• Letter from the President
• Anniversary Feature: Making News
• June Program Highlights
• 2008-2009 Programming Policy Change
• GOP Convention Opportunity
• Membership Renewal Reminder
• Welcome New and Renewing Members
• Are you going to Eventworld?
• Congratulations to our Esprit Nominees
• ISES Survey Gift Card Winners
• New Member Profiles
• Meet a Board Member
• ISES Sound Off
• Welcome the 2008-2009 Board of Directors

It has come time to pass the gavel on to the 2008-2009 Minneapolis-
St. Paul ISES Chapter President, Lisa Marie Borchert (lisa.borchert@allianzlife.com). It has been both an honor and a lot of fun working beside Lisa Marie these past few years. I am very confident in her ability to work with all of the membership to bring this chapter to an even higher level of excellence this next year. We have put together a very qualified and dedicated Board to support her in this role. And of course, I'm not going anywhere and will be standing right behind her as the Immediate Past President.

I want to thank each and every one of you for making this past year one of the best of my professional and personal life. It has been a tremendous honor to represent the extremely talented members of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter. I have been humbled many times as I have had people in various communities tell me how impressed they are with all the ISES members. You each represent the professionalism and ethics that is so critical in the events industry. Thank you for your dedication to your profession.

And thank you to our Board of Directors for their tireless enthusiasm and dedication to this chapter. It was my pleasure serving with them in this capacity and I thank them for continuously making me look good. I look forward with my much anticipation to the next chapter of the Minneapolis-
St. Paul ISES chapter.

Most graciously,

by Tiffany Gaudette, (tiffany@umn.edu)

How many of us, as we sit at our computers scrolling through our chapter's monthly newsletter, have thought about its origins? It had to be someone's idea to communicate with our community through a newsletter, right? Someone had to conceptualize and create it. Well, that someone is Dianna Fuller, CMP, CMM, (dianna.fuller@sihope.com) our chapter's first Vice President of Communications.

Dianna was an active member of ISES, and shared a common vision with Carol Helgesen, then-Vice President of Membership. "We wanted to communicate the benefits of ISES to the meetings and events industry in the metropolitan area," Dianna said. "Carol presented the Board of Directors with the benefits of creating a VP of Communications position that I would fill and outlined our objectives. The Board approved and I created and distributed our first four-color, eight-page newsletter in the winter of 1999/2000."

Dianna was drawn to ISES largely due to the level of enthusiasm and creativity of the event professionals in our community. "I wanted to be a part of creating awareness in this city that meetings and events is an industry," she said. "I am a goal-oriented person, so the opportunity to help to develop this young chapter wasn't work at all, it was a true pleasure."

Regarding the early meetings, Dianna said, "They were in a casual setting around a lunch table or sitting on over-stuffed chairs and ottomans, but the level of work and commitment was intense." And you never really know who you're going to encounter along the way, it seems – Dianna shared this story: "One of my first board meetings was quite a distance from where I lived. Becky Harris (bharris@eventlab.net) and I didn't know each other very well, but we decided to carpool. Shortly after I arrived at her office, a strange man with wet hair came up to my car and told me Becky was running late, but would be here soon. She arrived shortly thereafter, apologized profusely, and we were on our way. That 45-minute drive gave us the opportunity to learn more about each other, and for me it was just the beginning of knowing a dedicated and creative event professional who is passionate about our industry. Oh, and the strange man with the wet hair? Her husband swims every morning at The Marsh."

Encounters with strange men aside, Dianna's top three most memorable ISES moments include winning an Esprit Award and a Star Award, the annual road trip in 1999, and "Craig's smiling and welcoming face at the membership table–meeting after meeting after meeting after meeting."

Regarding what she is most proud of regarding the growth and evolution of our chapter, Dianna said, "Of course, there's the obvious increase in the number of members, but more than that I am proud of the individuals who started this chapter and are still involved in the industry and active in the chapter." She also extended special thanks to "Carol Helgesen, Mark Grassini, Nancy Palesch, and Becky Harris during those early years; and to Craig Oliver (craigoliver@aarcee.com), Jodi Collen, CSEP (collen@augsburg.edu) and Lisa Marie Borchert (lisa.borchert@allianzlife.com) for moving the chapter forward." And on a personal note, Dianna added, "I thank my husband Jim Fuller for his support and dedication to me and the industry."

