IN THE MARCH 2010 ISSUE
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| Letter from the President |
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State of the Chapter
We've heard the State of the Union from the President of the United States and many of you attended Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal's State of the Industry Event 2010 so you may wonder what the State of our Chapter is. Thriving is the word I believe best describes our Chapter.
Currently we have 200 members, including 31 students, that are affiliated with the Minneapolis-St Paul Chapter. This represents a large jump in our student members while holding well on full members.
We are averaging just under 100 attendees at our monthly programs and our members-only socials are drawing between 10% and 30% of our members for cocktails and networking. Feedback from our monthly programs continues to indicate high levels of satisfaction with the education and networking opportunities provided.
We received 65 binders and 106 individual entries for the Minnesota Star Awards. That high number of entries shows creative and effective events are still being produced - it also means competition will be fierce!
Our newly launched Mentorship Program has matched 100% of the members who have requested mentors. If you are interested in being a mentor or wish to have a mentor, let us know!
As you can see from just those few examples, our Chapter is vibrant, relevant, and thriving. That is due to all of you and your active participation in our programs, socials, committees, and other activities. If you would like to become more involved in the Chapter, contact us at info@ises-msp.org. Nominations for the Minneapolis-St Paul Board will be mailed out to you near the end of March. Please consider stepping into a leadership role within the Chapter, we need you!
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 Cara Schulz
cara@ises-msp.org
President
ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul
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2010 ISES Minnesota STAR Awards
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Thank you to everyone who sent in a nomination for the 2010 ISES Minnesota STAR Awards. Each nomination just goes to show that even with a slower economy it was another great year for our members and other local event professionals.
Congratulations to this year's nominees! Drum roll please...
2010 ISES Minnesota STAR Awards Nominees (PDF)
Please join us for a Latin-inspired evening. This year's celebration promises to be an unforgettable night of Brazilian, Cuban and Puerto Rican cultures combining to create a hot fusion of sultry surroundings.
Eat, drink and dance the night away to the sounds of "Salsa Del Soul", the Twin Cities-based orchestra performing various styles of Latin American rythms including Bachata, Cha-cha-cha, Plena and, of course, Salsa!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Hyatt Regency
1300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis MN 55403
612.370.1234
7:00 - 8:30pm Reception
8:30 - 9:30pm - Awards Ceremony
9:30 - 11:00pm - After Party
Dress to look hot, hot, hot!
$75.00 per person*
Proceeds benefit ISES continuing education
*Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 23, 2010. There will be a $10 surcharge for anyone who registers after this deadline. Cancellations after Tuesday, March 23, 2010 and no-shows will be billed.
It is the policy of the ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter that all registrations be guaranteed by credit card.
If you would like to volunteer for the STAR Awards, please contact Jodi Collen, collen@augsburg.edu.
If you or your company would like to be a sponsor of the STAR Awards, please contact Pete Nelson, pnelson@eventlab.net.
Thank you to our sponsors:
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February Program Highlights
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By Lesley Decker, ISES Student Member, University of Wisconsin Stout, deckerl@my.uwstout.edu
All events require meticulous planning especially when it comes to logistics - which was the topic of the most recent ISES event, Event Logistics: Panel Discussion. The event was held at the beautiful Interlachen Country Club in Edina, who served a creative and delicious lunch. Martha's Gardens provided stunning centerpieces, and Studio 6 Specialty Linen and Décor provided lovely linens in silver taffeta with spring colors of silver, blues and pale yellow. There to capture the event in photos was ISES Member Noah Wolf of Noah Wolf Photography.
To start off the afternoon, salad was served as the results of the ISES MSP's Economic Climate Survey were presented. With the economy still struggling, planners and suppliers have seen clients cutting back over the past year, but there have been some increases from the last survey. Overall, those who took the survey are optimistic and believe things are looking up in 2010. In the open-ended question section it was stated that planners and suppliers need to keep doing events and continue to stay positive. As the main dish, a delicious crepe-wrapped chicken with a champagne sauce was served the panel took their places to answer important questions that planners and suppliers had been waiting to ask. The panel consisted of William Given, co-owner of Prom Catering; Meghan Gustafson, special events coordinator for The Basilica of St. Mary; Deputy Chief Janee Harteau of the Minneapolis Police Department; Jen Klosner, CMP and senior meeting planner for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans; and Inspector Mike Rumppee of the Minneapolis Fire Department. The session was moderated by Leah Wong of the Minneapolis Downtown Council. Throughout the discussion questions ranged from how many port-a-potties are needed per person, to when should a private security company be hired as opposed to using city police. Each panelist showed excellent insight and shared great information. They also discussed tough issues like alcohol consumption with large groups of people and fire codes that are necessary to keep guests safe.
