• Letter from the President
• November Program Highlights
• Member News
• Save the Date for the February Program
• New Member Profiles
• CSEP Question
• 2007 ISES MN Star Awards Call for Entries
• December is Membership Drive Month
• Meet a Board Member

Here it is again - that busy season that we tend to love and fear at the same time. Finding time for everything is always a challenge, but even more so during the last part of the year. Therefore, I'm going to be quick and to the point...

December is our half-year ISES membership drive! What that means is you have the opportunity to check out ISES membership from now until June 30 for just $199, or $149 if you're with a non-profit. That's a pretty good deal! You get discounts with our Affinity Program partners (FedEx Kinko's, Alamo, DHL, Staples, etc.) as well as all the other benefits of being part of our vibrant, growing organization. Please consider joining during December, and ISES will waive the application fee if you apply online. Learn more.

Don't miss our December program at the new Chambers Hotel, with a focus on networking. There were 121 people at our November program, so we're hoping for a great turnout on Dec. 14 as well. Check out our website for more information and to register.

Happy holidays to you all!

An attendee speaks with Ryan Hanson, VP of Membership, at the Chapter information table during the networking time prior to the program starting.

For second straight month we had record setting attendance for our Monthly Program, topping out at 121 attendees. Pictured here is speaker Karolyn Kirchgesler addressing the packed room.

Ryan Hanson, Creative Director for MENTTIUM Corporation and Minneapolis-St Paul Chapter Vice President of Membership, was recently published in Special Events Magazine. Titled BRIDGING THE GENERATION GAP IN SPECIAL EVENTS, his article was written as "a challenge to us as a creative community of event professionals to consider our role in determining what, or more specifically, who, comes next. Our purpose, our legacy and our ultimate success is in seeking and nurturing the young who desire to work with us and who will be the leaders of our industry in a generation or two. The growth potential for the next generation is exponential, but their education must not be confined to textbooks and lucky breaks. Instead, it resides in the voices of experience and the characters of excellence who have dreamt big to pioneer our profession." Click here to read the full article.



David Farr was featured in the November issue of Minnesota Monthly magazine. The article, titled Corporate Holiday Entertainment, focused on the importance entertainment plays in making a holiday party special. Farr is quoted in the article as saying," I add amazing, dynamic, and fun entertainment to what can otherwise feel like just another holiday party. My magic adds that unique touch that will make all of your guests remember your event forever." Click here to read the full article



Corporate EVENT Magazine Wins Overall Excellence and Best Use of Visuals/Art Awards at MMPA.

EXHIBITOR Magazine Group, publishers of EXHIBITOR Magazine and Corporate EVENT Magazine, won a total of 13 awards for both design and editorial content at the Minnesota Magazine & Publication Association's 10th Annual Excellence Awards Gala in Golden Valley, MN, on November 2.

The MMPA's annual Excellence Awards recognize best-in-class work published by Minnesota-based magazines. Nearly 600 entries were judged in four categories: General Interest, Special Interest, Business/Trade, and Professional/Association.

Cara Schulz, Director of Web Communications for ISES MSP, is the National Sales Manager for EXHIBITOR Magazine Group. Click here for more information about the awards.



Sue Hegarty of Minnesota Meeting & Events would like you to Save the Date for the magazine's "Best Of" event set for Tuesday January 16th at Karma Night Club in downtown Minneapolis. For more information contact Sue.

What a year it has been so far. Can you believe 2006 is already drawing to a close? As we have been out and about interacting with our fellow event colleagues in the area, one thing seems certain: it has been a BUSY year. And it only promises to get BUSIER! So, amidst all there is to do, why should you consider adding one more thing to the list by joining ISES?

Because Membership in ISES is NOT just another thing on the list - it is THE thing to do. Joining is more than just signing up for a few networking events and a required monthly meeting. ISES membership is about making a commitment to excellence in your work 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 over 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 industry. 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 online in December and we waive the $50 application fee and give you the next seven months for half-price! Plus, if you join in December, you will be entered into a raffle drawing for a free event ticket to the Minnesota Star Awards on March 9, 2007.

So what are you waiting for? Take the first step and sign up today! You can't afford not to get yourself this gift this holiday season.

Cheers!
Ryan & Craig

Name: Jon Iannazzo
Job Title: Account Manager
Years in Industry: 12+ years
Company: Classic Events & Parties
Company Description: We are a full service rental company with an emphasis on tents, tables, chairs, staging and tabletop elements. The company currently has large operations in Phoenix and Des Moines - also operating under the Creative Events name. Intro to Industry: A friend that I met at the U of M got into the event business on the production side. He later started a company called Event Environments, which I joined shortly thereafter. I have been in the industry in different capacities ever since.

Why did I join ISES: As with any association, you get out of it what you put into it. There never seemed to be the right time, or enough time to attend the many association events that happen each month - so for the most part I didn't. I forgot how great it was to meet up with your friends and peers to talk about business, gossip or whatever topic comes up. It's a great opportunity to catch up on industry news and to expand your knowledge base in the events industry.

Strong Impact: My friend Cheryl Kranz, who was an original founding member of the local ISES chapter, has had the most impact on my career. She started out as a client and has become a very close friend. She gave me an opportunity with some high profile events when I was in the infancy of my event career. Cheryl is the person that I can rely on for sound advice and a friendly ear when needed. She is a consummate professional in every sense of the word. I also love her passion for all things related to the Minneapolis riverfront.

