IN THE MARCH 2007 ISSUE
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| Letter from the President |
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Are you getting the winter "blahs" yet? Granted, now that it's
warming up after our weeks of below-freezing temperatures, life is really
looking up. But still - it's only February, and we have a long time to go
before summer!
Why don't you liven up your winter and spring by getting
involved in ISES? Dozens of you are new members, and a great way for you to
maximize your membership is to join a committee.
Let me make it as easy as possible for you:
We are committed to supporting new leaders by giving them meaningful opportunities for involvement, and we are always looking for future Board and committee members.
Give it a try! You'll learn a lot, meet even more great people, and perhaps you'll learn some new skills! Take care, and I hope to see you at the Minnesota Star Awards on Friday, March 9!
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Kate Touhey, CSEP
President
ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul
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| February Program Highlights |
New York Metro Chapter member Kevin White, CSEP, Director of Production for Empire Force Events, Inc. gave a dynamic presentation on "Bringing Innovation to Your Work Culture."
ISES members and guests were challenged to look at how they define innovation and the power it has on our businesses, our events and our clients.
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Guests Amy-Marie Lemanski, Boston Scientific (left) and Mary English, Vee Corp. (right) enjoy some delectable cuisine provided by D'Amico Catering
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Kevin White tries his hand at translating his presentation into Minnesotan with a bit of help from the book How to Speak Minnesotan by
Howard Mohr.
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During a tour of the Mill City Museum, ISES attendees get a history lesson on
how important Minneapolis was in the flour industry...
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...view the only machinery left from a devestating fire that destroyed most of the mill...
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...and ISES member Becky Harris enjoys the beautiful view of the Mississippi River at the end of the tour.
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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 continues to grow at a fast 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.
A meeting open to all those in attendance at a conference and also called a plenary session is:
A. Opening Session
B. Keynote Address
C. General Session
D. Closed Meeting
(See bottom of newsletter for the answer)
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| Minnesota Star Awards Preview |
Be prepared to experience an evening that celebrates the
elemental facets of our universe.
It all begins with living grasses moving to a primal beat.
Guests will experience the rich scent of earth, greenery, and flowing water
juxtaposed with a glacial wall. It will be an organic treat for the
palette and the eye.
Nearby, guests can transport themselves into a futuristic lounge of
metallic satellites and tangerine schemes.
As the Awards Ceremony concludes, the night bursts into a hot
and seductive evening of dance, grooving to the sounds of CBO, Casablanca Orchestra amid a club of fiery color and innovative arrangement.
The Third Annual ISES Minnesota Star Awards
Friday, March 9, 2007
7:00 pm - Registration & Pre Party
8:30 pm - Awards Celebration
9:30 pm - Elemental After Party
The Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall | Minneapolis, MN 55403
{[E-BRIDGE LINK:4FNZUKCN8DR]} to RSVP
For more information, please visit:
The ISES Minnesota Star Awards, call 612-677-3790, or e-mail starawards@ises-msp.org.
Media Sponsor:
Platinum Event Sponsors:
Event Element Sponsors:
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Record Number of Entries for
2007 ISES Minnesota Star Awards |
You've probably noticed that the 2007 ISES Minnesota Star Awards are quickly approaching! This year's planning team, which is chaired by Nancy Jacobs of Design Group, is busy making this year's ceremony another spectacular event for the Minnesota events community.
Additionally, the awards and entry committee recently announced the nominees for this year's awards, a list which was a record number of entries from professionals representing all different aspects of our industry. Be sure to congratulate this year's nominees - a lot of work goes into submitting for the awards, not to mention planning the actual events!
Who submitted for this year's awards?
Total Number of Binders Received: 49
(nearly double the number from 2006!)
Total Number of Individual Entrants**: 76
**This includes every person who entered as part of a team or as a joint entry.
Total Number of Different Companies and/or Individuals that Submitted: 26
Total Number of ISES Member Entries: 53
Total Number of Non-ISES Member Entries: 23
Total Number of Categories Being Awarded: 15
Who judges these awards?
All of the entries that were received for this year's awards were sent directly to the law firm of McClay-Alton in St. Paul, who made sure that all of the basic requirements for applying were met. Once the deadline had passed, all of the binder entries were sent to the ISES New England chapter to be judged by their membership. Each of the applicants were required to meet a minimum score and fulfill all of the entry criteria to become a nominee, even if there were less than three applicants in the category.
