• Letter from the President
• Anniversary Feature: Origins of Collaborative. Creative. Credible.
• CSEP Discussion Group
• February Program Highlights
• Help Judge the Atlanta Awards
• Republican National Convention: Invitation to MPI March Program
• Another Record Breaking Year for Star Award Entries
• Minnesota Meetings + Events Best Of Awards
• New Member Profiles
• Meet A Board Member
• ISES Sound Off

It's time to get involved...

In March, I will be celebrating my 5 year anniversary as an ISES member. I can't believe it has already been 5 years. I first joined ISES because I was looking for continuing education in the events industry. I went to my first few programs and was very impressed with the content that was being offered. It was also at those first few meetings that a few Board members noticed that I was showing up each month. Pretty soon I received a call from the Nominating Committee with an invitation to join the Board. I have to admit, at the time, I really did not have a clue as to what I was being asked to do. But nonetheless I agreed and joined the Board in July 2003. It was at that point that my reason for being a member shifted a little bit.

I was still searching for continuing education but now I was also gaining experience as a Chapter leader. I soon discovered that I could take my ISES experience and apply it to my "real" job. The leadership I experienced through ISES helped me to achieve leadership positions in my own organization. Although it has been 5 years, I still learn new things and am faced with new challenges as I continue my journey as an ISES leader.

I wanted to share this story with you all to illustrate the benefits you can receive from getting involved with ISES. As a Chapter that has experienced major growth in the past couple years, we need everyone to be involved. Your involvement could be through serving on a committee, a special task force or even on the Board. We are always looking for more members of committees such as: Membership; Programs and Education; Star Awards; and Communications. No matter what your skills or talents may be we have a committee for you.

In a perfect world I would love to reach out to each and every one of you to personally invite you to get involved. But unfortunately with over 175 members currently, it would be hard to make that happen. So instead I am asking each of you to personally consider how much time and what are the talents you can share with the Chapter. I assure you we will try to find the right volunteer opportunity for each of you.

The most important thing for all of us is simply to get involved. If you put yourself out there I guarantee you will receive as much if not more than you put into it. Please send us an e-mail at info@ises-msp.org for more information on how to get involved.

Best regards,

by Lisa Marie Borchert, (lisa@ises-msp.org)
President-Elect 2007-2008
Two time contributor to International Chapter of the Year:
as VP Communications 2006-2007 & Dir. of Programming 2004-2006

As we approach the 10th anniversary of our Chapter's founding this September, the local board of directors is excited to roll out the new operating position: Collaborative. Creative. Credible. We feel these three powerful words best describe our evolving chapter, its members, and our place in the greater events community.

When our Chapter was founded it was recognized as "Member owned and operated" which very accurately described what I'm sure those start up years felt like. And while that statement is still true today - we do not have a management company to help with the administration, the management of our chapter is completely done by volunteer board and committee work - the statement didn't describe any benefit to our customers; members, prospective members and clients.

I remember sitting in a board meeting a few years ago when Andrea Marfell said, "I think we need a new marketing position." Not long after, Andrea moved to Atlanta (we miss you Andrea!) before she was able to explore her observation. I found her opinion to be true and so the following year I took on the project of updating our position.

With the help of ISES member Cheryl Kranz (ckranz@equinoxcreative.com) we sent a request to the Board to give us one word that best describes our Chapter. Well as you know, arriving at just one word is nearly impossible. What emerged instead was a sentence: "A collaborative community of creative professionals dedicated to continuing education and service in special events." Interestingly, much of this sentence's sentiment was already encompassed in the mission and purpose of the International Special Event Society itself. And as sentences can be a bit diluting in terms of impact, we distilled the sentence down to just three words: Collaborative. Creative. Credible.

