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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Keynote Speaker: Chef Roland Mesnier
Roland Mesnier was raised in Bonnay, France. He completed his apprenticeship at Maison Maurivard Besancon, and graduated second in his class in 1961. He held the position of Assistant Pastry Chef at The Regency Hotel in Paris, the Opera Pastry Shop in Hannover, Germany, and the Savoy Hotel in London. In 1967, Mesnier became the Pastry Chef at the Princess Hotel and Governor’s Palace in Bermuda. He also served as a Pastry Chef at Hotel Georges V, in Paris.

In 1980, Mesnier was hired by First Lady Rosalyn Carter to the position of head Pastry Chef at the White House. While there he launched the first Professional Pastry Course at the Academy of Cuisine in Washington, DC. He has served more than 40 queens, kings, princes, princesses and heads of state. He was also responsible for opening the doors of the White House to the best pastry cooks in the US, providing them with the opportunity to display their confectionary pieces in the White House gardens at Easter. He retired in July 2004 after 25 years of service.

Mesnier has been the recipient of numerous awards including a Doctorate of Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University, the Gold Medal from Taste of America for President Reagan’s Inauguration in 1985, multiple gold, silver and bronze medals Culinary exhibitions around the world, and is a former President of the international selection committee of the World Cup of Pastry Making. He can be seen in the film “Inside the White House”, produced by National Geographic Video.

A. Blayne Candy
A. Blayne Candy, co-founder and partner of Showcall Inc., retains extensive experience producing and managing television, corporate sports marketing and technical production projects, regionally, nationally and internationally. He has produced and managed all technical elements for fashion shows and a variety of tours, including multiple simultaneous events in more than 15 cities up and down the east coast. Blayne served as technical production manager for the international merger of the Pricewaterhouse Coopers& Lybrand Global Automotive Team, an event which was conceived, designed and produced with three weeks lead time and executed in Madrid, Spain. Blayne also served as the Technical Director for the 2004 G8 Summit International Media Center, providing simultaneous live feeds and coverage for events and international media outlets around the world. Blayne was responsible for technical production elements in many cities during the BUSH for President Campaign and regularly serves as a White House Press Lead representative for a variety of Presidential events around the world. Blayne resides in Washington DC and enjoys biking, running and surfing around the globe.

Ajay Patil
Ajay Patil, co-founder and partner of Showcall Inc., started in the production business over 20 years ago. Patil has a varied skill set that he has developed over the years working as a talent buyer; booking national acts, as a promoter; producing his own live entertainment shows, serving as a tour manager/lighting director on a number of rock and roll tours and finally by entering the special event industry as a sales executive/technical producer. Patil has served as the Technical Director/Vendor Liaison for the 54th Presidential Inaugural Committee. He also regularly serves as a Lead for the White House Office of Presidential Advance for both domestic and international Presidential Events. Ajay spends his personal time traveling, skiing or playing at the beach with his wife and three children.

Robert W. Hulsmeyer, CSEP, DMCP, CMP
Robert W. Hulsmeyer CSEP, DMCP, CMP is Senior Partner of Empire Force Events, Inc., an award-winning Event Production and Destination Management Company based in New York City. Robert’s 25+ years in the Events Profession has followed an entrepreneurial path that includes multiple businesses, and encompasses a diverse range of experiences including: Meeting and Multi-Media Production, Entertainment Production and Promotion, Technical Design and Production, Logistics and Operations Management, Event Design and Development, Event / Sponsorship Marketing and Event Production. In 1994, Robert partnered with New York City Destination Management expert Jaclyn Bernstein in forming Empire Force Events with the purchase of one of New York’s leading Destination Management Companies, Tours de Force Events. Since it’s inception, Empire Force Events has received continuous recognition including: 4-time Special Events magazine “Gala” awards and two-time International Special Events Society (ISES) “Esprit” awards

Judy Brillhart
Judy Brillhart is the Director of Catering at the Sheraton Commander Hotel in Boston. She is a certified to train TIPS and Building World Class Brands for
Sheraton and is also a certified Professional Bridal Consultant and a
Certified Professional Food Manager. She is the current President of ISES New England.