"What a benefit to have such a diverse, national network of meeting and event professionals to draw from for my questions and advice," Dianna said. "I have found it so gratifying to have had the opportunity to contribute to the development of our chapter, and to establish such wonderful relationships."

Editors Note: A very special thank you to ISES member Tiffany Gaudette for her diligent and delightful series of columns every month for the ISES newsletter. Tiffany's writtings have been a tremendous asset as we look back to the last 10 years of ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul and look forward to the next 10.

By Matthew Trettel, (matthew@twincitybridal.com)
Twin City Bridal Association

Nearly 100 guests gathered at Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant to kickoff this year's annual ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul restaurant tour. The Dakota is one of the countries leading Jazz clubs and a diverse venue for meeting and event professionals.

While in the past the group of 100 members has traveled together from venue to venue, this year, guests were split into 4 groups and given personalized 'passports' for their restaurant travels. Transportation was provided by member companies Twin City Trolleys, Premier Transportation and Valley Limousine.

The annual restaurant tour begins at the Dakota Jazz Club		One of the tour groups pauses for a photo outside their limo.

Enjoying a glass of Prosecco, guests visit the wine room at D'Amico Cucina.		At rNormans, Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak stops in to chat with ISES members Marcia McKinney, Kim Rennenberg, and associate Bruce Vassar.

The groups split and two groups of 25 guests were paired for each restaurant, the first stop; D'Amico Cucina or Mission American Kitchen. Guests enjoyed a tour, cocktails and menu selections and then were split again to attend two more restaurants; r.Norman's Steakhouse or Atlas Grill. After another tour and refreshments, guests were split one more time for the third stop; Bellanotte or Chambers. With the set of three stops individuals were able to see the members of each of the other groups over the course of the evening.

The program concluded with a return visit to the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant where guests were given admission to a Cuban Jazz performance by Nachito Herrera, along with a CD and cocktails. Much of the group lounged in the private space chatting well into the evening.


Visit the Photo Gallery to see more photos of the June Program.

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

In an effort for the ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter to continue to keep the price of our monthly programs reasonable, we are implementing a new registration policy. Beginning July 1, 2008, all registrations must be guaranteed with a credit card.

For questions please contact (lisa@ises-msp.org), President-Elect/Treasurer, 763.765.6986.

Minnesota is preparing to roll out the red carpet for the 2008 Republican National Convention. The last time a presidential nominating convention was held in this state was 1892. This truly is a unique opportunity to witness, and be a part of, history in the making.

The Minneapolis Saint Paul Host Committee is the non-partisan entity responsible for organizing local efforts for the convention. Hosting an event of this magnitude is second only to the Olympics for promoting an area and significantly impacting the economy of a region. An estimated 45,000 visitors will bring over $150 million in revenue to the state as they stay in our hotels, enjoy our restaurants, shop in our stores, and much more. On top of that, the presence of national and international media will result in tremendous opportunities to showcase Minneapolis Saint Paul to the entire world.

Considering your unique skills and background, we would like to encourage you to volunteer during convention week, August 31 through September 5. Volunteers are needed to welcome guests at airports and hotels, assist with transportation logistics, support convention operations at the Xcel Energy Center, and coordinate CivicFest activities at the Minneapolis Convention Center. CivicFest is a nonpartisan celebration of Minnesota and American History, Democracy, and the U.S. Presidency; more information can be obtained at www.civicfest.org.

You can apply to be a volunteer at www.msp2008.com/volunteer. The application will help detail your availability, areas of interest, and relevant past experiences. Be sure to include ISES when asked for a referral. We can then earmark your application and your specific skills. Applications are due July 15th.

Thank you for joining me in rolling out the red carpet and welcoming the world in true Minnesota fashion!

Sincerely,

Kjersti L.O. Duncan
Volunteer Director
Minneapolis Saint Paul Host Committee

Remember: All ISES memberships expire June 30, 2008. If you became an ISES member prior to the May 2008 membership drive, your member dues are DUE. Log in to www.ises.com to renew by credit card or mail a check with your renewal form to ISES headquarters. If you have any questions, please contact membership@ises-msp.org.