Collaborative: Is who do we work with; our teams and our audiences
Creative: Is how do we do what we do; with innovation
Credible: Is our process and our expertise; as professionals seeking results

This year, in his President's letters, Jim Leighton (jleighton@childrenscancer.org) has written about specific examples on how the Board has used these impactful words to lead our chapter. Collaborating with each other, our members, or the larger event community both locally and on the international level helps us realize that our mutual interests can lead to even higher excellence. Creative appears the most obvious and I believe is how others outside the event industry view us. Credible seems to be the word I personally spend too much passion working to ensure. It's often unglamorous in the doing but always rewarding in the getting. It's where the collaboration and creativity result in ROI. And it is the perfect ending from which to begin collaborating and creating again.

One final note: I want to make sure that everyone understands this operating position is for our local Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter. We believe Collaborative. Creative. Credible. is the heart and core personality of our chapter and how we support the International ISES brand: "Dedicated and educated to deliver creative excellence and professionalism in special events."

The Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) Discussion Group was formed to assist those chapter members who are interested in attaining the CSEP certification. The group meets every 4-6 weeks as members are available and they are in the planning stages for their next meeting.

Discussion Group members met last on February 19th to continue review of the Content Outline for the written, essay portion of the exam. Items for discussion were chosen based on participant responses to areas group members identified as challenge points within the Content Outline. Members share their own, real-life experiences and help those with less confidence in a particular area.

To join the CSEP Discussion group or if you are interested in hosting a future meeting, contact Ruth Wikoff-Jones, ruthsbluemarble@hotmail.com.

For more information on the CSEP certification process and exam, visit the International Special Event Society (ISES) website at www.ises.com/CSEP.

Taking Time to Reflect - "Creative Collaboration"
The joint February 2008 ISES Program with the Twin City Bridal Association

By Leah Wong, (leahw@downtownminneapolis.com)

I hope everyone who was able to attend the February program is reflecting on the message of "Creative Collaboration." For those of you who were not in attendance, I hope you will give this article some thought. The program this month was inspiring, intriguing, and innovative. Inspiring- We were challenged to think outside the box in bolder ways. Intriguing - We were challenged to collaborate throughout the creative process. Innovative - ISES and the TCBA brought together the best talent from the industry to create a "wow" effect during the networking time.

The expert panel composed of the creative team from Theatre de la Jeune Lune were moving. Their creative process was collaborative and unique in designing a piece that was original and inspiring. While brainstorming and teamwork are their cornerstones, great ideas and creative solutions are made when the pencils lay down, and the team gets on their feet. There are no bad ideas in their brainstorming process, there are only ideas that sometimes do not play out the way they want. Each idea is worked through and thought out before it is judged or disregarded.

Remarkably, Theater de la Jeune Lune believes the key to their success lies in the friendships they have made. Every member of the panel touched on how their friendships with each other have created a level of trust that allows ideas to flourish.

Our distinguished panel of Creative Collaborators from the Tony Award winning Theatre de la June Lune. ISES board member Ryan Hanson facilitates the conversation.		ISES member and Director of Programs Matthew Trettel (w/mic) and Bruce Vassar, both of Twin City Bridal Association, conclude the program.

In this staging of three scenes from Versailles - The Wedding Guys serve up a signature blue cocktail. Food and drink are passed on period mirrors for added flair.		Becky Soderholm, Allison Munsell, and Jenn Barnett share conversation.

TCBA's Wedding Guys, ISES member Matthew Trettel (matthew@twincitybridal.com) and Bruce Vassar brought together the brightest and the best to showcase the creative collaboration that is possible within our industry. The ambience was created by, chandeliers made of tulips, a dessert table adorned with a living statue, and vintage mirrors showcased as centerpieces and serving trays. Décor, linens, food, drinks, music, ice sculptures, floral, and mannequins collided to create a collaborative environment that was simply stated, wonderful!

I can't imagine a better setting to think about creative collaboration than Theatre de la Jeune Lune - the Tony award-winning local theatre known for its innovative productions. Thank you to Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Twin City Bridal Association, and the talented companies and individuals who brought to life "creative collaboration."

