IN THE FEBRUARY 2007 ISSUE
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| Letter from the President |
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I am a Minnesota girl - born and bred - and the prevailing opinion is that
we're supposed to be quiet and modest about our achievements. But I'm
finding that very difficult to do this year. Our chapter is just so darn
good!!!
December was the mid-year membership drive. Our Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter placed 3rd among all chapters world-wide in the number of new
members! And - percentage-wise - we actually beat the two chapters who
placed above us in raw numbers! To top it off, Ryan Hanson, our VP of
Membership, sponsored the most new members of anyone in the world. The
membership folks also hosted our first-ever "New Member Wing-Ding" on Jan.
18 to help people learn more about ISES in general and the benefits of
their membership. It was great!
And now, to talk about our educational programs pretty much every
program we've done this year has set a new attendance record of some sort.
I hope that our February 13 program continues that trend, not only because
it's good for ISES, but because it also will be good for you. Kevin White
is a terrific speaker, and an excellent source to inspire us all to be more
innovative in our work and in our lives.
So you see, it's tough to be modest when you're part of an organization
that is doing such amazing work! I hope you're able to get involved with
this wonderful group!
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Kate Touhey, CSEP
President
ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul
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| December Program Highlights |
The December ISES program was a special Holiday and Networking event at Chambers, The Luxury Art Hotel, on the Rooftop Bar.
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ISES members and guests mingled while nibbling on appetizers and sipping martinis.
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A tour of The Chambers, including a stop at the outdoor ice bar and fire pit, was just one of the highlights of the Program.
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Magician David Farr thrills the crowd by making tables float.
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Vice President of Membership Ryan Hanson prepares to catch student ISES member Jamie Gaard's arm in case this magic trick goes wrong.
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| CSEP Question |
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Why Should I Be Certified?
The special events industry has experienced phenomenal growth over the past several years and is changing at an even faster pace. Today, special events are more challenging and require a high level of professionalism. Become a recipient of the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation and set yourself apart from the competition.
Test your industry knowledge. Below is a sample question from the CSEP test.
What is the width multiplied by the length of the area:
A. usable square feet
B. gross square feet
C. released square feet
D. none of the above
(See bottom of newsletter for the answer)
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| December ISES Minneapolis-St Paul Membership Drive |
A warmer than average winter is not the only BIG news in Minnesota this
winter. Equally amazing is the BOOMING membership of the ISES
Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter.
December was our most successful membership
drive EVER! And in fact, we not only had the HIGHEST percentage growth of
any ISES chapter, but Minneapolis-St. Paul, for the first time surpassed
the 100 member mark.
As we begin 2007 and look forward to a great year
ahead, our ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul family has grown to a grand total of
128 members (112 full members and 16 student members).
I am proud to introduce you all to the newest ISES members:
Let me be the first to welcome you all to ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul. We
look forward to getting to know you all better and seeing the great works
your talents will showcase and offer in our organization - talents we began
to see in those of you who were able to join us for our New Member
Wing-Ding, January 18th. Grateful thanks to Aarcee Party and Tent Rental
and Lancer Catering for their generous support in hosting our new member
orientation.
And to all of our wonderful members, thank you for making this commitment
to join us as fellow event professionals for the special event industry, as
fellow professionals dedicated and educated to deliver creative excellence
and professionalism in the organization which represents the special events
industry of Minnesota.
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| ISES Minneapolis-St Paul at The Special Event |
By Ruth Wikoff-Jones
During the week of January 8 through the 12, more than 6,000 event professionals from around the world converged in Los Angeles for The Special Event conference. This five day extravaganza includes educational opportunities, incredible social events and a tradeshow floor with vendors of every kind. This was my second time attending the conference and I was not disappointed with the experience.
My week started with an ISES Chapter Leaders Forum for members of ISES Chapter Directors. Lead by an exceptional panel of current and past leaders from all levels of the organization, attendees were given tips on how their predecessors handle their roles. Topics included effective board and committee recruitment, dealing with challenging members, and the tools that Chapters in Formation have found successful in maintaining leadership and member involvement. I left feeling inspired by those that have laid the groundwork for the growth of ISES into the future and challenged to assist in that growth myself.
