My Interview With a Bridal Magazine..

Today I was interviewed about being a television personality and celebrity event designer. They asked me if I ever thought I would go this far. I said " I thought at this age I would be doing commercials for tampons, Viagra & Boniva like Sally Field. I guess this will be my next goal? One day I aspire to discuss one product like Viagra and maybe Xanax to assist with the worries some brides/planners have. :) I think this will be a BIG hit! LOL...I hope everyone is doing well... xoxox Sam

A Book Is On It's Way!!! TOTALLY SERIOUS!

For years I have been asked why don't you write your own book Sam? You give advice to so many sources, I bet you would have several things you could write about. Each time I hear this, I agree with you! I could call it timing or being overwhelmed with all of the changes with-in our company. The truth is, maybe I just wasn't ready and needed the right push. I found that right push less than a month ago! Well, maybe he found me... To make a long story short, I was asked to contribute information for another author's book and began speaking with the author about why I haven't written one yet. Good question! One thing lead to another, he made calls and now, we have begun this amazing book together! There's so much to say so many details and our calls go on for hours as he gathers my information for each chapter. I never knew there was so much involved with a book. TOC (Table of Contents). See I am learning the lingo. It's much like planning a wedding. You have to set a blue print first before you can begin the groundwork. As you digg deeper you find more things to say! Without my magic book partner, I would not be doing this right now! I am really enjoying this and now kicking myself, why did it take this long? So no more excuses OK? I think we can all agree, I have a boat-load I can write about. The wonderful world of planning, how I got myself into this career, the people I have met and the ones I have left behind, the good and the bad behind the scenes, being on television and working with celebrities. I can go on and on... I think what most people want to read is the drama and the secrets I don't usually share. I do have secrets. Some are great and some are sad. Someday, when I am ready and have completed this book, I may divulge some things about me...Things that made no sense years ago, but do now. What you see on television is one part of who I am. I am also an author, a spokesperson for Hilton Family Brands, a contributing editor for www.bridalguide.com, a columnist for a few papers and a contributor for hundreds of publications on-going. There's a lot going on in this head of mine 24/7. Is this what I aspired to be? Your going to have to buy the book to see! What you don't see is that I am also a wife, a mother and a woman who is trying to decide what opportunity I can seize next. I love doing many things, some of the vendors in my circle are ready to climb aboard that train of excitement, while others can't understand why I can't just focus on one thing at a time. I have one answer to that. If I did things that didn't seem natural, I don't think I would have had all of these great opportunities come my way. You never know if you are truly ready unless you go for it. So with me, if it feels right and your too slow, I may be moons ahead jumping into a pool of ??? Head first! I only give 100%...There's no other way! I AM GOING FOR IT! I hope I can continue to count on your support along the way! I am so very excited about this project! I know it's going to be months before anything goes to print..But you will soon hear little tid bits about the book on some of the appearances I will be making on television etc... I am not just celebrating this alone. I get to celebrate this with all of you. Without your support, your following and emails...it would be incredibly difficult to do this. I am your biggest fan! Trust me, in this world, success only works when you support each other! I look forward to sharing little bits of the book and who knows I might need a few pieces of information from an unbiased point of view along the way! As always THANK YOU!!! This is a journey that is going to take us far! xoxo Sam

CAES 100-200 SOLD OUT JULY 25th! New Class!!!

I am happy to announce we have finally completed our registration for both courses on June 25th 2009. Thank you for those who were adamant on saving a seat! You made me blush! Was it the discount??? Well, you asked for one!!! I am trying here! Due to the overwhelming response and questions about the series 200, I've decided to create a class for beginners ONLY in August and Sept. The class has been tailored to work with those who have no clue on where to begin with paper work, how to start the planning process, how to meet new vendors and build strong long lasting relationships with them. Etc. Please read our website www.samanthagoldberg.com (education link) for more information. The course will have intense role playing as well as some field trips 3-4 months after the course to some of the top venues in the NJ area. During these visits you will learn the secrets of the trade from those who have been in the fabulous world of weddings for over 20 years. This class will only be available to those who qualify based on our questionnaire. We will no longer be sending out our applications due to issues in the marketplace. We also want to ensure you are right for this particular course. The class will be open for ONLY 10 students and will only be available on August 22 and September 12th. Location Summit NJ Time: 9:30am to 4pm Meals and snacks included in fee. Fee $699 (Early enrollment discount of $50 if signed in by end of July 2009)Please mention this when you contact our Special Events Coordinator Lacey at 908.219.4028 We accept all credit cards, money orders and cash. Payment plans are an option. Please ask about the prerequisites of the payment plans when you call. We do have grants available for those who qualify. You will need to meet with a trained coordinator at the Summit location to discuss specifics. Each case will be considered. *** For those who are approved for the class you will receive a free bridal emergency kit on wheels. This is valued at over $170!! and was custom designed by Samantha Goldberg. This offer is not applicable for those who receive the $50 early sign up fee discount or any other discounted offers. However to be fair, the cases will be offered to you at a discount if you would like one. I look forward to seeing you at our next class! Samantha For those who had asked to be on our waiting list for CAES 100...Please call us as you may qualify for this class. We have most of your applications on file and can review each class with you to see what is the best fit for you.

How To Afford Fancy Items For a Fraction of The Cost?