It was another fantastic membership drive for the ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter. The following new members joined our chapter since May 1, 2008:

Sarah Warman (sarah.warman@whotels.com),
W Minneapolis - The Foshay

Donna J. Fiedler (dfiedler@graves601hotel.com), graves601 hotel

Willetta J. DeYoung (willetta@edptextiles.com), EDP Textiles - eco digital printed

Marcy McHenry (info@tcvenues.com), Twin Cities Venues, LLC

Russ Mohr (rmohr@lineneffects.com), Linens Effects, Inc.

Bruce Dachis (BDachis@aol.com), FIVE Event Center

Kalie Larson (kalie.larson@equinoxcreative.com), Equinox Creative

Mary L. Tronsdal (mary.tronsdal@marriott.com), Marriott International

Len Nelson (info@valleylimoandcoach.com),
Valley Limo and Coach / Corporate Select Transportation

Jean M. Callister-Benson (calliste@stolaf.edu), St. Olaf College

Nathan Soland (solandn@stolaf.edu), St. Olaf College

Jessica L. Onarheim (jonarheim@greenspring.com),
Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal

Bjorn Meisner (photos@bjornmeisner.com), Bjorn Meisner Photography

Billie H. Sayer (billiesayer@mchsi.com)

Amanda K. Champion (cham0217@umn.edu), Student Member


It is our members which make our chapter great. We look forward to another fantastic year for ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Meghan & Craig

Meghan Jager VP of Membership meghan@ises-msp.org		Craig Oliver Director of Membership craig@ises-msp.org

Eventworld 2008, the international ISES conference for professional development, will convene August 21-23 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Every year, ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul members, associates, friends and family in attendance plan activities together and we want to know if you are going to be there. If you are planning to attend any part or portion of the conference, please email info@ises-msp.org to let us know.

The judging is over and the results have been announced: 17 Minneapolis-St. Paul ISES Chapter members have been nominated for 9 Esprit Awards!

Best Event Design/Decor, Budget Under $25,000
Pete Nelson, (pnelson@eventlab.net), Event Lab

Best Event Design/Decor, Budget $25,000 - $75,000
Susan Milteer (smilteer@eventlab.net)
Scott DeLage (sdelage@eventlab.net), Event Lab

Best Wedding, Budget $75,000 - $200,000
Matthew Trettel (matthew@twincitybridal.com)
Twin City Bridal Association

Best Meeting/Conference Program, Budget $75, 000-$200,000
Ryan Hanson (ryan@beeventsdesign.com), BeEvents

Best Corporate Event Planning, Budget Under $75,000
Ryan Hanson (ryan@beeventsdesign.com), BeEvents

Best Corporate Event Planning, Budget $75,000 - $200,000
Daniel Young (dan.young@thrivent.com). Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Best ISES Team Effort, Budget Under $75,000
Ryan Hanson (ryan@beeventsdesign.com), BeEvents
Sheree Bochenek (Sbochenek@apresparty.com), Apres Party & Tent Rental
Jean Peine (jean@studio6specialtylinen.com), Studio 6 Specialty Linen & Decor
Matthew Trettel (matthew@chromcreative.com), Chrom Creative Events
Dan Zunker (Dan@heroic-productions.com), Heroic Productions

Best ISES Team Effort, Budget $75,000 - $200,000
Sheree Bochenek (sbochenek@apresparty.com), Apres Party & Tent Rental
Elly Carlson (schatzen23@hotmail.com), Wildside Caterers
Jodi Collen, CSEP (collen@augsburg.edu), Augsburg College
Ryan Hanson (Ryan@beeventsdesign.com), BeEvents
Nancy Jacobs (nancy@edgproductions.com), EdgPRODUCTIONS, Inc.
Pete Nelson (pnelson@eventlab.net), Event Lab
Alice-Lynne Olson (latebloomr@yahoo.com), The Late Bloomer Floral Design Studio, Inc.
Craig Oliver (craigoliver@aarcee.com), AARCEE Party & Tent Rental
Jean Peine (jean@studio6specialtylinen.com), Studio 6 Specialty Linen & Decor
Dan Zunker (Dan@heroic-productions.com), Heroic Productions

Best ISES Team Effort, Budget Over $200,000
Cookie Coleman (cookie@cococompany.com), Cookie Coleman Company
Elly Carlson (schatzen23@hotmail.com), Wildside Caterers
Char Mason (char@charmason.com), Char Mason & Associates, LLC
Todd Pinzuti (tpinzuti@mn.rr.com), BUNGALOW SIX Inc.