Leaving the leadership sessions, I attended the Academic Event Professional Conference hosted by the University of Southern California. This year, internationally recognized industry leader, Sally Webb introduced this auxiliary "mini" conference for academic event planners, a unique niche in the industry with its own challenges. Having worked for an educational institution myself, I was curious about what I might learn from industry leaders like Dennis Cornell, Associate Vice President University Relations and Chief of Protocol, University of Southern California; Jenny Jones, Director of Special Events, Duke University Medical Center; and Dr. Joe Goldblatt, CSEP, Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Executive Director for Professional Development & Strategic Partnerships, Temple University to name a few. The sessions were packed with information valuable to academic planners at all levels and I walked away with a binder of information that will be a useful tool throughout my career.
Being one to seize every opportunity offered, the rest of my week was a sampling of educational sessions, several visits to the tradeshow floor, time as a Hands On Hundred volunteer, and helping out at the ISES booth. The range of educational sessions is incredible. Being at a point in my career where I am moving from not-for-profit work into the private sector, I spent a great deal of time in the Event Management, Sales and Marketing and Business and Professional Development tracks. At each session, I had a take-away that has helped me to redefine my career direction and provide clarity for the future.
One of the most rewarding parts of my week was volunteering through the Hands On Hundred program. The program provides the underlying support to the conference by having a bevy of volunteers available to set up, staff and clean up after each of the five social events that occur during the week. The best part for me was to choose shifts that took me out from my regular experiences into parts of the industry I don't normally deal with. I was privy to a part of one event that in the end was determined to not be feasible. The efforts and ingenuity that the team used to try to execute the piece was remarkable and, in the end, the alternative use of the piece was more effective than the original design. It was great reminder that, in this industry, flexibility is key. I highly recommend the experience to anyone attending.
The final benefit that is important to note is the number of other professionals that one meets at this event. I made sure that I found time to connect with industry leaders, other session attendees and vendors on the tradeshow floor. I've already connected with several people I met during the week and hope to have opportunities to work with them in the future. By networking I've been able to increase my resource pool, which makes the services I offer that much more valuable to clients.
If you have questions about the 2007 The Special Event, I'd be happy to share my experiences in more detail. Please contact me at any time via phone at 612-226-9794 or email at ruth@ises-msp.org. I hope to see you next year as TSE!
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| Meeting Professionals' International Hosts KnowledgeQuest Conference for Planners and Suppliers
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Wednesday, March 14, 2007
7 to 8 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Conference
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Trade show and lunch
Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 2nd Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55403
MPI members $110, non-members $125, students $60
Supplier Summit trade show and lunch for planners only $35
The Meeting Professionals International Minnesota chapter (MPI MN) presents
its annual KnowledgeQuest education conference on Wednesday, March 14,
2007. This year's all-day event, "Portraits of Progress - A Personal &
Professional Summit," includes educational components, networking
opportunities and product and services exhibits at the Supplier Summit.
The day's events begin with registration and continental breakfast from 7
to 8 a.m. The conference gathers in an opening general session that looks
at how men and women think, speak and make decisions differently in Are
Women So Strange and Men So Weird? Popular psychologist humorist Bruce
Christopher tackles better communication through gender differences. Laugh
and learn.
A colorful trade show of more than 60 local and national suppliers will be
staged during the buffet lunch included with registration.
To learn more about the event, to register, or to sponsor this event visit www.mnmpi.org or call the MPI MN office at
651-917-6243. Exhibitors can contact Stephanie Ripley at
stephanie.ripley@hotmail.com.
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Mark Your Calendars for the Star Awards
Friday, March 9 |
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Make plans to join the International Special Events Society Minneapolis-St.
Paul Chapter for the third annual ISES Minnesota Star Awards. This year's elemental
affair will commence Friday, March 9, 2007, beginning at 7 pm at the new
Minneapolis Central Library.
At the Star Awards, be prepared to be inspired as we shine a light on the
best of our event business. Join in as we recognize and celebrate the
element of success in event design, creation, production, and installation
for projects planned and produced by Minnesota event professionals in 2006.
The committees are busy at work putting each and every "element" in its
place for the party of the year. Watch your mail for an invitation and
registration information coming in February!
The 2007 ISES Minnesota Star Awards are produced by the ISES
Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter. Media Partner: Twin Cities Business.
