Inclusive Awareness Conference

The National Gay Wedding Association Inclusive Awareness Conference - Share-the-Love!

Inclusive Awareness Conference

The National Gay Wedding Association Inclusive Awareness Conference - Share-the-Love!

Join us at the beautiful Indian Wells Hyatt Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, California for the inaugural National Gay Wedding Association’s Inclusive Awareness Conference, "Share-the-Love" from January 4-6, 2022.

Connect with like-minded LGBTQ+ wedding experts & pros for support, education, and advocacy in one of the country’s most inclusive cities.

Our multifaceted and dynamic group of speakers are all leading advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, and topics are educational and inspirational to help and inspire you to navigate this growing billion-dollar industry.

Don’t miss our featured keynote addresses by Chasten Glezman Buttigieg, teacher, author, and activist, along with the award-winning Brian Green creative visionary and event architect, By Brian Green, and the amazing Sara Cunningham of Free Mom Hugs. There will also be some surprise guests! Come and wrap yourself in the support of like-minded inclusive wedding professionals. Learn and hear about best practices & creative solutions that have led to groundbreaking and life-changing weddings and fabulous events. Learn what it means to be an advocate for LGBTQ+ couples. What can you do to share the love of your services? Elevate your wedding business by learning about inclusive practices. Each conference attendee will walk away with a practical and inclusive business plan to grow their wedding business.

Our conference guests will stay at one of Coachella Valley's award-winning resorts, the Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Spa. Relax and enjoy the sunny pool, or visit the area on an organized excursion. Virtual attendees will enjoy the beautiful views at every angle. Palm Springs’ large LGBTQ+ community (over 50% of the city’s population is queer) allows us to experience a world where inclusivity is the norm. If you can’t bring yourself to leave, special rate weekend packages are available for attendees wishing to extend into the weekend. Enjoy the world-famous tram up into the sky from the desert floor, go horseback riding, or just soak up the sun. Coachella Valley has it all!

NGWA Members save $300 on conference tickets.

Reserve Your Tickets Register Now

In-Person Cost: $795.00 Member / $1,095.00 Non-member

Virtual Attendance: $195.00 Member / $595 Non-member

January 4, 2022

Day 1 - Welcome Dinner & Reception, 2 drink tickets.

Hotel check-in 3:00 pm. Conference check-in 3:00 - Credentials, Tickets, SWAG Fun & more

Welcome Reception & Dinner - Surprise Guest & Entertainment- 6:00 pm.

January 5, 2022

Day 2 - General Session & Virtual - 8:00 - Noon Join us as we set the stage with our host & NGWA President, Cathy O'Connell. Welcoming industry leaders and advocates that will open your heart and challenge yourself to develop better business practices servicing LGBTQ+ couples.

Keynote Luncheon Speaker & Virtual - Sara Cunningham, Founder Free Mom Hugs with a special guest.

Breakout Sessions 1:30 -3:30 - Four Inclusive breakouts, photography, photo styling, wedding planning & hashtag training.

Leisure Time 3:30 - 6:00 - Lay & soak up the sun or join an additional activity for a small fee.

VIP Reception 5:00 - 6:30 - Meet & Greet with Keynotes, Sponsors & Invited Guests.

Dinner 6:30 - Keynote Speaker - Chasten Buttigieg, "I have something to say." Looking your best on our formal event.

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January 6, 2022

Day 3 - General Session & Virtual - 8:00 - Noon Join us on day #2 with your host & NGWA Vice President, Chanda Daniels. Welcoming industry leaders and wedding business owners who will help guide you through a plan of change. From social media to paperwork, we have the tools that you'll need to take away and begin to implement a higher level of inclusive service for LGBTQ+ couples and their families.

Panel luncheon with industry leaders who will lead the conversations on hot topics and ideas. Virtual - Noon-1:30

1:30 - 2:30 Bringing it home! Final Speaker - Get ready to be rocked! TBA

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Join us virtually or live in-person from the beautiful Indian Wells Hyatt Resort & Spa with Industry Leaders, LGBTQ+ Advocates and Inclusive Wedding Professionals, as we make history! Recorded links will also be available.

Special event tickets are available to the public and guests for an additional fee beginning August 1, 2021.

Register early to secure your seat! Pay-in-full or payment plans available. Both in person and virtual tickets are limited!

Chasten Glezman Buttigieg, Author and Educator

Chasten Glezman Buttigieg has built a name of his own as an advocate for teachers, inclusion, and the arts. Born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan, he received his bachelor’s degree in theater and global studies from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and his master’s in education from DePaul University.

Chasten most recently worked as a middle-school drama and humanities teacher before joining husband Pete on the 2020 Presidential campaign trail. In our country’s biggest cities and smallest towns, Americans were heartened by his charisma, empathy, and infectious positivity. In his moving, hopeful, and refreshingly candid memoir, “I Have Something to Tell You,” Chasten shares his story of growing up gay in his small Midwestern town, his relationship with Pete, and his hope for America’s future. The book was an instant New York Times Bestseller.

Chasten currently lives in South Bend, Indiana, with Peter and their two rescue dogs.

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Sara Cunningham

Sara Cunningham is not only the proud, loving Mom of an LGBTQ child, but she has become a leading voice for faith parents of LGBTQ children. She is the founder of Free Mom Hugs, a group of affirming parents and allies who love the LGBTQ+ community unconditionally. They are dedicated to encouraging families, religious organizations, and civic leaders to not only affirm the LGBTQ+ community but to celebrate them.

Sara is a moving speaker, powerful advocate and ally, and the author of the book, “How We Sleep At Night”, an intimate, raw, challenging, and emotional memoir of her personal journey regarding her son’s homosexuality. In her writing and speaking, Sara conveys a unique authenticity and an undeniably tender, caring heart. She and her husband have been married over 30 years and live in Oklahoma City.

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Brian Green

Brian is a multi-award-winning event planner, speaker and educator with twenty years of experience in the international events industry.

He is the Chief Event Architect and Creative Visionary of By BrianGreen LLC based in Atlanta creating amazing social and corporate events across the globe. He is a former Diplomat for the country of Barbados.

JEZEBEL Magazine voted Brian - Best Planner in Atlanta, 2010 and again in 2015 and 2016. He has also been recognized as a " Hall of Fame Recipient" for Best of The Knot. Brian has honed his experience into engaging speaking opportunities at such incredible conferences like The Knot, Wedding MBA, Catersource, Signature CEO, Wedding Summit, and Coterie Retreat, just to name a few.

In 2017, he was the featured guest expert on The Steve Harvey Show for their annual Wedding Hour where he presented great tips and advice on how to host the best wedding, while avoiding the usual pitfalls (S5, Ep 168).

Brian has been featured and published in every major publication including Grace Ormonde, Bride's Magazine, Inside Weddings, Munaluchi Bride, Essence, The Knot, B Collective, just to name a few. Brian is a mentor in the Fellowship for Change 2021 program for WedPro

As part of his strong activism and belief in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, he serves as Chairman of the Board for the National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals. Brian recently launched his podcast called “The Green Room” and is currently working on his first book with a publisher.

Conference Details Keynote Speakers Featured Speakers Hyatt Indian Wells & Spa

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