I hope this month's program has sparked an interest in each of us to Collaborate, Create, and be Credible with each other.

Click here to see more photos of the February Program.

Would you like to do a Program Re-cap for the ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Newsletter? Contact communications@ises-msp.org.

If you've always wanted a sneak peek into what goes into a binder award submission, then here is your opportunity! ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul has agreed to judge the Atlanta Allie Awards submissions and we need your help to get the binders judged! This is your opportunity to see what goes into a winning award entry - and to get ideas for future submissions that you may have for the ISES Minnesota Star Awards or the ISES International Esprit Awards!

Location:
Aarcee Party and Tent Rental
5300 West 35th Street
St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Dates and Times:
Wednesday, March 5, 2008; 10:30a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 6, 2008; 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Friday, March 7, 2008; 10:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Details:
Feel free to come whenever (and for any length of time) that you are able to judge during those time frames. We are expecting approximately 100 binders that need to be judged, so as many hands as posssible would be helpful.

Questions? Please contact Jodi Collen, CSEP at 612.330.1107 or collen@augsburg.edu.

In November 2006, ISES hosted our monthly program on the Republican National Convention. In follow-up to that program, ISES would like to invites members and guests to attend the Minnesota Chapter of Meeting Professionals International's March Program:

What Does it Take to Plan a National Convention?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
11:00am - 1:30pm
Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront

This panel discussion will focus on what it takes to plan a national convention. It will feature an array of individuals charged with planning the upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC), hosted in Minneapolis/St. Paul and the surrounding communities September 1-4, 2008. Each panelist will bring to the table different perspectives, including that of the host location, Excel Energy Center, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and representatives from the RNC Committee on Arrangements and the local Host Committee. The moderator, Immediate Past President of MPI MN, Michael Bergman, will also provide a hotel's perspective of the Official RNC Hotel Block.

Please note that MPI MN does not endorse the events of any political party, including the Republican National Convention.

You should come away with the ability to:

• Learn the communication process with multiple venues
• Coordinate local committees
• Develop an understanding of partnerships required to produce a high scale event
• Gain a logistical perspective of the many details surrounding such a production

For more information and to register, please visist MPI MN Online or contact the MPI MN office at (651) 917-6243.

It is hard to miss that the 2008 ISES Minnesota Star Awards are quickly approaching! This year's event again promises to showcase the very best of our local event industry, as we again colloborate to present this two-time Internationally Award Winning Event.

This year saw another record breaking number of entries submitted for the Minnesota Star Awards by local event professionals seeking to demonstrate their creative expertise. Some fast facts on the entries include:

Total Number of Entries Received: 51
Total Number of Different Companies and/or Individuals that Submitted: 31
Total Number of ISES Member Entrants: 29
Total Number of Non-ISES Member Entrants: 8
Entrants from Companies located outside Minnesota: 2
Total Number of Categories Being Awarded: 16

View this year's Nominee list.
NEW: View photos of this year's Nominated Events.

Many often ask how the entries are judged or winners selected. Bringing credibility to the awards lies in our judging process which we would like to share with you:

Entries are solicited each fall through a Call for Entries distributed by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter of the International Special Events Society. Entries are sought in 16 various categories including event elements of event design/décor, catering, rental support , event logistics, entertainment, technical production, marketing/graphic design, floral, photography/videography, as well as corporate, social, non-profit, and public event planning and production. With the exception of the ISES team effort category, ISES membership is not a requirement of entry, and entries may be received from anyone who plans, produces, or supplies to the Minnesota special events Industry.

All entries, conforming to the rules set forth in the Call for Entries are submitted to a third party law firm. For 2008, the law firm of Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey, LLP received the entry binders and ensured that all of the basic requirements and rules, as well as the anonymity of every entry were met. Complete binders which met the entry requirements were sent by the law firm directly to the ISES Atlanta Chapter for judging. The three entries that received the highest total point score in a given category are named the nominees and the entrant that received the top score is declared the winner. Each of the entries is required to meet the minimum score requirement and fulfill all of the entry criteria to be nominated, even when there are less than three applicants in the category.