The three applicants that received the highest total point score in each category were named the nominees, and the applicant that received the top score will be revealed as the Star Awards winner on March 9.
The results were sent directly back to McClay-Alton who notified our awards committee of the nominees. The names of the winners were supplied ONLY to the law firm and the company that is creating the actual awards. McClay-Alton develops our winner envelopes, seals them and supplies them to the awards team on the day of the event. Additionally, the awards company supplies the statues to us in a sealed box on the day of the ceremony and our stage manager (a non-member volunteer) unpacks them and hands them to the presenters as they go on the stage to award that category. So no one -- except Brian Alton and the McClay-Alton 
staff, and the representatives from Millennium Promotions -- actually knows the winners!
What do they win?
Well, marketing rights, of course! Oh, and a beautiful crystal statue to
display, etched with the winner's name, category and year! This year's
statues have been completely redesigned and are being supplied by ISES
member Millennium Promotions.
Click here to see a list of past recipients.
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| Be A Star! |
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The Star Awards Decor Committee is looking for volunteers to help set and
strike all decor elements for the upcoming Minnesota ISES Star Awards.
Come and be a part of creating a unique atmosphere with some of the
industry's top designers. Help with floral, linens, banners, buffets,
props, and every other aspect of decorating. Volunteers are needed for
the following hours:
Set:
Thursday, March 8 - 8:00pm-Midnight
Friday, March 9 - 10:00am-7:00pm
Strike:
Friday, March 9 - 11:00pm - 3:00am
Location:
Minneapolis Central Library
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Pete Nelson at Design Group
by phone 612-252-7843 or by E-mail at pete.nelson@thedesigngroup.com.
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| Meet A Board Member |
Nancy Jacobs
Director of the Minnesota Star Awards
Design Group
Years in event industry: 24
 Design Group is a national special event company that designs and produces all-inclusive events that support our clients' objectives. My average day is spent managing the creative and quality of each of our four production offices that are located in Orlando, Dallas, Vegas and Minneapolis. Either I am in full communication by phone each day with every office or I am in one of the hubs.
I was one of the charter members of ISES that joined prior to the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter forming. My goal was to continue to grow from industry relationships and also to share with others the knowledge that I have learned. I'm still curious to learn where each new trend evolves and how we can continue to be a society that keeps on the cutting edge of creativity.
I met Lena Melouf, a fabulous mentor, through ISES. She was a key member in supporting our chapter taking on the challenge of the ISES CPD (Conference for Professional Development, the previous Eventworld) in 2003. Her industry book as well as her personal support through past communications has made a great impact on my career.
My best career or industry tip is to set your long-term goals high, keep focused and enjoy all of your experiences as you grow. With the long hours and logistics that play a part of our industry, we need to continue to enjoy what we do as we create for our clients and teams.
Answer from the CSEP quiz:
A meeting open to all those in attendance at a conference and also called a plenary session is: C - General Session
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Announcing:
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The Third Annual ISES Minnesota Star Awards
Friday, March 9, 2007
Minneapolis Central Library
7:00 pm - Registration
& Pre Party
8:30 pm - Awards Celebration
9:30 pm - Elemental After Party
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COST:
$65.00 per person*
proceeds benefit ISES continuing education
* Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 6, 2007.
There will be a $10 surcharge for anyone who registers after this deadline.
* Cancellations after Tuesday, March 6, 2007 and No-shows will be billed.
LOCATION:
The Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612.630.6000
{[E-BRIDGE LINK:4FNZUKCN8DR]} to RSVP Now
Driving Directions
Suggested dress: fashionable attire
Recommended parking: the underground ramp of the Minneapolis Central Library. The entrance to the ramp is located on 4th Street between Nicollet and Hennepin.
View Event Details
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| Member News |
Meetings unveils results of State of the Industry Survey and honors area's Industry Innovators
Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal unveiled the results of its annual industry survey at its second annual State of the Industry Event, held at
Sofitel Hotel in Bloomington on Feb. 6, 2007.
More than 150 hospitality and
meeting industry professionals came together for a day that featured
several presentations, including a recap of the magazine's industry survey.
The event also included a panel discussion featuring officials
from area associations including ISES Minneapolis-St Paul Chapter President Kate Touhey.
The evening closed with the 2nd Annual Industry Innovator
Awards. Participating associations were invited to nominate up to three
candidates each.
The candidates included association members who have in
some way moved the meeting and event industry forward - either within their
association, or in their own right as business professionals. ISES member Tom Rubenstein, Vice President of Lancer Catering was one of six winners that evening.
