Q. What is Be Sage Conference?
A. Be Sage Conference is a “meeting of the minds”. It’s hard-core, no-fluff, solid business education. It’s also a time for small business owners to rekindle the flame they once had for their business (we often hear from our attendees that they walk away from Be Sage totally rejuvenated again). It’s a time for entrepreneurs to spur each other on with incredible, new and fresh ideas. It’s a time for you to devote yourself to advanced business education that will help take your small biz strategy to the next level!
The conference is produced by Be Sage Consulting, formerly Sage Wedding Pros, a business consultancy for the wedding and event industries founded in 2009 and lead by Michelle Loretta.
Q. What’s the history of Be Sage and where are you headed next?
A. Be Sage Conference was created in 2014 as we’d seen many of our clients ‘grow up’ in business. There has never been much education for experienced business owners facing grown-up challenges. Our conferences are held all over with our history as follows:
2014: Chicago
2015: Dallas
2016: Cabo San Lucas
2017: Hilton Head
2019: Miami
2020: Austin
2023: Sonoma
You can see our past conferences here. We can’t wait to head to San Miguel de Allende in 2024!
Q. What will the schedule be for 2024?
We’ll be publishing a full schedule this Winter as we continue to plan for the conference. For travel purposes, you should plan to be ready for our opening session at 2pm on Monday, February 26th. Our final event will be our closing party on Wednesday, February 28th. Departures will be on Thursday, February 29th. (We will not have any formal program on Thursday.)
On our wish list is to have some ‘add-on’ optional cultural programming before and/or after the conference begins and ends. If your schedule is still flexible, we would recommend holding off on your air booking if/until we are able to finalize some of these extra events.
Q. I had bad luck with a conference canceling and I lost all my money. How can I be sure you won't do the same?
A. This is horrible. I am sorry this happened. And, I'm horrified that you were not refunded. Please read our guarantee here.
You should read our attendee cancelation policy below. In exchange for our commitment to you, we ask for the same in return. If you need to cancel, we ask that you find a suitable replacement for your ticket.
Q: What is your COVID and/or health policy?
We will follow all local laws and guidelines, coupled with national CDC recommendations, in regards to our COVID policy during the week of the conference. At the time of this writing (June 20, 2023) there are no local requirements for masking or vaccinations. If these conditions continue, we will not be masking or asking for vaccination status. Of course, you are welcome to mask if you feel it is in the best interest of your health and safety. And, our welcome environment would not question it for one minute.
Please refer to the CDC COVID isolation and quarantine calculator if you have recently been infected or exposed.
If you are sick and unable to attend, we will be happy to reserve your registration for a 2025 or 2026 conference. Please notify us immediately so that we can release your seat to the 2024 waitlist.
Q. What are topics that Be Sage speakers will be presenting on?
A. We pride ourselves on top-notch curriculum. We are creating the curriculum this very minute. In 2016, attendees learned about:
The Science of Happiness and How it Can Better Your Business
How to Become an Epic Expert and Gain New Opportunities
Ways That Your Online Communications are Missing the Mark
How to Get Out of the Wedding Box and Expand Your Business into Other Events
How to Sell Digital and Physical Products Online
How to Surprise & Delight Clients and Prospects; The WOW Effect
How to Put Your Team First, Ahead of Clients & Profitability
How to Grow Your Business With Other People’s Money
What’s Next in Social Media? Positioning Your Business for Tomorrow’s Brides
In 2017, attendees learned:
OPENNESS & COLLABORATION - Michelle Loretta, Sage Wedding Pros
THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS AND A SENSE OF CULTURE - Sunny Grosso, Delivering Happiness
HIGH TECH & HIGH TOUCH - Terrica Skaggs, Cocktails & Details
THE CEO MINDSET - HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY - Tonya Dalton
SCALING THE CREATIVE BUSINESS - Kristy Rice, Momental Designs
STOP IN THE NAME OF LAW-VE - Annette Stepanian
THERE’S NO CRYING IN ACCOUNTING - a financial round table with Michelle Loretta
HOW TO MAKE GOOGLE HAPPY IN 2018 - Myrna P. Daramy, Mezzohead Media
THE IRRESISTIBLE UPSELL - Maria Bayer
THE ART OF STORYTELLING TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR PR - Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting
WHO, WHAT, WHY IN 2018 - Michelle Loretta, Sage Wedding Pros
In 2019, attendees learned:
Simplifying How to Work With A Virtual Team: Delegation, Automation, and Thriving as a Super Boss! - Mary Baird Wilcock, The Simplifiers
How Strategic Mentorship Can Level Up Your Business - Christie Lindor
The Employee Revolving Door – Managing Team Turnover - Katie Blineau
Google Analytics for Busy Business Owners: The Easy Way to Use Google Analytics to Gain Isights that Grow Your Business - Christie Osborne
How to Attract More Dream Clients: How to Write Your Own Clear, Sincere Copy - Nikki Elledge Brown
Reinvention & Relevancy: How to Create a Lasting Mark on the Industry - Kristin Banta
Q. Is this for newer or more established business owners?
A. While newer businesses will absolutely benefit from this conference, we do believe that entrepreneurs who have been in business 5+ years will benefit more than those in their start-up phase - they have a history to work from, they likely already have a business plan in place, etc. However, if you’re hungry for higher-level education then this is the conference for you!
Q. How many people do you anticipate attending the conference?
A. We will be maxing out registration at 120 participants with ~30ish speakers, sponsors, and organizers who will also join us. We want this to continue to be as intimate of an experience as possible, while still allowing for a good-size group to benefit from the education. We anticipate that we will sell out this year, so be sure to snag your seat now to guarantee your spot!
Q. What is included in the price of the conference?
A. The price of the conference is $2950. This will cover all educational sessions and the Welcome Party Event, Breakfast on Day 1 and Day 2 of the Conference, Lunch on Day 1 and Day 2 of the Conference, and Closing Party with Dinner on Day 2 of the Conference. Of course, the registration fee, and all materials, to attend the Conference is also included. If our events take us past the 1.5-mile radius of the hotel, we will provide transportation to these events. The cost does not include hotel, air, or hotel transfers. Make your hotel reservation here.
Q. What if I bring an employee? What is the pricing?
If you are registering an associate (a second registration for your business), you qualify for $400 off the full registration. The employee must work exclusively for your business, and have an email address of your business. They cannot be an independent business owner. Use the discount code “ASSOCIATE”. No other discounts can be used with this.
Q. What’s not included in the price of the conference?
A. Transportation to and from the airport is not included in the price of the conference. With everyone coming in on different days/times it’s going to be easiest logistically for attendees to make their own transportation plans – so we did not include this in the price of the conference fee. You’ll be responsible for your airport transportation arrangements to/from the hotel as well as any trips you’d like to make outside of the conference on your own.
Q. What is your refund/exchange policy?
A. This is a highly sought-after educational conference. There are no refunds or exchanges if you are unable to attend. You may, however, transfer or sell your ticket to another person for the same value as purchased.
Q. What happens in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster and as an attendee, you’ve already paid for the conference fee and hotel?
A. In the event of an earthquake, pandemic or natural disaster, we would first make attempts to reschedule. If you are unable to attend the new location and/or date, we would then refund your conference registration fee completely.
Please make sure you’re familiar with your air and hotel cancellation policies.
Q. How can I learn about sponsorship opportunities?
A. Email michelle@besageconsulting.com .
Q. How can I apply to be a speaker at Be Sage?
A. If you’re interested in being considered for a speaker at this year’s Be Sage Conference, please submit your application here.