At the completion of the judging, the entries are returned directly to Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey, LLP who notifies the ISES planning committee of the nominees. The names of the winners remain sealed and are know ONLY to the law firm and supplied ONLY to the company embossing the award trophies. Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey, LLP creates winner envelopes, seals them and supplies them to the ISES planning team on the day of the event. Additionally, the awards company supplies the statues in a sealed box on the day of the ceremony. The stage manager (a non-ISES member volunteer) unpacks them and distributes the awards to the presenters as each category is awarded, and at which point the name of the winner(s) becomes public record.

All of these steps are in place to ensure the fairness and accuracy of the judging process and maintain the highest standard of credibility for the ISES Minnesota Star Awards.

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! The statues are being supplied by ISES member David McGarry (dave@MillenniumPromo.net) of Millennium Corporate Promotions & Awards, Inc.

See a list of Past Recipients.

The Best Of 2007 Awards for Minnesota Meetings + Events Magazine is February 28, 2008 from 5:30-8:00pm at the Bloomington Hilton. Several member companies are finalists for the annual awards. Make plans to attend the party and cheer on your fellow ISES members.

For more information, go to www.mnmeetingsmag.com.

Hear what fellow event professionals are saying about ISES, our monthly programs and events, and learn the great things local ISES members are doing.

The Pioneer Press announced that ISES Member Chris Swarbrick (mn_ice@msn.com) of Ice Occassions 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. Click to view Chris's Creation

ISES member Dianna Fuller, CMP, CMM (diannaf@hoffmancommunications.com) is excited to announce that Hoffman Communications, Inc. received a Silver MCAI Award for its work on the Woodbury Financial Meridian Videos. The Media Communications Association International, MN Chapter Awards honors for outstanding creativity and production excellence.

ISES Member Connie Johnson (kurtjohnsonauctioneering@att.net) of Kurt Johnson Auctioneering, Inc. announced that KurtJohnsonAuctioneering.com recently won first place in the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association annual Conference and Show Marketing Contest in the Web site division.

Congratulations to ISES member Dylan Andersen (dylan.andersen@thehotlivy.com) on the opening of Hotel Ivy, Minneapolis-St. Paul newest luxury hotel. The hotel and restaurant opened Thursday February 21, 2008.

ISES Member Ryan Hanson (ryan.m.hanson@gmail.com) was recently published in the February 2008 edition of Event Solutions Magazine with his article "Gen Y Time."


Editors Note: Have you recieved a call from a reporter wanting you to comment on your event-related expertise? If so, we encourage you to always mention your affiliation with ISES. The ISES brand means something and for its members, it defines you as the expert in the industry. So mention ISES whenever you can and make your own brand even stronger!

Do you have news you would like to share? Do you have an exciting announcement you want to brag about? Email communications@ises-msp.org.

The International Special Events Society, Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter requests your presence for an evening of Timeless Decadence.

Join us to celebrate the best local events and event professionals of 2007. This year, over 50 entries were received, with entrants in every category. They have been judged by the ISES Atlanta Chapter and on March 14, 2008 the winners will be revealed.

Come to the Great Hall in St. Paul and step into a Babylon of bewitching seduction and provocative performance.

WHEN:
Friday, March 14, 2008
7:00 pm - Champagne Reception
8:00 pm - Awards Celebration
9:30 pm - Allusion Party

VENUE:
The Great Hall
180 East Fifth Street
St Paul, MN 55101
651-291-3579

Please enter at street level through the building entrance at the corner of 5th and Jackson. directions

Suggested Dress: Allusion to Black Tie

COST:
$65 per person
Proceeds benefit ISES continuing education

{[E-BRIDGE LINK:6ENLWF7SBYZ]} to RSVP Now

Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey, LLP

Millennium Corporate Promotions & Awards, Inc

BeEvents

Buttercream

Custom Chocolate

Lynmar Printing

meetingspages.com

Muddy Paws Cheesecakes

Studio 6 Specialty Linen & Decor

Shawn Plante
President

Instant Request
DJ Entertainment
shawn@instantrequest.com

How many years have you been in the event industry? 28

What does your company do? Disc Jockey services and Mood lighting services for upscale weddings, themed events and corporate.

