I did a Twitter poll asking people which cities they most want the Making Things Happen™ Intensive tour to visit. Here’s what you told me, starting with cities that got the most votes. (I only included places that got more than one vote)

Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas, Las Vegas, Houston, Denver, Pittsburgh, Hawaii, Raleigh, San Francisco, Austin, Charlotte, Orlando, Cayman, Washington DC, Minneapolis, Portland, Orange County, Monterey Bay, San Diego, Tampa, Saratoga, Santa Cruz, Seattle, Charleston, Richmond, Australia, Costa Rica, Wilmington, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Baltimore, Traverse City, Telluride, Little Rock, Philadelphia, Miami, Memphis, Indianapolis, Berkley, Oakland, Puerto Rico, Jacksonville, Savannah, Eugene, Napa, and Jackson Hole.

I listened.  The top cities have been confirmed!  Until January 1st, I’m giving early bird registration pricing for the following cities.  After January 1st, pricing will increase.  Each city has a different size limit and some cities may be broken up into two days depending on demand (highly possible for LA and Atlanta).

Dallas :: January 14th *the entire Southern Weddings team will be there for this one!

Seattle :: January 16th *guest speakers: Blair and Christy from Junebug Weddings

Los Angeles :: January 18th *guest speaker: Jose Villa

Minneapolis :: January 20th

Chicago :: January 22nd

Atlanta :: February 8th *guest speaker: Stacie Francombe of Get Married

Nashville :: February 10th *guest speaker: Jeremy Cowart

Las Vegas :: March 7th during WPPI

Denver :: March 11th

New York City :: March 22nd *guest speaker: Nick Onken

Washington DC :: March 24th

Raleigh :: March 29th

Hawaii :: TBD

Pittsburgh (Go CMU!) :: TBD

This is your year and my goal is to make sure you harness it to its fullest potential.  Why am I doing this?  Because I’ve come to realize that life is just too short.  Every moment should be lived with a sense of adventure, excitement, and knowing that you are on the right path in your life’s work.  It’s time, ya’ll.  It’s time to make big things happen in your business.  You know where you want to go.  Let’s do this.

Want the inside scoop from someone who has experienced #MTH2010? Watch this and check out what people are saying.

I can’t wait to start this journey and meet everyone on the way!  Who’s coming with me?

xo lc

image credit :: kyle barnes shot at the Winter Shoot last week in Breckenridge, Colorado

I’ve been dreaming of this for a year now and am thrilled to announce the first-ever Making Things Happen™ workshop :: an intensive designed to fire you up for the coming year.  I invite you to spend an afternoon with me making a clear, active, successful plan for 2010.

I’ve been blessed to be overwhelmed with new consulting clients since I started Lara Casey Reps in June and have had the honor of working with some incredible artists and professionals.  In order to accommodate the influx of new requests and my ever-growing schedule, I’ll be cutting back on individual consults in 2010 and traveling the country with my amazing team to give these workshops.

From branding to bold moves and everything in between, I’m inviting 30 people to join me December 21st (two weeks from yesterday!) in Watercolor, FL, for an intensive like no other.  I’m fired up and intend to make sure you leave feeling the same way.  I’ll be asking attendees vital (i.e., hard) questions and require that this intimate group be ready to lay it all out on the table.  This workshop is not for the faint of heart, but for wedding professionals (photographers, planners and entrepreneurs) who really want to change, grow, and harness their full potential in the new year.

I am offering this first workshop at half the cost of future workshops as a thank-you to the people in my hometown who have supported me in my personal and professional growth. But, I’ve already had several people inquire about flying in for this first one, so this isn’t just limited to locals. Future dates and locations will be announced soon.  Because this is a small group, I also will be taking the time to evaluate each attendee’s individual brand, from websites to blogs and social media presence, and everything in between.  In some ways, I believe I give my best advice in the first 5 minutes of a regular consult, and that’s the same sort of gut reaction and individual attention I’ll offer in my workshops.

December 21st, 2009 at the Watercolor Resort in Watercolor, Florida.  1-4pm.  I invite you to join me for dinner afterward at my favorite restaurant in the world, Fish Out of Water.  :: details + reservations ::

If you are planning to travel from out of town, this is an ideal location to spend a winter weekend.  Be sure to call Carla to reserve your room or house rental.

[UPDATED: SCHOLARSHIP CLOSED. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE WINNERS] I also am offering one scholarship spot.  The Making Things Happen™ scholarship winner will be announced via my WeddingRep twitter tomorrow night at midnight.  Simply leave a comment here telling me what you want to make happen in 2010 and why you need — not want, but need, yearn, and have – to attend the Making Things Happen™ Intensive.

