bridalmanufacturers.com

“Speaking on behalf of the IBMA board, I’d like to thank each new or renewing member for their support, and for their willingness to step outside of their primary interests to work toward addressing issues of importance for the industry as a whole,” said Alan Dessy, IBMA president.

To join the IBMA, click here.

IBMA Kick-Start Program on WeddingWire

weddingwire — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:53:24 +0000

WeddingWire was presented the task of creating a program that would be appealing to a large audience and would create a movement among IBMA members to take action and participate as a group. What we have devised is a program created exclusively for the IBMA , which is both easily digestible and will have a strong impact during peak engagement season. Our program is aimed to achieve two main goals: create brand awareness for the members’ individual brands and for the IBMA as an association. We have constructed is a program in which, each member has the opportunity to receive the following:

- 10 images to appear in a curated, Featured Gallery, which will highlight gowns exclusively from IBMA members

- 600,000 impressions in a 728 x 90 run of site ad unit to promote each IBMA members’ brand during the first quarter

We included a bonus to get more members to participate and it worked! WeddingWire will offer an additional 500,000 impressions dedicated to promote the IBMA as an association, if more than 5 members participate. We are thrilled to announce that so far we have 6 members, who jumped on-board right away and several others who seem to be moving in that direction as well.

We are excited to have this opportunity to create a dedicated program for the IBMA and its members. If you are interested in learning more information, please feel free to contact me at persephone@weddingwire.com.

IBMA Newsletter 12/9/2011

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:00:32 +0000

A NEW IBMA IS BORN!

The International Bridal Manufacturers Association (IBMA) has been reestablished with a new board and a new charter. We are building momentum… tackling issues, developing programs and setting our sights on providing REAL benefits for our members!
Specific committees have been established, the Association website www.bridalmanufacturers.com has been revamped, and a new request for proposal system has been created to invite resources to pitch products and services to the association.
Our new Request for Proposal approach is already working. Currently we have advertising and market proposals from For the Bride, Conde Nast, The Knot, Bridal Guide, WeddingWire.com, Wedding Audience, and Dallas Market… and we expect many more proposals, open for participation by all members in time for next market season.

As a paid member, you’ll have access to this growing list of benefits, and can participate in shaping the association’s future as it tackles issues of importance to us all.

Renewing and/or signing up is easier than ever… simply follow the link below to the newly designed IBMA website, click through to the Membership section, and pay the $300 annual fee via credit card or PayPal.

www.bridalmanufacturers.com

And for the first 20 members signing up or renewing, lunch in New York at the NYC Athletic Club at the April 13 IBMA meeting is on us!
Act fast and sign up today… this “Free Lunch” $50 value ends 12/23.

IBMA board meets, elects officers and builds benefits

AssocAdmin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:54:16 +0000

Presenting IBMA member program at the NY board meeting included from left: Marie Connors, Dallas Market Center; Chris Hulse and Jen, The Wedding Audience; Jane Heflin, Couture NY Show, and Jennifer Davidson and name, name, of The Knot; Jackie and Lori Silver, Brides; and Persephone Efessiou and Pam Quandt, WeddingWire.

The acting board of directors of the IBMA made significant headway in its efforts to revitalize the association at its recent board meeting, approving up-to-date bylaws, electing officers, and reviewing members-only ad and promotional programs presented in person by representatives of Brides magazine and Brides.com; theknot.com, The Knot magazine, and Couture New York Market; The Wedding Audience, WeddingWire, and the Dallas Market Center.

The board also reviewed proposals addressing the need and the feasibility of a West Coast regional market. Others submitting proposals but unable to attend included Bridal Guide Magazine, and The National Bridal Market.

Held at the New York Athletic Club October 14, the board elected and ratified the following members and officers:

President: Alan Dessy, Dessy Group

Vice President: Paula Varsalona, Paula Varsalona

Secretary: Claudine Hamm, Alyce Designs

Treasurer: Peter Grimes, Vows Magazine

Board members confirmed: Eric Greco, Jordan Fashions; James Elias, Demetrios; Kevin Lu, Casablanca Bridal; Ed Rene, Touch Ups Shoes; Ty Yeh, Private Label by G; Kyle Yin, Jasmine Bridals, and Larry Warshaw, Sincerity/Justin Alexander.

Committee Chairs: Bylaws Committee, Paul Varsalona; Counterfeit and Fashion Piracy, Kyle Yin, and Market Feasibility, Larry Warshaw.

In congratulating the board and its new officers, President Alan Dessy also praised out-going president David Lesser, Forever Yours Bridal, for his selfless dedication and stewardship of the association, and thanking him for providing the foundation upon which the IBMA hopes to build.

The board also established the membership dues at $300, and directed Dessy and Peter Grimes to further review all proposals and create summaries for distribution to members and renewing members.

NEW IBMA AD

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:17:34 +0000

The IBMA has a brand new look. This double page spread will be appearing in For The Bride Magazine as well as Vows Magazine. General members will be included in ads like this one in the future.

Join the new IBMA now, so you can participate in group advertising program made available to members only by a number of bridal media and on-line resources.

Membership Details and Benefits

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:08:32 +0000

Annual dues are $300, must be paid in advance, and cannot be prorated during the calendar year. Dues must be paid in full before participation. In addition to special member-only advertising and promotional programs, paid members are invited to attend annual general membership meetings coordinated by the board of directors.

Members will also periodically receive proposals previewed by the board from various media companies including print and online publishers, as well as those from other business resources. These opportunities are structured to offer substantial savings on products or services, and are offered exclusively to the IBMA as a group.

The next meeting of the general members is scheduled for Friday April 13th, 2012. Members who pay their dues before January 1st, 2011 will not be charged the food/beverage fee of $50.

Click here to pay your dues

Chinese ‘knock-off’ feature story on GMA

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:44:48 +0000

CLICK HERE for full story and video.

Bridal manufacturers and brides are facing a continued threat from companies overseas that do not respect US copyright laws.

This story aired by Good Morning America November 3 demonstrates the problem quite clearly. Featuring notable companies such as Allure Bridal and Jenny Yoo, the video sheds light on an all too familiar and frustrating problem, and alerts the bride to the dangers of purchasing her gown from an overseas factory site.

The IBMA has established the Counterfeit and Fashion Piracy committee to explore methods by which we can put a stop to such blatant brand identity theft, and to find ways to protect the industry and the bridal consumer from this type of predatory activity. Current chair is Kyle Yin, Jasmine Bridal, assisted by Larry Warshaw, Sincerity/Justin Alexander Bridal.

To add your ideas and/or comments to the effort, please do so via email: info@bridalmanufacturers.com