I cannot tell you how THRILLED I was to be a part of that “Experience”
Leigh Duncan,
Orlando Magazine
Experience Reviews
Wedding industry professionals who attended any of the ISS Experiences last year simply can’t say enough fabulous things about these extraordinary events! Not only does Stacie go out of her way to provide networking opportunities and knowledgeable and accomplished speakers, but she does it all in a fun and inviting atmosphere. Hey, don’t take our word for it – hear what last year’s ISSE attendees had to say
I cannot tell you how THRILLED I was to be a part of that “Experience”. I not only feel like I gave valuable information and advice as a panel person, but I got just as much out of it as attendees. Your presentation and information works for EVERYBODY and I am excited to employ what I learned. It was informative and so much FUN!
What an amazing day at the ISSExperience. If you are a business and you didn't get a chance to attend; you missed out on an unbelievable learning opportunity. I feel so blessed to have been able to attend. Thank you Stacie Ivers Francombe and all of the panelists that participated. So excited to work even harder to grow the business!
A Boxed Event Amazing time at The Inspire Smart Success Experience _ I feel like someone just gave me a check for 1,000,000 and I'm going back to Wilmington North Carolina to cash it! Watch Out! Thank You Stacie Ivers Francombe -this experience changed a lot of lives! #Inspired #ISSE
Had such a wonderful experience at Inspire Smart Success today with Stacie Ivers Francombe!! So excited to get all of these ideas in motion!!
Thanks Stacie so much for inviting me to the Inspire Smart Success I left there so inspired and I felt lucky to be there, thank you so much you have already not only changed my business but my life. Looking forward in working with you
The ISSE NC Experience was phenomenal, fabulous and life changing. It has forever changed my business . I want to say (IMO) no matter where you are, get to an ISS Experience. Doesn't matter if it's not in your home state, get there and make it a goal to do so before the end of 2012. You will forever be glad you did. Have a fabulous week! Xoxo
The ISSE NC was so entertaining that it felt like a party, not a business conference. There was an abundance of great food and a room full of wonderful new friends and business associates. Stacie, Preston, Jay and Brooke provided a lot of sound advice, yet were humorous and entertaining. The gift bags were well planned and appreciated. I appreciated Stacie staying around 3 hours after the end of the conference to spend a few minutes with me one-on-one. It was money well-spent.
I really enjoyed meeting new people and learning from the panel. ISSE North Carolina was the 3rd ISSE event I have attended and I learn something new each time and always leave feeling inspired and confident that I can build my business to new levels. The events are so upbeat, fun, and full of energy! The inspiretini was fab. The bartender told me the drink had moonshine in it--nuff said!
My favorite part of the ISSE NC event was that it was in Durham!! Of course I love that it was at The Cotton Room, but my heart would have been happy to go anywhere in Durham and have the opportunity to meet so many wonderful industry professionals. Durham often plays 'second fiddle' to Raleigh and the pride that I felt in having all of you here was insurmountable! Second favorite were the Moonshine Martinis =) And third favorite was my chartreuse pashmina that perfectly matched my dress! =)
What I found most refreshing about ISSE North Carolina was learning that we all have the same challenges! When you are constantly bombarded with guilt, etc from the demanding customer and faced with adversity as you persevere through the business journey, it's so refreshing to know that you are not alone, it's not personal, and everyone is in this together! Made some great allies in the biz! And took home some "implement immediately" info! :)
The ISSE NC experience left me wanting more and more. It was fantabulous...need I say more? The speakers and the attendees--it was like we all knew each other from way back when and came together to discuss the business of business and have fun while doing it. Looking forward to another ISS experience...
This was a difficult question, since many elements were my favorite parts. But to narrow it down, my favorite part was the interaction with the guest speakers, including Stacie. Sincerity shined through and you could feel all the positive vibes. I personally felt as if I was in a one-on-one consultation, even when other attendees’ questions were answered. The best experience is how intimate it felt. I personally felt they genuinely wanted me to succeed and go to the next level. Around every turn was a lesson to be learned. From branding represented throughout the event, to networking with fellow attendees {cherry on top of my sundae}, to specific language to use to pitch yourself to local television and print media. No fluff content…specific, actionable tasks and items to be implemented. It was a room full of camaraderie and love. Like one big ole’ family reunion. The speakers went above and beyond in connecting and sharing. Fellow wedding professionals were open in sharing their experiences too. Wrapping up the experience with one big bow…personal pictures taken with Preston Bailey, Jay Qualls and Stacie. Thank you very much for an experience that was truly life changing. Much love!
ISSE DR was nothing short of amazing. The decor, the collateral, and the information were phenomenal. I look forward to December, and the opportunity to reconnect with and/or meet new speakers and attendees. Learning from one another is a resource that everyone should tap into. The value in ISSE is that you learn from not only the speakers but from attendees operating in different markets than your own. People that are more willing to share information with you - people who don't view you as competition, but as colleagues.