I’m so excited about the upcoming year and can’t wait to kick it off with you!

images :: rae leytham photography

I’m thrilled to be speaking at the Eventology conference next year in Indianapolis.  You can read my fireside chat on the Eventology blog to get to know me a little more.

2010 speakers joining me- the beautiful Harmony Walton, Terrica Skaggs aka Fabuluxe, Saundra Hadley, and the phenomenal Sasha Souza.  I’ve been a fan of Sasha’s since I was in college.  I still have magazine tears of her work from forever ago.

Big thanks to the creator of this conference, Katasha Butler, for this opportunity to speak with such wedding business mavens. Image above by the a.m.a.z.i.n.g. Jory Cordy

I had a fantastic time at this year’s inaugural conference.  I loved getting a chance to hang out with my Bham friends, Bryan Johnson and Jeremy Carter (the only gentlemen above).  Bryan is such an inspiring photographer and Jeremy is all about making things happen.  You know I love that.  Also above far left- beautiful planning diva from Nashville, Latrice Cushenberry, and far right, Katasha Butler.  Image by JK Photography.

With Melissa Margarita-DiStefano from MasterPiece Weddings, Kelli McWilliams from Weddings by Socialites, Me and my crazy red eye, Jeremy Carter.

Left to right: My Eventology roomie and great friend from Atlanta, Jeannine Kennedy, me, Katasha, Latrice.  ps- A little inside info about wedding planners I did not know till this conference… get them together and they get tattoos!  There was a pretty big group that went out the day after the conference together to get inked, including Jeannine (above right).

Above:  being silly at Milkbar with the A Bryan guys, sitting pretty with Atlanta wedding planner and good friend, Eliana.  She is such a hard-working planner and helped us so much in making our Atlanta premiere party happen in January.

Above:  again, silliness with JC.  We have a running joke that we are always at the same networking events. I always look forward to seeing him! There was this ridiculous set of pictures on the bar wall, so I thought it deserved an equally ridiculous pose.

Above:  with Michelle from Lemiga and Studiowed Atlanta and Jeannine, Vogue-ing it with Jeannine.

The two ladies above (Heather Crabtree from Outstanding Occasions in AZ and Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs fame) are my new partners in crime.  We have a big project in the works for the fall of 2010 that I can’t wait to share details on soon!

Above: left to right: Heather Crabtree, me, Aletha from Pearls Events, and Melissa from Masterpiece Weddings; checking out of the Omni with Jeannine and Michelle, who was celebrating her birthday that day.

Be sure to check out the Eventology website and sign up ASAP.  This conference was packed this year and I expect it to sell out again in 2010.  Can’t wait!

xo lc

In my travels I did a lot of thinking (I had about 24 hours in the car by myself) and spent some time with great friends and my family.  There are a very small handful of people in my life who can just look at me and see right through me.  I had a long convo with my good friend Jeff Holt this past weekend that really got me thinking.   We talked about #TruthDay… a concept brought up by my other amazing client, Jeremy Cowart.  Jeremy’s idea: “I think there should be [Truth Day/Truth Thursday] where we all tweet our insecurities, imperfections and mistakes. How amazing would that be?” I think we all have a deep need for confession in our lives.  We want someone to see us as we are and say “you’re OK.  I love you just as you are.  I understand you.”  I won’t get preachy on you, but the only one who can really do that fully is God.  However, there are some people who do that for us in our lives as a reminder of that.  Sometimes it’s not what the people closest to us say; it’s what they don’t say.

So, here’s my #TruthDay, a little early:

I’ve been really sick since I got home Friday and confined to my bed (dream bed above). My mom thinks I have Swine Flu.  I think I just have a fever and a cold.  I miss my mom when I’m sick.

I’m a really positive happy person. But, when I don’t work out every day and sleep enough, I am 100% not myself.  The couple weeks before I left for WaterColor, I finally started to feel like “me” again after a month of no travel. I started training for a marathon, sleeping a lot, and focusing on my relationship with myself and God. It felt good. After I get over this Swine Flu, I’ll hit the gym again. A great quote from Deepak Chopra: “Affluence, abundance, unboundedness are our natural state. We simply have to remember who we are.”

I rarely cry, but I cried for a good solid hour yesterday morning.

I’m turning 30 two days after Christmas. I’m not sure how to feel about that yet.

I could spend several days completely alone in my office and be happy. Many times I do.

I fully exhaust myself before I realize I should slow down. I like taking on a lot at once because I get bored really easily. But, when I cross that fine line, I probably should have stopped 10 steps before that.

I know I have the power to make big things happen for people. I forget that when I let myself listen to other people’s negativity.

