ISES Minneapolis - St. Paul - Member News/Awards

Five chapter members received ISES Esprit Awards in four categories at the 2008 International Esprit Awards Gala in St. Petersburg Florida on August 23, 2008.

Winning the inaugural Esprit award for Best Wedding, Budget $75,000-$200,000 USD for Trend Wedding 2007: Matthew Trettel, Twin City Bridal Association

Ryan Hanson of BeEvents received two individual Esprit Awards in the category of Best Corporate Event, Budget under $75,000 USD and Best Meeting/Conference Program, Budget $75,000-$200,000 USD.

Winning the Esprit Award for Best ISES Team Effort, Budget under $75,000: Ryan Hanson, BeEvents, Sheree Bochenek, Apres Party and Tent Rental, Jean Peine, Studio 6 Specialty Linen & Décor, Matthew Trettel, Chrom Creative Events, and Dan Zunker, Heroic Productions.

A record 17 ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul members named Esprit Nominees in 9 Categories!

To be named as a nominee for an Esprits is an honor all on it’s own. Entries are first screened for any infractions of the entry submission guidelines. They are then coded to ensure anonymity and are sent to a panel of judges for review. The top three entries in each category are then chosen as nominees. This year, 17 local ISES members received nominations:

Best Event Design/Decor, Budget $25,000 - $75,000
Susan Milteer & Scott DeLage, Event Lab

Best Wedding, Budget $75,000 - $200,000
Matthew Trettel, Twin City Bridal Association

Best Corporate Event Planning, Budget $75,000 - $200,000
Daniel Young, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Best ISES Team Effort, Budget Under $75,000
Ryan Hanson
Sheree Bochenek, Apres Party & Tent Rental
Jean Peine, Studio 6 Specialty Linen & Décor
Matthew Trettel, Chrom Creative Events
Dan Zunker, Heroic Productions

Best ISES Team Effort, Budget $75,000 - $200,000
Sheree Bochenek, Apres Party & Tent Rental
Elly Carlson, Wildside Caterers
Jodi Collen, CSEP, Augsburg College
Ryan Hanson, BeEvents
Nancy Jacobs, EdgPRODUCTIONS, Inc.
Pete Nelson, Event Lab
Alice-Lynne Olson, The Late Bloomer Floral Design Studio, Inc.
Craig Oliver, AARCEE Party & Tent Rental
Jean Peine, Studio 6 Specialty Linen & Décor
Dan Zunker, Heroic Productions

Each year, Minnesota Meetings & Event Magazine enlists the help of its editorial advisors to select six individuals for its Hall of Fame honors. Nominees were chosen for meeting planner, supplier and event planner in two categories: Up-and-Coming and Best.

ISES members inducted into the MME Hall of Fame for 2008 were:

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT - Rosealee M. Lee, CAE
Faculty, Hospitality and Supervisory Management // Business and Entrepreneur Institute Dakota County Technical College (DCTC)

SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNER - Ryan Hanson
Creative Producer // BeEvents // www.beeventsdesign.com

In addition readers of Minnesota Meetings & Events Magazine are asked to choose who they believe are the best in their industry. These "Best Of" awards honor suppliers, such as hotels and caterers, attractions, audio visual providers and entertainers who serve as vendors for the meetings industry. Readers recently voted, through a magazine poll or online, in 20 categories from a slate of finalists who were selected through a nomination process.

The following ISES member companies were selected by readers for the 2008 “Best Of” in their respective categories:

AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATION PROVIDER - AVEX
The best A/V providers prevent problems before they happen, and that’s why you love AVEX. Tessa Pinkstaff of the Minnesota Society of CPAs comments, “We have been consistently impressed with their service and attention to detail. An AVEX event is an anxiety-free event.” (4802 Park Glen Road / St. Louis Park, MN 55416 / 952.929.2839 / www.goavex.com)

CATERING COMPANY - D’Amico Catering
Sure, their ahi tuna is to die for. But it’s more than D’Amico’s delicious food that keeps you voting for this classy caterer—their professionalism and preferred-caterer status at many of the state’s top venues round out the winning package. (275 Market Street, Suite C25 / Minneapolis, MN 55405 / 612.238.4444 / www.damicocatering.com)

EVENT PRODUCTION AND DECOR COMPANY - Event Lab
Event Lab focuses on providing a complete event experience from start to finish. Michael Bergman of HelmsBriscoe praises their “expansive inventory and floral design expertise.” (7251 Washington Avenue S. / Minneapolis, MN 55439 / 952.224.8558 www.eventlab.net)

