2004-2005 President's Farewell

From Gene Huddleson, 2004-2005 ISES Indiana President
Serving as President of the Indiana chapter of ISES has been a great experience! My platform for this year was, Commitment to Value and Valuing your Commitment! I challenged the board to bring value to our members and set standards to grow upon for the coming years. We started with 76 members and ended with 110, which surpassed our goal of 100. We ended 40% above goal with our budget, which allows the new board to look towards higher goals for education and networking opportunities for our members. We had many fresh faces added to our committees this year and some of them will now become leaders within the organization in the coming years.

I am so proud of each of my Board members, and the time and commitment they gave to the organization this past year and know they will continue to give in the future.

I will continue to promote getting involved and "working" your membership on committees and showcase opportunities. The best thing any member can do to promote themselves or their company is to "Get Involved". That is how I came to know so many of the members and create close ties with so many event professionals.
I wish Leslie and her Board of Directors great success in the upcoming year and I will continue to be available to all of our members for questions and concerns.

2005-2006 President's Welcome

Off To A Running Start for 2005-2006
By Leslie Swathwood, Chapter President

My mother always seemed to have stylish clothes, shoes, and accessories for nearly any occasion, and had (and still has) the ability to project just the right amount of self-confidence every time she put one of these outfits together. As a little girl, I remember trying on all of her clothes, shoes and jewelry and always being amazed at how small I appeared in them, especially her shoes.

I keep flashing back to that memory as my time to serve as your chapter president of ISES Indiana has begun. Gene Huddleson’s shoes surely can’t compare to my mother’s (no, his are probably far more stylish!), but his shoes are certainly just as challenging to fill. I might add that those must be running shoes for me to fill.

Maybe getting started is the hardest part. I will have to hold that thought, though because we are already getting off to a great start. In the coming weeks, your board members will be hard at work putting together not only goals and objectives for the coming year, but also some fabulous programs and other opportunities for you to get involved and make the most of your membership.

One item on your board’s agenda this year will be a detailed member survey. We will be sending this out to you via email within the next month. Please, take a few moments to reply when you receive it. We are very interested in your feedback about your experience with ISES Indiana and we hope that you will be candid and tell us what you like -- and want to see “more of”, what you dislike (and therefore want to see “less of”), and what you want us to keep the same. I promise it will be worth your time – and we will of course offer an incentive for those who respond in a timely manner! Your board will use your feedback to help shape your chapter’s future.

I’ll have more for you on our objectives and goals for the year in future articles. In the meantime, please feel free to share with me or any other board member your ideas, concerns or questions. We are all just a phone call or email away and would be pleased to hear from you.

Your feedback and continued dedication from the leadership can only build further on the accomplishments of the very successful 2004-2005 chapter year. Just thinking about the activities and excitement we can generate together makes me pleased to be in those running shoes!

Finally, I owe a debt of gratitude to Gene Huddleson and last year’s board for an effective launch into this year. Here’s to you Gene…thanks for your incredible contributions to our chapter and for your assistance to me during this transition!

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Upcoming Events

Stay tuned to the ISES Indiana website for information on future meetings.

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Membership Information

Membership Renewal:
Just a friendly reminder... it's time to renew your ISES membership! We appreciate your continued support and look forward to providing you important ISES benefits in the coming year. To appear in the 2006 Membership Directory, dues must be received by July 30, 2005. All ISES members expire on June 30, 2005.

For fast and easy renewal, please visit www.ises.com. On the home page, you will see a login box above the "Quick Links" box. Login using your ISES membership ID number and password.

Once you successfully log in, you will see a box labeled with your name above the "Quick Links" box. In this box, there will be a link "Pay ISES Dues". Click on the link and follow the payment steps. Please be sure to have your credit card on hand to compete your renewal on the ISES web site. While logged in, please look at your member listing and be sure it is correct as this is how you will be listed in the printed 2006 ISES Membership Directory due out in January.

If you need your ID number or are having problems logging in, please contact Headquarters and any of the staff can assist you - info@ises.com, +1 800-688-4737, +1 312-321-6853. Please contact ISES Headquarters with any questions at info@ises.com or 800-688-4737.

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ISES Membership Directory 2005

Get your spot reserved in the 2005-2006 Membership Directory. Ad space is now on sale. Contact ISES chapter services for additional information.

ISES’s Membership Directory is the perfect way to deliver your message to a very focused audience: special event planners and suppliers throughout the state- key decision makers behind some of the most important events in Indiana.

The directory is a tool that will keep your company’s name and message in front of the membership again and again. The 2005-2006 Membership Directory will be available in October. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your company in front of the ISES Indiana Membership.

Deadline July 31!

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The Children's Museum of Indianapolis has been enriching the lives of children and their families for over eighty years. Along with being the largest children's museum in the world, it has also been named the top children's museum in the nation. Fortunately, the museum has not limited its fun just to kids. Teens and adults alike have been able to make wonderful memories at the museum. Proms, business celebrations and wedding receptions have made their way inside areas of the museum from the Carousel Gallery and Dinosphere to the Welcome Center and the Outdoor Tent and Garden Gallery.