Do you ever wonder how certain brides and grooms can afford elaborate items and not others? Did you know that some items they have are rented?? Yes they are!!!! Did you know that half of the elegant weddings you see in the movies have fake or borrowed elements? I bet you didn't know that? In the last 5 years many people have divulged ways to have to elegant bling, designer gowns and fabulous decor on a budget. I am firm believer that we are not raised with the ability to think outside the box when it comes to designing our wedding. There is a small percentage of brides who may have thought of how this one day should look since the day they were born. For the 99.9% of us, we have no clue. I have to admit, I am one of the 99% who had no idea what she wanted even though I worked in the industry. A White wedding with some floral seemed like a great idea! I never strived to have the best, I didn't have a favorite song or color. Honestly, I had to wing it. I just said yes to everyone's ideas... :) Now I didn't follow everyone's advice, I just said yes to shut them up. Another tip you should keep in your back pocket! When I hear about new trends or start one, I always am the first to share my treasures with the public. Why should such fabulous secrets be kept to myself? So let's start with some fun tools you should know about... Did you know you can rent a gown? A REAL high end designer gown that could have cost in the double digit thousands for a few hundred? These stores are out there and continue to expand slowly...Here are a few on the East Coast and I promise to list others as they become available to me! They even rent bridesmaids gowns too!!! http://www.alexandriasformal.com/page/page/1394292.htm This link has tons of options! http://www.weddingdressmarket.com/search.php?Start=340&c=2&AgentID=&search_city=&search_state=&search_country=&min=&max=&year1=&year2=&vehicle=&p=&r= Did you know that you can rent a cake??? You can! They look so fabulously real and having a great tasting sheet cake in the kitchen for serving? Whose going to know? I have been to many bakeries and I have to say, I cannot tell the difference. Don't say anything, but at one bakery I did try to lick the cake..I thought the baker was kidding! Ha! It was really fondant and foam...I still have a furry tongue from the dust on the cake! This place has EVERYTHING fake and so cool!!Don't lick it...Take it from a pro! http://www.rentafakecake.com/ Speaking of rentals..Rented Bling??? So So So available to anyone! Celebrities do this all the time and why can't you?? Check with your nearest jeweler for information on how! Stay tuned for some more secret ways to wow your guests and save thousands! Stick with me gals, I will take you on a ride you won't forget! Until next time! xoxo Sam

Planning Courses and Our Competition!!

In the last week we have received many great emails and calls regarding our courses that have been taught since 2000. It seems as though some of my peers along with other classes such as the "Smart Planner" (which is about working through your blog and building your business this way, Penn Foster which is an online course and has not offered hands on training and various others have been brought to my attention. The big and most common question is how are each of you different? There are many classes that are available for less time, less of an investment. Some do teach about planning to an extent but do not spend enough time on logistics and relationship building. They focus on building the business, making contacts etc...I would say our course is very hands on, we speak of the logistics of planning, how to find your niche,how to begin, strategies on how to be different and various other topics that are crucial before you start. We also cover paperwork, the process from beginning to end, what to charge, how to get your foot in the door and how to handle rejection in the begining. This business isn't open arms from day one let's face it! Thank you to Poster Barbara Thompson for bringing to our attention that our class should be called a seminar instead of a course. This absolutely makes sense. I never thought of it that way! But am VERY appreciative for the suggestion! CAES is an ORIGINAL concept with customised content. I started the classes-courses in strategic planning and sales due to my vast background in sales, marketing training and events. I also have a background in education which shows my appreciation for educating! I do love to teach! This is key! My philosophy has always been to NOT copy or worry about your competition. It doesn't allow you to stand out in a crowd and doesn't show why you are special! I do emphasize this during my seminar. There have also been questions as to if we will match the fee of our newest competitors. We absolutely will if the course they have matches the same content as ours. If you are finding fees at $500 or $600 please show us the invoice and we will gladly work with you to show you the difference. In most cases, our courses are very different. We have spoken to many students that have invested in association courses and felt when they left, they were not worthy of the certificate the programs offered upon completion. This tells us that we have made a difference! CAES is a proven system that can take beginners to the next level or semi established planners to a more advanced status. Please make note, the CAES 200 course which is SOLD OUT on July 25th is for students who have already started planning events. The second class CAES 100 is for beginners which has a fee of $699. The course fee for "CAES 100" has not been dropped! It is a completely different course and the fee is substantially lower due to content. I look forward to seeing you in July!!! xoxo Samantha *** Samantha Goldberg has a background in design and education for over 18 years. She has taught courses for all vendors including sales, planners, and multi vendor functions. She has spoken at several ISES, ABC and expo events throughout the country.

New Class Promotion!!! July 25th 2009!

CAES 100 Beginners Planning Course Summit NJ July 25th 2009 #2 Call us ASAP for your reservation! I felt horrible about booking this course last month! I know several of you have been asking and we had to grant booking to those who were on our waiting list. It was booked with in 4 days! I have never had that quick of a turn around trust me! However, I have GREAT news!! Due to the overwhelming response about our July 25th course, we have decided to have a second class the same day for less experienced planners or those who want the REAL basics of planning. This class is a bit less of an investment than the CAES 200 which is $999. The bad news...I can only facilitate 6 students. I don't have the space! Please visit our website at www.samanthagoldberg.com (Education link)for more information on content. We are able to accept 6 applications at this time. This class is new option for planners who just need to break into the industry...This will not be a regular running course! Date July 25th 2009 Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm Location: 12 Bank Street Suite 201 Summit NJ 07901 Fee: $699.00 Includes: Breakfast, Lunch and snacks, training, materials and hands on experience after the course. You will receive certification once you have completed a wedding on your own. We will supply the bride! Payment programs are open...PayPal, All Major credit cards, checks and cash are welcome. IOU's sorry guys, can't do it this time :) Please contact Lacey our Special Events Coordinator at 908.219.4028 to sign up today! This will be our last class until November of this year! Don't wait!!!!