I am so pleased to be invited to speak, and join the array of great wedding industry professionals at the “Maximize Your Brand” Wedding Symposium in New York City. If you’re in NYC, this is an event you don’t want to miss.

When: Monday & Tuesday, October 19-20, 2009 Where: New York City in the chic and modern boutique hotel, Ravel 808 Queens Plz S, Long Island City, NY 11101{ view map } Cost: $250 for both October 19th and 20th; $175 per either October 19th or the 20th Maximize Your Brand is a wedding business symposium targeting wedding and special event industry professionals who are serious about taking their business to the next level. Whether you’re a planner, designer, florist or photographer the educational programming will provide practical, in-depth and engaging information to help transform your business. Speakers for MYB09 include: Stacie Francombe founder and president of GetMarried.com Natalie Bradley owner of Natalie Bradley Events and Bride Attraction Bernadette Coveney Smith owner of It’s About Time Events Christopher Duggan owner of Threshold Visions Xochitl Gonzalez founder of Always a Bridesmaid Stephanie Hunt founder of iMatrimony Weddings & Technology Katie Martin owner of Elegance & Simplicity and founder of the Green Wedding Consortium Ross Oscar Knight owner of Ross Oscar Knight Photography Linnyette Richardson-Hall owner of Premiere Event Management Harmony Walton founder of The Bridal Bar Alan Berg VP of Local Strategic Solutions and Director of The Knot Market Intelligence MYB 2009 will shed light on best practices for staying on top of the industry in spite of the economy and will offer invaluable networking opportunities with other vendors and planners. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to partake in a safe haven for learning and networking within the wedding and special events industry. Media panel comprised of Industry leaders including Co-founder and President Stacie Francombe of Get Married. For more information please visit www.maximizeyourbrand.com. We are offering a special limited-time promotional discount of $50 until October 18th. To register for this event please visitwww.maximizeyourband2009.eventbrite.com. You can also follow our blog atwww.maximizeyourbrand09.blogspot.com for weekly speaker spotlights and continuous updates to the conference agenda!

© 2009, iMatrimony Wedding Technology Blog. All rights reserved.

I recently had a consulting client who was in need of assistance with her company’s internet identity. She runs an internet based e-commerce site, and the website is pretty much, “The Business”. After gathering more information about her company, and their website presence, I was amazed with the issues she was having with her web developer. The web developer had total control over her domain name account, hosting account, and all of her website files and code. She had no information to access any of these items. Anytime she needed to address her website, she relied solely on her web developer. And when asked, the web developer refused to give her access to her own company website. My client was afraid to do anything fearing the developer would crash her site, ruining her entire business. Unbelievable!!

There has been a lot of talk about whether or not you as a business owner, actually own your website files, or if your web developer does. It is in your best interest as a business owner to own all aspects of your website, so you have complete control and the right to do whatever you want. Here are a few things to remember:

1. Obtain a Written Assignment of Copyright for your website design, content, and code.
2. Using images that aren’t your own? Get a Release, or something in writing from the owner of the images that permits you to use them on your site. Always give credit for the images as well.
3. Use a CMS (Content Management System) to manage and maintain future changes to your site
4. Have your web developer sign a release, or “Work Made for Hire Agreement”

Remember, do your research and make sure you ask these important questions regarding who owns your website, use of the website, and all rights to the website.

© 2009, iMatrimony Wedding Technology Blog. All rights reserved.