Overall the group discussed how different venues and event types will each pose different challenges and that it is important to start contacting police and fire officials as soon as the date for the event is set. They also stressed the importance of strong relationships with vendors. Event logistics are about planning for anything as early as possible, and event planners should keep this in mind while planning their events. Another great event with outstanding attendance and information sharing.
View the program resources and Q&A from the panel discussion in the ISES Community, Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter group.
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Members listen intently as Cara Schulz, ISES MSP president, relays the Economic Climate Survey Results
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The panel of planners, suppliers and city government share their expertise on event logistics from contracts to the number of exits and everything in between.
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Photos provided by Noah Wolf Photography. Visit the Photo Gallery 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.
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MSP Economic Climate Survey Results
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A few weeks ago our chapter sent out a survey to over 1700 Minnesota event professionals asking them questions about how the economy is impacting their professional lives. The results of that survey were revealed during a presentation at the beginning of the February monthly program. Below is an abbreviated recap of that presentation, which covered only a portion of the full survey results. This survey is almost identical to the one that was sent out one year ago and in some places the data from this year is compared to the data from last year.
Who took the survey?
45% are Suppliers
55% are Planners (35% Corporate/Non-Profit Internal Planners and 20% Independent Planner Producers)
Optimism
Last year Suppliers and Planners were very positive about their careers and their company, mid 80% - less positive about the industry, mid 70% - and even less positive about the economy, 40% to 50%. This year Suppliers and Planners were more positive about their careers and companies, mid 80% to mid 90% - more positive about the industry, mid-80% - and the largest jump in optimism was in the economy mid 60%-mid 80%
Staffing
In last year's survey respondents were asked to predict if their company was going to increase, decrease, or make changes in their staffing. We then compared it to what respondents this year reported to staffing levels. Overall, Suppliers, Corporate/Non-Profit Planners and Independent Planners were all overly optimistic about staffing.
Here are the results on staffing changes in 2009
Suppliers - 3% increased, 53% decreased, 43% no change
Independent Planners - 8% increase, 32% decrease, 60% no change
Corporate/Non-Profit Planners - 11% increase, 38% decrease, 51 no change
Here is the prediction for staffing for 2010
Suppliers - 13% increase, 23% decrease, 40% no change, 23% I don't know
Independent Planners - 4% increase, 12 decrease, 60 no change, 24% I don't know
Corporate/Non-Profit Planners - 15% increase, 11% decrease, 51% no change, 23% I don't know
Budgets
Like the results last year, budgets for many are again being cut. The good news is that a lower percentage of respondents say their budget is being cut this year compared to last year. (62% to 50%) Independent Planners, who have social events thrown into the mix, are seeing a higher percentage of budget increases as compared to Corporate/Non-Profit planners.
As compared to 2009, has your 2010 total event budget:
Corporate/Non-Profit Planners - 13% increase, 50% decrease, 37% no change
Independent Planners - 24% increase, 52 decrease, 24 % no change
The budget line items that event planners most mentioned to be decreased are: Decor, Food & Beverage, Linens, Floral, and Entertainment. Promotions and Marketing was the one line item that stood out as seeing possible budget increases for event planners.
Comments
Suppliers and Planners were asked a few open ended questions that they could anonymously answer. Here is a sampling of the comments:
From Suppliers:
Stop looking for the cheapest deal because you are suffering in quality. Lots of cheap prices around. Make sure you meet with the companies you would like to work with and then do your homework. Don't base all decisions on price alone.
I'm all out of "free" and exhausted by clients that have really, really unrealistic budgets.
Nothing is free.
Both sides have to be able to negotiate fairly. Suppliers cannot give away the house. They need to make a profit so they can keep staff on the payroll and provide the services the client expects.
