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Spring is here! And, as we all know, spring is a time for change and growth. And, our ISES Chapter is definitely entering into a period of change.
As you’ve hopefully heard, we’re just entering into the middle of nominations season and we’re looking for the people that will lead this organization next year. I can’t believe that my term is already coming to a close! I feel like I just got started. But, I’m excited about where our chapter is going and I’m excited about the people that are expressing interest in becoming further involved. And, if YOU want to become involved, I hope that you’ll let us know as well. There are several Board of Director’s positions up for next year, and if you’re interested in participating on the board, please contact the nominating committee as soon as possible.
If you’re not quite ready to take on the time commitment of being on the Board, you could also consider becoming involved on a committee. Our committees are vital to the success of our chapter and opportunities exist in membership, programs, communications, the Star Awards, sponsorships and many other areas. If you’d like more information on committee involvement, please send an email to info@ises-msp.org. I’ve said it time and time again, but you really do get out of your membership what you put into it, so we hope that you’ll join us in leading ISES in the upcoming year.
You’ve probably also noticed that ISES is sporting a brand new logo and color scheme. In order to keep our chapter aligned with where ISES International is heading, we will soon be unveiling our newly redesigned website. The new website will have improved functionality, will have a new look and feel and will hopefully provide more information to our membership on a timely basis. We’ll be unveiling this new look at the May 8th ISES meeting, so I hope that you’ll come out and celebrate our new look and see all of the changes that we’ve made to improve our service to our membership.
Finally, May is our annual membership drive and the start of our renewal period for current members. If you’ve been thinking about becoming an ISES member, now is definitely the time to take the leap! If you join ISES during the month of May, you get 14 months for the price of 12 (your membership will run from May 1, 2006-June 30, 2007) and we’ll waive the $50 application fee if you join online!
If you’re currently a member, you’ll soon be receiving a letter from ISES International letting you know that time has come to renew your membership. I really hope that each and every one of you will be returning to our chapter next year. Please let me (or anyone on the board) know if there is anything that we can do to help you through either of these processes. Best of all, we’ll have computers available to you at our May ISES Meeting (May 8, 2006) for you to sign up onsite and take care of everything that night!
As they say, change is good……so keep an eye out for all of the changes coming up and I hope to see all of you at our May meeting!
Happy Spring!
Sincerely
Jodi M. Collen, CSEP
ISES-MSP President 2005-2006
jodi@ises-msp.org
Did you know that ISES members receive a 30% discount of services at FedEx Kinkos? So….that means that if you or your company spend more than $1300 per year at FedEx and/or Kinkos you could recoup the ENTIRE cost of your membership JUST by using your ISES Discount Card!
Did you also know that ISES members get discounts at many other suppliers such as DHL, Staples Office Supplies, Alamo Car Rentals, Shaker Group, Inc (Trade Show Shipping), and Airborne Express?? Discounts vary at each company, but just think about easy you could recoup the cost of your membership if you use any of these companies on a regular basis in your daily business activities!
Best of all, you also receive lots of other benefits by becoming an ISES member! If you join ISES, you will be eligible for the following membership benefits:
- Education and Professional Development
- Online listing in the International Membership Directory
- Listing in the printed International Membership Directory
- Access to member-only networking receptions
- Preferred rates for local educational meetings
- Preferred rates for ISES Eventworld
- Complimentary Subscription to Special Events Magazine
- Discounted entry rates to enter events in our annual ISES Minnesota Star Awards
- Opportunities to compete for annual scholarships to attend ISES Eventworld (value of nearly $600!)
- Preferred rates for enrollment in the CSEP (Certified Special Events Professional) certification program (savings of $200!)
- Discounted Business Services
- Staples
- FedEx Kinkos
- DHL/Airborne Express
- Alamo
- Shaker Group, Inc.
For those of you that have been considering joining ISES this year, now is the time to send in your membership information! Best of all, if you join in the month of May, you will get 14 months of membership for the price of 12 months! PLUS…you don’t have to pay the $50 Application Fee (provided that you apply and pay your membership dues online!).
Ready to join?
To sign up to join ISES, come to the May Membership Drive on May 8, 2006, which is also our annual private dining tour. We will be touring private dining spaces at several of the top restaurants in downtown Minneapolis and we’ll have laptops available for you to sign up onsite. We’ll walk you through the entire process!
Can’t make it to the Meeting?
If you’re unable to make it to the membership drive, you can still take advantage of the great savings opportunity! To join or to get more information, contact Jodi Collen, CSEP, at 612.340.5750 or at
jodi@ises-msp.org and we’ll help you through the entire process! We look forward to seeing you soon!
