ISES-MSP

IN THE MAY 2007 ISSUE


Letter from the President

May is "Membership Month." If you're not a member, now is the time to join! There is no application fee if you fill out your application online during May.

If you already are a member, now is also the time to renew! Those who renew during May receive $100 off the education package at the ISES Eventworld conference.

Want to learn more about membership in ISES? Contact Ryan Hanson (ryan@ises-msp.org) or Craig Oliver (craig@ises-msp.org), who lead our membership area. Some people find that the ISES Affinity Programs, like the FedEx/Kinko's discount, alone cover the cost of their membership!

As for becoming part of our chapter, forgive me for bragging - but we're a terrific chapter! Not only did we win "Chapter of the Year" last year, but we have continued our winning ways by nearly doubling our membership this year, bringing some of the top names in our industry to Minneapolis-St. Paul to speak, and continuing to improve our website, procedures and more!

Potential members - we'd love to have you join us and find out just why we're so proud of our chapter.

Current members please inform us if there is ever anything that we as a Board can do to improve your membership experience. We're not perfect, of course, and we value your feedback and ideas.

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KateKate Touhey, CSEP
President
ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul
kate@ises-msp.org


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April Program Highlights
April's program, Incorporating Fabulous Design Elements into your Events, was presented by Tim Lundy, CSEP, of Distinctive Design Events Rosewood Market out of Atlanta, GA and Highlands, NC.


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Tim combined an engaging and humorous speaking style with stunning visuals highlighting exciting design elements from events he has produced.
 
The Drinks & Hors d'Oeuvres were sponsored by member-sponsor Prom Catering. Pictured here is Fire Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Purple Peruvian Smashers & Asparagus Logs with Veal Juslie and Wasabi Horseradish Kicker

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As with any ISES Program, networking with other event professionals is all part of the fun. At the April Program, guests were able to do so in the Navi Trak tent sponsored by Apres Party and Tent Rental.
 
In addition to hosting the Program in the Navi Trak tent, guests were encourage to tour the Apres showroom.


To see more pictures of the April program, click here.


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Eventworld: Scholarship Applications
Due Monday, May 14th

Each summer, ISES convenes at Eventworld - An Institute for Professional Development, the association's annual education conference. This conference brings together event industry professionals from all over the world for a three-day conference focused on quality education and networking opportunities.

Four years ago our chapter established the ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Leadership & Education Merit Award to encourage Minneapolis-St. Paul members to actively participate in chapter activities and reward a member(s) with the educational opportunity to attend this international conference. Funds for the scholarship(s) come from money that is made at the chapter's annual ISES Minnesota Star Awards, as well as at the chapter's monthly education programs.

ISES Eventworld 2007 will be taking place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from August 16-18, 2007. The Merit Award recipient(s) will be expected to attend the conference in its entirety and represent ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul at meals and other included functions.

For 2007, ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul will be awarding up to two awards ($1200 each) to local members. The Merit Award recipient(s) will receive one complete education package (value of $599).

Education Package Includes:

  • Opening Keynote Session, 8/16
  • All education sessions 8/16-8/18
  • ISEF Luncheon, 8/17
  • Annual General Meeting Luncheon, 8/18
  • Education session handouts
  • Continental breakfast 8/17 & 8/18
  • A travel stipend for up to $600 (receipts required)

Any ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul full member is eligible, including board members, with the following exceptions: President, student members and any recipient that received the scholarship in the previous year. Leadership and education potential in addition to accomplishments must be demonstrated by all applicants.

Deadline: Monday, May 14, 2007

All complete applications that are received by the deadline will be sent to another ISES chapter for judging. The winner(s) will be announced at the June 12, 2007 ISES Program.

Send complete applications and questions to Jodi Collen, CSEP, at 612.340.5750 or at jodi@ises-msp.org.

To download the application click here.

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CSEP Fun Fact

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.

In which of the following areas can you claim points toward your CSEP certification exam:

  A. Writing an industry-related book
  B. Attending a chapter program
  C. Volunteering for an industry-related activity
  D. Membership in MPI

(See bottom of newsletter for the answer)


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May is Membership Drive Month
There is no doubt about it: 2006-2007 has been a remarkable year for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter of ISES. Since being named International Chapter of the Year for 2005-2006, ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul has seen the highest growth in membership of any chapter in the world! Hopefully you have joined us for at least one of the record attendance-shattering monthly programs and the most successful Minnesota Star Awards to date. ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul has become a beacon in the international special events community for the great members and chapter work. Because of this the future continues to look bright, but our organization is only as strong as its membership. Which is why now is the time for you to consider joining!

