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With more than 550 members, we are the largest ISES Chapter. Although this is the highest our membership has ever been, ironically, chapter size was not one of our chapter goals this year. At our Board retreat last June, we set a goal of increasing member retention and effectively serving our ENTIRE membership. We have made great strides this year in connecting the old with the new. We didn't want to lose the important resource of experienced members who have been there since the beginning and we also wanted to serve those members who are just starting in the special events industry. One of the ways we have reached out to long-time ISES members was the first annual lifetime achievement award given to Rita Bloom this year. In addition, we have sold out every monthly meeting this year (except for one) by featuring great speakers and topics relevant to our members. Bob Blanken and Sara Muchnick, who served as our co-VPs of Programming and Education are to be commended for their dedication and hard work this year - the monthly meetings have consistently received high marks from our membership based on the monthly meeting surveys. In an effort to create more committee involvement, and at the request of ISES International, the 2007-2008 ISES Board of Directors will be reduced from 20 positions to 13 positions. Because of this, we will need member involvement more than ever to serve on committees ranging from the EXPO and Gala to education, monthly meetings, membership, sponsorship and more. Serving on a committee is a great way to meet other industry professionals, develop leadership skills and let others see your work. If you are interested in serving on a committee or chairing a committee, please go to www.dcises.org and complete the committee sign up form. I hope that you will take on the challenge to serve your chapter and make the most of your membership. If you have not already renewed your ISES membership, don't forget that your membership expires in June. Membership can be renewed online by clicking here . To everyone who has made my Presidential year so rewarding, to ISES members on and off the Board in DC and throughout the region, to all who worked so hard to make this a great organization, to those who shared their time, talent, great ideas and friendship with me, THANK YOU! Alysha DiGiorgio, ISES DC President |
It
has been a great honor to serve as your President this year. I have
had the opportunity to work with so many terrific members and sponsors
who make the Greater Washington, DC Chapter of ISES one of the best
in the world.
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ISES Eventworld® 2007 - An Institute for Professional
Development is the premier continuing education event for
the special events industry. You will improve your skills
and knowledge at this international conference. You will be
inspired and motivated by new, fresh ideas. You will meet
other event professionals from around the world who share
your passion for excellence. Register
today! The complete education schedule is now posted! Click here to view the full program. |
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The 12th Annual Capital Awards Gala was,
in name and spirit, An Evening of Decadence. Co-Chairs Jamie
Greenwald and Patti Weiner stretched the decadence theme to
the limit with an edgy concept and unfettered imagination. Woodmont
Country Club, set amidst lush greenery in Rockville, provided
the perfect backdrop for this celebration. Once inside, guests were wowed by the lavish
décor. Lounge areas were lined with silhouette cutouts
of shapely vixens who beckoned guests to partake of the forbidden
fruit (in the form savory pomegranate cocktails served in fur-trimmed
flutes). The sultry scent of sin seemed to linger in the air. As the awards ceremony approached, guests
were ushered into an elaborate, tented room. In keeping with
DC ISES tradition, Tim Lundy, CSEP was Master of Ceremonies.
The excitement of the nominees, award winners, friends, family,
and colleagues created a buzz felt by all…or maybe that
buzz was a result of the numerous bottles of infused vodka that
adorned the tables, aptly named Patty’s Poison! After dinner, the real party began where, as promised by the gala’s slogan, Moulin Rouge met the Crazy Horse Saloon! This year’s Capital Awards Gala was an extraordinary combination of the DC ISES event community working closely to produce an exciting event complete with a lively reception, distinguished Awards Ceremony, and wild post-party. Spotlight on Capital Award Winners A Note from Lifetime
Achievement Award Recipient, Rita Bloom Having been part of the team that initiated the Capital Awards Gala eleven years ago, I see that great strides have been made in production quality, attendance numbers, and importance of the night to the industry. When the Gala founders first developed the idea, it was to acknowledge great people doing great things in an up and coming industry; the evening was simply about the awards. Eleven years later, the Gala has blossomed into a showcase for ISES members to demonstrate their talents. For me, this year’s Gala reinforced the achievement, magnitude, depth, and maturity of the industry today. I applaud everyone who has contributed over the years to escalate the Capital Awards Gala to a level above where it started. I have been active in the industry for 40 years. I said it that night, and I’ll say it again – I’ve been planning since before many of you were born! I was on the ground floor of ISES, and I’ve watched it go from 15 people sitting around a table in Dallas to a distinguished, worldwide society. It was unbelievably gratifying to be the recipient of the first DC ISES Lifetime Achievement Award. What was most rewarding was the number of people who approached me to tell me of ways that I helped them launch their careers. From other planners, to lighting specialists, to calligraphers – they made me realize that I had made a difference, not just planned great parties. I’ve realized there will always be
a great party and there will always be a greater one. Lifetime
achievement is about helping individuals in the industry, and
the industry itself, achieve growth and success. It’s
about leaving a legacy for others to follow and build upon.
