Welcome
Welcome to the online version of the ISES Main Event Newsletter. Browse the newsletter using the links to the left, or just scroll down.

The Importance of Entering the PACE Awards
By Leslie Swathwood
ISES Indiana Chapter President

ISES prides itself as being one of the best associations for event professionals. It’s for people who plan and support fantastic events all over the world – and who take responsibility and make things happen in our industry. If you believe in that, then perhaps it is time for you to prove it—by entering the Professional Achievements in Creative Events (PACE) Awards competition.

The 2006 Call for Entries is now on the ISES Indiana web site. So start thinking of your events that you can enter to win – entries are due February 20th. This year, we’ve streamlined the entry process to better align it with the ISES Esprit Awards that are in conjunction with Eventworld in Hawaii August 24-27, 2006. We want you to take part not only in PACE, but in Esprit as well. And we’ve done our best to make it easy and user-friendly! Now once you have completed your PACE entry, entering the Esprit Awards will be a snap because you have already done the bulk of the work.

So I am sure you are asking yourself…..why should I invest all this time and effort to enter my events for a PACE award? And will winning a PACE Award change my life? Well, recently, a past winner told me how she started receiving phone calls from industry colleagues after she won her first PACE Award. She had not been in the profession for very long, and felt the others had “one up” on her because of their added years of experience. After receiving her PACE Award, they began asking her for her help with some of their events…and referred new business to her. She could actually attribute new clients from her entry efforts. She went from feeling like a newcomer to a seasoned pro! Now I’d say that was clearly worth her time to prepare the entry. Reasons #1 and #2 to enter: Gain respect from your peers. Gain a new client.

As for myself, I too, have entered and been fortunate to win a PACE Award. The experience helped me not only reflect on the success of my client’s event, but also made me realize how much hard work and dedication I actually do put into my events. And I must admit, hearing my company name called at the awards ceremony was not only a great honor, but a thrill as well. To know that my work was recognized as being award-worthy, well, that was certainly worth the hours I spent on my entry. Reason #3 to enter: Prove it to yourself that your work is award-worthy.

Additionally, I want to share with you another rewarding aspect of being involved with the awards program. A few years ago, I was invited to participate in judging another ISES chapter’s awards entries. I initially hesitated at what sounded like a lot of work, but decided to participate thinking it would help me gain some insight and possibly some different ideas for my events. What I received in return for my participation was far greater --- the interaction with other event professionals while judging, and seeing the incredibly impressive events passing in front of me as we read each entry really opened my eyes. Judging has been one of the most inspiring experiences in my professional life. Reason #4 to enter: Gain new ideas and inspiration as a result of viewing other entries at the awards ceremony.

The PACE Awards is one of ISES Indiana’s most important programs, and the prestige it carries outside of our organization—among your bosses, colleagues and future clients—is unrivalled.

Go for it. Prove yourself–and win! And don’t forget to mark your calendar to attend the always fun awards ceremony. This year’s theme is “On PACE To Hawaii”, and will be held on March 15, 2006 at the Mavris Arts & Events Center. I look forward to seeing you there and presenting YOU your PACE Award.

Register Now for the February Meeting!

Wednesday, February 22
Make the Chaos History

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Save The Date For These Upcoming Events

The Upcoming 2005-2006 Event Schedule for ISES Indiana
Mark your calendars! Topics are subject to change.

Save some money and pick up a SIX PACK!
ISES is proud to offer a convenient package to its members. Instead of paying at each monthly meeting you can now prepay for any six monthly meetings and save $20! Get on www.isesindiana.com to register.

Welcome New Members

Andy Charbonneau, Zzzetpresso Espresso
Carmen DaCosta, Student
William Osgood, Pipers Cafe
Elizabeth Stone, Moe's, A Place for Steaks
Dave Strantz, Innovative

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CSEP Information

Top Ten Reasons to attain your CSEP designation:
10. Improves career opportunities and advancement
9. Prepares you for greater on-the-job responsibilities
8. Provides for greater earnings potential
7. Demonstrates your commitment to the profession
6. Improves skills and knowledge
5. Reflects achievement
4. Offers greater professional recognition from peers
3. Enhances your professional image
2. Establishes professional credentials
1. Builds self-esteem

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New Website Tips

You have missed a monthly meeting? If so, you can access the presentation that was shown on the ISES Indiana website. Under the Tools section you can see the review of several PowerPoint presentations that have been shown at the monthly meeting. It’s as easy as that!

If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the new design, please contact Jason Felders at jfelders@indianahistory.org or Deanna Boyce at info@eventfullplanning.net.

