ISES Minneapolis - St. Paul

We wish to invite you to explore the benefits of joining ISES - the premier association for those in the field of special events! Promoting professionalism and ethics in the industry, along with life-long learning, joining ISES is making an investment in yourself and your business for a lifetime of opportunities.

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. ISES is the definitive resource to enhance and advance your career in the 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. ISES members serve their clients as the most trusted source for innovative, knowledgeable and professional special event services that consistently deliver high-quality events and tangible results.

Are you ready to excel beyond excellence? Are you ready to distinguish yourself as truly “special” in the special events community? Explore the member benefits listed below and contact Membership to begin the conversation today!

Benefits of Membership

Being successful is about the investment you are willing to make in yourself. Investing in ISES through membership and involvement offers you a host of benefits for professional development and recognition through strategic alliances, as well as access to an unparalleled network of event professionals around the world.

Career Enhancement
Through our monthly programs, you will learn about industry topics and trends that will help you gain relevant skills to grow your knowledge base. These programs offer great opportunities to network with local event professionals who can become your event team partners on future projects. As a member, you will receive members-only benefits including discounted access to these programs and first communication of new local industry job postings.

Continuing Education Opportunities
Educational opportunities are not limited to local monthly meetings. You have the opportunity to attend Eventworld: An Institute for Professional Development, ISES’ international education conference held each August at a member-only rate. Here you can experience hands-on training, well-known industry speakers and educators, networking and more at this annual international conference.

Membership also automatically includes a free subscription to Special Events Magazine every month for the entire year.

Recognition
As an ISES member, you gain recognition as an industry professional. Your name and company will be printed in the annual ISES international directory and listed on the ISES international website so that future clients and ISES members can find you and the services you provide. You are able to submit your work for award recognition both locally, for the ISES Minnesota Star Awards (statewide awards competition), and internationally for the ISES Esprit Awards (international awards competition). Gain your Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation, the hallmark of professional achievement in the special events industry, and truly set yourself apart in the field.

Strategic Alliances = Discounted business services and exclusive savings

ISES members receive discounts for a number of special event business services including Fed-Ex/Kinko’s, DHL shipping, Alamo, Staples, EarthLink Web Hosting and Shaker Group, Inc. Click here for details.

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In order to get the most value out of your membership, it is important to become involved in the day-to-day activities of the chapter. As they say, you will get out of your membership what you put into it, so be sure to take full advantage of your investment!

We understand that everyone’s ability to participate will be different and we are working hard to find different opportunities for all different levels of time commitments. Take the opportunities that are available to get involved, even if you can only commit a small amount of time! Here are a few of the opportunities for you to become more involved in the ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter:

Committee Chairperson or Committee Member:

Many of our board duties are quite extensive and often require the help of additional committee members. Do you have an interest in helping develop some of our monthly programs? Or, would you like to write articles for the monthly newsletter? We need help on a variety of our committees including:

Communications:
The goals and objectives of the communications committee are to develop a cohesive branded message in tandem with ISES International Headquarters by disseminating information locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. These goals and objectives are accomplished through the utilization of tools such as the ISES Minneapolis - St. Paul Web site, newsletter, e-mail and various other media outlets. The committee is also charged with reaching as many current and prospective industry members with informative and timely information and news with regard to the Chapter and the special events industry.
To join this committee or for more information, contact Communications

Membership:
Help recruit, retain and re-engage current and new individual members and corporate supporting organizations to the chapter. The committee also works to increase overall membership, member diversity and monthly meeting attendance and participation through various programs and activities.
To join this committee or for more information, contact Membership

Programs:
Plan monthly meetings by scouting venues and partnering with suppliers and sponsors. Work to develop programs that contain educational and networking opportunities for ISES Minneapolis - St. Paul members.
To join this committee or for more information, contact Programs

Minnesota Star Awards:
Participate in the planning and managing of the annual ISES Minnesota Star Awards. Sub-Committees for the Star Awards include Design and Decor, Marketing & Public Relations, Awards and Entries, Catering/F&B, Audio-Visual, Sponsorship and General Event Management.
To join this committee or for more information, contact Star Awards

Nominating Committee:
Develop the slate of members who will be up for election to the board of directors each year. Duties include contacting potential board members, distributing nomination information and slates, counting votes and contacting elected board members.
To join this committee or for more information, contact The President

You asked for it! ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul is proud to bring you our first-ever Mentorship Program! When you sign up to participate in this new program you'll have the opportunity to learn from the best or teach the next generation. We are looking for ISES members to participate as both mentors and mentees. Each participant will be matched with an appropriate partner for a three month period.

Who is eligible?
Any ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul member in good standing. Students are not eligible unless they are a recipient of the ISES MSP Student Member Scholarship.

How to apply:
Fill out the application and return it to the address given on the application.