Bill Cabell
After many years in the Special Events industry, working in both catering and rentals, Bill Cabell launched Distinctive Event Rentals in January 1997. The company boasts the region's widest and deepest selection of party rentals. Bill is a founding member and Board member of the Hampton Roads chapter of ISES and has presented at many industry-related conferences.

Richard Carbotti
Richard Carbotti, founder and Director of Perfect Surroundings, Inc. was named 2000 Designer of the Year at the Event Solutions Magazine Spotlight Awards. He is a founding member of ISES Rhode Island and currently serving his two-year term as President. His design solutions, creativity, and attention to detail continue to garner international awards, including the industry coveted Special Event Magazine Gala Awards, the ISES Esprit Awards, and a second nomination for the Event Solutions 2004 Designer of the Year.

Michael Cerbelli
Michael Cerbelli is the Operations & Creative Director for the New York / New Jersey based company Total Entertainment, whose portfolio includes producing such events as, Billy Joel’s recent nuptials, The Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C, The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and The King of Morocco’s Birthday Bash & New Years Eve Party. Michael is honored to be the recipient of Event Solutions 2005 Spotlight Award for Entertainer of the Year. He is Chairman of the SEARCH Foundation and serves on the board of Metro New York ISES.

James M. Goldberg
James M. Goldberg is a principal in the Washington, DC law firm of Goldberg & Associates, PLLC. His practice focuses on representing independent event and meeting planners, as well as associations and other nonprofits. He serves on the Board of the Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys.

Toba Greenbaum
Toba Greenbaum brings more than 20 years of high-energy special event design, production and management skills together in the innovative special event firm she founded in 1998, “SiMax Event Productions, Inc.” She is an award-winning event producer who regularly participates in workshops, panel discussions and presentations to further the knowledge base of other special event professionals. Toba is also one of the countries experts on designing and producing in the outdoors, whether for 50 or 50,000 people in rain, sleet or sun!

Marty Janis
Marty Janis is the CEO of Atlantic Services Group, Inc., a full service parking and transportation company in Washington, DC. Prior to forming Atlantic Services Group in March of 2000, Janis was the founder of Atlantic Valet (1984-1998) and senior vice president for InterParking Inc., a national provider of parking services (1998-2000). As the owner of Atlantic Valet, Janis created a parking service that grew to be the largest provider of special event parking in the country (handling more than 2,600 special events each year). Marty has been a member of the International Special Event Society (ISES) since 1988. He is the current International President and a former President of the local ISES DC chapter. He is a member of the esteemed Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and serves on the Executive Committee for his chapter. Since 2000, he has served on the Board for both the National Parking Association and the Washington Parking Association. Marty graduated from Georgetown University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts. He currently resides in Maryland with his wife, Leslie, his two daughters, Jordan (10) and Daryn (8), and his son Michael (6).

William (Bill) Karl Knight, MTA, CSEP
Bill Knight, has over twenty years experience in the events industry and has worked in catering, entertainment, party rental and event design. He is a graduate of the George Washington University Event Management Masters Program and has served as President of the Greater Washington DC Chapter of ISES (2003). In addition, Bill has served on the Board of Directors for ISEF (International Special Event Education Foundation) and is a member of the International Certification and Education Committees. He currently works as an Event Executive Producer and Consultant through his company Events by Knight as well as being a principle in Dave Edwards Events!

Andy Kushner
Andy Kushner is an award-winning entertainment producer, bandleader, musician, industry speaker and media expert resource. Andy and his band Sound Connection have received impressive national media attention. Recently, BRIDES Magazine tapped Andy as part of their "Dream Team." Dozens of high-profile event planners & designers have worked with him including Colin Cowie, David Tutera, Marcy Blum, Preston Bailey and Sean DeFrietas. Andy’s other groups are Marquise and Sound Nation.

Jill S. Moran, CSEP
Jill S. Moran, CSEP has provided creative advice and full-scale implementation and production of special events for parties of 15 to 1500 and has hosted events in cities across the country and internationally in locations ranging from museums and yachts to convention centers and wineries. She lectures throughout the US and internationally and writes on event related topics for industry publications. She has served on several international committees for ISES, the International Special Events Society and is past-president for the New England Chapter. She was one of the first designated Certified Special Events Professionals in the New England area. She was a two time winner of the prestigious ESPRIT award for excellence in event production and design as well as industry achievement. She has lectured internationally on various topics of special events and has participated on panel discussions for industry conferences. She is past president of the ISES New England Chapter and is the author of a best seller How to Start a Home-based Event Planning Business.

