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In addition to the Toy Drive, we also raised money for the DC Foster Kids through this year’s silent auction held at theAnnual ISES DC Expo. We had 340 people at this year’s EXPO and sold out the booth space! Congratulations to Jeffrey Fox and his fabulous EXPO committee. We raised $7,805 at this year’s Silent Auction! In addition to helping the DC Foster Kids, a portion of the proceeds will also go to award event education scholarships for ISES members attending the REC in Washington DC, The Special Event Conference in Los Angeles and ISES Eventworld in Montreal. The next time you see our auction committee, which included among others Kellie Gillespie, our president-elect and silent auction chair, give them a pat on the back for all of the hours they spent soliciting gift donations and ensuring that we had a very professional-looking and efficiently-run auction. I look forward to seeing you at our 2007 monthly meetings. If you are interested in showing off what your company has to offer our membership, please contact Sara Muchnick or Bob Blanken, our co-vice presidents of programs and education, Lesley Grabias, our director of programs, Jenna Lordo, our director of ISES breakers, or Patti Weiner or Jamie Greenwald, our Capitol Awards Gala co-chairs. Their contact information can be found at www.dcises.org. Our December Meeting Holiday Party will be a networking social on December 12th from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Westin Arlington Gateway. This is a great opportunity to meet old friends and make new contacts for the coming year. Best wishes to everyone for a happy, healthy and successful New Year! Alysha DiGiorgio |
Happy Holidays to everyone in our ISES family. Because of your
generosity, we were able to make this a happy holiday for some
wonderful children. Special thanks again to everyone who participated
in this year’s DC Foster Kids toy drive and to Marty Janis,
Dale Harmon and their team of “Elves” who helped to
coordinate the generous donation of toys, clothing, bicycles and
more. For many, your gifts will be the only ones they will receive
this year.
Recap
from the Silent Auction at the 2006 EXPO
The Gift Basket Competition once again reflected the incredible creativity of ISES DC Members. Sixteen entries competed for the title of Most Creative, Most Whimsical and Highest Yield. The baskets were themed and included titles like Jenny Lehman’s Movie Time, filled with DVDs, popcorn and candy, and Jessica Barnes’ and Kim Hedge’s, “Here’s Lookin’ at You Kid”, a romantic tribute to Casablanca. Now, for the Winners! The Most Creative Gift Basket title belongs to “Chocolate Fantasy”, a delicious concoction assembled by Eric Michael of Occasions Caterers. The huge basket was filled with dozens of beautifully wrapped confections and enticed bidders with its intoxicating aroma as they passed by. It was the perfect centerpiece to any Thanksgiving table. The Most Whimsical Basket was clearly “Honeymoon on the Hill” created by Jeannie O’Leary of Holiday Inn on the Hill. Her basket, draped in tulle, actually wore a veil. It included a bottle of champagne, a stay at The Holiday Inn on the Hill, Tiffany champagne glasses, Godiva chocolates, and a gift certificate to Victoria's Secret – all incredibly romantic. The Highest Yield went to Jim Templin’s fabulous Acoustic Guitar basket. Jim, of Fresh Air Music, offered a beautiful guitar accompanied by music lessons, sheet music and recorded music. Each winner will receive a $50 pass to an ISES DC luncheon or dinner. Our Silent Auction committee brought in a record 100 items this year. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the committee and onsite volunteers, the auction was a great success. And, many thanks to the donors for supporting our charities!
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How did 360 special event professionals
learn the latest trends in the event industry and support
two charities all on one night? By bidding at the ISES
DC Silent Auction during the Expo! Attendees at the ISES
DC Expo on November 15th were treated to a fabulous 100-item
silent auction to raise funds for DC Foster Kids and the
ISES DC Scholarship Fund. ISES DC members donated great
packages like a St. Thomas vacation getaway, a stay at
Hershey Resorts, restaurant certificates, event services
and several pieces of original artwork. Thanks to our committee
and volunteers, more than $8,000 was raised – a record
income far surpassing previous years.