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January Meeting Recap

Awarded Best in Show: A Perfect Pair. Annie O's Event Design, Posh Petals and BBJ Linen

The January ISES meeting entitled "Wedding WOW – Event Fashion" was just that –WOW!! It was an amazing meeting which was held in the Indianapolis Zoo Dolphin Gallery. A gourmet menu was served by Crystal Catering and individual wedding cakes were served to guests for dessert compliments of Thomas Caterers of Distinction. Many local event planners sponsored wedding themed tables showcasing the latest in wedding tabletop design and décor. The first annual "Best in Show" contest was held and the winner was a table created around the theme "A Perfect Pear" created by Annie O’s Event Design and Production with floral provided by Posh Petals and linens by BBJ. The luncheon also featured a "Linen Fashion Show" in which BBJ presented the hottest trends in linens and tabletop décor while our own members modeled the linens.

It was an event not to be missed. Be sure to check out the Tools section of the website to see the PowerPoint presentation. Thanks to all who attended.

Photos courtesy of Carson Ray, Unfaded Memories

A huge thanks to our sponsors

Also, Gretchen King and Michelle Rogers, Accolade of London.

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The Scoop

• American Pie Catering – Good Food, Pure and Simple…has just landed its first exclusive contract at The Riviera Club!!! The venue is available for members as well as non-members. Along with the Ballroom that seats 200, there are several meeting rooms, a Gymnasium that is perfect for children’s birthday parties and large outside covered areas for picnics or other outdoor events. Call Jessica Carr at 920-7776 to schedule your event!

• Jason Felders will be resigning as the Special Events Manager at the Indiana Historical Society on February 28, 2006. As of March 7th he will begin working for the Hoaglin Companies. He will be filling the roles of Event Planner for Hoaglin Fine Catering, Business Development for American Pie Catering and Marketing/Public Relations for all divisions. Jason’s new contact information will be listed in the March newsletter.

• Indiana ISES members head out for a good time at Gilley's during the special event show in Dallas Texas. Look for a for recap of The Special Event in the March Newsletter.

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Member Spotlight

Chef de Cuisine, Jacqueline Bols began her culinary education at Southampton University in England.

After graduating she left for the French and Italian Riviera to begin her career as a Chef on private yachts in such places as Cannes, Saint Tropez, Monaco, Portofino and the Amalfi Coast.Jackie has executed remarkable events that have impeccably incorporated innovative menus, service and quality for discerning guests such as Oprah Winfrey, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Hurley, Kevin Costner, Tommy Hilfiger and additional Forbes 500 clientele.

Jacqueline Bols has catered events in the Hamptons, Manhattan and Beverly Hills.

During her career she was awarded the Charles Heidsieck award of Culinary Excellence.

In 2001, Jacquies Gourmet Catering was launched. The style of cuisine has been called modern French, using the most fresh and imaginative ingredients while still maintaining a classic sensibility.

Jackie supports a strong catering team emphasizing – culinary excellence, attention to detail and five-star service - dedicated to the fulfillment of Jacquies Gourmet Catering.

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ISES Board Update

At the January meeting the board was alerted that the Membership Survey results were in and ready for review by the board. Membership also reported that after the ISES membership drive, our chapter is 97 members strong and continues to grow each month. The board also discussed in detail the Community Outreach committee’s recommendations for the Community Outreach Project and the board voted approval to assist Horizon House for this year’s project.

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Board Member Spotlight

Anne Coulter is the owner of Anne Coulter Productions, an event planning, consulting and implementation company. She is the second person in the State of Indiana to receive the distinguished Certified Special Events Professional designation (CSEP).

She got her official start in special events (after lots of events as a volunteer) as the Coordinator for Zoobilation, the key fundraiser for the Indianapolis Zoo. Under her guidance, Zoobilation grew from 1000 guests to more than 3,000 guests, 61 restaurants and 11 bands. She has also had the opportunity to work on the Opening and Closing Ceremony for the Atlanta Olympic Games, and the Salt Lake Paralympic Games, numerous dedications, gala dinners, reunions, weddings, sporting events and fundraisers. Many of her clients are not-for-profits with black tie Galas. Some clients want her to create events and implement the plans, while others just want the benefit of her years of experience to fine-tune their existing event. Her trademark is in making events fun and taking care of even the smallest of details. Her clients are scattered throughout the country from Seattle to Washington, D.C.

Ms. Coulter has expanded the celebrity involvement for the Indianapolis 500 Festival to accommodate some 30 celebrities including Tony Danza, Cheech Marin, Richard Karn, Deborah Norville, and Jane Pauley.
Anne manages numbers of volunteers to complement each event. Her efforts include developing and implementing training programs in etiquette and customer service. These training programs are a value-added component that results in more confident, more effective, more open-minded volunteers.

She honed her etiquette skills as a private student of Letitia Baldrige, former social secretary for the Kennedy administration. She also works with Mary Mitchell, corporate trainer and author of 7 etiquette books.

