David Spear, CSEP, head of Classic Effects in Mandeville, La., accepted the gavel today as incoming president of ISES from outgoing president Lena Malouf, CSEP, during the ISES annual meeting at the Conference for Professional Development in Sydney, Australia.

Spear congratulated Malouf, owner of Lena Malouf Platinum Events, Double Bay, Australia, for her achievements for the organization during her year in office, including moving from a $151,000 deficit to a $153,000 surplus, as well as reaching a member retention rate of nearly 75 percent.

Malouf thanked her officers for their hard work and dedication. ¡§This has been the most fantastic and best year of my life,¡¨ she said.

The meeting included awards presentations: Chapter of the Year, Melbourne Chapter; Region of the Year, Northeast Region; Mettle Attitude Award Winner, Julia Rutherford Silvers, CSEP; International Volunteer of the Year, Barbara-Jo Saler; and Robert Graves Pioneer Award, Lori Shields.

The late Bob Blaesing was given the Klaus Inkamp award.

CPD runs through Aug. 5. For more information, visit www.ises.com.