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| Meet A Board Member |
Ruth Wikoff-Jones
Director at Large of Strategic Sponsorships
St. Thomas Academy
As Director at Large of Strategic Partnerships I am responsible for creating partnership opportunities in support of chapter education activities. Members and guests are welcome to contact me to discuss opportunities to partner with the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter that will provide marketing benefit and educational funding to members.
I continue to find value in my membership each year. When I joined the chapter, it was with the intention of receiving my CSEP designation. That continues to be one of my professional goals. However, my participation has enabled me to learn more about the industry than I could have on my own and make connections with other events professionals that have benefited me in my professional life and personally. My involvement has also put me in a position to be a top candidate for positions during employment searches. The benefits truly have been immeasurable!
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February Program:
BRINGING INNOVATION TO YOUR WORK CULTURE
Kevin White, CSEP
Director of Production
Empire Force Events, Inc. - New York, NY
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Tuesday, February 13, 2007
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
* 5:00 PM Mingling, Drinks & Dinner Hosted by D'Amico Catering
* 5:30 PM Tours of the Mill City Museum
* 6:25 PM ISES news and Information
* 6:40 PM Feature Presentation by Kevin White, CSEP
* 8:00 PM Conclusion of Event
LOCATION:
Mill City Museum
704 South Second Street
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Directions
COST:
Member $30.00
Member Associate $40.00 (co-worker of an attending ISES member)
Guest $45.00
Student $15.00
{[E-BRIDGE LINK:72NV8SYFXDP]} to RSVP Now
* Please RSVP by Monday, December 11, 2006. There will be a $10 surcharge for anyone who registers after this deadline.
* Cancellations after Thursday, February 8 and no-shows will be billed.
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 Speaker Bio:
Kevin White, CSEP
Kevin is the Director of Production for the award-winning event and destination management firm Empire Force Events. He designs and produces events worldwide. Kevin is an ISES past president of both the Philadelphia and New York chapters. He also served on ISES's Board of Governors. His was the most raved-about session at the ISES Eventworld Institute in Hawaii last August!
Kevin was one of the youngest event professionals to attain the CSEP certification. He has been a presenter at university campuses and event industry conferences throughout the world on various event topics.
Topic: Bringing Innovation to Your Work Culture
This session will look at how we define Innovation and the power it has on our businesses, our events and our clients. Focus will be on how to bring innovation to our work cultures, how to convince clients to innovate their events and looking at industry examples of innovation.
Thank you to our PLATINUM-LEVEL Program Sponsor
Thank you to our BRONZE-LEVEL Program Sponsor
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| Member News |
Minnesota Meetings & Events magazine announced their 5th Annual Best Of
Award Winners: ISES Members topped the list
Each year, readers of Minnesota Meetings & Events magazine, the key
resource
for planners who book business in Minnesota, are asked to choose who they
believe are the best in their industry. These "Best Of" awards honor
suppliers, such as hotels, attractions and entertainers who serve as
vendors
for the meetings industry. Readers recently voted through a magazine poll
or
online in 20 categories from a slate of finalists who were selected through
a nomination process.
ISES member companies selected by readers for "Best Of" in their
respective categories are:
Caterer: D'Amico Catering, Marcia McKinney
Audio Visual: Hoffman Communications, Dianna Fuller, CMP
Photography/Videography: Hoffman Communications, Dianna Fuller, CMP
Destination Management Company: metroConnections, Abby Weinandt
Meeting Space without a Hotel: Nicollet Island Pavilion, Annette Lee
Conference Center: Oak Ridge, a Dolce Hotel & Conference Center, Samantha Hager
Event Decor: The Design Group, Pete Nelson
Destination Marketing Organization: Meet Minneapolis - Official Convention &
Visitors Association, Betsy Pedersen
In addition, the magazine also enlisted the help of its editorial
advisors
to select six individuals for its Hall of Fame honors. Nominees were
chosen
for meeting planner, supplier and event planner in two categories:
Up-and-Coming and Best.
Best Event Professional: ISES President-Elect Jim Leighton, Children's Cancer Research Fund
Best Supplier: ISES Member Dianna Fuller,
www.hoffmancommunications.com
Up-and-Coming Supplier: ISES Director of Administration Alice Lynne Olson, The Late Bloomer Floral Design
Winners were announced at a reception at Karma nightclub in Minneapolis
January 16, 2007.