How did you enter the events industry?At 14 years old I did my first wedding in a black tuxedo, red bow-tie and cumber bun at a whopping 4 foot 9. I was completely hooked after my first wedding. Boy, do I wish I had picture from that show. It was at the East Grand Forks Golf Club in 1980. My! has the wedding industry and technology changed!

Why are you a member of ISES? To gain insights into trends from my peer group. What do you want to know about the events industry? I want to continue to innovate in both the DJ industry and the lighting industry.

Is there a book, person, or story that comes to mind which has had a strong impact on your career? Morris Lanning was the Dean of Students at Concordia College in Moorhead where I was the director of Student Productions for 3.5 years. He was also the mayor of Moorhead at the time. He allowed me to obtain the position as a freshman when it was designated for seniors. I am eternally gratefully he allowed me to hold the position for my entire college education.

Kim Kirmeier
Business Development Director

CenterPoint Marketing Exhibits, Events and Environments
kkirmeier@centpoint.com

How many years have you been in the event industry? Marketing 20 and Events 5

What does your company do? We design, build, install and dismantle exhibits and environments for the tradeshow and event industry.

What is an average day in your life like? I spend a great deal of time on the phone - defining opportunities and pulling together teams that will benefit the client in order to ensure a successful tradeshow or event.

How did you enter the events industry? My background is advertising and marketing. I have had the opportunity to work with some exciting brands and especially enjoy seeing the brand come to life in an event or tradeshow.

Why are you a member of ISES? I joined ISES because of the caliber of people that I have met. I feel that I will have the opportunity to learn from people that have a great deal of experience as well as share my background and contacts.

What do you want to know about the events industry? I would like to find some reference able examples of corporate events that build on the momentum of the client's presence at their industry tradeshow and vise-versa.

Jodi Collen, CSEP
Director of the Minnesota Star Awards
jodi@ises-msp.org
612.330.1107 office
Company: Augsburg College

Years in event industry: 8

Other positions held in ISES:
* Midwest Regional Vice President, 2006-2008
* Immediate Past President, 2006-2007
* President, 2005-2006
* President-Elect, 2004-2005
* International Education Committee Member
* Vice President of Education & Programs, 2003-2004
* Treasurer

I am responsible for leading the chapter's 'Special Event', the Minnesota Star Awards. This event is produced each March and offers event professionals in Minnesota an opportunity to increase the recognition they receive for the fabulous events they create, plan, manage and execute each year. This event is close to my heart as I was instrumental in starting the program and I look forward to chairing the 4th Annual celebration. I encourage you to contact me if you'd like to get involved by sponsoring/showcasing your product (venue, A/V, food and beverage, decor, etc.), would like to volunteer for a committee and help plan this special night, or are interested in learning more about the entry process.

Additionally, as the Midwest Regional Vice President, I oversee the 7 chapters in the Midwest Region and act as a liaison between ISES Headquarters and the Chapter Leadership for each of the regional chapters.

I can honestly say that joining ISES - and more specifically, becoming INVOLVED in ISES - has been the best career move that I have ever made. My association with this organization has provided me with a multitude of benefits and has taught me a great deal about the industry. In addition to the great opportunities that I have had to work with some of the key people in the industry, ISES has played an instrumental role in every job that I have received since joining the industry. I believe that ISES has provided me with increased visibility in the local community - and provided me with an amazing network of professionals that I use on a day to day basis in my position at Augsburg College.