Party on November 12) to consider attending:
Of course, be sure to pencil in some time for meals and connecting with other pros! Don’t tell too many people, but our favorite on-site coffee is EGO, the cafe that serves Starbucks across the street at the Renaissance.
Getting to know Vegas
Conference aside, Vegas has no shortage of things to do in your free time. That said, I highly recommend taking advantage of the monorail to and from the Convention Center if you aren’t within walking distance. Parking is hard to come by, and walking may not always be feasible depending on where you stay. Get familiar with the stops and consider purchasing a pass online.
There are also many great restaurants, shows, and activities, but consider making reservations online in advance if possible, especially if you’re inviting a new contact out to dinner.
Ultimately, it’s never too late to switch up your strategy and try something new to prep for your upcoming year in business, and Wedding MBA is the perfect place to get started!
For more details and tips on how to maximize this year’s conference, check out our latest podcast episode here.