To view all the nominees, go to http://isesew.vtcus.com/esprit.html. The 2008 ISES International Esprit Awards will be awarded August 23, 2008 at the Esprit Award Gala at Eventworld in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Congratulations to everyone!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul survey in June. The feedback was very helpful as the Board of Directors works on our chapter's strategic plans.

Three lucky survey responders were the recipients of $50 gift cards. Congratulations to:

Cynthia R. Neises, cneises@pomegranatenow.com
Nancy Vitoff, nvitoff@umn.edu
Amy McMonigal, cheesecakeorder@earthlink.net

ISES Member Mary E. Kaase of HealthEast Foundation is looking for a professional style show coordinator for the Festival of Trees on Friday, November 14th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul RiverFront Hotel. If you know of anyone or can help Mary out, please contact her at mekaase@healtheast.org.


meetingpages.com announces that it has hired Steve Swearengin as its new Director of Business Development. Swearengin will focus his efforts on marketing strategies in new markets, spearheading advertising sales in each new market as it is established and then hiring an advertising director to manage the market going forward.


Do you have news to share? Tell us about it! Email communications@ises-msp.org. And when the reporters call, don't forget to mention your an ISES member.

Editor's note: Remember, we do not have monthly programs in July or August as we transition our Board of Directors. Our next program will be in September. At this program will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter.

Look for programming information to be posted at ises-msp.org in Mid-July. You won't want to miss this 10th Anniversary Birthday Bash!

Bjorn Meisner
Owner
Bjorn Meisner Photography

photos@bjornmeisner.com

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

What does your company do? Creating fashionable portraits with personality is what makes our photography unique and unforgettable.

What is an average day in your life like? The change of tasks, seasonality and the people I have the privilege of working with keep my life exciting.

How did you enter the events industry? My wife is a long-time MC for Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine's Wedding Guide fashion show. As a guest at the show, I gradually began introducing my photography booth over the last several years. It's exciting for my wife and I to share a similar passion for the emotion and elegance of a beautiful wedding.

Why did you join ISES? David McGarry from Millenium Corporate Promotions invited me to your May meeting. I also connected with my friend and colleague, Alice Lynne Olson, who introduced me to a few ISES members. I also met other colleagues who are involved and thought – all my favorite people in one spot – sign me up. The caliber of the speakers and polished vendor displays sealed the membership for me. My parents back in Germany owned their own store, and from early on I understood that your professional network is what allows your business to grow into being part of a community.

What do you want to know about the events industry? As a customer-centric service, I respond with one question: How can I as a photographer better showcase the elements that you as an event vendor so carefully prepare? I believe in the power of an image and am always curious to understand new and different perspectives.

Is there a book, person, or story that comes to mind which has had a strong impact on your career? The Art of Possibility, by Roz and Benjamin Zander, is a book that I frequently refer to. My corporate background in advertising and marketing shaped my thinking about visualization and perception. Keeping up with the latest fashion magazines and photography art books has also sharpened my eye for form, composition and image tonality. I try to see what my clients see and then capture that image to provide a lifetime of memories.

Do you have a career or industry tip that you would like to share? Focus on solutions, not on products. Listen to your customers and inspire them by broadening their vision with your expertise.

Willetta DeYoung
Founder and President

EDP Textiles - eco digital printed
willetta@edptextiles.com

How many years have you been in the event industry? 3 years

What does your company do? EDP Textiles – eco digital printed – uses aqueous based textiles dyes to print organic, recycled and sustainable textiles for event decorating, fashion apparel, brand promotion and sponsorship products. Our state-of-the-art digital technology prints photographs, logos and graphics with no limit to the number of colors. We have a 10 yard minimum order and offer many standard event products like pillows, table cloths and overlays, drape and decorate fabric-by-the-yard, and even staff fashions.

What is an average day in your life like? Typically each day includes design time, processing website orders, e-mails, phone calls and administrative work in the mornings, client appointments and production printing in the afternoons. Packing and shipping at the end of the day.