After being inspired by the comments from so many of you, I want to continue that which has given me the most satisfaction - mentoring and teaching in the industry’s education circle. In 2007-2008, I will initiate a monthly forum for ISES members who would like to convene and talk business. I want to be a sounding board for those that are motivated to do great things for themselves and the industry. Keep your eyes peeled for announcements – they will be released soon! Thank you to DC ISES, the industry, and all of you who make it work. A Tribute to Rising Star Award Recipient,
Angela Lee Congratulations to Angela Lee, the recipient of our chapter’s Rising Star award. As a student member, Angela not only did a stellar job as volunteer chair at the Expo, she also served as co-chair of the REC Resource Room. There, she helped coordinate exhibitors, supervise staff and obtained the many event resources that were showcased. Great work, Angela! |
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What I Took
Away From the REC, Besides a New Nickname
My most memorable experience from the REC took place at the leadership meetings, where I truly felt like I was part of the team. I participated in a team building exercise designed around the game Jenga. Everyone was assigned duties during the ‘Event Planning Solutions Jenga,’ and I was voted the Jenga block ‘puller.’ As a newcomer to the industry, I wanted to impress my fellow teammates. The game became very intense with a few teams rallying to beat each other. There was laughter, yelling and people crowded around the tables. Surprisingly, my team was one of the co-winners. I felt like I was finally making a name for myself - not ‘Lindsay,’ but ‘Jenga Girl.’ At least it’s a start! I want to thank the DC chapter of ISES for providing me with one of the scholarships to attend the REC. It was a valuable experience in regards to my continuing education and networking opportunities. Proud To Be
a Member of the DC Chapter When the Northeast region picked our chapter to host the Regional Educational Conference 2007, I knew it would be special. So special, in fact, that I couldn't get a room at the Renaissance two months out! However, that turned out to be OK because the 10 minute walk from Marriott Metro helped me work off the copious amounts of amazing food I ate throughout the conference. Our leadership session started by having 50 of us put together a life sized puzzle and compete in a vicious game of Jenga. It may sound like child’s play, but we all had a blast, and the activity definitely brought us together. Mission accomplished – great job team! For me, the conference continued as follows: BREAKFAST, Making Your Website Work For You, FOOD BREAK, Getting the Most From Your Vendors, LUNCH (With Chef Roland who was so funny that I bought his cookbook, but I am hopeless beyond a microwave so it was in vain), Hot Entertainment Ideas 2007, FOOD BREAK (hot s’mores = YUM), and the Business Owners Forum to top it all off. In short, I made 10 new friends, got 10 new ideas, made 10 new contacts, and gained 10 pounds! The experience of the DC REC…Priceless! See ya in Providence 2008. Inspired by these scholarship winners? Want to win
an ISES education scholarship yourself? |
I
was a first time REC participant at the Northeast conference
in March, and the event far exceeded my expectations in
terms of education, food and networking. I met lots of new
people and was shocked to find out just how many ISES members
began their careers in a different industry and then moved
into the world of events – I had naively thought I
was one of few! I am currently in the transition phase from
the job that pays my mortgage to the job I love, and ISES
has been a huge support system for me through the change.
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Over 150 guests were treated to a truly extraordinary evening on May 2nd when the Park Hyatt Washington hosted our May monthly meeting. The evening’s traditional networking portion was kicked up a notch by the long awaited Cake Decorating Competition. The four participants gave everyone an inside look at what goes on behind the pastry pantry walls by decorating their cakes amidst the mingling guests. The finished products were extraordinary and elicited many oohs and ahhs. The votes were tallied during dinner, and Janice Harrison of Occasional Cakes came out victorious.
For those that wanted to taste the cakes (which was almost everyone!), a bit of work was required. The sweets were stashed in different spaces in the hotel, like the newly renovated suites and Tea Cellar. But, after hunting and indulging, all agreed that the quest was well worth it and a welcome twist to the usual meeting. Special thanks are extended to Amal Zaari, chef Brian McBride and the entire staff at the Park Hyatt Washington Hotel, Len DePas of Len DePas photography, Fingers In Ink printing, Washington Talent Photo and Video for taping the event, Fred Elting from Frost Lighting, Kelly Jenkins from Capitol Décor, Pat Richitt from Entertainment Exchange, Liz Waylan from DC Rental and all of the guests who made the evening possible. Did you miss the May contest? Then don’t miss the tabletop competition at the June Cocktail Reception! While you munch and mingle, you can cast your vote in the tabletop competition, meet your 2007-2008 Board of Directors, and learn 10 ways to build your brand equity from keynote speaker Sonny Ganguly, Chief Marketing Officer for WeddingWire. Events have been selling out – register today! 2007-2008 Greater Washington, DC Board of Directors Slate
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Martin Adamczyk Suzanne Arteaga Chris Ayoub Dawn Banket Teddie Barnhart Julie Barrow Kathryn Berkon Annalisa Berryhill Megan Bissett Andréa Bloch Arthur M. Bonair Caroline Bracher Melissa Brouse Christine Cadima Lisa F. Collyer Nancy Coppola Stephanie Courtney Barbara Duvall Claire Etches Vanessa Ferragut Vadim Finkov David Garner Carrie Gold Angela Harretche Kathryn Harris Maggie Hogan |
Angela Huff Yesim Insel Terry Johnson Lindy Joubert Mariam Karim Yvonne King Patricia Lake Kimberly Larson Randi C. Levy Tina Long Jennifer Lust Claudia Lutman Gabrielle Malman Drew McGovern Meredith McGowan Jeff Monner John Morris Denise Ray Monique Rucker Jaime Samar Larry Scott William Shank Wendy Siminski Tonya Smith Jennifer Stiebel Jimmy Traettino Brad Zisow |
2007
ISES DC, All Rights Reserved.