For people working in the industry in Asia & the Pacific
Welcome to ABC !!”
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President:Veronica M. Foster -
Director of Asia & Pacific:Kevin Yoshi Kohara
ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants) is headquartered in the United States and, including the activities of its predecessor organization, the Professional Bridal Association founded in 1955, has a history of more than half a century. Over the years, numerous professionals?particularly wedding planners and related vendors?have joined ABC worldwide. We at ABC are dedicated to serving our members, the bridal industry, and brides and grooms alike.
Our activities are mainly divided into three areas. The first is the certification of internationally recognized professional qualifications. The second is supporting the skill development of our members through seminars, training programs, and information sharing via our association journal. The third is the development of future talent, which includes providing educational materials to learn wedding business practices and administering certification examinations. For those aspiring to enter the industry, passing these examinations represents the first step toward obtaining certification. Accordingly, individual memberships are divided into “Professional Level” for those with relevant work experience, and “Assistant Level” for those with little or no industry experience. In addition, corporate memberships are open to hotels, wedding venues, educational institutions, websites, magazines, and suppliers.
Currently, ABC’s operations across Asia (including India) and the Pacific region (Australia and New Zealand) are overseen by Kevin Yoshi Kohara. In the past, ABC appointed national representatives in countries such as China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Australia to help coordinate activities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered circumstances, and at present we are simply awaiting candidates in each country to step forward as representatives once again.
Kevin Yoshi Kohara Director of Asia & Pacific
ABC Certified Master Wedding Vendor, President & CEO of Sophia Trading Co., Ltd.
Kohara began his career in foreign currency exchange and money dealing at Credit Suisse Bank and Fuji Bank in Japan, before founding his business in 1992 with the import and wholesale of Western wedding gowns. In 2002, he was appointed as the Japan Representative of ABC, and he currently oversees the Association’s activities across Asia and the Pacific.
“Working in the wedding industry is truly inspiring; it constantly keeps me energetic and youthful. Weddings also reflect diverse customs shaped by religious and cultural backgrounds, offering many different perspectives. Through ABC, being able to share time with people from various countries and contribute to the growth of our members and the industry is, for me, an irreplaceable source of happiness.”
Certifications:
Qualifications are granted according to the applicant’s professional duties and years of experience.
Assistant Bridal Planner(ABP)
Certified for those with less than three years of practical experience as a wedding planner (including those with no prior experience).
*It is mandatory to study the textbook “Business of American Weddings” (available online).
*In certain regions, passing a qualification examination is also required.
Professional Wedding Planner(PWP)
Certified for those who have more than three years of experience in wedding planning.
*It is mandatory to study the textbook “The Business of American Weddings” (online edition) and to be evaluated through the Business & Marketing Report.
Professional Dress Stylist(PDS)
Certified for those who have more than three years of experience in wedding dress coordination or styling.
*It is mandatory to study the textbook “The Business of American Weddings” (online edition) and to be evaluated through the Business & Marketing Report.
Professional Wedding Flower Designer(PWFD)
Certified for those who have more than three years of experience as a florist or floral designer in wedding venue decorations or personal floral arrangements.
*It is mandatory to study the textbook “The Business of American Weddings” (online edition) and to be evaluated through the Business & Marketing Report.
Professional Wedding Vendor(PWV)
Certified for vendors who have more than three years of experience in related products or services such as photography, video, beauty, emceeing, catering, and paper items.
*It is mandatory to study the textbook “The Business of American Weddings” (online edition) and to be evaluated through the Business & Marketing Report.
Accredited or Master Degrees
Required to be continued professional certified member status for more than 3 years. Details of conditions to
be Accredited or Master designation is contacted at Kohara.
Corporate Membership:
Hotels, wedding venues, and suppliers of related products and services can be registered as Corporate Members of the Association.
1.Corporate Member
Membership for business entities such as Hotels, Wedding Sites, Medias, Websites and the Suppliers etc..
2.Schooling Member
Institutions that offer programs for learning wedding planning may be accredited as ABC Recognized Schools.
Association Activities and Member Services:
1. Wedding Planner Magazine, issued by the Association Head Office, is distributed online.
(Click on the cover to view it.)
2. Issuance of certification diplomas and licensed pins.
3. The Association Head Office holds its annual conference in the United States every November.
Thank you for your kind attention. For any inquiries regarding the Association or certification, please contact me at kevin@abc-japan.org