Stacie,
It was great to meet you in person at ISSE Carmel! Thank you for providing such an insightful and inspiring experience. I was blown away by the speakers, the attendees and you! The panel of industry experts was diverse, experienced and so gracious with their knowledge. I met so many wonderful people, forged great connections and had a blast. I left with new confidence, new goals, and the steps to get there - thank you!
Hi Stacie- just wanted to send you a quick note to say Thank You for an amazing week. The entire week was educational, inspiring and truly life changing for me. I feel blessed to have met you and look forward to more fun in the future. You are such a great business woman!! I just want to be a sponge around you!!! Inspired!!
What an amazing event in Mexico! I absolutely loved the education, the style, the food, & the people.
ISSE was the warmest wedding industry experience I have ever walked into. Everyone was authentic & the snobbery was almost non-existent. I felt welcomed by this group from the first moment, which is a rarity in my experience for these kinds of events.
I am grateful to be included in the line-up, & I hope I was able to add value for your attendees.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for ALL you did to make ISSE, December 3-6, 2012, in beautiful Rivera Cancun at the NOW Jade Resort an unparalleled SUCCESS!!!
I speak at and attend MANY conferences, and the ISSE Conference is CONSISTENTLY ALWAYS the best organized, best well-run with ATTENTION TO DETAIL that surpasses even a White House event! Each of you should be so very PROUD of all you did! I was very much HONORED to be a part of the event.
I sincerely look forward to the next opportunity to work with each of you, in what I hope will be the very near future!!
It’s been only a month since I attended the ISS Experience in Carmel, and I’m still stunned by how effectively it has transformed my business! Without even mentioning the changes I’m now making in my staffing, website, branding and the projects I tackle, my success has been tremendous.
Since leaving the conference, I have doubled the amount of inquiries I turn into consultations, booked every single consultation I have had, and have doubled (at least!) my income for next year, 2013. I have always been slightly afraid of upselling, and yet now I have sold my biggest packages (ever in my business’ history) to two different couples. I usually have to wait weeks for a couple to make a decision, assuming that was normal, but now know how to “close” so well that my most recent booking took only 4 hours to come to their decision, the others deciding in 48 hours or less. I have so much business now that I’m honestly having to contemplate when I may need to start turning it away – a problem I never thought I would have.
The practical advice I was given by the showcase speakers was immediately applicable and has clearly made a difference in the success of my company now, and will forever into the future; I’m never going back! ☺ All of this has taken place even before I’ve had a chance to review my notes and implement some of the bigger projects and ideas – who knows where I’ll be after doing that?? Attending ISS was worth every penny and then some, and will continue to inspire me for years to come.
My appreciation for ISSE is beyond words. Stacie and her team do an amazing job bringing together the top wedding industry professionals to provide insightful and interactive presentations designed to help you identify trends within the industry and implement effective strategies to improve the quality of your company. I attended the conference at the beginning of my event planning career and I am so thankful that I did. I feel as if I approach decision making differently as a result of attending. Spending time with Stacie really helped me to develop my business identity. I have renamed, rebranded and simply reinvented my company to what I know will be a successful company. I am more confident in myself as well as my company.
Thank you seems so inadequate for the wonderful atmosphere that ISSE provided to me. The accommodations, the food, the fellowship, the friendships, the infamous scavenger hunt, the laughter, the priceless memories and the SWAG bags, will forever be in my heart and mind. I am counting down until the next experience!
The entire ISSE journey was amazing. Every component from the time I confirm my attendance to when I got home last night. Stacie you are simply beautiful in so many ways. I appreciate you pushing me to be better at what I do. The connections, conversations, presentations, words of wisdom, materials, decor, etc. Everything energize every sensory preception. I have a lot of work to do on my business, I'm starting today. Thank You Stacie Francombe!
Thank you so much to Stacie and the entire ISSE team! The ISSE conference in Mexico was amazing and beyond worth every single penny! I have never been to a conference that was so beautifully put together, offered more, or that had more incredible professionals to connect with. The experience I had and the connections I made will last a lifetime and I cannot thank you and your staff enough! Can't wait for next year!
ISSE MEXICO was amazing! I loved meeting and being inspired by so many wonderful, talented, brilliant people! It was the best week EVER. Still basking in the joy of every moment of that conference. THANK YOU to stacie and the whole team for everything they did to make it such a magical experience. THANK YOU to all the attendees for being so bad-ass and inspiring. I feel so lucky to have been involved. What an incredible week! xoxo
I think the event was so well put together and executed. All of the printed materials were just beautiful and the attention to detail did not go unnoticed. I LOVED the smile on a stick, what a fun idea! Details make such a difference in the overall experience of an event and all of you who put the event together should be so proud of yourselves. Thanks again for a fab time:) I had such a wonderful time-- beginning to end! I met so many interesting people and learned so much. Thank you for the amazing experience!
