Think ISES: September-October 2015

Esprit Winners Named at ISES Live 2015 in New Orleans

Congratulations to all of the 2015 ISES Esprit Award Winners!

2015 BEST CATERED EVENT

Sinners and Saints
Wendy Haralson
The St. Anthony Hotel
www.thestanthonyhotel.com
ISES Chapter: San Antonio

2015 BEST CORPORATE EVENT UNDER $75,000 USD

White Hangar Lounge
Linda Cauiola
Canto Event Management
www.cantoeventmanagement.com
ISES Chapter: Arizona

2015 BEST CORPORATE EVENT $75,000 - $150,000 USD

Employee Holiday Celebration
Carrie Wosicki
Alex and Ani
www.alexandani.com
ISES Chapter: Rhode Island

-AND-

Megan Duclos
Alex and Ani
www.alexandani.com
ISES Chapter: Rhode Island

2015 BEST CORPORATE EVENT OVER $150,000 USD

BC/Vancouver Night--Show Us Your Adventurous Side
Keri Miller, CSEP
e=mc² events
www.emc2events.com
ISES Chapter: Calgary

2015 BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION UNDER $25,000 USD

Circus Spectacular
Kevin Hall
Halls of Entertainment
www.hallsofmagic.com
ISES Chapter: Minneapolis-St. Paul

2015 BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION $25,000 - $75,000 USD

Sailabration
Michael Brown, CSEP
Hello Las Vegas
www.hello-usa.com
ISES Chapter: Las Vegas

2015 BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION OVER $75,000 USD

An Evening in the International Gallery of Arts
Debbie Meyers-Shock, CSEP
BRAVO! Productions Entertainment Inc.
www.bravoentertainment.com
ISES Chapter: Dallas

-AND-

Mark Wells
Hello! Destination Management
www.hello-dmc.com
ISES Chapter: Orlando

2015 BEST EVENT DESIGN/DECOR UNDER $25,000 USD

Cozy GLAM
Ken Kristoffersen, CSEP, CEM, CEC
POP Kollaborative Inc.
www.pophasawebsite.com
ISES Chapter: Toronto

-AND-

Bryan Bell
Decor & More
www.decorandmore.com
ISES Chapter: Toronto

2015 BEST EVENT DESIGN/DECOR $25,000 - $75,000 USD

Association Masters Wonderland After-Party
Holly Loulan
Hello! Destination Management
www.hello-dmc.com
ISES Chapter: Orlando

2015 BEST EVENT DESIGN/DECOR OVER $75,000 USD

Gilded Glory
Lynn Fletcher, CSEP
Lynn Fletcher Weddings
www.lynnfletcherweddings.com
ISES Chapter: Calgary

-AND-

Bryan Bell
Decor & More
www.decorandmore.com
ISES Chapter: Toronto

2015 BEST EVENT FILMMAKING

Mandap Madness
Bob Ridge
IndyVisual
www.indyvisual.com
ISES Chapter: Indiana

2015 BEST EVENT FOR A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION UNDER $75,000 USD

Fall Scholarship Dinner
William Smiley, MBA
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
www.cfaes.osu.edu/development/events
ISES Chapter: Columbus

2015 BEST EVENT FOR A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION $75,000 - $150,000 USD

Humanitarian of the Year
Trace Kingham
Kingham Signature Events
www.eventdesign.expert
ISES Chapter: Orlando

2015 BEST EVENT FOR A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OVER $150,000 USD

5th Annual “Build the Center” Benefit
Michelle Rathbun
Chromis Event Strategies LLC
www.chromisevents.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Washington, DC

2015 BEST EVENT LOGISTICS AND SUPPORT SERVICES

Three Guinness World Records in 90 Minutes
Raymond Ramsay
Raymond Ramsay & Associates Inc.
www.raymondramsay.com
ISES Chapter: Orlando

2015 BEST EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Elevate: WestJet Christmas Party
Stephanie Leblond
Leblond Studio Inc.
www.leblondstudio.com
ISES Chapter: Calgary

2015 BEST EVENT SOLUTION

The 12th Man Lighting Spectacle
Niki McKay
Blue Danube Productions
www.bluedanubeproductions.com
ISES Chapter: Seattle

2015 BEST EVENT WITH A LEGACY

LIMITLESS: The Special Olympics Canada Gala
Keri Miller, CSEP
e=mc² events
www.emc2events.com
ISES Chapter: Toronto

2015 BEST INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION

Innovation in the Green Sector of Events
Kate Patay, CPCE
Creative Coverings
www.creativecoverings.com
ISES Chapter: Las Vegas

2015 BEST INDUSTRY INNOVATION

SAP Innovation Express
Sameer Tobaccowala
Shobiz Experiential Communications Pvt. Ltd.
www.shobizexperience.com
ISES Chapter: Member At Large

2015 BEST MARKETING/DESIGN COLLATERAL UNDER $25,000 USD

Harry Potter Birthday Invite
Wendy Segal
Radius Event Design
www.radiuseventdesign.com
ISES Chapter: New England

