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BY RHONDA BASSAT-RIVERA
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
WEDDING TRENDS
Candice Benson, Senior Event Consultant and Founder of The Finishing Touch Wedding & Event Planning has been named the New Jersey State Coordinator by the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC).
Benson founded the West Orange-based wedding planning company in 2004, and assists couples on their marriage journey in New Jersey, New York, and destinations worldwide. She has earned the designation of Professional Bridal Consultant TM from the ABC, and is seeking to upgrade her designation at this year's ABC conference in November.
In selecting Benson to take over the New Jersey State Coordinator position, David Wood, President of the ABC, states: "As the former state coordinator Toni DeLisi moves up to handle the ABC wedding planning program for community colleges, ABC is thrilled to have long time supporter Candice Benson step up as State Coordinator for New Jersey.
"Candice has been very active behind the scenes both in N.J. and in London, England, highlighting the advantages of working with a professional wedding coordinator. ABC is honored to have Candice in her new position."What inspired Benson to tackle the New Jersey State Coordinator role?
"I am passionate about moving the industry forward in New Jersey,'' she said.
She feels that the ABC is a good vehicle, with wonderful support and reach, to accomplish this.
"I am very excited about my new role as State Coordinator for N.J. and am thankful to David Wood and the ABC leadership for allowing me the opportunity to work alongside others in the industry to continue to promote our Organization and the great work of our members,'' she said. "Through consistent communication and marketing efforts I really believe we can encourage others in the industry to join our efforts and, more importantly, show Brides the value of working with an ABC consultant."
Benson's goals for New Jersey's ABC are threefold: "First, I want to increase the visibility of the ABC and its amazing New Jersey members. Second, I want to raise the bar of what it means to be a ‘wedding planner.' And third, I want to increase the opportunities for continuing education for both novice and experienced planners and wedding vendors."
In addition, Benson is seeking to grow the New Jersey ABC membership to include every member of the New Jersey wedding community.
Her role as the New Jersey State Coordinator is to promote education and networking within the industry, as well as to represent the State of New Jersey at ABC conferences and meetings both here and nationwide. Benson is working on creating a new website just for the New Jersey ABC. For now, in order to contact the New Jersey ABC, you may send an email to Benson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call her at 973-525-5884.
Benson has been a member of the ABC since 2004, and served as the ABC's Co-Director of the Local Networking Group (LNG) for Northern New Jersey from 2006 until taking over as State Coordinator on October 1, 2009. In addition, from 2007 until the present, Benson served as the Co-Director for ABC's London, England LNG.
Benson is replacing DeLisi of Memorable Events, Inc., who held the New Jersey State Coordinator position for 12 years. DeLisi has been promoted to the ABC's Manager of Community Colleges, responsible for coordinating the ABC's national effort to introduce the business of wedding planning to students at community colleges around the United States.
Speaking of Benson, DeLisi says, "Candice has come a long way since she first interned with me in 2004. She's developed into a highly regarded professional in her field and I am as certain with this new position as I was when I appointed her as North Jersey ABC LNG Co-Director that she will succeed in achieving her goals for the ABC and its members in New Jersey."
In the interest of full disclosure, I served with Benson as the Co-Director of the Northern NJ LNG from 2006 until 2008. One of the many things the ABC stands for is cooperation among its membership, which has been borne out by our relationship over the years. I have assisted Benson on various occasions at her company's weddings; likewise, she has assisted me at my company's events. We share information and learning experiences. Even though we both are based out of West Orange, we are friends and colleagues and ABC members, above being friendly competitors.
ABC is the oldest and largest association serving the bridal community. The ABC is an international organization with over 4500 members worldwide. Wedding consultants, wedding vendors, and all lines of business that intersect within the wedding industry comprise the ABC. Based out of Connecticut, the ABC offers networking, education and training to its members. For more information about the ABC, go to bridalassn.com.