ISSE was just FAN-TASTIC - Consider me a fan for life! The level of each attendee offered so many great networking opportunities, but even more importantly, I feel like some great friendships were started. The presentation list set a new standard! The best to me was the ISSE Booklet with everyone's social contact info! GOLD STAR for that BRILLIANT idea!!
Karl and I arrived home late last night and we're just beginning to peruse the photos from the conference. We can't wait to share them with you all! Making the trip to the Riviera was so worthwhile. We've come home with quite a few new friends and ideas. Thank you Stacie Ivers Francombe and the many who put in their time and energy to making last week so successful.
What made the ISSE Mexico conference better than ANY other conference I have ever attended? The TRANSPARENCY exhibited by each and every presenter! For the allotted time, I felt that I had a "personal" interaction with each presenter while they poured out of their HEART everything they could to help little ol' me to reach my BEST POTENTIAL and take my business to the next TEN LEVELS!! Thanks to everyone - my new FRIENDS (aka attendees & presenters) for contributing to this phenomenal occasion!
Stacie & your INCREDIBLE staff — Thank you, thank you thank you! I can't believe a week ago, we embarked on the beginning of an AMAZING ISSE in México; and as I think about all the INCREDIBLE moments, every moment is more TERRIFIC than the other. The entire week was truly an experience filled with KNOWLEDGE, EXCITEMENT, JOY, LAUGHTER, FRIENDSHIPS, THRILL, and the WOW factor.
I truly filled blessed to have been able to attend this conference and humbled to be able to share this experience with such talented, passionate, creative individuals; all with the same goal, SMART SUCCESS! But I'm just saying...
At one of the breakout sessions, Sonny quoted Mark Twain,
“I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”
This happened to us. We got home, wrote a long letter to Stacie and when reading it over, deleted most of it, as there are just not enough words to express what a FANTASTIC JOB you did. In ISS abbreviation every letter stands for itself and says it all. We are very honored to be a part of your network and hope to continue our relationship. Please extend our thanks to all your team!!!
Stacie, all I can say is amazing. The "Experience" was amazing. I feel that what I received exceeded my expectations. While I'm overwhelmed with what I need to do next, you have given me a clear vision of what I need to do to take my business to the next level. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are wonderful!
Wow! Is all I am still saying 24 hours after my experience from the ISSE! I have been in business for over 20 years and you just presented me with a huge beautiful door for me to open and walk through! You have been what I have been looking for, for so many years! Everything I wondered about or imagined and was iffy about, you answered and backed me up! I am so confident now that I will be very successful, more than now and it's because of my experience at your seminar! I highly recommend anyone just thinking about attending to do so. It will be one of the smartest and priceless investments they can do for their business. I can't wait to attend many more!
By the time the day was over, I was not only energized, I had been reminded of what I need to do to make myself happy - and that was, bring in more customers and continue to make them happy! I completely enjoyed everyone at the seminar. I'm Twittering and posting almost every day .... still not sure why, but it feels ok now...So thank you, Stacie, for giving me back my positive attitude and energy!
“It’s been 2 weeks since I attended the ISSE Orlando and I can’t stop talking about how amazing the Experience was for me! It provided me with all the necessary tools I needed to re-launch and re-brand my business! So much thought went into the planning process from the site selection at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria, the beautiful decor, menu, fabulous Swag Bags, Welcome Party, and the dynamic Panel of Hosts! The advice provided by Stacie and the rest of the Panel was PRICELESS! In addition to providing me with the knowledge I needed – when I needed it – to re-brand my business, I developed new acquaintances and gained a new level of confidence in the process! THANK YOU again for this life-changing Experience!”
“You are fab! Words cannot express to you how powerful yesterday was for me! I needed to hear everything you said, what panel members expressed, and the best part of the whole day was the amount of new friends I have come to meet… I am forever in your debt, you helped me make my business what it is today and for that I say THANK YOU!”
“If you missed the Inspire Smart Success Conference hosted by Stacie Francombe, shame on you… Stacie pulled out all the stops! I can honestly say that this was the best conference/experience that I have been to at any time. Stacie provided a beautiful and intimate setting that helped to promote a great atmosphere for networking. Each panel guest made themselves available to us to answer our questions and gave good solid advice that will help us take our businesses to the top!
Inspire Smart Success is so innovative. If you have the chance to go, it’s a must! If it isn’t the well thought out details everywhere you turn, then it’s for sure, without a doubt, the people you are surrounded by. From the linens, to flowers, to branded soda bottles, notebooks, pens, name tags, swag bags, lunch menus, the dessert table.. OMG! Really?Everything breathed ISS & branding.
"It was great to meet you in person at ISSE Carmel! Thank you for providing such an insightful and inspiring experience. I was blown away by the speakers, the attendees and you! The panel of industry experts were diverse, experienced and so gracious with their knowledge. I met so many wonderful people, forged great connections and had a blast. I left with new confidence, new goals, and the steps to get there - thank you!"