Beyond
Entertainment: The Pro-Social Nature of Magic
A Magician enters; walks by swiftly, and heads turn. You feel curiosity, who is that? What is he doing? The Magician notes your head turning and he draws you and a group of others closer. He raises his hand and the tips of his fingers begin to wiggle as he channels energy towards a closed fist. People are drawn-in closer. Suddenly, a coin vanishes right in front of your eyes, and then it reappears in your hand. Astonished, in complete surprise, you scream – “Wow!” The Magician waves a magic wand. Together with the others, you call out the magic words - magic happens! Cards begin to appear and are plucked one at a time out of thin air as you gaze at the Magician’s hands. You look left and ask, “Did you see that?” “Cool!” another person screams. Heads turn, other people come near and ask what happened. The small group that began with two people is now eleven. My years as a professional magician and degree in social psychology tuned me in towards a unique perspective on the pro-social benefits of scenarios like this. By considering what happens socially during close-up magic and stage performances, you may learn better ways to apply magic as a tool for the success of your events. Notice how Magic can be used to knit together everyone at a party. - Take a look deeper, beyond the entertainment that magic provides. Close-up magic creates a socially conducive environment by effecting people’s physical proximity. When people come closer, to see what is going on, they are drawn into groups. This puts people into a better position to socialize. Also, by using each person's name repeatedly during interactive magic, the Magician introduces everyone. This is step-one in breaking the ice. This happens more comfortably when facilitated by the Magician than when people are randomly walking around. While beneficial to any event, this is particularly good at getting people together who have never spoken before. At corporate events this helps people socialize beyond the small circle of those they work with. This also helps people connect more quickly at networking events. It follows that, by engaging everyone in an activity, the Magician positively effects the in-group social environment. Participating helps people drop their guard and breakout of their shell. While people say magic words, experience magic in their hands, and the magician’s humor brings laughs; they relax, their mood lightens, and they feel pleasure. What they help create excites them. Excited people, who are in a good mood, and have let their guard down have been primed for social activity and are more approachable. They connect more smoothly. Magic also provides an immediate, common point of interest, which serves as an avenue for people to begin talking. When the Magician walks away, if people saw a large magic wand fly around the room - they will talk about it. People are now physically grouped together, feel more approachable, and also have a conversation starter. This completes the perfect ice-breaker. The array of available performance options offers complementary benefits. During a banquet, the close-up magic option gives the magician more time at each table. This deepens each of the social benefits found in the shorter cocktail hour performances. Banquet close-up magic performances also allow a Magician more time for their primary function - to provide extraordinary entertainment. A full stage magic show creates a connection called, "Communitas." This form of group sharing generates a feeling of intimacy that binds everyone together. They all share a unique experience that no one will have again in the same way. The stage also allows for larger more impressive illusions. Combining close-up magic with a stage show builds up these social benefits throughout an event. During a magic moment, real Magicians create a sense of magic inside each audience member. This is a wonderful feeling to bring to an event. In sharp contrast, a "trickster" – a person who is out to fool everybody and show off - creates a negative social experience. A trickster refreezes the audience by making people feel guarded, irritated, or like a fool. When people feel like a fool they will not talk because they are afraid of looking worse. It is crucial to find a Magician who inspires, warms, and empowers the audience. This is as important as the content of the performance. The right Magician provides an excellent pro-social experience for any event. There are many important social benefits, whether a Magician is performing close-up magic strolling around at a banquet or cocktail hour; or delivering a full stage show. People are drawn together into cohesive groups, they relax, become more approachable, and they are given a great conversation starter. Magic is a tool you can use for these specific social aims as insurance that your event will be a social success. People love magic and will also have a great entertainment experience. Magic can be the secret weapon in your event-planning arsenal. Note: The example scenario used is what
social psychologists call an "Ideal Type." It is an extreme case that
allows visibility of all the social nuances. Rarely, would
this scenario occur when caterers, event planners, and a whole
team of professionals create an incredible social environment
and a successful event. A Magician "stirs the mix," within
that context, as an active force helping people connect throughout
the room. This complements and adds to what you already created,
making your event an even bigger success. |
Imagine
you are a guest standing up at a social event during a cocktail
hour. A bunch of people are standing around feeling awkward,
trying to be social. People are sporadically sprinkling into
the event, and are standing off by themselves around the sides
of the room. You notice that the party looks like a random
collection of people who have no relation to each other. People
are standing alone, with a drink, not talking. Then, suddenly,
that begins to change. 
Because magic is so unique and most people
have never met a Magician, people continue to talk about what
they witnessed
long after the party ends. A client recently told me that a
year later people are still talking about the moment I levitated
her son. When photographs arrived, she ordered more prints
because her friends loved seeing mouths wide-open in astonishment.
