Membership in the International Special Events Society grew by 14 percent in the last year, according to outgoing president David Spear, CSEP, who addressed the group today at the conclusion of its annual Conference for Professional Development in Minneapolis.
Spear, head of special effects company Classic Effects in Madisonville, La., also noted that despite the challenging economic environment, ISES ended its fiscal year with a $60,000 surplus.
Incoming president Steve Kemble, head of Steve Kemble Event Design in Dallas, described the group's new FEBs Task Force, which has examined the financial, educational and branding standing of the society. He noted that ISES will reduce the size of its board. Also, ISES will establish an international relations committee, which will examine such options as franchising the society in Asia and Europe. Keemble said that he believed that ISES's membership outside the United States could, within a few years, equal the number of members in the U.S. "We will only be successful if we all work together," he said. "That is my commitment to you, and I trust that is your commitment to this organization."
ISES recognized its New England Chapter as Chapter of the Year, and the Northeast Region as Region of the Year. Rob Gray was named winner of the Mettle Attitude award, and Heather Henderson was named Volunteer of the Year.
