Photos by Sarah Aurora Photography.
Wednesday, November 4, was the kind of day that fills a notebook. It held a full morning and afternoon of education, and then one of our favorite nights of the year: the ABC Trendsetter Awards Gala.
Opening remarks and our scholarship recipients
After Café Collaborativo, Desiree Dent opened the day and welcomed our vice presidents to the stage. Lois Pearce shared membership updates, Shelby Tuck-Horton shared what's ahead for education, and Nicole Zillman shared news from ABC Travel.
We also recognized our two scholarship recipients, Ashley Ellyn of New York and Richelle Sierra of South Carolina, with a briefing and a gift. Congratulations to you both. We can't wait to see where this takes you.
Keynote: From Passion to Purpose
Marsha-Ann Donaldson set the tone for the day with From Passion to Purpose: Building a Wedding Business That Changes Lives. She challenged everyone to think about the impact of their work beyond the wedding day: on their couples, their teams, their communities and their own families.
Branding Break
Next, attendees took a Branding Break, guided content time with prompts from Nikki Hiliare-Roach, to film social videos, update headshots and visit the Sandals Lounge. If you saw a flurry of "Coming to you live from ABC WOW 2026 in Cancún" posts that morning, this is why.
Panel: All Roads Lead to "Royal"
One of the most talked-about sessions of the week was the All Roads Lead to "Royal" panel, with Alicia Rampy, Debbie-Ann White and Nicole Zillman, moderated by Shelby Tuck-Horton. Each panelist shared the real story of how she built her business, with different starting points, different strengths and different setbacks. Together they made the point that there's no single path to an extraordinary career in this industry.
Session: From Operator to Owner
Chris Weinberg closed the education with From Operator to Owner, a challenge to step out of the day-to-day and start leading the company instead of running every event yourself.
The 2026 Trendsetter Awards Gala
That evening, members traded sundresses for black-tie with bright tropical colors for the ABC Trendsetter Awards Gala . DJ Marcus Anderson kept the dance floor full, and the room cheered for the members and events that set the standard this year.
Congratulations to the 2026 Trendsetters:
Nicole Zillman: ABC Team of the Year, Destination Wedding of the Year, Intimate Wedding of the Year, and Wedding of the Year, Under $50K
Michelle Borrero: Top Overall Producer, Top Domestic Producer and Most Bookings
Mariella Gonzalez Tardy: Wedding of the Year, $50K–$150K
Jennifer Ball: Top International Producer
Oscar Mejia: Speaker & Educator of the Year
Nikki Hiliare-Roach: Visual Branding
Cassandra White: Advisor Rising Star
PA & DE NACE Event: Chapter Event of the Year
You'll read more about each winner in the January issue of Wedding Planner Magazine.
Think you could be a 2027 Trendsetter? The awards return November 1, 2027 at the Conrad Orlando, and nominations open February 1, 2027. Start saving those photos and client stories now.
