Andrea Michaels is literally one of the backbones of the special events industry. Launching her business when there was no formalized or defined marketplace, she was and still is a trailblazer, pioneering the way for others to follow. Always on the cutting edge of the business, she has stacked up a pile of firsts (and 50 prestigious awards) in her legendary career - from initiating corporate branding and messaging into events and interactive themes that create experiences for the guests to entering the international market ahead of her colleagues and incorporating never-before-used technology into her events, just to name a few. That alone should make her extraordinary, but she runs much deeper. Noted as one of the most caring and giving educators of our time, she has traveled the world to teach others not just her art and craft but to help them learn from her own mistakes. How did this genius evolve? Why is she so revered by all her peers? What does she know that we dont? Reflections of a Successful Wallflower can only be compared to reading Andreas diaries. This first inductee into the industry Hall of Fame shares, openly and candidly, not only the public wunderkind but the inner woman. Discover the workings of one of the foremost event producers in the world. Youll laugh; youll cry; youll be in disbelief and fascinated at the same time. She is a storyteller, and her stories and her life are great lessons for everyone.What Her Peers Are Saying ..."She is a leader, mentor and educator to virtually the entire industry. Andrea Michaels has set the extraordinary standard against which all special event professionals strive to be measured!" -Steve Kemble, Americas Sassiest Lifestyle Guru"This book is a life lesson, a success road map and a laugh-out-loud look into one of the great business and creative minds working today." - John Klymshyn, Author of How To Sell Without Being A JERK! and The Ultimate Sales Managers Guide"Meet Andrea Michaels and enjoy, learn and sometimes marvel at the stories she tells from her more than 30 years in the event production business. Her stories are entertaining at their surface, but read deeply and find the lessons to be learned planning events vicariously through Andreas accounts. By the end of this fun read, it will be apparent how it is that Andrea Michaels seems to have never met a sows ear she couldnt make into a silk purse. Its that special talent -- no, its her Gift that has made her such a sought-after producer and guest speaker at event conferences worldwide. "Youll laugh at some of her stories, a few might raise some ire at the incredible unreasonableness of some of her clients, but all will inspire you to look beyond the task toward the what marvelous thing can this become if..." -Robert Abbott, Director - Corporate Marketing Communication, Mueller Co."Andrea has such fascinating stories to tell ... I think this will be essential reading for anyone who is in the business and can relate to all her experiences and how she lived and laughed through them." -James D. Murphy, Vice President, Asia Pacific Operations,George P. Johnson"Andreas work is truly outstanding and whilst she is imitated by many, she is equaled by few." -Sally Webb, Managing Director, The Special Event Company, London, England and North Carolina.

If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut"― Albert Einstein ;"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm."― Winston S. Churchill;"Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it."― Salvador Dalí

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Here is the beloved, bestselling author of I Feel Bad About My Neck at her funniest, wisest, and best, taking a hilarious look at the past and bemoaning the vicissitudes of modern life—and recalling with her signature clarity and wisdom everything she hasn’t (yet) forgotten. In these pages she takes us from her first job in the mailroom at Newsweek to the six stages of email, from memories of her parents’ whirlwind dinner parties to her own life now full of Senior Moments (or, as she calls them, Google moments), from her greatest career flops to her most treasured joys. Filled with insights and observations that instantly ring true, I Remember Nothing is a delightful, poignant gift from one of our finest writers.

Author Lena Malouf is a renowned expert in the special events industry. She has won countless accolades for her work, including a recent Lifetime Achievement Award from The Special Event, and has served in major leadership positions in several industry organizations, including as International President of the International Special Events Society and an advisory board member for The Special Event. This book will feature straightforward advice on operating a successful special events business, gleaned from Malouf's 40+ years in the event planning industry. The book will include guidance on developing a strategy, identifying potential clients, developing proposals, building an event budget, coordinating with contractors, and much more. And beyond the business components, the book will also include a section on designing successful events, including tabletop, ceiling, and wall decor, while a chapter on developing thematic concepts will illustrate how an event planner can successfully bring a theme to life. With full-color photos in two 8-page inserts and practical checklists throughout, this will be a must-have reference for industry professionals, special events students, and aspiring event planning professionals everywhere.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Devil in Disguise, the first book in her beloved Wallflowers series. The Wallflowers: four young ladies at the side of the ballroom make a pact to help each other find husbands . . . no matter what it takes. Proud and beautiful Annabelle Peyton could have her pick of suitors—if only she had a dowry. Her family is on the brink of disaster, and the only way Annabelle can save them is to marry a wealthy man. Unfortunately her most persistent admirer is the brash Simon Hunt, a handsome and ambitious entrepreneur who wants her as his mistress. Annabelle is determined to resist Simon's wicked propositions, but she can't deny her attraction to the boldly seductive rogue, any more than he can resist the challenge she presents. As they try to outmaneuver each other, they find themselves surrendering to a love more powerful than they could have ever imagined. But fate may have other plans—and it will take all of Annabelle's courage to face a peril that could destroy everything she holds dear.

‘Nora Ephron can write about anything better than anybody else can write about anything’ New York Times A bitingly funny, provocative and revealing look at our foibles, passions and pastimes – from the much-missed, bestselling author of I Feel Bad About My Neck and I Remember Nothing. From her Academy Award-nominated screenplays (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, Julie & Julia) to her bestselling fiction and essays, Nora Ephron was one of the most gifted, prolific and versatile writers of our time. In this classic collection of magazine articles, Ephron does what she does best: embrace culture with love, cynicism and unmatched wit. From tracking down the beginnings of the self-help movement, to dressing down the fashion world’s most powerful publication, to capturing a glimpse of a legendary movie in the making, these timeless pieces tap into our enduring obsessions with celebrity, food, romance, clothes, entertainment and sex. Whether casting her ingenious eye on public figures or herself, Ephron deftly weaves her journalistic skill with the intimate style of an essayist and the incomparable talent of a great storyteller.

Obtaining the key to success in any area of life......depends on social ETIQUETTE skills. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do, or where you want to go, if you don’t have the proper social etiquette the doors to success will not easily open for you. Our society is based on social interactions, from obtaining our first job to landing large promotions, starting our own business, traveling in foreign countries, enrolling in universities, or speaking about causes and experiences closest to us. Social etiquette is at the heart of success.Social etiquette is a universal language that knows no boundaries.˃˃˃ Those who master social etiquette feel comfortable, confident, and able to communicate effectively in any social situation.THE KEY CLASS is your go-to-guide for mastering social and business etiquette. Taught by world-renowned special event producer John Daly, The Key Class presents a rare and unique program custom tailored to fit the needs of any organization, school, corporation, or individual. Although the keys to social and business etiquette are universal, there is no one-size-fits-all route to achieving personal success.