2015 BEST MARKETING/DESIGN COLLATERAL OVER $25,000 USD

Navigate '14
Nikki Armesto
Red Velvet Events Inc.
www.redvelvetevents.com
ISES Chapter: Austin

-AND-

Tracy K. Greene
Red Velvet Events Inc.
www.redvelvetevents.com
ISES Chapter: Austin

2015 BEST MEETING/CONFERENCE PROGRAM OVER $250,000 USD

NADA is Driven Wild with Exciting Innovative Experiences
Caitlin Alvarez
ACCENT on Arrangements, Inc., a DMC Network Company
www.accent-dmc.com
ISES Chapter: New Orleans

2015 BEST PUBLIC EVENT

Losar with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Jodi M. Collen, CSEP
Augsburg College
www.augsburg.edu/events
ISES Chapter: Minneapolis-St. Paul

-AND-

Seth Lienard
Augsburg College
www.augsburg.edu/events
ISES Chapter: Minneapolis-St. Paul

2015 BEST SOCIAL EVENT UNDER $25,000 USD

Glamping
Morris Goen
Goen South
www.goensouth.com
ISES Chapter: San Antonio

2015 BEST SOCIAL EVENT $25,000 - $75,000 USD

The Lake's 45th Anniversary Celebration
Johnell Huebner
Clearly Classy Events
www.clearlyclassyevents.com
ISES Chapter: Austin

2015 BEST SOCIAL EVENT OVER $75,000 USD

Adriapalooza
Lori Hart
Silhouette Group
www.SilhouetteGroup.com
ISES Chapter: New York Metro

2015 BEST TECHNICAL PRODUCTION

JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards
Keri Miller, CSEP
e=mc² events
www.emc2events.com
ISES Chapter: Vancouver

2015 BEST WEDDING UNDER $75,000 USD

Falen Paul Derby Inspired Wedding
Matthew Trettel
The Wedding Guys®
www.theweddingguys.com
ISES Chapter: Minneapolis-St. Paul

2015 BEST WEDDING $75,000 - $150,000 USD

Anne Marie and Jamie's Tartan Wedding
Deborah Elias, CSEP, CMP
Elias Events
www.eliasevents.com
ISES Chapter: Houston

2015 BEST WEDDING OVER $150,000 USD

Black and White Tented Affair
Marianne Cafaro
Viva Bella Events
www.vivabellaevents.com
ISES Chapter: Cincinnati

2015 BEST ISES EVENT VOLUNTEER COLLABORATION

ISES Live 2014 - Seattle
Claudette Bouton Pate
Goldner Associates
www.goldnerassociates.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Atlanta

David Doxtater
The Workshop
www.workshopevents.com
ISES Chapter: Seattle

Anne Finzer Wadlow
CEO Corporate Event Organization Inc.
www.ceoinc.ca
ISES Chapter: Edmonton

Kathy Newby, CERP
The Stuart Rental Co.
www.stuartrental.com
ISES Chapter: Member At Large

Erica Prewett
A Big To Do Event
www.abigtodoevent.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Atlanta

Terry Shields, CSEP
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
www.rosewoodmansiononturtlecreek.com
ISES Chapter: Dallas

Terry Singleton, CSEP, CDMP
CCP Events
www.ccpevents.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Atlanta

Tamra Sipes, CSEP, CEP, ECC, LCS
Platinum Travel & Events
www.platinumeventsgrp.com
ISES Chapter: Seattle

Shelly Tolo, MPM
TOLO Events LLC
www.toloevents.com
ISES Chapter: Seattle

Kelly Treadway
EventCurious
www.eventcurious.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Atlanta

2015 BEST ISES TEAM EFFORT UNDER $75,000 USD

2014 AFR Chicago Networker
Ryan Campbell
AFR Event Furnishings
www.afrevents.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Chicago

Tracy Black
Kaiser Tiger
www.kaisertiger.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Chicago

Val Braun
Arena Americas
www.arenaamericas.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Chicago

Lisa Bryant
Food for Thought
www.fftchicago.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Chicago

Erica Buss
Tasty Catering
www.tastycatering.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Chicago

Erin Dahl Sellers
Revel Decor Inc.
www.therevelgroup.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Chicago

Carey Smolensky
Carey Smolensky Productions Presents
STORM Interactive Entertainment
www.cspworldwide.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Chicago

Derrick Valenti
Drape Kings
www.drapekings.com
ISES Chapter: Greater Chicago

2015 BEST ISES TEAM EFFORT $75,000 - $150,000 USD

Ana & Russell's Wedding
Johnell Huebner
Clearly Classy Events
www.clearlyclassyevents.com
ISES Chapter: Austin

Carrie Beamer
Flora Fetish
www.florafetish.com
ISES Chapter: Austin

Luke Johnston
Whim Event Rentals
www.whimeventrentals.com
ISES Chapter: Austin

Leslie LaSorsa
Crave Catering
www.crave-catering.com
ISES Chapter: Austin

2015 BEST ISES TEAM EFFORT OVER $150,000 USD

New Cancer Hospital Grand Opening Celebrations
Tracy Moran, CSEP
Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center
www.wexnermedical.osu.edu
ISES Chapter: Columbus