HOTEL WITH MEETING AND EVENT SPACE, LESS THAN 200 ROOMS - St. Paul Hotel
Chalk up a win for the incomparable St. Paul Hotel. This historic hotel is consistently named one of the state’s best. A perfect combination of traditional class and modern conveniences, the St. Paul hotel offers the best of both worlds and has been home to spectacular events for decades. (350 Market Street / St. Paul, MN 55102 / 651.292.9292 www.saintpaulhotel.com)

MEETING AND EVENT SPACE, NO HOTEL - McNamara Alumni Center
The visually stunning McNamara Alumni Center and its professional staff provide the ultimate experience for any event. “Their commitment to customer service is unrivaled, whether it is the quality of the food, the variety of in-house audio-visual equipment or the beauty of the space itself,” says reader Tessa Pinkstaff. (200 Oak Street S.E. / Minneapolis, MN 55455 / 612.624.9831 / www.alumnicenter.umn.edu)

RENTAL SERVICE PROVIDER - Après Party and Tent Rental
You turn to Après for its stunning décor, but say it’s the service that keeps you coming back. Erica Giorgi of the University of Minnesota raves, “They are masters of detail and know the questions you need to ask before you even think of them!” (7625 Cahill Road Edina, MN 55439 / 952.942.3399 / www.apresparty.com)

TEAMBUILDING FACILITATOR - metroConnections
Communication, cooperation and teamwork are the goals of every metroConnections teambuilding activity, but participants might not realize it because they’re having so much fun! Activities like Ultimate Survivor, Garage Wars and Pirate Cruise provide the right mix of entertainment and education. (1219 Marquette Avenue, Suite 110 / Minneapolis, MN 55403 / 612.333.8687 / www.metroconnections.com)

Winners were announced at a reception at The Hotel Minneapolis on February 26, 2009. Visit www.mnmeetingsmag.com for full details.

The winners of the sixth annual Best of Bride survey —selected by readers online and by mail— are providers who go the extra mile and exceed the exceptionally high expectations of today’s brides. They are consummate professionals with extensive training, experience and expertise in their crafts. What’s more, they understand that the wedding day is one of the most important days in a bride’s life, and they lace their services with passion, commitment, artistry and love. Congratulations to the following ISES member companies:

Best Rental and Décor Vendor - LINEN EFFECTS
1801 West River Rd. North / Minneapolis, MN 55411 / 612.355.2500
LINENEFFECTS.COM

Drab upholstered chairs are refashioned to match any season and style with the help of Linen Effects, which specializes in wedding day scene-setting. Linen Effects purchases material on the bolt that’s then sewn to their specifications for a perfect fit, and all of the linens are laundered and pressed in-house. Owner Don Jensen recommends brides browse the Web site for table décor concepts, such as arching iron armatures adorned with silk greens that offer guests a welcoming canopy.

When you talk to D’Amico Catering’s Marcia McKinney, you get a list of things the company won’t do: no frozen foods, no pre-made sauces, nothing less than the freshest ingredients—it might be the only time a bride is happy to hear “no.” D’Amico will, however, prepare Grandma’s stuffing recipe, re-create ethnic dishes and promise cold salads at an outdoor wedding in mid-August. These promises are backed by 16 years of experience catering everything from dude ranch weddings for 20 to elegant affairs for 800.

Best Honeymoon Night Destination - SAINT PAUL HOTEL
350 Market St.. / St. Paul / 800.292.9292
SAINTPAULHOTEL.COM

After an exhausting day, newlyweds can collapse into 300 thread-count sheets and down pillows at the Saint Paul Hotel, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010. Special romance packages greet the couple with fresh flowers, tuxedo strawberries and champagne, in a stunning setting with views of Rice Park and the State Capitol. Couples can also arrange for breakfast in bed and bathrobes they can take home.

Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal features ISES MSP members
ISES MSP President, Lisa Marie Borchert is featured in the Spring 2009 issue of Meetings magazine's article "Industry Under Pressure". Suppliers and planners across all sectors of the local hospitality industry were asked about the adapting and breaking under the pressure of our changing economy. Read the full article. (link to: http://www.ises-msp.org/newsite2/index.php?page=archives)

Additonally, multiple ISES members were featured in the Design Showcase section of the Spring 2009 issue. Festivities, Shere Bochenek of apres Party & Tent Rental, Pete Nelson of Event Lab and VP of Programs & Education and Linen Effects were given a hypothetical event in which they were to create a tablescape. Read the full article and see their designs.

Coppersmith Photography in Special Events Magazine
Matt Coppersmith was featured in the ISES pages of Special Events Magazine's April issue. His article about photography copyright is a must read for any planner. In it he talks about how to best work with and understand your event photographers. Read the full article.

