What qualifies a vendor to become a member?
Penalty for not complying with proper business ethics:
Any vendor found doing anything that may discredit or harm the integrity of OWP will be subject to immediate removal. Any business or individual (hereinafter “Vendor”) listed on the Orlando/Online Wedding Professionals (hereinafter “OWP”) Web site found not practicing ethics and high standards in all business dealings can and will be removed from the site in which case all monies are non-refundable.
Poor business dealings/actions that could harm the integrity of OWP are as follows:
* Rude behavior towards Brides/Clients as well as other wedding professionals.
* Not fulfilling obligations/contracts to clients
* Misleading clients in any way to gain business
The definition of proper ethics and high standards are as follows:
* No more than 3 separate written complaints from Brides/Clients.
* Treat other wedding professionals equally.
* Honor and respect other wedding professionals of similar and like industries.
* Any business that subcontracts is responsible for their subcontractor’s behavior and any complaints will count against you.
If a vendor is removed from the site for any reason, the vendor may apply one (1) year later, depending on the situation as to why they were removed.
Licensing
All vendors listed with OWP are required to have all proper licensing and/or necessary insurance.
Caterers should have the following licenses and insurance:
* Department of BPR division of hotels and restaurants as caterer
* Department of BPR division of alcoholic beverages and tobacco as caterer and retailer
* Florida annual resale certificate for sales tax
* County occupational license
* Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000.00 for general liability
* Insurance covering any autos used in transporting goods
* Insurance coverage for liquor liability
(Any company that serves alcohol must have a liquor license.)
Cake companies also should have the following:
*Food preparation license
*Health inspections at least twice a year as well as food safety inspection reports
* Bakery license with city & state
* Occupational license
* Commercial kitchen
All facilities (hotels, country clubs, and auditoriums, etc) must carry all the proper licenses and insurance that the state of Florida requires. All other wedding professionals should carry some type of liability insurance if the state of Florida requires you to have it or if there is great risk for any injury to occur because of the services that you may provide. If it is found that a vendor does not have the proper licensing and/or insurance, that Vendor will be removed from the site and will have 30 days to comply with OWP regulations. Once that Vendor has everything needed, they will then be put back on the site and continue enjoying the many benefits of being a part of OWP. However, if that vendor does not get the necessary licensing or insurance after 30 days, they will have to reapply and pay an additional yearly fee.
STANDARDS OF PROPER BUSINESS ETHICS
Requirements needed to qualify for the membership process – Applicants in most cases MUST be in business for a minimum of 5 years. If a business that is not in business for at least 5 years applies for membership, that applicant must provide a minimum of 6 – 8 referrals. Applicants / Vendors MUST meet all licensing requirements of applicable city, county, state and federal agencies or authorities. General information on the nature of its business and background information on the applicant’s principals, or other information is deemed essential to Orlando Wedding Professionals responsibility to provide brides & grooms with respectable vendors. Orlando Wedding Professionals may check on all businesses through the BBB to make sure that the integrity of the group maintains its high standards and ethics. If there are any complaints filed against an applicant, those complaints will be taken into serious consideration during the approval process. Applicants will also be required to be a member of another group, organization or association which allows them to grow as a business. Their membership must be in good standing and the organization must be approved by OWP. Prospective business applicants will be voted into becoming a member of Orlando Wedding Professionals by current members. In order to become a member, businesses must have at least a two-thirds vote, in their favor, before their business is accepted. Three sponsors are required in order to move forward in the membership process. One sponsor should in most cases be from the same category that applicant is from
Listing in good standing – Applicants / Vendors must have a good business reputation in the community. Vendors in good standing need to be free from negative public image or reputation of such nature, which, in the opinion of the Orlando Wedding Professionals, includes numerous complaints from business associates or clients, having been the subject of bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings under chapters 7, 11, or 13 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code within the last three (3) years.
Complaints – Applicants / Vendors that receive more than 2 letters or notifications of poor business ethics from either clients and/or other vendors can and will be automatically denied membership if the nature of the complaints directly effect the integrity of Orlando Wedding Professionals in a negative way. Any complaints against vendors already listed on the site must be addressed by the vendor immediately so that the dispute can be resolved in a timely fashion. If the Vendor is accused of being unethical (depending on the severity of the issue) and is found at fault that vendor will either receive a warning or be removed from the site at the discretion of Orlando Wedding Professionals. All situations are treated on an individual basis and will be treated fairly. If a vendor is falsely accused of not complying with Orlando Wedding Professionals standards and is removed from site and later found that the accusations were untrue the Vendor shall have no recourse against Orlando Wedding Professionals for removing them from the site. The vendor will be listed back on the site and will be reimbursed for the time lost by applying it toward renewals for the following year.
OWP Logo – Only Orlando Wedding Professional vendors are authorized to use the Orlando Wedding Professionals name or logo. Vendors listed with Orlando Wedding Professionals may use the Orlando Wedding Professionals logo and or name on website and business cards. Any other uses of the name or logo require Orlando Wedding Professionals authorization in writing.
You agree to practice proper business ethics and treat clients as well as your fellow business associates with respect. You agree not to harass brides/ grooms by calling them frequently or calling at inappropriate times to solicit business. Inappropriate times would include religious holiday’s (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) and during late and early hours.
Orlando Wedding Professionals is a referral site – To ensure that Orlando Wedding Professionals receive the highest quality vendors, applicants are selected by peer referral and through a voting process. Any information provided through our feedback form is confidential. We reserve the right to refuse any listing.
Revocation of Membership – As a member, you understand and agree that revocation of membership may be reported to the BBB and a press release may be issued stating the facts surrounding the revocation. No refund of annual memberships will be given by OWP for a full or partial year of membership, if revocation has occurred. Upon revocation and/or cancellation, the company agrees to promptly return any materials furnished by the Orlando Wedding Professionals (such as plaques, decals, forms, etc.) which the member acknowledges are the property of the Orlando Wedding Professionals.
Lapses in membership / returning members – Members who let their membership lapse will have a 10 day grace period to renew. After the 10 days are up, any vendor who has not renewed will forfeit their membership and any vendors on the waiting list providing that same service will have the opportunity to become a member themselves. Categories have a cap so if you loose your membership you may have to go to the waiting list until an opening is made available. New applicants and returning members will all go through the same process for membership. A new contract will be required every time a vendor is renewing their membership or becoming a new member. This is to ensure that all vendors are following the standards of proper business ethics at all times.
Contracts – (OWP members are required to use a contract…); the parameters should be clearly detailed and the contract should be completely executed (as this will help establish the validity of a complaint).