Joel Schettler, editor of Meetings magazine and Kate Touhey, Minneapolis-Saint Paul Chapter President, present Tom Rubenstein, Vice President of Lancer Catering,
(right) with the "Industry Innovator" award for 2007.
About the Survey
This year's survey was conducted with the help of the
University of Minnesota Tourism Center. "Our survey highlights some of the
trends and issues affecting professionals in our region," says Joel
Schettler, managing editor of Meetings. "Results indicate that the
hospitality industry is poised to return to record-breaking business set at
the turn of the century."
Vendors serving Minnesota's hospitality industry
remain optimistic about their business prospects in 2007. Of those
surveyed, 83 percent predict their companies' revenues will increase in the
coming year.
Survey results can be found online at www.mn-meetings.com.
Invitation to Event by ISES Member Jane Lieberman, Open to the Public
Give Us An Hour, And We'll Give You Your Health
Join us and give new meaning to "A Healthy Meal."
4th Annual Downtown Health Series
Part of the Hennepin Health Series
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Dinner at Solera
Mind Your Health with Eduardo Colón, MD.
Improve your emotional health and live a longer, happier life.
Mental fitness is a critical part of everyone's personal
health care
strategy - men and women, children and seniors. Psychiatrist
Eduardo Colón, MD, will help you recognize signs of
depression,
review treatment options, and show us easy ways we can all
stay
emotionally healthy, wealthy and wise.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Dinner at Solera
Preventive Health Care:
Live to be 100 or Die Trying
with Meghan Walsh, MD, MPH and
David Hilden, MD
Take charge of your health! Drs. Meghan Walsh and David Hilden
will help you get the most out of your health care. Get
insider tips
on how to select a doctor that's right for you, important
screening
tests, strategies for living a healthy life, and a doctor's
opinion on
how to maximize the short time you have with your physician.
$20 per session.
All sessions include a lunch or dinner.
SPACE IS LIMITED!
Register today at
www.MinnesotaMonthly.com
or call 612-371-5811 for more information.
Chris Swarbrick, Ice Occasions was part of the team to take first place
in the multiblock competition with their "George and the Dragon" ice
sculpture at the 2007 Winter Carnival.
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New Member Profiles
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Samantha Hagar
Catering Planner
Oak Ridge Conference Center.
Years in the event industry?
5
What does your company do?
Oak Ridge is a full service hotel and conference center. We host over 70
weddings each year. We have 147 guest rooms and 22,000 square feet of
meeting space.
What is an average day in your life like?
Each day is so different for me. I could be doing anything from leading a
site visit for a church retreat to acting as wedding coordinator for a
ceremony.
How did you enter the events industry?
I began as a promotions intern at a radio station and loved planning and
working events.
Why are you a member of ISES?
I believe it's very important to network, especially in our industry, as
well as continuing to learn, since the industry is always changing.
What do you want to know about the events industry?
I am curious about the other aspects/perspectives of the industry, and I'm
always looking for new ideas and innovations.
Amy Rubins
Owner of Fête Perfection, Designers of Weddings & Events
Years in the event industry? 9
What does your company do?
We offer complete design services and coordination of weddings and events,
specializing in weekend destinations to lodges and resorts in Minnesota and
Wisconsin. We also focus on Encore Weddings for the busy professional
couple with children and careers, who have no time to plan their wedding.
What is an average day in your life like?
Much of my day is spent meeting clients to discuss how Fête Perfection can
save them time and money while putting together a unique and customized
event.
I also spend quite a bit of time meeting with my vendor partners
who share the same vision, discussing details of the upcoming events. My
spare time is spent reading and researching how to make Fête Perfection
extraordinary from other consultants/ planners.
How did you enter the events industry?
I began working as an on-call banquet server for Wayzata Country Club and
was quickly promoted into a variety of positions until my part-time
position turned into a full-time career in catering sales.
Jennifer Schak
Marketing and Events Coordinator
Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau
Years in the event industry? 2
What does your company do?
Attract and secure meetings, events and tourism for Bloomington, MN.
How did you enter the events industry?
I started working for an organization in college where I helped plan
affordable events for students to attend throughout the year.
Why are you a member of ISES?
I joined ISES in order to meet others in the community who contribute to
Twin Cities events and to continually receive education regarding the
field.
What do you want to know about the events industry?
Show me the new trends and what's hot in the industry for 2007.
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