International Special Events Society members from throughout the world gathered in St. Petersburg, Fla., Aug. 21-23 for Eventworld 2008, the association's annual meeting combining education, networking and accolades.
Despite the threat posed by Tropical Storm Fay, which made landfall in Florida a record four times, the event went off without a hitch. From its headquarters at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, the event included a range of seminars covering topics such as leadership, skill-building and operations. This year's conference emphasized eco-friendly operations including using digital files instead of printed files where possible, use of china rather than disposables and staff sharing of transportation.
A highlight of the conference was a behind-the-scenes visit to Walt Disney World in nearby Orlando, Fla., where ISES members toured Disney's vast event capabilities.
Guests enjoyed social events including the Welcome Reception, a beach party on the sand at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort in Clearwater, Fla.
Eventworld ended with a Roaring Twenties award gala at the Renaissance Vinoy. Following is the list of Esprit Award winners (all figures are U.S. dollars):
THE 2008 ISES Esprit Award Winners
2008 ISES Most Creative Solution
"Block the Boat Barn"
Cindy Y. Lo
Red Velvet Events Inc.
2008 ISES Best Event with a Legacy
"Breath of Life Gala"
Susan Lacz
Ridgewells Caterers
www.ridgewells.com
2008 ISES Best Industry Contribution
"Academic Event Professional Conference"
Sally Webb, CSEP
The Special Event Co.
www.specialeventco.com
2008 ISES Best Industry Innovation
"Velon Designs"
Robert Fountain
Symphony Ball September 2007
www.velondesigns.com
2008 ISES Crème de la Crème-On-Premise Catering Award
"Legends of Aztec and Maya"
Harith Wickrema
Harith Productions Ltd.
www.harithproductions.com
2008 ISES Crème de la Crème-Off-Premise Catering Award
"Riley's Runway"
Yvette Audrain, CSEP, CPCE
Pappas Catering
www.pappascatering.com
2008 ISES Best Marketing /Design Collateral Budget Under $10,000
"A Tuscan Celebration"
Michelle Smith
Inviting Ideas LLC
www.invitingideas.net
2008 ISES Best Marketing /Design Collateral Budget Over $25,000
”Champions of the Mountain"
Rick Jobe
Jobe & Associates
www.jobecom.com
2008 ISES Best Event Support Services Budget $25,000-$75,000
"Labs for the Future"
Dennis Smith
ASI Production Services Inc.
www.asiprod.com
2008 ISES Best Event Support Services Budget Over $75,000
"University of Pennsylvania Fundraiser"
Michelle McCulloch
Regal Tent Productions Ltd.
www.regaltent.com
2008 ISES Best Event for a Nonprofit Organization Budget Under $75,000
"La Vie En Rose"
Tony Conway, CMP
A Legendary Event
www.legendaryevents.com
2008 ISES Best Event for a Nonprofit Organization Budget $75,000-$200,000
"The Celebration of Teaching and Learning"
Mike Fiorentino, CMP
CCK Global Events
www.thirteencelebration.org
2008 ISES Best Event for a Nonprofit Organization Budget Over $200,000
"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet--50th Birthday Bash
Jocelyn Flanagan, CSEP
e=mc2 Event Management Inc.
www.emc2events.com
2008 ISES Best Meeting/Conference Program Budget Under $75,000
"Dove's Immersion Day"
Howard Givner
Paint the Town Red Inc.
www.paintthetownred.net
2008 ISES Best Meeting/Conference Program Budget $75,000-$200,000
"Mentoring Kickoff Meeting Chicago"
Ryan Hanson
2008 ISES Best Meeting/Conference Program Budget Over $200,000
"Band Together"
Kathy Miller
Sarah Schnell
Total Event Resources
www.total-event.com
2008 ISES Best Event Design/Decor Budget Under $25,000
"Raising the Bar"
Ingrid Nagy
Catering By Design
www.cateringbd.com
2008 ISES Best Event Design/Decor Budget $25,000-$75,000
"Andy Warhol POPS"
Leslee Bell
Decor & More Inc.
www.decorandmore.com
Jocelyn Flanagan, CSEP
e=mc2 Event Management Inc.
www.emc2events.com
2008 ISES Best Event Design/Decor Budget Over $75,000
"Meow Mix Acatemy"
Seelun Mak
Grand Central Marketing
www.grandcentralmarketing.com
2008 ISES Best Event Photography/Videography
"Traditions and Monuments"
Bryan Blanken
Freed Photography Inc.
