ISES Northeast Regional Education Conference - ISES International Special Events Society

ISES Northeast Regional Education Conference
Renaissance Washington DC Hotel
March 10-11, 2007

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We have booked some of the top event industry speakers for the 2007 ISES Northeast REC. Confirmed speakers have presented at national and international industry shows including Event World, The Special Event and Event Solutions. What a great opportunity to learn from the nation’s best speakers at a local conference!

Education sessions at the REC will take place on Sunday, March 11th and have been designed to appeal to attendees of all skill levels. Each session is 75-minutes in length. In addition, we will be offering two 2.5 hour “master” sessions that will provide an in-depth look into the session topic. You are welcome to attend any of the sessions, however, the following skill level ratings will assist you in deciding which session are the best fit for your individual needs.

Introductory (I) – For students and professionals with less than 5 years of industry experience.

Business (B) – For industry professionals who own or manage their business.

The following topics/speakers have been confirmed and the exact schedule will be posted soon::

“Memoirs from the White House”
Roland Mesnier, Former White House Executive Pastry Chef
Having served as the White House Executive Pastry Chef for 25 years, Roland Mesnier knows better than anyone what it’s like to be under pressure before an high-profile Washington event. His culinary creations have provided sweet endings to meals served to foreign dignitaries, members of Congress and most importantly, five presidential families from the Carters to the Bushes. As our keynote speaker, Chef Mesnier will entertain you with a look inside the kitchen of the country’s most famous residence and will share amusing and interesting anecdotes about his years of service in the White House. His presentation will include photos of White House events, many of which have rarely been shared with the public, as well as recipes and stories from his two books, Dessert University and All The Presidents’ Pastries. The presentation will be followed by the chance to meet Chef Mesnier and take home your own autographed copies of his books

“Hot Event and Entertainment Ideas 2007” (I) (A)
Michael Cerbelli, Creative Director, Total Entertainment, ISES New York
As a top professional in the industry, you strive to have the most unique, edgy, over-the-top and exciting entertainment ideas. Join Michael Cerbelli for his fast-paced, highly visual, sight and sound extravaganza of hot (and NEW) Event and Entertainment Ideas for 2007! For over 29 years, Michael has been creating and producing innovative events all over the globe and continues to find ways to keep his events on the cutting edge. This must-see presentation will provide you with a list of each idea and company contact information so that you to take these hot ideas back to the office with you.

“The Art of Detail” (I) (A)
Richard Carbotti, Founder, Perfect Surroundings, Inc., ISES Rhode Island
Do you have an event concept in your head but are not sure how to bring it to life in the space you have? Learn to master the art of detail as well-known designer Richard Carbotti gives you the essential tools of designing an event in any venue. This session will thoroughly guide you through the event design process from starting with a design concept to creating a canvas for a special event that exceeds the client’s goals and overall expectations. Walk away with the knowledge you need to accentuate the attributes and overcome the challenges of various types of event spaces to make the most of your design concept.

“Fundraising: How to Increase Your Sponsorship Dollars” (I) (A)
Liz Sanzo, CSEP, Corporate Events Manager, iStar Financial, ISES New York
Ny Whitaker, President, Events by Ny, ISES New York
Over the past two decades, the need for corporate sponsorship of events has been on a dramatic rise. As this trend grows, event professionals are often called upon to create and sell sponsorships with little or no formal training in fundraising and sponsorship program development. This session will teach you the basic tools you need to create a successful sponsorship program including identifying & targeting sponsors, creating a sponsorship package that sells and balancing your needs with the sponsor’s goals. Gain valuable skills that will set you apart from other professionals in the field.

“How To Incorporate Green Into Your Events” (A) (B)
Kevin White, CSEP, Empire Force Events, ISES New York
Are you concerned with how your events are affecting the environment? Do you want to know what you can do as an event professional to help preserve the natural resources of our planet? By making just a few simple changes to the ways that you produce your events, you can help preserve the Earth’s natural resources. This session will offer practical and easy ways to make your events more environmentally-friendly from selecting the right vendors to choosing green menus to reducing unnecessary waste.

“Mentoring Works” (I)
Bill Knight, MTA, CSEP, President, Events by Knight, ISES DC
Whether you are a student in the beginning stages of your career or an experienced professional, having a trusted mentor can play a pivotal role in your career path. An effective mentor teaches from experience, challenges you to be your best and creates opportunities for a new, yet knowledgeable, perspective. But how do you find a mentor and how can they positively affect your career development? What qualities do you look for when selecting a mentor? Join this interactive session to learn practical tips for building and expanding your ISES network and strategies to find and put a mentor to work for you.