Download the application

You will be notified once a match has been made and addtional materials and tools will be provided to you to help facilitate your mentorship relationship including a mentorship agreement, guidelines, session journal and progress evaluation.

Whether you are a veteran of the industry, new to the industry or somewhere in between, we all could benefit from a mentor relationship.

Student Volunteer Involvement:

As a way to get the most out of your student membership, student members of ISES are required to contribute 10 hours of volunteer time to the organization and we have a variety of ways for you to get that volunteer time fulfilled including:

Miscellaneous Activities:

Each year we have a variety of one-time volunteer opportunities that provide you with an easy and non-lengthy way to be active in the chapter. Some recent activities have included:

International Involvement:

The ISES international leadership teams are responsible for providing the vision and plans across all chapters. For information about being involved on an international committee contact Kristin Prine at Kristin_Prine@smithbucklin.com The Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter has been honored by having some of our local leaders asked to serve at this higher level. For 2009-2010 Jodi Collen, CSEP will continue to serve on the Board of Governors, Matthew Trettel will Chair the Marcom Committee, Ryan Hanson will serve as a Esprit Committee Member and Lisa Marie Borchert will serve as a Nominating Committee Member.

Membership Rates/Drives

Testimonials

For the past five years I've had the pleasure of being a member and a board member of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Chapter of ISES. I have found both to be very rewarding. Coming from a different background, festivals, it's been instrumental to learn about new trends through the whole gamut of event planning. Speaking to others about projects they are working on has been inspirational.

- Amanda Schultz, Executive Director, Grand Avenue Business Association

The first time I heard about an association called ISES I was very intrigued. It sounded like an amazing group of individuals who were very passionate about what they did. As I became more involved I learned this was indeed true and I have benefited so much from the people I have met, the programs I have attended and the conference I went to in Hollywood. It has helped me to think more creatively, given me the confidence to try new things and has encouraged me to step out of my box. I encourage anyone who is considering joining to come check us out!"

- Diane Keller, Wildside Caterers

By joining ISES, you instantly gain access to an elite pool of special events resources. Members enjoy exclusive discounts, business opportunities and promotion, and tailored educational information. Gain the extra edge needed to create events that go beyond expectations, far surpass your competition and impact your portfolio.

Become and ISES member today!

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Students

Are you considering a career in the field of special events? Wondering what working in the events industry is all about? Curious to know what it takes to pull of a spectacular event?

Student Membership in ISES offers you, the next generation of event professionals, the opportunity to explore this growing, demanding, creative, diverse, energized (and, at times, highly caffinated) field. As a student member, you can attend local events, network with the leaders in the field, both locally and internationally, to explore various job opportunities and career possibilities and gain hands on event experience!

To be a student member, you must be enrolled part or full time student in a department/program/major related to the field of special events. Student membership is $35 for the year and student members are required to offer 10 hours of voluntary service to the chapter.

To join: complete the
Student Membership Application PDF
Student Member Scholarship Application PDF

Student Testimonial

When I first applied for the scholarship to be a student member of ISES, I had no idea what opportunities could come of the experience. One of the things I wanted to gain as a member was hands-on experience to explore what aspects of the industry interested me the most. At the Jingle Mingle December event, I spoke with Erika LaDousa. I told her the challenges I am facing and she, without hesitation, offered me the opportunity to shadow her for a wedding. I was THRILLED! The next day we began to set a plan for me to shadow her. The benefits of being a student member are there for the taking, you just have to seek them out!
- Jamie Plantenberg, Student Member

CALLING ON ISES MEMBERS: Do you have an upcoming project which requires extra help? Would you like to help teach to the next generation of event professionals? Could you use some student volunteers? ISES Minneapolis-St. Paul is often contacted by students looking for ways to get involved and learn more about the industry. If you have an upcoming project and would like more information on how to reach potential student volunteers, please contact us.

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Membership Dues:
- These dues are in effect through June 30, 2010. - ISES membership year is July 1 – June 30.
Membership Type	Dues	Prorated Dues	Dues ♦
	Join July 1- Nov 30	Join Dec 1- April 30	Join May 1– June 30
• Corporate
Membership is company owned and is transferable at the request of the company by written notification to ISES international headquarters.
• Primary Member	$399.00*	$199.00*	$399.00*
Any one person serving as the official representative of a company.
• Additional Member	$299.00*	$149.00*	$299.00*
Each subsequent membership employed by, or affiliated with, a company that currently holds a Primary Membership in good standing.
• Member	$399.00*	$199.00*	$399.00*
Any person who wishes a personally owned membership, rather than owned by the company.
• Non-Profit	$299.00*	$149.00*	$299.00*
Any representative employed by a non-profit agency, tax exempt foundation, government, or philanthropic organization.
* There is a one-time $50 application fee, payable at the time a new member joins for the first time or a lapsed member re-joins after the renewal period. ♦ If you join during this period, membership will expire June 30th of the following year.