Bill Ferguson, CSEP, CERP
Event Source
www.eventsource.net
ISES Chapter: Columbus

Nick Harper
Bartha
www.bartha.com
ISES Chapter: Columbus

Jenny James
Cameron Mitchell Premier Events
www.cameronmitchellcateing.com
ISES Chapter: Columbus

Melissa Johnson
Cameron Mitchell Premier Events
www.cameronmitchellcatering.com
ISES Chapter: Columbus

Growing with ISES in the Special Events Industry

Growing with ISES in the Special Events Industry

Name: Jodi Collen, CSEP
Company: Augsburg College
Address: 2211 Riverside Ave. Cb 64
Minneapolis, MN 55454-1350
Phone: 612/330-1107
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.augsburg.edu

As we begin a new membership year, Jodi Collen, CSEP, ISES International president, reflects on how the association has been a vital part of her business life for the past 12 years.

There is no doubt that ISES is an integral part of my life.

On a professional level, ISES has enabled me to develop my role and my network. I can now work with colleagues across the U.S. and source the best products and services from suppliers that I know I can trust, because they share the same values and ethics that I do. That ISES does.

On a personal level, ISES has given me the opportunity to meet people I simply would never have come across otherwise. People that I rely on for advice, knowledge and connections. People from all over the world. People that I have become friends with for life.

As we continue to change and evolve as an association, the last 12 months have been one of the most successful for ISES. We have increased our brand awareness and achieved greater engagement within the industry we support. The commercial and educational partnerships we have developed have enabled us to further expand our reach and influence. And, our newly launched Global Partner Program has surpassed all of our expectations, now bringing additional revenue that we are investing back into our association for the benefit of all our members.

Our level of engagement across the entire industry means that as a community our voice has never been stronger and influence never greater. We are working hard to promote the power of live events to ensure that our members get the recognition they deserve for the amazing work that they do.

In the last year alone, our public relations team has been able to generate over $1.5 million in media coverage. That’s another example of how ISES is helping to promote our association, our industry and everyone connected to it. For those of you who follow ISES on social media, we now have more than 40,000 connections through our social networks.

That’s another powerful reason to be a part of this community; we are now the most digitally connected association in our sector. And, with over 1,200 new members joining in the last 12 months alone, we are one of the fastest growing.

As we look forward to the year ahead, our evolution continues, with new programs and initiatives focused firmly on delivering the greatest possible benefit and value for our members. For those of you that are part of this amazing collection of people; thank you. We appreciate your support for your association. For those of you yet to discover ISES, please join us. It’s going to be an amazing year!

How Planning and Teamwork Saved My Special Event

How Planning and Teamwork Saved My Special Event

Name: Barbara A. Washington, CSEP
Company: Bobcat Event Management and Consulting
Address: 10829 Chase Park Lane, Apt. D
Creve Coeur, MO 63141-5727
Phone: 314/478-2229
Email: [email protected].
Web: www.bobcatevents.com

I am 60 years old, and I have spent more than half my life as a professional in the special events industry. In short, I have been around the block and--and around the world for that matter--more than once. Nothing throws me.

But on March 17, 2015, I was thrown. A little more than a year ago, I started a fresh chapter in my life by launching Bobcat Event Management & Consulting LLC. Of course, what better way to launch this enterprise than with a special combination St. Patrick’s Day/Barbara Birthday event for 200 of my corporate and nonprofit friends and potential clients? The event had to be one for the ages--it would set the tone for the rest of my professional life. So, no pressure.

The planning, of course, began months in advance. Just as important, I work with a diverse and highly competent group of professionals who can always be counted on to deliver the goods and to do whatever it takes to pull off a successful event. However, on March 16, I found myself in crisis mode when the hard drive on my computer crashed. On the eve of my big event, I had no access to all the documents that I created for my extravaganza, including the invitation list, run of show, press release, the photos and designs for the exhibits.

Fortunately, among those diverse and highly competent people whom I had attracted to my cause was Ameer Ali, my computer god. After working with me over the phone until 3 a.m., Ameer came over at my house to conjure up those files. In the meantime, my granddaughter, Val Dennis, realized that I had emailed most of the important documents to my lawyer, Keisha Johnson, and graphic designer, Elaine Young of Hopscotch, or stored them on Dropbox to my associates. She went onto my email and downloaded nearly every one of the files that I needed. My longtime friend Pat Howard updated the run of show and also got the guest check-in process going. Bobcat teammates Karen Glines and Catherine Ndegwa updated the press release and pulled together the press kits. My friend Debra Handley prepared hospitality badges and packets, and my friends Kathy Brandon, Delores Mars, Ernestine Simmons and Ollie Stewart and my sister, Jackie Williams, helped with reception and greeting duties at event.

When I showed up at 3 p.m.--just one hour before the start of the party--I will never forget what I encountered: perfection, or nearly so. And then I thought to myself, well of course, it had all turned out just right.

Anyone who leaves things unchecked or unaccounted for until the last day would be doomed to failure. Anyone who neglects to line up the very best and most reliable associates--who can deliver at crunch time--can’t possibly pull off an event for the ages with the right touch.

All the planning, preparation and help of my associates created an event that ended up being crisis proof.