Independent Planners had advice for what not to cut from your event budget:
Food and payment for people who work the event. Décor for wedding & A/V for conferences
Photography - it's a lasting memory.
Staffing.
Corporate/Non-Profit Planners expressed what they need from their Suppliers:
Creativity on a lower budget!
Cost effective ways to produce events without altering the WOW-factor! Discounts and GREAT service! Customer loyalty discount until we can get back to our normal budget.
Due to shorter lead times, we need best pricing on the first round of responses that match the request.
Expertise and new ideas.
In reading all the comments, what stood out is the enormous pressure that Planners and Suppliers are under. Planners are pressured to host the same level of event for the same number of people using a budget that may have been cut twice in the last two years. As a bonus, many of them have fewer internal co-workers or staff to assist them. They are relying on their Supplier partners to help them find ways to accomplish this. Suppliers are under severe pressure to discount their rates further, even if that means losing money on a job, just to keep cash flow. Both groups remain optimistic and willing to work together. However, it appears that some frank conversations need to take place between Planners and their clients regarding event quality expectations and between Suppliers and Planners regarding the Suppliers' ability to discount their services further.
The PowerPoint presentation in Open Office format, which this article is based on, is available to anyone who requests it. The raw data is available only to ISES members and is posted in the ISES community.
If you have any questions about the survey or the results, please direct them to Cara Schulz at cara@ises-msp.org.
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ISES International Esprit Awards
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The International Special Events Society (ISES) announces the 2010 ISES Esprit Call for Entries for its annual ISES Esprit Awards. The ISES Esprit Awards program is designed to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts, performance, and outstanding contributions of ISES members in the special events industry. Deadline for submissions is May 3, 2010. All entries must be for events that occurred between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.
An ISES Esprit Award is more than your fifteen minutes of fame - it's the opportunity to showcase you and your team's creativity, uniqueness, and the consistent quality you have to offer. Being an ISES Esprit Award recipient will provide the distinct competitive advantage to sing your praises to customers, potential clients, vendors and colleagues, reminding them of your accomplishments and industry expertise!
Since 1995 ISES has acknowledged the achievements of outstanding work by it's membership through the ISES Esprit Awards. The Awards celebrate the best of the best in multiple categories that span all membership disciplines within ISES. Whether you set the stage, cook the food, design the invitation or create an experience... you have the ability to enter your best work into the ISES Esprit Awards. And it's never been easier with the new on-line submission process.
If you've entered before... keep entering and enjoy the new on-line process. If you've never entered before... this is YOUR year. You can't stand on stage and accept the award if you don't enter! The best news is if you submitted an entry for the Minnesota Star Awards you're already on your way! Entry requirements for the Esprit Awards are very similar so you may only need to tweak your Star Awards entry. Check out the official Call for Entries for more information.
Even better is that the submission process is all on-line. So no printing and lugging your binder to the post office. Click here to learn more about the online submission process.
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CSEP Answer: C - lumina
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March 2010 Program
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 ISES Minnesota STAR Awards
Friday, March 26
Once a year the International Special Events Society Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter hosts the event of events where the community unites to celebrate individuals and organizations for the outstanding events they design, create and execute each year.
Click here for more information.
When:
Friday, March 26, 2010
Hyatt Regency
1300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis MN 55403
612.370.1234
7:00 - 8:30pm Reception
8:30 - 9:30pm - Awards Ceremony
9:30 - 11:00pm - After Party
Dress to look hot, hot, hot!
$75.00 per person*
Proceeds benefit ISES continuing education
Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 23, 2010.
There will be a $10.00 surcharge for anyone who registers after this deadline. Cancellations after Tuesday, March 23, 2010 and No-shows will be billed.
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Member Profiles
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Marie Porter
Evil Cake Overlord
Celebration Generation Cakes
cakes@celebrationgeneration.com
How many years have you been in the event industry? 16 years
What does your company do? We do "Absolutely Hardcore Sugar Art" - custom designed gourmet cakes that taste as good as they look! We offer the most design techniques & flavor options in the state.