Industry Tip: Use the vast resources we have available to us in the Twin Cities. Don't be afraid to collaborate with others on a project. The Twin Cities is full of strong, creative individuals in every facet of the special events industry. I would put our collective talents up against most major metropolitan areas.



Name: Missy Francisco Carlson
Job Title: Special Event Specialist
Years in Industry: 9 years
Company: SMDC Health System in Duluth, Minnesota
Company Description: SMDC Health System is a regional healthcare system, which includes a tertiary-care medical center, multi-specialty group practices and short-stay hospitals.

Intro to Industry: I worked my way into the events industry by starting in restaurants and a catering company. This grew into working for hotels and a conference center until I found myself running the sales and catering department at a hotel. I knew, after planning my own wedding, that I wanted to strictly plan events, so I found a wonderful organization to work for who values their employees, enough to allow me to go part time professionally while still raising my two small children.

Why did I join ISES: I joined ISES to meet other planners and share ideas. I felt it would be an excellent avenue to gain creative ideas and meeting others in the field. My Typical Day: As many event specialists, there is no typical or average day. I am in charge of large corporate events for SMDC Health System, which entails appreciating our employees, celebrating healthcare-related events and executing events that SMDC hosts for the community.

Industry Tip: Always try to think outside of the box and be flexible. One of my favorite quotes which relates to my events is "Impossibility is not an option, it is a dare."

Job Title: Director of Membership
Name: Craig Oliver
Company: General Manager, AARCEE Party & Tent Rental
Years in event industry: 100 years (ok just feels like it) really more like 24 years
Other positions held in ISES:
  * Immediate Past President, 2005-2006
  * President, 2004-2005
  * President, 2003-2004
  * President-Elect, 2002-2003
  * CPD 2003

I work with Membership. If you are interested in becoming a new member or are a current member with a membership-related question please feel free to contact me anytime.

One of the most valuable benefits I have received from ISES is the ability to share skills, ideas and new technologies with event professionals from all over the USA.

Thurs, December 14, 2006

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

* 4:00 PM Amazing Appetizers and Cash Bar in the Rooftop Lounge
* 4:30 PM Welcome and ISES News
* 4:45 PM Presentation by David Farr followed by Hotel Tours and More Networking
* 6:00 PM Conclusion of Event

Rooftop Lounge opens to the public at 6:00 PM. Feel free to stay and continue networking or seek out CHAMBERS KITCHEN by Jean-Georges.

LOCATION:
Chambers, The Luxury
Art Hotel
901 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Directions


Thank you to our PLATINUM-LEVEL Program Sponsor




COST:
Member $30.00
Member Associate $40.00 (co-worker of an attending ISES member)
Guest $45.00
Student $15.00

* Please RSVP by Monday, December 11, 2006.
There will be a $10 surcharge for anyone who registers after this deadline.

* Cancellations after Monday, December 11, 2006 and No-shows will be billed.

Click here to RSVP Now

David Farr has been making corporate & private events entertaining and fun since 1987. You may have seen David Farr as the official magician of the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis for 6 seasons. Unlike most other entertainers, he's never been employed doing anything else besides entertaining people with magic. You see, most performers try to be a "jack of all trades". You'll see it for yourself, they are a hypnotist, a magician, an emcee, and even a booking agent! All at that same time!A jack of all trades, master of none...David truly specializes in making your events amazingly successful, entertaining and fun. That's all he does. His interest in magic began at the age of ten and since then he has made a full-time living performing it specializing in entertainment for corporate dinner parties. David customizes his presentations for your group using fun magic, clean comedy, audience interaction and a little bit of pick-pocketing. Your guests will enjoy the show and remember it for a LONG time because the presentation was created especially for them. All of this makes you look like a hero in front of your superiors/team members. Your group will be entertained by a wide range of magic that is backed by a total satisfaction, money-back guarantee. Other magicians & entertainers don't dare offer a guarantee on their services but in over 20 years of performing, not one person has ever asked for their money back from David.

Tuesday, February 13
5 PM
Mill City Museum, Minneapolis
"Bringing Innovation to our Work Culture"
Kevin White, CSEP,
Director of Production
Empire Force Events, Inc
ISES New York Chapter


Kevin is the Director of Production for the award-winning event and destination management firm Empire Force Events. He designs and produces events worldwide. Kevin is an ISES past president of both the Philadelphia and New York chapters. He also served on the ISES Board of Governors.

Kevin was one of the youngest event professionals to attain the CSEP certification. He has been a presenter at university campuses and event industry conferences throughout the world on various event topics

This session will look at how we define Innovation and the power it has on our businesses, our events and our clients. The main focus will be on how to bring innovation to our corporate cultures, how to convince clients to innovate their events and looking at industry examples of innovation.

Catering by D'Amico Catering

The International Special Event Society, Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter is proud to announce the Call for Entries for the third annual ISES Minnesota Star Awards. The Star Awards, presented on March 9, 2006 at the Minneapolis Public Library, recognize the outstanding achievements by local event professionals in the past year and are open to all local event professionals. For more information click here.

The 2007 Minnesota Star Awards are hosted by the International Special Event Society, Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter and our media partner, Twin Cities Business.

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.

Test your industry knowledge. Below is a sample question from the CSEP test.

High-key lighting is defined as:
    A. a technique of blinking a slide on and off to add emphasis
    B. light being used to fill in shadows created by key light
    C. lighting in which picture intensity produces limited dark areas
    D. producing a soft-edged beam of light

(See bottom of newsletter for the answer)

The Answer from the CSEP quiz:
C - Lighting in which picture intensity produces limited dark areas.