The President's Letter

What a wonderful time to become President of our chapter! We are not only the largest in the world, but certainly one of the most vibrant and talented. The leadership of Lori Hill and an excellent Board has left us strong and well-organized. Our incoming Board blends the best of "ancient wisdom" and fresh perspectives. Washington's economy is again on the upswing. And, on a personal note, my 'empty nest' means hours formerly spent chauffeuring and 'nudging' are now freed up for me to work on my ISES duties.

Never a fan of reinventing the wheel, I have only two areas where I hope to affect dramatic change. First, we are in the process of (finally) hiring a professional administrator. International has been encouraging us to do this for some time and far smaller chapters already use them with excellent results. Membership needs are met more efficiently, institutional memory is preserved and Board duties return to a manageable level.

We are also totally redesigning the annual EXPO, based on requests from our past exhibitors and advice from other chapters that run successful trade shows. This year's EXPO will be one of the first events in the new Bethesda North Marriott and Convention Center. They are going out of their way to make this a great show, and have even agreed to allow caterers to serve food from their booths (a first for us). Our members will get free admission, and complimentary tickets will be available to members of NACE, PMPI and other planning and event-related associations. Other innovations are in the works and you'll be hearing about them over the summer.

I hope you, our members, will find, as I have, that the time and money you invest in ISES gives you a great return. Your feedback, involvement and participation will help to make this happen. When you have a complaint, compliment, or great idea, feel free to call me or email me. I may not have a solution to every problem, but I promise I will listen.

Carol Nissenson
DC ISES President

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Let's Get Ready for CPD!

By Candice Bennett, Candice Bennett & Associates
DC ISES Director of Newsletter

I'm attending CPD in August (and it's my first). How about you?

Every year, ISES International hosts the Conference for Professional Development, which is the premier continuing education and networking event for our industry and will be held August 13-15 in Chicago, Illinois.

In Chicago, industry professionals from around the world will gather for three days to improve their skills and learn from each other. You will get an opportunity to see and hear about the latest trends in the industry. And even better, you will get a chance to gather information from networking with other attendees.

In-between sessions we'll have another chance to gather great ideas as we experience our own special events and have fun! The opening Welcome Event will celebrate the best Chicago has to offer and gives attendees the chance to mingle, laugh, and relax. On Sunday, the ISES Esprit Awards Gala being held at the Crystal Ballroom will recognize outstanding accomplishments in the events industry and give attendees the opportunity to see creative ideas in action.

Needless to say, CPD will be inspiring! This is my very first CPD and I can't wait to return motivated with great new ideas and industry contacts. Now that's money well spent!

Make plans to join me this August (13-15) at CPD in Chicago and together, we'll experience 'Red Hot Chicago'! Visit http://www.ises.com/education/cpd/2004/ for more details.

Most people believe it's Lady Luck that leads you to win in Las Vegas. Statisticians might calculate certain probabilities to predict wins and losses. Others insist there are strategies and systems involved. But perhaps it was fate that smiled upon Marty Janis recently.

While attending The Special Event (TSE) in early January, Janis, founder of Atlantic Services Group, was hesitant to gamble. "I don't like throwing my money away," he said, "that's why I'm not a big gambler." Convinced by a colleague one afternoon to play the slots, Janis quickly turned a $2.00 investment into a $13.00 profit. At that same time, he noticed gamblers in a craze over a BMW they could possibly win through the slot machines.

The following morning, with the money receipt still with him, time to kill between ISES meetings, and fellow attendee Dale Harmon tugging at his sleeve saying "Let's go win 'my' car today," he headed for the slots. Slipping his $13.00 voucher into the machine, Janis quickly whittled down the sum and his enthusiasm. "With only $1.50 left, I figured why not triple down and bet it all; I just wanted to be done gambling at that point," he said.

With the last handle pull, the slot machine displayed a winning of $1,000 and kept increasing. "The machine kept spitting out coins until it ran out. After flagging down security and waiting over 45 minutes, the hotel manager said, "Congratulations, you just won this new BMW!"

Marty Janis won the shiny new BMW that was displayed on a ramp on top of the slot machines. "The casino was taking photos of me in my new car and I felt overwhelmed. The crowd around me kept following me everywhere I went."

The irony of the win is that Janis' company, the Atlantic Services Group, handles parking for more than 2,500 special events each year. They are the largest event parking company in America. They operate parking services for over 30 restaurants and country clubs on a daily basis and manage transportation for an additional 600 events each year while managing 25 parking garages and lots. His life is cars!

Although other ISES members vying for the BMW were disappointed at their own loss, they were happy for Janis and his good fortune, skill, luck, chance, fate or whatever it was that led him to win that day. Way to go Marty! .

Volunteering: A Planner's Perspective

By Raegan Smythe, Chase Your Tail Productions, Inc.
DC ISES President Elect

You've all heard that volunteering is good for the soul. The other common phrase is 'You get out of it what you put in to it.' This is especially true for ISES. Volunteering expands your horizons in our industry. By meeting new people you help your business, make new contacts and discover creative ideas.

Volunteering also helps add balance in your life. It adds another positive focus for your time and energy. If you are a workaholic, it pushes you out of the office. If you are an introvert or homebody, it gets you out of the house.

I recently came across a new experience. Volunteering just to volunteer.

Fellow ISES member Deborah Brice and I volunteered at the WWII Memorial Dedication Ceremony. I think this was labor of love for the both of us. Unlike most public events, concerts or fireworks displays, this event had a defined meaning and goal that didn't get lost in the entertainment.

The bottom line is volunteering is a wonderful experience. Whether it's for your business or personal, get out there and get involved.

Hi There,

The cicada has truly affected the Special Events Community. Mark Sonder hasn't had to buy ferre food for his pet Blizzard which has saved him $3 per week. Laura Weatherly of Engaging Affairs came up with a cicada-shaped groom's cake. Does that mean that groom gets to find a new bride in 17 years?

Jane Ashley of JAAL Events decided to get a magnifying glass and watch 2 cicadas meet, embrace, do the horizontal mambo, lay eggs, and then die. This whole event took 6 hours. Please send Jane some work since she has way too much time on her hands. Marty Janis of Atlantic Valet was pelted by hundreds of them during his triathlon run but still finished.

Jeff Kushner of Plants Alive told his children that they would each receive $10 if they could find a blue-eyed cicada. The kids who are much smarter than Jeff painted two cicadas blue and demanded the cash. Jeff paid up, but grounded both kids for a week. Mean Daddy!

On an X-rated note, Marie Steffany of the Ritz Pentagon City was surprised by a cicada which attached itself to her clothes while driving home. Unable to flick it away, she proceeded to strip off the appropriate clothes and throw them in the back seat. Mr. Cicada had a nice ride and poor Marie got many glances from strangers in other vehicles. A mischievous cicada flew down the blouse Michelle Taylor Spearman of Eventus and at last count 74 male ISES members including myself had volunteered to help retrieve it.

In my personal opinion, anyone who is so lazy that they only want to have sex once every 17 years deserves to die. However, I also find cicadas useful. They swarm and attach themselves to you on the golf course and make a great excuse for a bad SHOT. I need them for a few more weeks.

Maricar Donato of Washington Tours and Events asked if I'd like to ready several books on cicadas. I think I'll wait another 17 years when I'll probably be in "The Home" and have much more time.