It's almost here-the special event industry's premier conference, The Special Event 2000, slated for Jan. 12-15 in San Diego. This year's theme-Visions of the Future-promises to give guideposts for the event industry in the new millennium.
Boasting more than 60 theme- oriented educational sessions, The Special Event 2000 will give attendees opportunities to improve every aspect of their businesses. The sessions cover the disciplines of business and professional development, catering, design and decor, event management, party rental, and sales and marketing.
The advanced "master track" is designed for industry veterans who want to further refine their skills; a special track is in place for hotel professionals. Also, the ISES track helps attendees who are preparing to take the CSEP exam.
SUNNY SESSIONS For many, the San Diego venue alone is a big attraction, especially for those weary of winter. San Diego County has an average daily temperature of 70.5 degrees Fahrenheit and hosts 33 beaches.
Some of The Special Event's events will welcome you to San Diego's unique charms.
On Jan. 12, the conference begins with a networking Welcome Party at The Children's Museum. Committee chairs promise a casual atmosphere, good food and interactive activities, in addition to the museum exhibits.
The $165 million San Diego Convention Center, site of the conference, is a 760,000-square-foot facility overlooking San Diego Bay. The center will also host the War Stories Luncheon on Jan. 13. This informative event will showcase real-life stories from professionals who "survived" industry battles.
Attendees will be transported back in time for the Opening Night Party on Jan. 13 at historic Balboa Park. The park, named after a Spanish conqueror and explorer, comprises 1,200 acres of museums, galleries and gardens. Attendees will visit three such venues, starting at the House of Hospitality for Old World food and entertainment. The House of Hospitality was built by the City of San Diego to be a centerpiece of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. A $15 million reconstruction wrapped up in 1997. Guests will move forward in time during a parade, laser show and dance party in the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
On Jan. 14, the Wedding Luncheon will convene in the Regency Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency San Diego, one of the conference's host hotels. Guests will mingle and peruse the expansive wedding displays hosted by leading professionals. Speakers will give panel presentations of emerging trends.
Saving the best for last, The Special Event 2000 will present the 1999 Gala Awards Ceremony and Celebration on Jan. 15 in San Diego's largest hotel ballroom, the Manchester Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency.
Beyond the promise of announcing the Gala award winners, committee members will not reveal details of the evening because of its surprise theme. They do, however, tout it as an unforgettable evening of cuisine, entertainment and excitement.
GETTING HERE FROM THERE If you haven't registered for The Special Event 2000, here's good news: If you register for the Education Package by Dec. 6, you can save $130 off the fee. For details and information, call the Intertec Exhibitions office at 800/288-8606 or 303/741-2901, ext. 3159; e-mail: [email protected]; or visit the show's Web site: www.specialevents.com/tse2000
At The Special Event 2000, Sally Webb, managing director of The Special Event Co., London, will head the panel discussion "Corporate Event Planning: The International Perspective." It will include planning, production, "theming," structures, catering and international legislation affecting the industry.
Making up the panel are Mark Harrison, The Full Effect, Bedford, England; Klaus Inkamp, CSEP, The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta; Janet Landey, Party Design, Johannesburg, South Africa; Tim Lundy, CSEP, Distinctive Design Events, Atlanta; Romaine Pereira, International Corporate Events, Mascot, New South Wales, Australia; Jeremy Perkins, De Boer Structures, Banbury, England; and Martin van Keken, M. Van Keken & Associates, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The Special Event gratefully acknowledges all its sponsors, including these Platinum Sponsors:
Lisa Patterson, Academy Tent and Canvas, Los Angeles
Dirk Alton, Best Beverage Catering, San Diego
Roland Jessie, Carving Ice/Ketel One, Anaheim, Calif.
Paul Karasik, The Business Institute, Weehawken, N.J.
Rene van Rems, AIFD, California Cut Flower Commission, San Diego
David Cohn, Cohn Restaurant Group, San Diego
Jim Leverton, Concept Design Productions, Monrovia, Calif.
David Sorin, CSEP, Current Events International, Norristown, Penn.
Sean DeFreitas, Designs By Sean, Dania, Fla.
Stacy Failing, Festivities Catering & Special Events, San Diego
Joe Sarchet, Gearhouse Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Calif.
Brian Comes, CMP, Hyatt Regency San Diego
Greg Hareld, Kleege Industries, San Diego
Matthew LeVeque, Meeting Services, San Diego
Monica Vidal, MH Photography, Rockville, Md.
Greg Kramer, Miller Brewing Co., Milwaukee
Kimberlee Rosen, Pacific Event Productions, San Diego
Pierre Charmasson, Professional Event Solutions, San Diego
Pam Navarre, Quantum Productions, San Diego
Jon Wachter, ShowTell Productions, Denver
Jon Martin, Southwest Showtech, San Diego
Kevin Bilida, Talking Laser Co., Marina del Rey, Calif.
Anastasia Palmer, Theme Warehouse, Paramount, Calif.
Cindy Thompson, Transformit, Gorham, Maine
Lonny Eggleston, Unique Event Resource, Bellflower, Calif.
