Some 275 event industry professionals convened in Indianapolis for the ISES 2001 Conference for Professional Development, Aug. 18-21 at the Adam's Mark Indianapolis Downtown hotel.

More than 25 seminars and more than 40 speakers covered a wide range of topics including how to get and retain clients, tracking and controlling cash flow, and learning the practical lessons children can teach adults about leadership and life. A highlight of the program was a presentation by Dave Merrell (An Original Occasion, Los Angeles) on event design: “He outdid himself [and] wowed the audience,” said Dana Zita, CSEP, Education Committee chair.

The Esprit Awards, presented at a gala on Aug. 20 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, singled out Deborah Borsum, CSEP, CMP (The Meetinghouse Companies, Elmhurst, Ill.), for the Klaus Inkamp, CSEP, Award, as the ISES member demonstrating high ethics, longevity and participation in the industry.

Also, the association's education arm — International Special Events Education Foundation — debuted its new logo and kicked off a funding drive.

For more on CPD, see eventworld, pages 18a-h, in this issue of Special Events Magazine.

The 2002 CPD will take place Aug. 2-5 in Sydney, Australia.

CONTACT: ISES, 401 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; 800/688-4737, 312/321-6853; Web site: www.ises.com