Get Found: How AI Is Changing Vendor Search Recording-Get Found: How AI Is Changing Vendor Search Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Walter McClellan, founder of Toast Entertainment, shared how wedding and event businesses can improve their visibility in AI-powered search. He explained that answer engines such as ChatGPT and Google recommend businesses when they can find consistent, trustworthy information about what they offer, where they work, and whom they serve.<br /><br />Attendees were invited to test their visibility by asking AI who the best vendors are in their city, why those businesses are recommended, and whether their own business is a good fit. McClellan outlined five practical steps: keep business details consistent across listings; encourage specific, detailed reviews; answer couples’ common questions plainly on the website; build citations and links through venues, directories, and industry networks; and respond quickly to inquiries with personal, relevant messages.<br /><br />He also encouraged vendors to preserve their human voice when using AI, track whether inquiries come from AI, introduce employees to AI through small tasks, and strengthen professional relationships. Networking can generate referrals while also creating trusted online references that AI may use. His central message: businesses already know how to describe themselves—the key is to communicate clearly in the places both people and AI consult.

Keywords

AI-powered search

wedding vendors

answer engines

business visibility

Google recommendations

consistent business listings

customer reviews

local citations

networking referrals