I know I’m not using even 10% of my potential.  I haven’t always felt this way.  This is new and I want it to change now.

I can own a conference room, but I’m not good at being vulnerable.  It sometimes takes me a long conversation to finally say what’s really on my mind.  I wish I didn’t have so much fear and could just say it.

I recently wrote my will. Should have done it a while ago. [I was supposed to do it when Ari did his before he left for Iraq. We got in a silly fight and I ended up going shopping instead of to the lawyer's office on base.] It was hard to do, but very revealing. I’m embarrassed to say, it’s locked up on my iPhone of all places. I know, I know.

I like driving fast and speeding into turns.

If I had three wishes: 1. to be closer to God. 2. to be closer to me. 3. to be closer to my brother.

I’m taking a Twitter/Facebook sabbatical.  I’m on day 3. I feel the need to pull back, reevaluate and come out fresh. I’ve also turned my phone on vibrate, turned up the music, deleted a bunch of useless apps on my iPhone, cleaned out my computer, and installed LeechBlock for Firefox on my Mac which gives me only 12 minutes a day on Google Reader and several other sites that make my mind wander. Getting focused is not my problem. Getting re-focused and looking at my work and my life with fresh eyes is my new goal.

image credit

Chapel Hill doesn’t have an ocean or mountains.  Ari has 4 more years of rad residency.  Till the end of my residency widow days, I’ll keep looking for a second office in WaterColor.  I know Kath, Em, and Whit would like that too ; )

I’m not good at asking for what I want or saying what’s really on my heart.  I’m a people pleaser.  My friend Fred Egan said this weekend “we often don’t get what we want because we seldom ask.” That struck a chord in me.  The first step is knowing what you want… clarifying and defining.  After that, asking is easy.  Admitting what we really want (not just what we’re supposed to want) is tough.  And freeing. (by the way, be sure to visit Fred’s new style blog, Unabashedly Prep, which launched today.)

I don’t fear failure in my business anymore.  I’ve been through a heck of a lot.  I fear not being perfect.  I’d rather fear failure.

I like to ignore red flags.

I added up some numbers today and I’ve spent over $49,000 on something this year.  Kinda shocked me.

Sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve to pray and ask for God’s help.  Typing that out sounds really silly.

I love surprising people.  I’d like to be surprised one day.  I feel like that sounds selfish.

I’ve been looking into taking a solo vacation, a retreat, some sort of escape.  I know that’s not the answer.  I need to “feel the fear and do it anyway”.  Although, a week at Miraval sounds mighty good right now.

What’s that phrase about shrinking so others feel better about themselves?  I do that.  A lot.  I shouldn’t.

I’ve been lied to several times lately and I’ve let it slide without saying anything.

I am somewhat scared to publish this post. (please refer back to “I am not good at being vulnerable.”)

Some positive truths:

image :: our labor of love

I’m really proud of my husband.  I don’t tell him that nearly enough.  I could never do what he does.

I made a financial commitment this week that should scare me, but it doesn’t.  It’s growing pains.  It’s a big leap and I’m taking it.

I love my consulting work.  I am helping people a lot.

I have just scratched the surface with my rep clients.  I have a huge list of plans for them and am finally finding the time to put them in motion.  I’m so thankful for their patience.  They will soar.  Nothing excites me more.

I think I’ll be a really great mom one day and I’ll love it.

I celebrated my dad’s 70-somethingth birthday last week with my parents.  They are so loving and cute together.  I feel so thankful to have celebrated with them and seen my dad so happy and proud of me.  I’m proud of you, Dad. I love my family more than words.  I’m so blessed to have parents who believe in me.

I’m a great singer.  I never really sing except on long car rides.  And you wonder why I drove to WaterColor.

I’m a “doer” AND a “closer”. Whatever that means.

My favorite place is anywhere I’m working out. My favorite time of day is right before I go to sleep. My favorite thing to do is sing old hymns. My favorite gift to get is music and little love notes.

I feel most alive on skis and encouraging people.

I get a lot of really nice emails every week. I’m grateful and humbled.

Things that make me swoon recently: thunder and lightning, hot showers, film photography, seeing people do what they love to do and Architectural Digest.

I have the greatest team in the world. Emily, Katharine and Whitney are such a blessing in my life. They say and do things that still make me pinch myself and say “wow, how did I get so lucky to know these women?” They’re so sharp and brilliant that sometimes I don’t know what to do with them. Being back in the office feels ridiculously good. They make me so happy and excited about the future.

I’m honestly proud of my businesses.  I haven’t always felt that way.  Even though we have a lot to do and big hurtles to climb, I finally feel proud.