How did you enter the events industry?
EDP Textiles entered the event industry because an event planner working on a large private event found our website. The event planner originally contacted us for table skirt fabric for 60 tables. By the date of the event, the order had expanded to include fabric-by-the-yard for draping and decorating, guest of honor photos on fabric displays, cushions, pillows, cabana tent fabric, staff fashions which included 15 made-to-measure hostess outfits and 75 neckties for the bus-persons. EDP Textiles printed solid, 2 stripe designs, 2 geometric designs and 2 floral designs of five different types of fabric for this event. Our client was very pleased. As a member of IFAI (Industrial Fabrics Association International) we entered the event in the annual achievement awards and won international recognition. Demand and success opened the door to the events industry for EDP Textiles.

Why did you join ISES? EDP Textiles was invited by Ryan Hanson of BeEvents to help sponsor the May 2008 monthly program. The pillows and overlays we produced got the attention of many event planners who asked if I was a member. I took their advice and joined ISES in May 2008 to network and connect with event planners.

What do you want to know about the events industry? I don't know a lot about it yet. My observation is that the event industry is about connections – getting connected, maintaining connections, creating opportunities for connections. The purpose of the Event Industry is celebration and communication, modern human's version of the tribal gathering.

Is there a book, person, or story that comes to mind which has had a strong impact on your career? I recently read a book by Daniel H. Pink, A Whole New Mind. Pink writes about the ending of "left brain" Information Age era giving way to a new world in which "right brain" qualities–inventiveness, empathy, meaning-predominate – are the essential aptitudes on which professional success and personal fulfillment depend.

Do you have a career or industry tip that you would like to share? Advances in technology have made new decorating and brand communication options available to event planners. Eco Digital Printed Textiles (EDP Textiles) is here to help you with fabric and design, making events memorable.

Lisa Marie Borchert
President
lisa@ises-msp.org
763-765-6986 office

Company: Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, Meeting Planner

Years in event industry: 12

Other position held in ISES:

• President Elect, 2007-2008
• Vice President of Communications, 2006-2007
• Director of Education & Programs, 2004-2006
• Nominating Committee, 2003-2004

As the President-Elect I also act as the treasurer for the Chapter. Please contact me with any questions regarding payments for the monthly programs.

I joined ISES after attendance-sampling a few programs and became an official member in 2002. I have found that since I got actively involved in ISES the 'ROI' of my membership has gone up exponentially. My participation in the organization has allowed me to strengthen relationships/networking and stay on top of trends. This in turn has allowed me to continue to be a valuable resource to my internal clients and colleagues.

One of my favorite events was in Hawaii where a hot plated meal was served for 4,000, OUTSIDE, and then guests were moved in less than 30 minutes using a fleet of 60+ buses pulled inside the Convention Center. That's what I love best about events, sitting back and watching all your planning magically unfold to the guests' delight. I have also worked with such clients as Sprint PCS where, during the Final Four, where they took the CEOs and a group of 40 top customers formation flying in a B25 bomber and then let them take the reigns of dual contract aircraft. A couple other highlights include managing a cross country AIDS bike ride that went from Los Angeles to Atlanta and up the Eastern Seaboard to Boston in '94, being one of four national nominees for Support Professional of the Year by Event Solutions magazine in '01, working as a Staff Coordinator for the Olympic Family Hotel for a month during the Salt Lake City games in '02, being a winner of Team of the Month at Allianz for our incentive program to the Bahamas in Feb '04 and most recently, being a member of the Corporate Marketing and Communications team to win Allianz's Partnership and Innovation Award for 2005-2006.

Join us in welcoming the volunteers who will lead our Chapter toward continued excellence in the year ahead:

President
Lisa Marie Borchert
lisa@ises-msp.org

President-Elect
Cara Schulz
cara@ises-msp.org

Immediate Past President
Jim Leighton
jim@ises-msp.org

Vice President of Communications
Paula Wright
paula@ises-msp.org

Vice President of Programs & Education
Pete Nelson
pete@ises-msp.org

Vice President of Membership
Leslie Larson
leslie@ises-msp.org

Director of Communications - Newsletter & Website
Ami Cervin
ami@ises-msp.org

Director of Communications - Media & Marketing
Lynn Rivera
lynn@ises-msp.org

Director of Programs & Education
Nate Boutang
nate@ises-msp.org

Director of Membership
Amy Rabe
amy@ises-msp.org

Director at Large - Minnesota Star Awards
Matthew Trettel
matthew@ises-msp.org

Director at Large - Sponsorships
Ryan Hanson
ryan@ises-msp.org

Director at Large - Administration
Erika LaDousa
erika@ises-msp.org