Connie Johnson Honored with Women's Award
On April 16 over 600 guests attended the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners’ annual Awards Gala at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency. Connie J. M. Johnson, Vice President and General Manager of Kurt Johnson Auctioneering, Inc. was fortunate to be nominated for and to receive the 2009 Established Woman Award. This award recognizes, "a woman business owner who has been in business for at least five years and has what it takes to sustain a steady business for years to come." Read the full article.

ISES MSP Members Participate in The Duel of Design
Our own President, Lisa Marie Borchert and Immediate Past President, Jim Leighton particpated as judges for the 2nd annual Duel of Design produced by Style Laboratory. Additionally, members Todd Pinzuti of Bungalow 6, Apres Party and Tent Rental, Chambers Hotel and Graves 601 Hotel participated in the competition and as sponsors. Read all of the details from the event.

Raising Money Through Special Events
This was the topic for a live discussion put on by The Chronicle on Philanthropy on February 3. Two local ISES members, Jim Leighton of Children's Cancer Research Fund and Ami Cervin of Greater Twin Cities United Way participated as content experts for the discussion. Questions like "how to liven your silent auction" came pouring in. Read the transcript.

Industry Innovator Award
Congratulations to Matthew Trettel of The Wedding Guys® who was name the Industry Innovator at the State of the Industry event put on by Meetings: Minnesota Hospitality Journal on February 3 at the Westin Galleria. The winner must be an active member of an association who has moved the meeting and event industry forward by enhancing or exceeding association goals or missions, or the goals and missions of their own employers. This can involve anything from conceptualizing, coordinating or managing a single event to implementing long-term initiatives that effect change through the individual’s enthusiasm and entrepreneurialism. Get all of the details from the event.

Global Conferencing Open House
Meetingpages and Global Conferencing Solutions invite you to an open house on Thursday, March 12 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at their offices at 8646 Eagle Creek Circle, Suite 101, Savage, MN 55378. Enjoy cocktails and appetizers while learning about the services offered by GCS. Please RSVP by March 1 to 888-851-4950 or jstark@globalconferencingsolutions.net

Use Events to Boost your Brand
In meetingpages' lastest "Ask the Planner" feature, Ami Cervin, Events Planner with Greater Twin Cities United Way, Shares her experiences with successfully branding events. Read the article.

ISES MSP members featured on Special Events Magazine cover
Atmosphere Events, represented by ISES members Equinox Creative , Apres Party & Tent Rental and BeEvents creative work for the Republican National Convention was featured on the cover of the December 2008 edition of Special Events Magazine
Check out www.specialevents.com for more info.

BeEvents moves
BeEvents is excited to announce its move into a new office/warehouse complex at 2112 Broadway St NE, Studio 110, Minneapolis MN 55413. Owner and creative producer, Ryan Hanson is extremely excited about the move. More information about BeEvents.

Announcing Coleman Mason Events
The secret's out! Cookie Coleman & Char Mason are proud to announce Coleman Mason Events! An award winning event partnership led by Cookie Coleman and Char Mason, offering concept-to-execution event production and individual event services. Coleman and Mason are accomplished in delivering a range of memorable events from small focused gatherings to large show stopping productions for more than 100,000 attendees. From concept to execution, projects are artistically and meticulously produced to deliver results.
www.colemanmasonevents.com

Kurt Johnson of Kurt Johnson Auctioneering, Inc
announces that Kurt Johnson was highlighted in the January 2009 issue of Metro Magazine. Twin Cities columnist learns being a benefit auctioneer is much tougher than it looks. Read the full article.

Chris Swarbrick of Ice Occassions
For the third year in a row Chris was part of the team to take first place in the multi-block ice sculpture competition with their scene "Fountain of Unicorns" at the 2009 Winter Carnival. Click here to see the full list of winners.

Connie Johnson of Kurt Johnson Auctioneering, Inc
announces that Kurt Johnson Auctioneering, Inc. recently took first place in the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association annual Conference and Show Marketing Contest in the Web site division. The contest was judged by two metro area advertising agency representatives.

Corporate EVENT Magazine wins Awards at MMPA

EXHIBITOR Magazine Group, publishers of EXHIBITOR Magazine and Corporate EVENT Magazine, won a total of 18 awards for both design and editorial content at the Minnesota Magazine & Publication Association’s 11th Annual Excellence Awards Gala in Minneapolis, MN, on November 1. Click here for more information.

If you or any other ISES members you know are in the news or making headlines, click here and let us know!

ISES Members Making News