I have the ability to make choices every day that lead me down the right path.

Our next issue is going to be off the chain.  Yes, I just said off the chain.

I know I have the power to make things happen for people.

We’re currently listening to “Jump for Your Love” in the office and all singing along. These are the moments I relish.

Well, there are all the things I am allowed to say in a public blog post.  I encourage you to give #TruthDay a try on Twitter this week or make your own list.  I made a private one too.  Don’t censor yourself or judge your thoughts.  Just write freely and burn it afterward if you have to.  But take a moment and let those truths sink in before you light the fire.  Most of the time, the truth isn’t as scary once it’s out of your head and on paper. 

xo lc

The guide includes some of my favorite links that I have referred to often over the last months. I don’t agree with all of this advice (ie- follow everyone who follows you… works for non-profits, not for all businesses), but there is some great insight in each link:

So Should a Business Be on Twitter?, by Frank Eliason.

How Twitter can make you a better (and happier) person from Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com
*love love this article!

10 Twitter Tips for Nonprofit Organizations (great advice for any biz), by Heather Mansfield.

50 Ideas on Using Twitter for Business, by Chris Brogan.

Twitter has without a doubt transformed my companies.  I have several accounts: one for my personal and Southern Weddings updates, one for Lara Casey Reps, a Bliss account that Emily now posts to, and a couple more I’m holding for future projects.  Twitter accounts and domains are like real estate– stake your claim and get your name, your kids names, anything that’s yours.  From building relationships I never would have been able to forge through phone and email to learning from the best of the best, we’ve seen how social media has driven change in everything we do.

For example, when we were looking for specific content for our last print issue of Southern Weddings, we used Twitter as a tool to reach out to wedding pros.  90% of our content came from the blog and Twitter submissions.  You can follow Emily (Special Features), Whitney (Fab Finds and upcoming editorial shoots) and Katharine (Real Weddings) as we prepare for our Fall issue over the next weeks to be included in these Twitter submission requests.  Much more to come on how Twitter changed our business in a future post.

What do you think? How has Twitter helped your business grow?

My favorite conference, favorite speakers, favorite time of year in Vegas at my favorite hotel!!?!?  I think I just died and went to Heaven.  Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce have done it again.  The Engage 09 Encore will be held at the Encore in Las Vegas this October.  The Wynn hotels have a special place in my heart as I had my wedding reception dinner there.  So, the combination of all of these things feels like Christmas morning!

Details from Rebecca: Based on the incredible feedback we have received over the past year from attendees and speakers alike from all 3 previous engage events, we have created something a bit different and unique. We are offering what has been a resounding: “more, more, more” of some of the highest rated aspects of the first events.

I like to say we were at the 30,000 foot level for our previous programs and this ‘encore’ event will now ‘land the plane.’ It will focus on the key takeaways from past events :: personal development & business development blended with the ‘inspired networking’ that engage has come to be known for. That is why we are carefully terming it “a luxury wedding business intensive.”

We are busy at work ‘behind the scenes’ planning for an over-the-top, A-list speaker packed engage!10 event very late next spring and will announce dates, location and details in the months to come but the demand for us to bring an event to the West Coast before then and to take a deeper dive into some of the pressing and important issues facing your businesses today in an intimate but inspiring setting – alongside the best of the best like-minded wedding industry peers has inspired us to create this special encore opportunity.

The programs will feature more in-depth and highly interactive sessions with engage-alums myself, Sean Low and Simon T. Bailey along with a candid and refreshing luncheon discussion with eventiste {and now wedding blogging diva} Marcy Blum.

In addition, we also cannot wait to share with you the incredible talent of Todd-Avery Lenahan of ABA Las Vegas…the brilliant design mind behind the WYNN Resorts interiors and many, many other inspired places around the globe! A long-time friend of Kathryn and mine, he is sure to wow and inspire with a totally unique perspective of the business of design. We are thrilled and honored that he has agreed to join us!

Of course, many other fabulous & engaging surprises are in store. The official website will launch on 8.07.09 with official registration opening 8.14.09 at 9am est so stay tuned to Twitter and this blog for all the details! In order to keep this intensive event intimate and impactful, we are limiting to only 100 attendees.

Friends, block these dates on your calendar and be the first to call on registration day (8.14.09).  If you really want to take your business to the next level, no matter what work you do in the wedding industry, you have to get involved in the Engage conferences.  There is no better networking, education and atmosphere to harness rapid growth.  You can read my recap of Engage08 here and My Engage09 Megapost coming next week.  If you have any questions about my experience at Engage, please don’t hesitate to call or email me.  Bravo Rebecca and Kathryn!