As Events Manager at the museum, Kristy Boone has seen a wide array of special events. She has helped plan a wedding proposal for a gentleman who asked his future wife to marry him in a piece of artwork cleverly tucked into our Passports gallery and the next day plot out how to best accommodate 2,500 Pacer season ticket holders.

Our biggest challenge at the museum is how to convey what a great place it is for adults as well as children. If you haven't been to the museum since you were a kid, then you are due for a visit!

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June Meeting Recap

Here is what you missed at the June Meeting

Here is what you missed at the June meeting…

The June ISES meeting was a bright one! Markey’s Audio Visual demonstrated various lighting effects that were new and exciting ideas to consider for our future events. We were introduced to the industries most sophisticated lighting controller…the Whole Hog Three, which demonstrated many different lighting aspects utilizing static and robotic lights. Also on display were truss pieces to inspire ideas for entry ways, pillars and registration tables. We were shown ways to transform an entire space into any color or theme by “wallpapering” a room. Markey’s also brought in a demo system of LED Lighting Instruments that is new technology and has many more capabilities than static lights. You might have thought hazers and foggers are the same thing, but we were shown how different they are and when to use which depending on the look we want to achieve. Utilizing the hazer, Markey’s demonstrated the newest technology in the arena of lighting…the use of video projectors as lighting instruments. These projectors put on a laser light show and created many different and unique effects. The future does look bright for new and exciting ways to inspire, awe, and impress the toughest client at their next big event.

Thank you to our June Sponsors: Markey’s Audio-Visual and American Pie Catering

Click on their logos below to visit their website and learn more about their company.

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Event World 2005

Early Bird Registration Ends July 8th!
Register Today--Save $100

ISES Eventworld ® 2005 - A Conference for Professional Development
August 11-13, 2005
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel
Los Angeles, California USA
“The Business of Service”

Registration
Register today for ISES Eventworld ® 2005—A Conference for Professional Development and save $100 off the price of the industry’s hottest educational and networking event. ISES Eventworld® 2005 spotlights the timely theme "The Business of Service" and will provide attendees an experience on how we look at special event service from a renewed perspective.
Visit the ISES web site today to register and save on regular conference fees. Do not miss the July 8th Early Bird deadline!

CSEP Track
ISES is pleased to announce the CSEP Education Track will be held prior to the conference.
Beginning August 10 and ending just before the keynote address on August 11, the 1.5 day CSEP Education Track focuses only on the courses needed to help you earn your Certified Special Events Professional Designation.
The CSEP Education Track is included in the full conference package. If you wish to only participate in the CSEP Track, you can do so for $175 USD. This is a great opportunity to prepare for the CSEP exam.

Hotel Reservations
ISES Eventworld ® 2005 takes place at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. As cornerstone of the spectacular Hollywood & Highland retail and entertainment destination, the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel is located among trend-setting shops, world-class restaurants, legendary landmarks and state-of-the-art entertainment venues, including the Kodak Theatre - new home of the Academy Awards ceremonies! To reserve your room, please click here or call the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel at +1 323 856 1200 and mention the ISES Conference to receive the special $159/$169 rate. Hotel rooms at the discounted rate are filling up fast!

Conference Highlights
If you’re involved in the world of special events, ISES Eventworld ® 2005 is the place to be to sharpen your skills and put you in touch with other special events professionals who share your passion for excellence. You’ll walk away energized, inspired and better equipped to take on professional challenges and achieve success!

• Educational Session tracks: Event Production, Corporate/ Non-Profit, Business Owner, Industry
• CSEP Track on August 10-11
• Keynote Speaker John Parke, CMP
• Renowned Industry Speakers
• Thursday Night Welcome Event at the Hollywood Museum
• ISES Annual Meeting luncheon including the Spirit of Excellence Awards
• ISES Esprit Awards
• Leadership Development
• Networking Opportunities/Industry Contacts

Don't Miss ISES Eventworld® 2005 - A Conference for Professional Development!

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The Scoop

Here’s the scoop on member news……….

• Thomas Caterers of Distinction is proud to announce the opening of their new catering facility. They will be hosting an open house on July 12 from 3pm-7pm, all ISES members are welcomed to stop by for a tour.

• Detail and Design congratulate their former intern Susan Guilkey on becoming Miss Indiana!! We'll see you in Atlantic City!

If you have news that you would like printed in “The Scoop” please contact Jason Felders at jfelders@indianahistory.org.

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Leslie Swathwood,
President

Leslie has been with ISES Indiana for approximately six years and is currently serving on the board of directors as President-Elect. She has previously served as President-Elect, Vice President of Programs for one year, Public Relations Director for two years and as a member of the Programs Committee for one year. Additionally, she has served on the PACE Committee, Business Brilliance Committee, and helped coordinate the annual wedding luncheon. Being involved in ISES has allowed Leslie to not only develop many professional contacts and friendships, but also raise her awareness of the breadth and depth of the event industry overall.

