The ISES LA Joint Allied Mixer (JAM), presented by ISES LA, took place Aug. 16 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. More than 500 event professionals turned up to take advantage of the networking opportunities; the evening cross-promotes the event industry with other allied associations, including Meeting Professionals International, the Association of Bridal Consultants and the National Association of Catering Executives.
The ISES JAM Committee launched the event after four months of work with Jackie Korman of The Korman Group in the driver's seat as chair. The pit crew included committee members Carol Rosen of Party Designs by Carol and Bob Estrin of B.E. Creative as technical producer. The Petersen's extensive car collection provided a "natural theme lead," Estrin says; entitled "Racing into the Future," the event featured decor with a black-and-white-checked flag motif.
Guests arrived at the rooftop JAM after taking an escalator through the museum and walking among various car exhibits. Out of 89 tabletop and booth exhibits, three booths drove the racing theme home with racing-related games. Besides displaying products, the five event furniture booths welcomed sitting and chatting. Many floral suppliers exhibited sweet-smelling wares in elaborate arrangements; for example, MyFlowerGuy displayed a tree branch draped with orchids set in a simple wooden box.
Guests fueled up with snacks from the fleet of catering booths, the Pasadena Center and Boston Culinary Group served panini bites with fillings such as tender beef and caramelized onions. For the dessert-inclined, Wendy's Chocolate Fountains coated strawberries, profiteroles and pretzels with milk chocolate. To rev up guest's engines as the event continued and the night turned cool, Brew HaHa supplied a caffeine boost with cappuccinos, hot chocolates and lattes made with a large copper espresso machine.
Estrin describes the Petersen as a winning venue, due to both its indoor and outdoor versatility and its tented rooftop area. With a tent up year-round, there is no guesswork trying to imagine what the empty parking lot may look like with a tent and event furnishings, Estrin notes.
Most booths resided under the tent, along with the main stage showcasing The Procrastinators, Big Daddy Orchestra and Maria Butterly Entertainment. Guests enjoying the patio scene--with its toy racetrack, bar, view of L.A. and lounge area--didn't miss out on the entertainment. A loudspeaker piped the raffle drawing outside; one lucky winner received an ISES membership. Next year's ISES LA JAM will take place on Aug. 8, at Los Angeles Center Studios.
