ISES DC EXPO
November 1, 2007
Marriott Wardman Park
2660 Woodley Road, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202-328-2000

The Marriott Wardman Park played host to the 2007 ISES Greater Washington DC Chapter Expo on November 1st. A sold-out “007”-themed show that featured 55 exhibit booths and over 500 attendees, this was indeed the largest and most successful Expo ever. Our thanks go to our show’s co-chairs: Wendy Siminski with O’Keefe Communications (Silver Sponsor) and Wendy Drake with The Webster Group (Gold Sponsor) who worked tirelessly to produce a very professional show. Thank you for elevating the Expo to a new level!

Several new features this year contributed to the show’s success:

• New Sponsorship Levels – In-kind and Cash sponsors enjoyed more tangible benefits and exposure than ever before, including web links and increased promotion. This year’s Expo brought in the highest cash sponsorship by triple than any show in the past.
  
• Broad Strategic Alliances – 50% of all Expo attendees were non-ISES members due to the tireless efforts of the show organizers, the Marketing Communications committee and our event partners which included: BiZBash, NACE Greater Washington DC Chapter, ASAE and the Center for Association leadership, PCMA Capital Chapter and HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings and HSMAI’s DC Chapter. Other organizations (SESMA, WCTC and MPI) also helped promote the ISES Expo by inviting their members to our event.
  
• Marketing Communications – Thanks to the efforts of Wendy Siminski and staff of O’Keefe Communications, the show’s promotional materials reflected our “007” theme and added excitement to our mailing pieces and email blasts.

The ISES Expo also proved to be the place to be for event planners, event vendors, and anyone with a sweet tooth. Attendees were treated to fantastic setups of new linens, tabletop ideas, lighting displays and a myriad of sugary indulgences. Fancy Cakes by Leslie doled out beautifully decorated and rich cake, Smoothie Time served up mini milkshakes, and 2941 Restaurant distributed cotton candy in every flavor imaginable – including pina colada. There was also a chocolate fountain, a novelty ice cream cart, and a bowl of candy at every other booth. Attendees went home with pockets full of business cards and sugar highs!

Click here for a list of exhibitors.

Click here to view the photo gallery.

As part of the EXPO, the chapter hosted its annual Silent Auction. Following tradition, a portion of the proceeds will benefit DC Foster Kids and the ISES DC Scholarship fund. Attendees opened their hearts and their wallets, raising more than $5,400 for these worthy causes. More than 85 items were auctioned off ranging from restaurant certificates to theater tickets to hotel stays. Attendees were also able to bid on the contest entrants of the fourth annual basket competition. The winner of the Most Whimsical Basket was Brazil Latino Events for a "Tropical Brazilian Basket.” The winner of the Most Creative Presentation was H2O Restaurant & Lounge for a 3-tiered gift collection of foods and spa products. The Highest Yield basket was the "Acoustic Guitar Basket" donated by Fresh Air Music Entertainment. The Greater Washington DC Chapter would like to thank all of the donors and volunteers who helped to make this year's auction one of our most successful auctions ever!