Meet Ian!

Named Houston Business Journal's 40 Under 40, Ian Ramirez, CSEP, is the Co-Owner of Madera Estates, an award-winning Spanish- and European-inspired wedding and event venue located in Conroe, TX. He is also the Co-Founder of the Venue Help Desk, a comprehensive directory of vetted experts and trusted systems, connecting venue owners and managers with the right tools and professionals to help solve any problem, one step at a time.

After almost a decade in the industry, Ian is passionate about giving back to his community as well as sharing his knowledge with other wedding and event venue owners and operators. In addition to being a 2024 WeddingPro Educator, he has been a featured speaker at Wedding MBA, Catersource + The Special Event, Wedding Summit Series, the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE), as well as the International Live Events Association (ILEA). Among his accolades, Ian has also received his Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation.

Ian started his career as an internationally trained opera singer who has sung across the globe from Portland, Oregon to Stuttgart, Germany. When he is not at work or on a stage, Ian can be found in the yoga studio or traveling with his husband, Paul.

Full Group Session:

Every Moment Matters: Crafting Unforgettable Client Experiences

Client experience isn’t just a feel-good bonus—it’s your most underused sales and marketing tool. In a crowded venue market, it’s not the chandeliers or the square footage that seal the deal—it’s how you make people feel at every step. From inquiry to “I do,” every moment is a chance to earn trust, drive conversions, and spark the kind of word-of-mouth that no ad spend can buy. In this presentation, we’ll explore how to strategically craft a client experience that not only wows your couples but actively helps you attract better leads, convert more tours, and generate buzz-worthy “talk triggers.” By designing an experience that feels remarkable—not just reliable—you’ll turn more inquiries into bookings and more clients into your best marketing channel.

Presentation Takeaways:

  • Turn client experience into your best conversion tool before the tour even begins.

  • Use small, intentional moments to create “talk triggers” couples can’t stop sharing.

  • Design a journey that sells your venue for you— from inquiry to glowing review.

Workshop Breakout Session:

The Unforgettable Experience Playbook: Mapping a Client Experience That Sells for You

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll map out three vital stages of your client journey to uncover where you're blending in, where you're dropping the ball, and where you're missing opportunities to build trust and create connection. From the very first tour to the final follow-up after the wedding, you'll work through each moment that couples interact with your venue. We’ll guide you in designing intentional touchpoints that not only make clients feel cared for—but also spark five-star reviews, word-of-mouth referrals, and higher conversion rates.

Workshop Takeaways:

  • Map out your client journey and identify gaps that cost you bookings.

  • Create intentional, “wow-worthy” moments that generate referrals and talk triggers.

  • Walk away with a personalized playbook you can implement to improve your client experience right away.