The ISES Esprit Awards recognize the best and most creative talent and efforts in the special event industry in 32 categories. The Awards acknowledge ISES members who exhibit a spirit of excellence in their work, giving them global visibility. Esprit Award winners were honored at an awards ceremony held Aug. 8 at the San Francisco Marriott. The 2009 ISES Esprit Award recipients are:
MOST CREATIVE SOLUTION: ITS World Congress
Barkley Kalpak Associates
BEST EVENT WITH A LEGACY: Live United Launch Celebration
Ami Cervin, Greater Twin Cities
United Way
Ryan Hanson, BeEvents
BEST INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTION: Event Hospitality Tourism Management
Geoffrey Gilmore, CSEP, Geoffrey Gilmore
Signature LLC
BEST INDUSTRY INNOVATION: The Texas Star Web site
Jeff Musick, 10-80
Technologies LLC
Marla Watson-Werst, CSEP, PeaPod Productions
BEST CATERED EVENT ON- OR OFF-PREMISE CATERING: How Sweet It Is!
Tony Conway, CMP, A Legendary Event
BEST MARKETING/DESIGN COLLATERAL BUDGET UNDER $25,000 USD: “60: The New 40!”
Bonny Katzman, BK Design
BEST MARKETING/DESIGN COLLATERAL BUDGET OVER $25,000 USD: Diamonds in the Desert
Rick Jobe, Jobe & Associates
BEST EVENT SUPPORT SERVICES BUDGET OVER $75,000 USD: 8,000-Guest International Conference
Nancy Jacobs, EdgPRODUCTIONS Inc.
BEST EVENT FOR A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BUDGET UNDER $75,000 USD: “Your Day to Indulge”
Rachel Kraby-Brooks, Eventonomics
BEST EVENT FOR A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BUDGET $75,000-$200,000 USD: Celebrating Inspiration & Hope
Sheila Graham, CSEP, American Red Cross
BEST EVENT FOR A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BUDGET OVER $200,000 USD: Pentagon Memorial Fund Dinner
Deborah Gitelson Krauth, The Webster Group
BEST WEDDING BUDGET UNDER $75,000 USD: Vietnuptials in the Redwoods
Joyce Scardina Becker, CMP, Events of Distinction
BEST WEDDING BUDGET $75,000-$200,000 USD: “Old Hollywood Glamour”
Tara Wilson, Tara Wilson Events
BEST WEDDING BUDGET OVER $200,000 USD: From India with Love
Patricia Weiner and Stacey Weiner, Plan-It Parties
BEST EVENT DESIGN/DECOR BUDGET UNDER $25,000 USD: Advent Vespers
Sheree Bochenek, Apres Party & Tent Rental
Jodi Collen, CSEP, Augsburg College
BEST EVENT DESIGN/DECOR BUDGET $25,000-$75,000 USD: Shaken and Stirred
Jack Kelly, Eye Dialogue LLC
BEST EVENT DESIGN/DECOR BUDGET OVER $75,000 USD: 'Tis the Seasons
Sara Hunt, AT&T Park
BEST EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY: Pentagon Memorial Dedication
Geoffrey Chesman, ImageLink Photography
BEST TECHNICAL PRODUCTION: Plaza Grand Opening
Allin Foulkrod, CSEP, Creative Visions Inc.
BEST SOCIAL EVENT BUDGET UNDER $75,000 USD: Phashion Phest
Sharon Phillips Waxman, SPW Productions LLC
BEST SOCIAL EVENT BUDGET OVER $75,000 USD: Amanda's Chocolate Factory
Taylor Strimple and Patricia E. Weiner, Plan-It Parties
BEST MEETING/CONFERENCE PROGRAM BUDGET UNDER $200,000 USD: Around the World Conference
Carolyn Luscombe, CSEP, CMP, Eclectic Events International
BEST MEETING/CONFERENCE PROGRAM BUDGET Over $200,000 USD: Transform: National Sales Meeting 2008
Kelly Dolan, Aspect Medical Systems
BEST CORPORATE EVENT BUDGET UNDER $75,000 USD: An Evening of Carioca Pride
Sean DeFreitas, Designs by Sean Inc.
Harith Wickrema, Harith Productions Ltd.
BEST CORPORATE EVENT BUDGET $75,000-$200,000 USD: The Wedding Fair
The Wedding Guys®
BEST CORPORATE EVENT BUDGET OVER $200,000 USD: 32nd Annual Joint Meeting of the Southeast U.S./Japan Association
Sally Webb, CSEP, The Special Event Co.
BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION BUDGET UNDER $25,000 USD: Wine and Trees
Sandy O. Fergus, Creative Juice
BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION BUDGET $25,000-$75,000 USD: “Rethinking the Boundaries” Launch
Debbie Meyers, CSEP, BRAVO!
Productions Entertainment Inc.
Sally Webb, CSEP, The Special Event Co.
BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION BUDGET OVER $75,000 USD: Enquerir
Michael Kloss, Emory University, Office of University Events
ISES TEAM EFFORT BUDGET UNDER $75,000 USD: Hillary Clinton Rally
Jodi Collen, CSEP, Augsburg College
Craig Oliver, AARCEE Party & Tent Rental
Daniel R. Zunker, Heroic Productions
ISES TEAM EFFORT BUDGET $75,000-$200,000 USD: New Inspiration of Dermatology
Kelley Gillespie, CSI Capitol Services Inc.
Gary Jones, CSEP, and Liz Sine, Gary Jones Presents …
Jan Kearney, Cast of Thousands Entertainment Co. Inc.
ISES TEAM EFFORT BUDGET OVER $200,000 USD: Christening of New York
Angel Barbosa, Teresa Chubb and Stacey Dauzat, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding
BBC Destination Management
Sandy Pagnotti, P.W. Feats Inc.