Photos by Sarah Aurora Photography.
If Day 1 was about arriving, Day 2 was about digging in. Tuesday, November 3, was our main conference day, and it was packed from the first cup of coffee to the last toast of the night.
Coffee, connection, and the opening session
The morning began at Café Collaborativo, our coffee-and-conversation hour where the leadership and conference teams mingle with attendees before sessions start.
Then it was time for the Opening Session. Nicole Zillman introduced President Veronica Foster, who shared association updates and thanked the conference team, volunteers, and sponsors who made the week possible. Michole Council, VP of Member Operations, followed with news on ambassador roles, leadership opportunities, and designation updates.
Our MC, Desiree Dent, then took over and introduced this year's cohorts, small teams that competed all week and gave every attendee a built-in group of new friends. She also walked everyone through the week's extras: the Sandals Lounge, Café Collaborativo, and the Mercado. Then she gathered the whole room for our WOW 2026 group photo, taken from the stage by Sarah Aurora Photography.
Session: Swipe Right on Sales
After lunch, Paige Mejia led Swipe Right on Sales: Ditch the Pitch and Build the Spark, a fresh take on the sales conversation. Her message: stop pitching and start connecting, because couples book the planner they feel understood by.
Session: Taking Advantage of Tech
Kevin Dennis opened the education session with Taking Advantage of Tech: Downloading the Update Your Event Company Needs. His session was full of practical, use-it-Monday ideas for the tools and systems that can give planners back hours every week, from client communication to behind-the-scenes workflow.
A surprise from Mexico
Mid-morning, we paused for a surprise "Experiences of Mexico" activity that brought local culture right into the session room. [Add a sentence on what it was.] It was one of those moments that reminded everyone why we bring WOW to destinations, not just meeting rooms.
Session: Letting Go to Level Up
After lunch, Shakila Booker of SML Assisting delivered Letting Go to Level Up: Delegating Strategies to Protect Your Profit and Peace. For an audience full of business owners who are used to doing it all, her message landed: delegation isn't giving up control, it's how you protect your time, your margins and your sanity. Attendees left with a clear plan for what to hand off first.
Lounging, shopping and creating
Between sessions, members recharged in the Sandals Lounge, browsed local makers in the Mercado, and filmed content and refreshed their headshots at the Branding Bar.
Pink-Out!
At 4 p.m., the main pool turned pink. Michole Council hosted our Pink-Out Pool Party, and it was everything you'd hope for: sunshine, music, pink from head to toe and plenty of laughter. [Add a favorite moment or photo caption.]
Tequila & Takeaways
The day ended at the main bar with the Tequila & Takeaways Nightcap, hosted by Casey Pittman and Jasmine Jackson-Bray. Guests were welcome, the networking was easy, and more than a few business ideas were scribbled on cocktail napkins.
Next up: Day 3, with a full day of education, our scholarship recipients and the Trendsetter Awards Gala.