Anne is grateful for the mentoring, support and training in special events she received while a member of the Senior Board of the Purdue University Grand Prix Foundation. She strongly believes in helping others who are interested in events, and regularly contributes her time and expertise to student activities. Dedicated to the principle that "each event makes you a better event planner," Coulter also volunteers her time for various organizations and friends in the events industry.
In her spare time Anne is on a mission to finish carving a medium size (the middle row on a carousel) carousel horse. "Completion of a carousel horse takes about 600 hours and then you get to paint it," says Coulter.

She is excited to serve on the ISES Indiana Board this year, and to be able to give something back to the friends and colleagues involved in the events industry in Indiana.

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2005 PACE Awards

The deadline for entries is fast approaching. All entries must be received by MP Records on Monday, February 20, 2006. If you are having difficulties writing your entry, please do not hesitate to contact Dee Hadaad, dee@thomascaterer.com, with any questions. Remember, you can not win if you do not enter!

The PACE committee will have a table at all of the monthly meetings with sample entries from previous PACE winners. Stop by and browse the entries or ask questions!

Click here to download a Call for Entries
Click here to download an Entry Form

ISES PACE 2005 Deadline: February 20, 2006

The 2005 PACE Awards will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at the Mavris Arts and Event Center (formerly Mavris Cultural Center) at 6:00pm.

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Dee Haddad at dee@thomascaterers.com.

Thank you to the ISES Dallas Chapter who has agreed to be the judges for the 2005 PACE Awards.

Thank you to our sponsors

BIG KAHUNA
Mavris Art and Event Center
Innovative

WAIKIKI BEACH

Eventfull Planning
Perfect Wedding Guide

HULA DANCER

Stinkee Beetle Tribe

ALSO SPONSORING

A Classic Rental
Annie-O's
BBJ Linen
Detail + Design
Jacquies Gourmet Catering
Kahn's Katering
MBP Distinctive Catering
Mills Catering
Party Time Rental
Piedmont Plastics, Inc.
Sysco Food Service of Indianapolis
Thomas Caterers of Distinction

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Business Brilliance 2006

Business Brilliance 2006 will be held on Monday, May 1, 2006
at the Indianapolis Arts Center Marilyn K. Glick School of Art.

The Business Brilliance Committee is now accepting donation for raffle items and door prizes. Click link below to download the donation form. The more donations that are made the more exciting the raffle becomes.

The Committee is still looking for people to join them in organizing this amazing event. If you are interesting in sitting on the committee place contact idillon@indplsartcenter.org

Announcing The Soda Shop at Business Brilliance

Leave your troubles (and your PDA) at the door! Travel back to the 1950’s and stop in at The Soda Shop where the music is boppin’, dancers are hoppin’, and Ready Whip toppin’ the sodas! All you guys and gals will want to put on bobby socks and a poodle skirt or rolled-up jeans and a leather jacket and rock ’round the clock. The Soda Shop will show how music, props, staffing, catering, and floral design can be combined to create a memorable event by transporting your guests to another place and time – a place and time where the mortgage doesn’t exist, there were no cell phones, and no one even knew the word cholesterol.


Download a Sponsorship Form
Download Sponsorship Benefits
Download an Industry Booth Space Reservation Form
Download a Raffle Donation Form

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Community Outreach

2005-06 ISES Community Outreach Project

This year’s Community Outreach Program is going to benefit Horizon House, a day center for the homeless. ISES Indiana will be assisting Horizon House with their 2nd annual Tackling Homelessness event in August, 2006. The event will be hosted by Indianapolis Colt’s player, Josh Williams and his wife, Marcella. If you are interested in serving on the Community Outreach Program committee to assist Horizon House with their event, please contact Lori Fields at ldfields@iupui.edu or 278-2136.

Fortunately, Lori received some wonderful proposals from other local non-profit organizations needing assistance with their 2006 fundraisers. Listed below are those organizations who had applied for this year’s Community Outreach Program. If you would like to volunteer on their planning committees or just offer some advice, please contact the organization directly.

Organization: Rupert’s Kids
Help youth (18-24) who’ve been in the social service system by offering them employment through work programs.
Fundraiser: Tuxes and Tennies: A Night in Hollywood – August 4, 2006
Contact: Adam Lowe at info@rupertskids.org

Organization: Child Advocates, Inc.
Contracted by the Marion County Juvenile Court to represent and protect children who have been abused and/or neglected by their parents or caretakers.
Fundraiser: A Light of Hope Ball – Fall, 2006
Contact: Janet Neighbours at Janet@childadvocates.net

Organization: Suite Dreams Project
Bring comfort and joy to children affected by serious medical conditions by creating healing environments in their homes, in hospitals, and in our communities that improve their quality of life and speed recovery.
Fundraiser: Hats Off Luncheon – May 4, 2006
Contact: Joni Thompson at joni@CatalystTG.com or 317-808-6386

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