“Getting the Most From Your Vendors” (I) (A)
Are you the planner every vendor wants to work with, or the reason they all got Caller ID? Your event is only as good as the team you put together. Top level vendors will tell you how to put together and work with a great team, from the first phone call to the last debriefing including the questions to ask, the do’s & don’ts, and the ways to get your vendors to go that extra mile. Panelists include:
Judy Brillhart, Director of Catering, Sheraton Commander Hotel, ISES New England
Denis O'Regan, President, Fireworks Concepts, Inc., ISES DC
Bill Cabell, President, Distinctive Event Rentals, ISES Hampton Roads
Andy Kushner, President, Sound Connection Bands, ISES DC
Toba Greenbaum, President, SiMax Event Productions, Inc., ISES DC

“Make Your Website Work For You” (B)
Andrew Pagley, Chairman and CEO, Doceus
Does your current website need an overhaul? Is your home page giving you the traffic that you desire? Potential & current clients depend on the Internet as a primary source of information. In today’s tech-savvy business climate, it is essential that your website represent your company in the best way possible. This session will explain how to make your website work for your business, give you the edge over your competitors and add to your bottom line.

“Inspire and Influence With Ease: Transform Your Communication Style” (A) (B)
Beth Reynolds, LMSW, CLC, Founder, NRG Power Group
Do you sometimes find it difficult to communicate your thoughts and ideas to certain members of your team? If so, this dynamic, interactive workshop is just what you need to foster a more effective work environment. Beth Reynolds addresses communication that will help you to inspire desire in those around you. With a step-by-step method, she will help you determine the personal and unique formula for internal motivation in highly understandable terms. These tools will move you away from being a “task master” and into a true leadership position.

“What is Your IP (Intellectual Property) Score?” (B)
James M. Goldberg, Principal, Goldberg & Associates, PLLC
Intellectual Property—copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets—is a valuable asset, yet many event planners and vendors don't know how to protect this vital information. This session will help you understand the difference between copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets; teach you how to protect and discourage others from “ripping off” your IP assets; and raise ethical issues regarding the use of intellectual property. As an attorney who has worked with events professionals from all types of businesses, Mr. Goldberg will provide invaluable legal tips that could save your business.

“Using the Media for Business Advantage” (I) (A) (B)
Robert Wright, Managing Director, Davies Tanner, ISES UK
If you thought the media was just another way of getting the daily news, think again. When used correctly, you can take advantage of the media to get your message in the public eye. This highly visual session provides you with an understanding of how to use the media to assist in the promotion of an event, conference or your own business. The session covers the importance of branding, includes an introduction to media relations, and goes on to look at how companies can work with print and broadcast media to add new dimensions to their events.

“The Business of Events” (I)
Jill Moran, CSEP, jsmoran & associates, ISES New England
As a business owner and an expert author on the events industry, Jill Moran, CSEP knows the business of events. Tap into her wealth of knowledge as she offers advice on assessing your role in the special events industry. Jill will assist you in developing a strategy for professional growth, approaching the challenges of marketing and business development and identifying niches in the event marketplace to create your own career path. Attend this inspiring session on how you will define your future in the special events industry.

“Expand Your Business: Turn Your Goals Into Reality” (B)
Marty Janis, Atlantic Services Group, Inc., ISES DC
International ISES President and business owner Marty Janis will take you on a journey through the life cycle of a business. In developing his own highly-success business venture, Marty pinpointed five key elements to business success. Join him as he delves into the mechanics of catapulting your business to the next level and be prepared to see your dreams become a reality.

“A Complete Guide To Event Production” (I) (A) (B)
A. Blayne Candy, Partner, Showcall Inc.
Ajay Patil, Partner, Showcall Inc.
Whether you are a planner or a vendor, you have probably used some type of production in your events but do you really understand all of the elements of production? This session will break down the various aspects of production into the simplest terms and help you understand the elements of production and how they work together. Through the use of real-life scenarios, you will learn how to analyze your production needs and to appropriately budget (and negotiate) these needs. The session will explore lighting, sounds, audio/visual, staging, special effects and more!

“Business Owners Town Hall” (B)
Robert Hulsmeyer, CSEP, DMCP, CMP, Partner, Empire Force Events, ISES New York
If you are a business owner or manager, this is a presentation that you cannot afford to miss. Drawing on years as a successful business owner, Robert Hulsmeyer will moderate an interactive discussion where the audience takes the lead and the topics discussed are decided upon by you. Everything from ethics to safety & security to customer service can be discussed. This is an excellent opportunity for you to gain insight and share ideas with Robert and other industry leaders.