And joining is more than just signing up for a few networking events and a monthly program. ISES membership is about making yourself known to your clients and colleagues as a member of our local event community who is committed to collaboration, creativity and credibility in special events. Joining is making a statement about who you are as an event professional.

ISES is the definitive resource to enhance and advance your career in the special events industry. From our local monthly programs to the international network of more than 5,000 special events professionals, joining ISES is making the commitment to life-long learning, leadership development, and raising the bar of professionalism for our profession. ISES members serve their clients by being the most trusted source for innovative, knowledgeable and professional special event services that consistently deliver high-quality events and tangible results.

The benefits of your participation once you join and get involved are endless. And there is no better time to join than the present. Join ISES in May, on-line, and we waive the $50 application fee and give you the 14 months for the price of 12 (membership would run through June 30, 2008)!

We know you have thought about it - now is the time to make a commitment to your personal and professional development. Now is the time to make your company known as a proud member of the International Special Event Society. What are you waiting for? Starting May 1, go to www.ises.com and join! We look forward to welcoming you!

Cheers!
Ryan & Craig

Ryan   Craig
Ryan Hanson
VP of Membership
ryan@ises-msp.org
  Craig Oliver
Director of Membership
craig@ises-msp.org



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My ISES Story

What can happen when you become an ISES member? You could find the employee you've been looking for or perhaps the job of your dreams. Shayna Clute and Jean Peine (jean@studio6specialtylinen.com) of Studio 6 Speciality Linen and Decor experienced just that.

Click here to watch a video to hear their ISES story.

Do you have an ISES story you would like to share? Let us know about it! Contact Cara Schulz at cara@ises-msp.org


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Member News

ISES Member Julie Orlando (julie_orlando@usc.salvationarmy.org) of The Salvation Army is planning The MOST Amazing Race, the second annual fund-raising event benefiting The Salvation Army's Bed and Bread Club®, which helps alleviate hunger and homelessness in the Twin Cities.

Patterned after the CBS show "The Amazing Race," this scavenger-hunt-like race includes one qualifying event before race day. This qualifying event will narrow the field to the final teams that will compete in The MOST Amazing Race.

The MOST Amazing Race, an official event of the 2007 Minneapolis Aquatennial, will take place over an entire day, leading the teams on a large-scale race around Minneapolis. From the starting line, teams will receive a clue leading them to a checkpoint somewhere in Minneapolis. Teams may use only Metro Transit for transportation throughout the race.

Upon arriving at the various checkpoints throughout the day, teams will be required to complete a task in order to receive the next clue. Tasks will be physically or mentally challenging and may include tedious activities, trivia contests or food challenges. The first team to reach the finish line will win the $5,000 grand prize courtesy of Wells Fargo!


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Putting the ISES Brand and Your Membership to Work

The ISES brand is our identity as an organization. And as an ISES member, you are entitled and encouraged to make the ISES brand work for you. Your use of the ISES brand demonstrates your membership in a large professional organization that represents the highest standards of the special event industry.

The brand is not simply a logo. It actually expresses what ISES is and does. By familiarizing yourself with the brand statements and how they can be used, you can take advantage of the image ISES is creating and building.

ISES members can use the following statements in the body of solicitation letters, in sales collateral, elevator speeches, your company website, on business cards, and in the footer of your stationery.

Brand Essence Statement:
Dedicated and educated to deliver creative excellence and professionalism in special events.

Customer Value Statements:
* ISES members bring creativity, breadth of knowledge, and a commitment to high standards in client service and ethics.

* ISES members are the trusted source for consistently high-value special event services.

* ISES is the definitive resource to identify standard-setting event professionals.


If you have questions about using the ISES brand statements, feel free to contact your VP of Communications, Lisa Marie Borchert at lisa@ises-msp.org.