What is an average day in your life like? As a very "Type A" small business owner, my average day is a carefully choreographed waltz of time management! With the exception of my husband - who does all of my custom built bases, interior structures, and mechanical elements - I work alone. Each day consists of answering emails, monitoring our social media outlets (Twitter: @celebr8ngenr8n, and Facebook), drawing up contracts, designing any ads or promotional literature, updating the website, and working on production/promotion for my upcoming cookbook. A few days a week, I add "caking" to that list.
How did you enter the events industry? I took a very meandering path to where I am today! Way back in the day, I was a fashion designer. After several requests for prom gowns, I discovered that I very much enjoyed designing and creating wedding gowns. I designed custom gowns - drafting the patterns from scratch, all the way to the finished gown for several years, but added a bunch of training and skills along the way. I took education in floral design, as my brides always had problems finding exactly what they wanted for florals. I learned graphic design, so that I could design and maintain my own website, and also ended up offering custom stationery. I was fully trained in bartending.. and then realized that people would actually pay me to bake for them! All of those design skills - fashion, floral, graphic, and cocktail design - came together nicely with my lifelong love of not only baking, but experimentation in the kitchen. The cakes really took off, and now it's the sole focus of my business.
Why did you join ISES? Last year, our marketing plan was NOT working for us. The areas we were investing heavily in were turning out completely fruitless, while all of our brides would find us from other means. We made some radical changes to what we were doing, and completely overhauled our game plan. The support of a few industry friends has been a wonderful help through the big change. I'm not only grateful for that help, but I truly enjoy having been able to reciprocate, with my own ideas, support, and connections. I joined ISES to have more opportunities to create and foster such symbiotic relationships. I truly believe that helping each other out is not only good for business, it's fun!
Is there a book, person, or story that comes to mind which has had a strong impact on your career?
It's going to sound silly, but there was a children's book I had when I was maybe 4 or 5 that had more impact on my life than any book I've read since. It was from the Value Tales series, and was called "The Value of Believing in Yourself: The Story of Louis Pasteur". I can still visualize the illustrations in my mind! It was the story of how Pasteur, one of the fathers of microbiology, developed germ theory and created the vaccine for rabies. I'll spare you all of the nerdy details, but the book was inspiring on many levels. For one, it formed the basis for my early love of science, and experimentation. While I did end up very off track from my original life goal of a career in virology, I've never stopped enjoying experimentation. I think that comes out in my flavors list nicely.. as well as in my upcoming cook books. That book was foundational to my lifelong love of learning. On another level, I really do think that the book accomplished it's main goal - I do think I learned "The value of believing in myself" from it. In the early days of microbiology, a lot of germ theory seemed VERY off the wall... and a lot of people thought that Pasteur was kind of off his rocker. He had ideas that could be regarded as weird or crazy, and believed in himself enough to develop them, see them through. We now vaccines, have a much better knowledge of immunology, and pasteurization, all of a result of his "crazy" ideas. While my "crazy" ideas are never as history-impacting as his were, I do believe that the book had formative impact on my desire and ability to not only think outside the box, but to just go for it, and really see crazy ideas through to fruition. I think THAT has really gone a long way to making work - and life - fun!
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Star Michaelina
Magician
star@prettymagical.com
How many years have you been in the event industry? 16 years in magic.
What does your company do?
I provide stage, strolling and parlor magic for event's such as fundraisers/galas, weddings and trade shows. Having magic at an event help make it memorable by making the guests feel like they were treated to something "above and beyond." Magic can also be a great, interactive reward for the end of a long day of meetings or be used to attract attention to a trade show booth.
What is an average day in your life like?
That completely depends on the day. I try to start with coffee and yoga/gym, following up and emailing clients. I make a lot of my props so often times I have a construction project that I chip away at (right now I'm actually building a device to saw a man in half)! There's also rehearsing new pieces, going over them with magic friends to make them amazing. Marketing, mailing, networking... My favorite days are the ones where I get dressed, pack up my show, and do magic!
How did you enter the events industry?
I started magic when I was 13. I had a crush on a boy who was a magician and wanted a reason to talk to him. I soon realized it was my passion!
Why did you join ISES?
A man at a gig I was once at told me about it a few years ago, at the time I didn't have time. With the economy the way that it is, I felt now is the time to be more involved with the whole events scene, what ideas do I have that can help others and what are they trying that can help me. Also I left theatre (I was a props designer) 3 years ago. However, working solo can get lonely so I hope to meet others who enjoy what they do and are passionate about it like I am. My "non-event" friends never understand how I can "talk about work so much"; well, it's easy when you love what you do!