Denis O’Regan
Denis O’Regan has worked as an artist in various media. As pyromusical designer and fireworks producer, he is the only ISES member to have won the Spotlight Award, DC Gala Award and Esprit Award for Technical Production in fireworks. His work in 2007 included, intimate weddings, parties, Independence Day Celebrations, the dedication of a new National Memorial, and three major productions in the Peoples Republic of China.

Andrew Pagley
Andrew Pagley is the Chief Executive Officer of Doceus, Inc. a leading Website Design/Development Consulting Firm based in Washington, DC. For the past 11 years Doceus has launched hundreds of websites and online portals for clients in many industries including Discovery Communications, MaggieMoo's International, Schlotzsky's Deli, ABC-TV/WJLA Washington, American Diabetes Association and the National League of Cities. Andy has a degree in Psychology and Communications from Brigham Young University.

Beth Finegan Reynolds, LMSW, CLC
Beth Finegan Reynolds founded NRG Power Group to revolutionize the corporate training industry from the inside out. She is a graduate of Coach For Life™, a certified life coach through Coach For Life™, Certified Inspired Learning Facilitator, and serves as a faculty member of the Foundation for Inspired Learning™ As an event producer, marketing promotions expert and relationship manager she has worked in New York with such organizations as CMP Media, Animatic Media, & the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Liz Sanzo, CSEP
Liz Sanzo, CSEP, is Director of Special and Corporate Events at iStar Financial, founder of private events company, Innovative Creative Events and President-Elect of ISES New York Metro Chapter. She has been at iStar Financial since 1996, where she exclusively oversees all aspects of VIP event development, marketing, staff placement and event coordination for over 45 events annually throughout the United States, of which 20 events she is personally responsible for producing. Since 2003, Innovative Creative Events has contributed, amongst other things, to the successful production of the fashion show “Stop The Glamour,” which featured the much anticipated debut of Moises De La Renta, a movie premier for Wired to Win and a quarter million dollar wedding for a private social client. These events have won awards and nominations and have been featured in Daily News, Hamptons Magazine, AMNew York, BizBash, Special Events Magazine and viewed/mentioned on NBC, WB11 and ESPN.

Ny Whitaker
Ny Whitaker has more than a decade of event management, strategic marketing and sales experience which she cultivated while managing the marketing departments for several prominent New York based corporations and non-profit organizations. As President of Events by Ny – an events management and marketing firm - Ms. Whitaker is responsible for the firm’s vision, managing client relations, the strategic development of all client projects and overall business development. Ms. Whitaker has developed conferences and special events for corporate and non-profit clients on such topic as business innovation, design and management, e-business, psychopharmacology, fashion and beauty trends, insurance, diversity and domestic violence. She has managed these events from concept to completion and has freely shared her expertise with her staff and clients. She currently teaches Corporate Sponsorships at NYU’s School of Continuing & Professional Studies.

Kevin White, CSEP
Kevin is the Director of Production for the award-winning event and destination management firm Empire Force Events. He designs and produces events worldwide. Kevin is an ISES past president of both the Philadelphia and New York chapters. He also served on ISES’s Board of Governors. Kevin was one of the youngest event professionals to attain the CSEP certification. He has been a presenter at university campuses and event industry conferences throughout the world on various event topics.

Robert Wright
After graduating with a degree in political journalism, Robert joined the Financial Times as a staff writer on the Politics Desk before spending a year traveling around Europe, working in hotels and restaurants, where he caught the highly infectious hospitality bug. On returning to the UK, he initially took his writing and communications skills to the hotel industry where he held a number of senior communications roles before founding Davies Tanner in 1996. Now in its 10th year, with offices in the UK, U.S. and Spain, Davies Tanner is now widely regarded as the world’s leading Public Relations Agency specializing in the area of Business Tourism and Events. Robert is a regular speaker on communications within business tourism and plays an active role within the meetings and events industry. He is a member of the Business Tourism Advisory Group, an Ambassador for Meeting Needs, the events industry charity, and is the current President of the ISES UK Chapter.