May 2007 ISES Program

8 Breakthrough Concepts Changing Business in 2007

Richard Aaron CMP, CSEP
President, BiZBash Media

WHEN:
Thursday, May 10, 2007
4:00 pm -7:00 pm


  - 4:00 pm Social in the Club Room
  - 4:45 pm Buffet and Dessert Hosted by Trocaderos
  - 5:30 pm ISES news and Information
  - 6:00 pm Feature Presentation by Richard Aaron CMP, CSEP
  - 7:00 pm Conclusion of Event


WHERE:
Trocaderos Nightclub & Restaurant
107 3rd Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 651.335.3565
Directions


COST:
Members and Guests $30.00
Student $15.00

Guests: come check out ISES, then join in May and get 14 months of membership for the price of 12!

Please RSVP by
Monday, May 7, 2007
.

* There will be a $10 surcharge for anyone who registers after this deadline.
* Cancellations after Monday, May 7, and No-shows will be billed.

{[E-BRIDGE LINK:7VNY92XMZJB]} to RSVP Now



8 Breakthrough Concepts Changing Business in 2007

Do you seek fresh direction each year to stimulate new excitement for your business marketing? Then plan to attend this "not to be missed session" to hear the latest thought leadership trends influencing meeting and event business strategies for 2007! Join Richard Aaron, President of BiZBash NYC as he delivers keen insights into Experiential Events and 8 big business ideas shaping cultural engagement that will influence your strategies to keep up with the fast paced global marketplace. Richard will also spice up this session with discussion of the latest marketing and branding ideas at events to equip you to guide these ideas into reality. Richard, "The King of Edu-tainment", delivers the session with entertaining, educational high energy that is guaranteed to energize and inspire you as well as increase your business IQ!

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Richard Aaron, CMP, CSEP
President, BiZBash Media

This former Broadway actor and entertainer is the king of "edu-tainment" bringing a high-energy approach to every speaking engagement. Currently president of BiZBash Media New York, Richard was the founding President of the New York chapter of ISES-The International Special Event Society. He recently served as President of the ISES Education Foundation. Richard has served on both the MPI's and ISES's International Board of Directors and numerous committees.



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Thank you to our
Program Sponsors:

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New Member Profiles

Maria Cabrera
Group Sales Manager
Mall of America
maria.cabrera@moa.net

What does your company do?
We are the largest U.S. retail and entertainment complex, featuring 520 stores, 60 restaurants and the largest indoor family theme park in the country, The Park at MOA™.

What is an average day in your life like?
At work, my average day consists of multiple internal and external meetings. Outside of work, I love being outdoors!

How did you enter the events industry?
I was offered the chance to manage and oversee a new catering division being launched at the restaurant I worked at.

Why did you join ISES?
I first experienced ISES through one of my former supervisors who had a way of making every event she planned a Wow! event. Being a new, inexperienced event planner at that time, I learned about the many wonderful resources and people that could be utilized if I had questions or just needed advice.

Is there a book, person, or story that comes to mind which has had a strong impact on your career?
One of my former supervisors that I consider a mentor had a strong impact on my career today. She taught me that keeping good sales habits really do pay off (no matter how much you hate doing them!) and that you can't sit around waiting for prospects to call you. If you want to build relationships, then you have to get out and start making them.


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Bryce Miller
Account Executive
Showcore
brycem@showcore.com

Years in the event industry? 1

What does your company do?
Event and Meeting Technical Support; Full Audio Visual Support

What is an average day in your life like?
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Why did you join ISES/are you a member of ISES?
For industry support, contacts and connection.

What do you want to know about the events industry?
EVERYTHING

Is there a book, person, or story that comes to mind which has had a strong impact on your career?
My Father

Do you have a career or industry tip that you would like to share?
EVERYBODY has SOMETHING to bring to the table. No one is without merit.


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Meet a Board Member
MarciaMarcia McKinney
Director of Communications - PR & Marketing
Account Executive
D'Amico Catering
marcia@ises-msp.org

Years in event industry: 18

I am primarily responsible for writing and distributing press releases and photos regarding the chapter and its members.

The biggest asset I have found as a member of ISES is always having a quick list of 'friends' to call for resources; linens, tent and equipment rental, floral, entertainment and event planning services. We all want to do business with people/companies we know and trust. There is no better way to strengthen your own network than to belong to a group such as ISES.


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CSEP Fun Fact Answer:
In which of the following areas can you claim points toward your CSEP certification exam:

Answer: All


ISES-MSP




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