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| More Member News |
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Christine Mages has taken a position as Special Events Manager
with the St. Therese Foundation.
Saint Therese Non-Profit Senior Living Communities are established to
provide for the physical, social, and spiritual life of all seniors of all
faiths.
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| New Member Profiles |
Dianna Fuller, CMP
Director of Marketing
www.hoffmancommunications.com.
Years in the event industry?
30+ years
What does your company do?
Hoffman is a creative, production, and staging company that delivers
innovative and exciting communication solutions for Events, Training, and
Media production. We are uniquely positioned in our industry offering a
broad range of staging, media, and production services under one roof!
What is an average day in your life like?
Much like everyone else - trying to balance my professional and personal
schedules. I am very fortunate though because many of my friends are also
my professional colleagues, so my work day gets to be shared with some
wonderful people.
How did you enter the events industry?
In high school I started working for Blumberg Photo Sound, the largest AV
dealer (at the time) in the area. I joined HSMA, the only organization in
our industry at the time, and the rest is history.
Why did you join ISES/are you a member of ISES?
I joined ISES again because I missed it and I believe in the values it
represents to our industry.
Caribe Schreiber
IT Engineer
Auction Harmony
Years in the event industry? 4
What does your company do?
Auction Harmony is an event service provider that works with non-profit organizations on their fundraising events. Our unique barcode-based bidding process virtually eliminates checkout lines by pre-registering credit card information during guest check-in. At the end of an event all guests need to do is sign an invoice and pickup their pre-packaged merchandise. Auction Harmony eliminates data entry errors and increases speed by utilizing barcodes for Silent/Live Auction bidding as well as Retail and Beverage Sales during the event. Our focus is geared toward eliminating lines at events, delighting guests with an exceptional experience, and providing hosts with more time to manage other important details.
What is an average day in your life like?
My time is split pretty evenly between interacting with clients in the planning phase of their event and working with our in-house research and development teams to design and implement our next generation solutions. One afternoon I may be solving a scheduling or logistical issue, and the next I may be working with an engineering team to add a new feature to our online event planner or event-day management system.
Why did you join ISES/are you a member of ISES?
I joined ISES to meet and connect with other event professionals in the Twin Cities. I'm always looking for new ideas and opportunities, so I thought ISES would be a great place to start that journey.
What do you want to know about the events industry?
How do all those volunteers manage to do such a great job on their time off? After putting in a full day at work, I wish I had the same energy these folks show late into the night!
Do you have a career or industry tip that you would like to share?
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Chances are there's someone out there (maybe even another ISES member) who would be happy to hear you out and give you a fresh perspective. When all do better we all do better.
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| Get In Front of Industry Leaders Through A Unique Partnership Program! |
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The quality of your team can drive business to new heights. Industry
partners know the benefits of working together to create memorable events.
Knowing this to be true, the ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter launched its
Strategic Partnership Program in 2006. The program offers partners
visibility to both chapter members and guests at events, prominent
placement of their hotlinked logo on the home page of the chapter's website
and opportunities to present information about their company through a
newsletter article. The value to partners is multi-fold, including driving
business.
"Our first partner, David Farr, was incredibly insightful into the
development of our current program. David was honest with his feedback
throughout the partnership period which has helped us to present what we
believe to be an out-front program for our partners," noted Director of
Strategic Partnerships, Ruth Wikoff-Jones.
In addition to the benefits that a partner receives, the chapter grows from
the partnership. The financial support provided by partners increases the
ability of the ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter to educate and support the
next generation of event industry leaders. By strengthening chapter members
through educational opportunities like hosting internationally recognized
speakers and providing educational scholarships to students and
professionals, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter continues its leadership
role in the events industry.
To see how the program can benefit your organization, click
www.ises-msp.org/pages/
strategicpartnerships.html. Strategic
Partnership inquires can be directed to Ms. Wikoff-Jones at 612-226-9794 or
via email to ruth@ises-msp.org.
Answer from the CSEP quiz:
What is the width multiplied by the length of the area:
B - gross square feet |
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