In her professional life, Leslie wears two wedding-related hats: she has been an independent wedding and special event planner for nearly ten years and has been the owner/publisher of Perfect Wedding Guide six years.

Leslie’s event planning business is called Elegant Events, Ltd. She works personally with her clients to help them plan the event of their dreams, be it a wedding or any other special occasion. Leslie has planned over 100+ special events and truly enjoys working with each client’s individual needs, always customizing every aspect of the event to fit with their vision, taste, personality and style. Leslie also provides very unique invitations and accessories to help make each event spectacular.

Leslie’s other wedding hat is her role as Publisher of Perfect Wedding Guide. Perfect Wedding Guide is a quarterly wedding magazine that serves as a buyer’s guide to the Greater Indianapolis area’s finest wedding and honeymoon service providers. The guide allows the bride and groom to find everything from A to Z that they need as they plan their wedding. The guide also helps wedding professionals book more weddings. Perfect Wedding Guide also produces four large bridal shows in the Indianapolis area each year and hosts monthly and quarterly networking events designed exclusively for wedding professionals. Leslie and her husband Jason, who is also an ISES member, own and manage Perfect Wedding Guide together. In addition, Leslie and Jason publish Perfect Wedding Guide in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky and Dayton, Ohio areas as well.

Leslie is a native of Northbrook, Illinois, which is a suburb of Chicago. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication with a French minor. She met Jason while at IU and has lived in Indianapolis since graduating from there in 1994. She is also involved in a variety of other professional and community organizations, including the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the Columbia Club, and the Junior League of Indianapolis (JLI). Outside of “all things wedding”, Leslie enjoys golf, travel, fine dining, many varieties of tea, a day at the spa, and spending time with family and friends.

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Community Outreach

Scavenger Hunt 2005 to Benefit MDFF

The Facts:
The Scavenger Hunt 2005 to benefit MDFF will team up 4-5 friends and co-workers on a great adventure. The fast-paced 4-hour hunt will have participants scouring downtown Indianapolis in search of answers to clues. Each clue has a point total. The more difficult the clue, the more points the team gets for finding the answer.

Event Date: Sunday, July 31, 2005
Scavenger Hunt: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Then Hunt is Over After Party: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: The Scavenger Hunt 2005 will send over 200 participants throughout the city with various stops throughout Downtown Indianapolis. The Hunt is Over After Party will be held at the Mavris Cultural Center, 121 S. East Street, Indianapolis.
Cost:Pre-registration for the Scavenger Hunt is $50/person. Price on event day is $65.

All proceeds will go to help the Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation meet the needs of children, adults and their families with neuromuscular diseases.

How to Participate:
There are numerous opportunities to get involved:
1) Sign up to Participate – Early registration is recommended to guarantee a spot (only 200 available). To register, visit www.MDFF.org or call (317) 923-6333.
2) Donate Prizes – Show off your restaurant, service or product! Donate a prize to the raffle and we’ll provide the perfect spotlight.
3) Attend “The Hunt is Over” after party – Even is you can’t make the Hunt, we want to see you at the after party!
4) Buy raffle tickets for great prizes – We’ve put together great prize packs from area sponsors. Tickets are just $5 each and are available before the event.

What you can look forward to:
Entertainment: A day of exploration, great music, and time with great friends
Tour of the City: It’s a one of a kind experience that encourages you to see the many sights of the Circle City!
T-Shirts: Prove you completed the challenge by sporting one of the silk-screened commemorative T’s.
Chance to win great prizes: Winners of the scavenger hunt and raffles will be loaded down with cool schwag.
Great food & drinks: Need we say more?

“The Hunt is Over” After Party
Location: Mavris Cultural Center
121 East Street, Indianapolis
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

The weekend is winding down, but that doesn’t mean that the fun has to. At “The Hunt is Over” after party, you’ll hob-nob with the Indiana PaceMates, enjoy awesome music, cool drinks, great food from some of the Indianapolis’ best caterers, and a great atmosphere. All, for just $35 in advance through www.MDFF.org or $40 at the door. Hunt participants get in free.

Need even more stress release? Check out the natural high from the Oxygen Bar with aromatherapy.

Unlike many nonprofit events, there will not be any long-winded speeches or begging for money. It’s just a chance to relax, be with great people and enjoy the best that Indianapolis has to offer. The winners of Scavenger Hunt 2005 and raffle items will be announced.

Contact Information:
For more information or to register visit www.mdff.org

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PACE Winner Highlights

Best use of Catering, $5,001-20,000
Thomas Caterers of Distinction

From high in Hawaii to an evening in Indy, this event showed that the Midwest can compare. A six course meal set the scene for these fellow event professionals, who are always your toughest critics.

Best Wedding, $15,000-40,000
Eventfull Planning

This event was a wedding for a wonderful couple! The ceremony was performed at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Indianapolis and the reception was held at Woodstock Club. The wedding was a formal affair with a clean and simple style and two hundred guests were in attendance.

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