www.freedphoto.com
2008 ISES Best Technical Production
"First Citizens Center Opening"
Russell Lewis
Maestro Production
www.showmaestro.com
Sally Webb, CSEP
The Special Event Co.
www.specialeventco.com
2008 ISES Best Social Event Planning Budget Under $25,000
"60th Anniversary Festival Gala"
Chris Arredondo
Eclipse Entertainment LLC
www.eclipseentertainment.net
2008 ISES Best Social Event Planning Budget $25,000-$75,000
”Art Within Infinite Space"
Fé Domenech
The Event Firm
www.theeventfirm.net
2008 ISES Best Social Event Planning Budget Over $75,000
"A Surprising Epicurean Cruise"
Joyce Scardina Becker, CMP
Events of Distinction
www.eventsofdistinction.com
2008 ISES Best Wedding Budget Under $75,000
"Elliot/Baker Wedding"
Hanan Chebib
Experiential Events Corp.
www.experientialevents.ca
2008 ISES Best Wedding Budget $75,000-$200,000
"Trend Wedding 2007"
Matthew Trettel
The Wedding Guys
www.theweddingguys.com
2008 ISES Best Wedding Budget Over $200,000
"WOW--Woitas-Olson Wedding"
Lori Bodkin
Table Talk Inc.
www.tabletalk.net
2008 ISES Best Corporate Event Planning Budget Under $75,000
"Launch 2007-Minneapolis-St. Paul"
Ryan Hanson
2008 ISES Best Corporate Event Planning Budget $75,000-$200,000
"A Cold War Homage"
Kelley Gillespie
CSI-Capitol Services Inc.
2008 ISES Best Corporate Event Planning Budget Over $200,000
"Feel the Beat"
Hanan Chebib
Experiential Events Corp.
www.experientialevents.ca
2008 ISES Best Entertainment Production Budget Under $25,000
"The Dunn Halloween Party"
Ashley Wright
Eclipse Entertainment LLC
www.eclipseentertainment.com
2008 ISES Best Entertainment Production Budget $25,000-$75,000
"In the News"
Carolyn Luscombe, CSEM, CSEP, CMP
Eclectic Events International
www.eclecticeventsintl.com
2008 ISES Best Entertainment Production Budget Over $75,000
"Feel the Beat"
Hanan Chebib
Experiential Events Corp.
www.experientialevents.ca
Debbie Meyers, CSEP
BRAVO! Productions Entertainment Inc.
www.bravoentertainment.com
2008 ISES Best ISES Team Effort Budget Under $75,000
"Launch 2007-Minneapolis-St.Paul"
Ryan Hanson
Sheree Bochenek
Apres Party & Tent Rental
www.apresparty.com
Brian Shaughnessy
Atomic Design Inc.
www.atomicdesign.tv
Matthew Trettel
Chrom Creative Events
www.chromcreative.com
Jean Wilson
Studio 6 Specialty Linen & Decor LLC
www.studio6specialtylinen.com
Dan Zunker
Heroic Productions
www.heroic-productions.com
2008 ISES Best ISES Team Effort Budget $75,000-$200,000
"Palace of Versailles"
Carolyn Luscombe, CSEM, CSEP, CMP
Eclectic Events International
www.eclecticeventsintl.com
Leslee Bell
Decor & More Inc.
www.decorandmore.com
Simon Rayment
Pandor Productions
www.pandor.com
Barb Sauder
Eclectic Events International
www.eclecticeventsintl.com
Stacy Wyatt
Canadian Event Perspective
www.canadianspecialevents.com
2008 ISES Best ISES Team Effort Budget Over $200,000
"WOW-Woitas-Olson Wedding"
Lori Bodkin
Table Talk Inc.
www.tabletalk.net
Andy Kushner
Andy Kushner Entertainment
www.andykushnerentertainment.com
Peter Cornforth
MEDIACO The Presentation Co.
www.mediaco.ca
Murray Palmer
Palmer & Co., Event Alchemists
www.palmercompany.net
Philip Hughes
The Ice Box
www.theicebox.com
Ron Elio
Christie Lites
www.christielites.com
Peter Robinson
Livin' In Swing Productions Inc.
www.LivinInSwing.com
Alan Maudie
Maudie Photography Inc.
www.alanmaudie.com
Eventworld 2009 runs Aug. 5-8 in San Francisco.
Photos by Special Events Magazine
