"Landmark" Networking Event for Bridal Pros

On April 27th, the Landmark in East Rutherford hosted a "Networking Event for NJ Wedding Professionals" in association with a host of bridal websites and magazines. I usually avoid any "free" networking event because they are rarely a place business can get done. The attendees are almost never a decision maker and the attendance here, was no exception. Most of the folks that I met were junior level managers at hotels or vendors that were the "part timers" I try to avoid. There were a few quality vendors with tables at the expo, a promising looking cake designer aptly named A Cake Dream(acakedream.com), lead the bunch, but most of the "vendors" were the media sponsors for the event which seemed strange to me.
The Landmark hosted a buffet that looked fine, but I did not partake, and the renovation put a nicer spin on this mid range catering hall. There was a CASH bar, which is like inviting guest to your house for Thanksgiving and charging them for stuffing, but I bucked up and paid for my drinks and tipped the EXCELLENT staff well. The bartenders, wait staff and parking valets were of the highest order and should be commended for their fine work.
The effort and organization, shown by the Landmark staff, was foiled by the staff checking in guests at the door. Upon arrival guests were required to stand outside and wait to be checked in, even though the security guard outside had sorted us through on the same list as the registration people. Thus, causing a large backlog and needless stress for those that just wanted to meet some new pros. I always hold out hope that event pros will figure out the best way to register guests at their event, but I am routinely disappointed.
Overall, this was a "fine" event. There was nothing dreadful, and very little exceptional, the staff and the Marketing Director of a local Country Club that I met awaiting entrance were about it there. If you need a reasonably priced hall in southern Bergen county, the Landmark is a solid bet, with the right planners and designers your event could be as good as their staff.