When people talk about these things at work and in their personal
lives it continues the social benefits and has a real impact.
If you are an event planner, caterer, or agent, this keeps
people talking about the party you helped create and it is
likely you will be rehired.
Education is a vital component in becoming the best event planner you can be. Here is a list of schools that offer classes in event management. You may want to take a class or two, get a certificate, or pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree.
| Program, Institution, Address | Website, Email, Phone |
| Belmont University 1900 Belmont Boulevard Nashville, TN 37212 Meeting and Event Planning Certificate |
www.belmont.edu 615-460-6000 |
| Champlain College 163 S Willard St Burlington, VT 05407 Bachelors of Tourism and Event Management |
www.champlain.edu/majors/hospitality 802-860-2700 |
| College of the Rockies 2700 College Way Box 8500 Cranbrook, B.C. Canada V1C5L7 Event Management Certificate |
www.cotr.bc.ca/event 250-489-2751 |
| George Washington University 600 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 Event Management Certificate Program |
www.gwu.edu/emp 877-498-4477 |
| Harrah College of Hotel Administration University of Nevada, Las Vegas 4505 Maryland Parkway PO Box 456023 Las Vegas, NV 89154-6023 Tourism & Convention Administration Dept. |
hotel.unlv.edu 702-895-3161 |
| Leeds Metropolitan University School of Tourism & Hospitality City Campus Leeds, United Kingdom LS1 3HE Tourism & Hospitality |
www.lmu.ac.uk 0113-283-2600 |
| Niagara College Welland Campus 300 Woodlawn Road Welland, Ontario Canada L3C 7L3 Event Mgmt. Graduate Certificate Program |
www.niagarac.on.ca/em 905-735-2211 |
| Northeastern State University 600 North Grand Ave. Tahlequah, OK 74464 Meetings & Destination Management |
www.nsuok.edu 1-800-722-9614 918-456-5511 x 3085 |
| Northern Virginia Community College 4001 Wakefield Chapel Rd. Annandale, VA 22003 Principles of Event Planning & Management |
www.nv.cc.va.us 703-323-3000 |
| Ryerson University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management 350 Victoria Street Toronto, Ontario Canada M5B 2K3 Event Management Certificate Program |
www.ryerson.ca 416-979-5036 |
| San Diego State University 5250 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182 Meeting Management and Hospitality Certificate Program |
www.ces.sdsu.edu/meeting.html 619-594-2193 |
| Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology 1750 Finch Ave. East Toronto, Ontario Canada M2J 2X5 Event Management Certificate |
www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/EVT.html 416-491-5050 x 6513 |
| Stratford University 7777 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22043 Event Management Program |
www.stratford.edu 703-734-5339 800-444-0804 |
| Temple University School of Tourism & Hospitality Management 103 Pearson Hall (048-00) Temple University 1801 N. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19122 Tourism and Hospitality Management |
www.temple.edu 215-204-7000 |
| University College of the Cariboo Box 3010 Kamloops, BC Canada V2C 5N3 Events and Conventions Management |
www.cariboo.bc.ca 250-828-5000 |
| University of Calgary Faculty of Management 2025 M Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20036 IACVB Exec. Program in Destination Mgmt. |
www.iacvb.org 202-296-7888 |
| University of Minnesota 120 BioAgEng Building 1390 Eckles Avenue St. Paul, MN 55108-6005 Festival and Event Management Program |
www.tourism.umn.edu/education/fm/content.html 612-624-4947 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte King Building, Room 207 9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte NC 28223-0001 Meeting and Event Planning Certificate |
www.continuinged.uncc.edu/certificate/meeting_event 704-687-2424 |
| University of Oregon Continuing Education 1277 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403 Festival and Event Management Workshops and Certificate |
festival.uoregon.edu 800-824-2714 541-346-4231 |
Reprinted from The Event Resource Pak available from Dave Edwards
Events Inc.
For more information, call 703-812-0525 or email: event.producer@comcast.net
© 2004 All rights reserved
Dave
Berteaux George Burkhead Manuela Costa Patrice Daniel Benjamin Feinblum Stacey Joedicke David Markowitz Leilani McGrath |
Glenda
Olmeda Daphne Pendelton-Brown Mitch Rotker Ellen Rundbaken Charlotte Sutherland Marrah Thomas Carol Velundria |
2006
ISES DC, All Rights Reserved.