What do you want to know about the events industry?
The planning process as a whole. By the time I get a call usually the event is already planned. I love to see what goes into it before that. More about the business aspect - who typically takes on what in the planning and execution - for example if there is a caterer, a florist, someone in charge of decor and another in charge of entertainment, who sets the event budget and works with all parties to see that they are sticking to it? Or that the decor matches the floral, etc? Also how far ahead different types of events are planned (ie fundraiser vs annual meeting etc).
Is there a book, person, or story that comes to mind which has had a strong impact on your career?
My mentor Derek Hughes stopped me from going to University of Nevada Las Vegas and sent me packing to San Fransisco where I was immersed in theatre and found that by combining magic and theatre I could generate a much stronger show. The book would be The Artist's Way.
Do you have a career or industry tip that you would like to share? Twitter. I started a "social account" but have been trying to build my "work" one (prettymagical if you want to follow me!) On Twitter there is a LARGE group of event specialists from all over who share links to resources, host webinars etc.
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| Meet a Board Member |
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Pete Nelson
Minnesota Star Awards
pete@ises-msp.org
Company: Event Lab, LLC
Years in event industry: 14
Other Positions Held in ISES:
* Vice President of Education & Programs, 2007-2009
* Star Awards, Décor Chair 2007
* Director at Large, Las Vegas Chapter 2002-2005
I am responsible for leading the chapter's 'Special Event', the Minnesota Star Awards into it's 6th year. This event is produced each March and recognizes event professionals in Minnesota for the inspiring events they create, plan, manage and execute each year.
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.
I wouldn't be where I'm at today if it wasn't for joining ISES. Working for a national company that designs events across the globe has given me the opportunity to really use ISES as a tool in my daily work life. Every major city has an ISES chapter which allows me to find vendors and services wherever I am in the country. Being that they are ISES members also gives me the reassurance that they are a reputable vendor who has a true passion and dedication to the event industry. ISES has also helped me get to know the event community, especially when I made the move to Las Vegas. Not knowing a soul down there, I quickly met the elite in the event world after joining ISES and becoming a board member. They not only became great allies for work but also became some of my closest friends. The same goes for the Minneapolis chapter. Because of ISES I have been involved in many incredible events such as the Special Event in Las Vegas, American Heart Association, the MN Star Awards and countless other programs.
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Member News
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McNamara Alumni Center Celebrates 10 Years! And you're invited!
In celebration of McNamara Alumni Center's 10th Anniversary you're invited to a free lunch by D'Amico Catering and a tribute to the event industry in comedy, satire and song! Additionally, you'll be able to view construction in progress on three new meeting rooms that will open Fall 2010. Luncheon is open to all event industry colleagues. RSVP now!
Sheree Bochenek featured in meetingpages
In this month's "Ask the Expert" feature in meetingpages, Sheree Bochenek (sbochenek@apresparty.com) of Apres Party and Tent Rental, shares her thoughts on how to plan a sensational event with latest stylish decor. Read the full article where Sheree tells all on some of the hottest new trends.
United Way launches new program with a Fashion Show!
United Way WINGs (Women Investing in the Next Generation) is ready to take flight! We invite you to our exciting launch event filled with fashion, philanthropy and fun. Join us for a spring fashion show and learn about a powerful new group of women working to strengthen each other and our community. Strengthen your fashion know-how during a spring fashion show hosted by emcee Alix Kendall, Fox 9 Morning News. Strengthen your network by connecting with philanthropic women in the Twin Cities. Strengthen other women in your community by helping them become financially stable for themselves and their children. Tickets are $20. Click here for more information and to purchase your tickets.
Do you have news to share? Tell us about it! Email communications@ises-msp.org. And when the reporters call, remember to mention that you are an ISES member.
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CSEP Fun Fact
A nebulous effect produced by transmitting laser lights through a textured plastic:
a. lightface
b. animation
c. lumina
d. blackout
(See the answer below left)
Follow ISES-MSP on
Social Networks
Become a fan of our chapter's Facebook page or sign up to follow us on Twitter. And be sure to check out the ISES Community Page!
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