The 2nd annual Minnesota Star Awards materialized on March 10 at The Loft in downtown Minneapolis. Approximately 130 personalities attended, representing every avenue of the event community. From the moment the guests stepped onto the blue carpet, the environment reverberated the theme of Club ISES. Upon being whisked to the fourth floor, guests were met with a haze of aqua light, white palms and deep shag. White sheer drape transformed the industrial space into an ethereal dream world. Even the exposed ceiling was covered with endless yards of white sheer, pulled taut to form a faux ceiling. Ambient lighting was everywhere—even on the guests themselves, as they donned glowing name badges.
Attendees gazed out onto a breathtaking view of the city at night, further enticed to the windows by rows of hanging dendrobium orchids, bred in an amazing shade of violet blue. Tablescapes of chocolate, aqua and white were accented with tall cylinders of calla lilies, horsetail, bear grass, and palm fronds.
The Cities’ finest caterers presented their work throughout the evening—pushing the culinary envelope with unique edibles such as salmon wrapped in edible cedar, and passion fruit crème brulee served in miniature martini glasses.
While a feather chandelier floated overhead, guests chatted while sipping the signature blue cocktail of the evening. Others relaxed in a sexy cabana lounge, replete with white sofas, hanging crystal spirals and aqua modular seating.
At 8 o’clock, the silver curtains parted to reveal a theater- style space created for the main event--- the presentation of the Star Awards. The very best of the Cities’ event professionals were honored during the fast- paced ceremony, which also recognized the efforts of the evening’s sponsors and committee members.
When the awards presentation concluded, the atmosphere was amplified with the dj’s grooves, and guests re-entered the lounge/bar for more noshing, imbibing, and dancing. Everyone ended the night knowing that a new pinnacle in Twin Cities events had been experienced—and nothing would ever be the same.
By Sheree Bochenek
Apres Party Rental
On Thursday April 6, both ISES members and guests attended Live Auctions: An Auctioneers Perspective at the Radisson Hotel Roseville. Col. Kurt Johnson of Kurt Johnson Auctioneering shared his very unique perspective with the audience.
Col. Kurt talked about the importance of having the appropriate sized centerpiece on the tables at your event. He explained that if you have a very tall and wide centerpiece on the table all the auctioneer can see is the centerpiece and can’t see the bidders in the room. This could result in major loss of revenue for your auction. Col. Kurt also explained the importance of the appropriate lighting for a room. Spotlights are usually not a good idea for a live auction. Again, it makes seeing those very important bidders very difficult.
When working with an auctioneer it is important to have them involved in the early stages of the planning process. A professional auctioneer can guide you away from common pitfalls involved in a live auction. At the end of the session, Col. Kurt opened up the session for questions. When asked what the “hot” items for an auction are he said, “Look for unique experiences. Most people can buy most things they want. It is those unique experiences that people want the most.” So remember, talk to your auctioneer early on, don’t forget to think about the auction when ordering centerpieces, check your lighting, and get your committee working on those unique experiences. Although, doing these things may not guarantee a successful auction, they will definitely put you on the right path.
Thank you to Col. Kurt Johnson for his time and unique perspective and to Radisson Hotel Roseville for hosting us at their beautiful property.
By Jim Leighton
Children’s Cancer Research Fund
The opportunity of a lifetime awaits you. Further your events education and networking skills while soaking up the sun in Hawaii!
Apply now for the ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Leadership and Education Merit Award.
This Merit Award was developed by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter of ISES in 2004 to encourage ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul members to get involved with the chapter, its committees, special programs, and the industry. The recipient of the award will receive one complete education package to ISES Eventworld 2006 an Institute for Professional Development.
Eventworld is an international conference hosted by ISES which offers continuing education in the special events industry, leadership meetings, and great networking opportunities with other event professionals from around the world. This year Eventworld will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii from August 24-26, 2006.
The ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter is excited to announce that up to two scholarships will be awarded this year. The Board of Directors has determined that this opportunity is available to all chapter members in good standing. Each submission will be an essay in compliance with the listed criteria.
ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul members may apply by electronically submitting their written application and essay to Craig Oliver, Immediate Past President at:
craigoliver@aarcee.com. Entries must be received by Monday, May 8, 2006.
The Merit Award recipient(s) will be announce at the June, 2006 annual meeting
To obtain more information and the application materials for the Merit Award Please contact Craig Oliver at 952-922-7233 or craigoliver@aarcee.com.
If you would like additional information about Eventworld, please log on to http://www.ises.com.
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