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.

Register Now for the March PACE Awards!

Wednesday, March 15

Vote for the Peer's Choice for the PACE Awards!

Thanks to our Sponsors:

Big Kahuna
Mavris Arts and Event Center
Innovative

Waikiki Beach
Perfect Wedding Guide
Eventfull Planning
Markey's Audio Visual

Hula
Stinkee Beetle Tribe
A-Classic Party Rental

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
Hoaglin Fine Catering

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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.

April 19	Event Safety, TBA
Monday, May 1	Business Brilliance, Indianapolis Art Center
June 21	Tenting the Possibilities, TBD

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.

Event Planner(s) needed….

Rupert’s Kids is a nonprofit organization whose efforts assist youth who’ve been in the social service system by offering them employment through work programs. Their annual fundraiser, Tuxes and Tennies, is taking place on August 4, 2006 and they need an event planner. They are hoping to get a volunteer to assist in guiding the pace of the planning process, help with deadlines, consultation on details and basically to just oversee the entire process. Although they cannot pay for this service, they are willing to make arrangements for you or your company to be a sponsor of the event.

If you are willing to devote a little time to a great cause, please contact Lori Fields at ldfields@iupui.edu or Rupert’s Kids directly at ALowe@choicesteam.org or info@rupertskids.org

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New Website Advertising Opportunities

Looking for a new way to advertise your business? Why not advertise on the ISES Indiana Webpage. This is a new feature of our updated website! As you know, the site is used on a daily basis by our 100+ members as a way to get information about ISES and learn about upcoming meetings and events. Your name and logo could be featured on the ISES Indiana Home Page and would be one of the first things guests see as they enter the site. We are offering an introductory trial period until July 1st in which we are offering members an advertising rate of $30/month. After the introductory period, we will be signing up members for 3 months of advertising per year (not to be featured consecutive months). If you would like your business to be featured, please contact Jason Felders or Deanna Boyce. Hurry, spots are limited!

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February Meeting Recap

The February ISES meeting was held on Feb. 22nd at the Indiana History Center. Lunch was provided by Hoaglin Fine Catering. The topic of the meeting was Project Management for Event Professionals and the speaker was Lou Russell. Her talk focused on how to best manage projects and as a result, be successful. She incorporated games all members in attendance played to enhance her presentation and it proved to be a fun, and great learning tool. An invaluable meeting for today’s busy event professionals!

If you missed February’s meeting please be sure to visit the Tools Section on ISES Indiana’s website, www.isesindiana.com to download the speaker’s presentation.

A huge thanks to our sponsors

Special Event Recap
by: Gene Huddleson II, Detail and Design

You can always walk away from TSE with a world of new ideas and a wealth of knowledge. If you haven't gone then plan to go next year in Los Angeles! The trade show alone gives you the opportunity to find anything you may need for any event. The evening events are THE place to see trends in action and also find great entertainment and design ideas. The seminars at the TSE are unparalleled by any other special events organization. From the beginner to the seasoned professional there is a class for you. NACE, National Association of Catering Executives always throws a bash with some of the best food, and this year at Gilley's was a "2 steppin" good time. Opening Night allowed you to travel from area to area and choose where you wanted to party. Dallas event professionals created different scenarios from contemporary to gardens to an edgy roof top experience. This allowed you to see many different trends and styles within one party! The gala showcases some of the best events across the country and an evening of style. Although I believe our own PACE Awards gives them a run for their money! One of the greatest parts of the TSE is the networking possibilities! They are endless! You can meet people from across the United States and abroad and share event ideas and solutions. A great program with the TSE is the Hands On Hundred program which allows you to work for part of your Special Event experience and also allow you to get a behind the scenes work experience. Since most of the evening events and special programs are attended by up to or more that a thousand people the hands on experience is truly a wonderful tool. Our very own Indiana ISES member, Kari Strolberg, CSEP, runs the program. KUDO'S to Kari! Having attended so many of these conferences I can say that each year there is something for everyone and well worth the time and money spent!

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The Scoop

• Dawn Blanton has been named the new Special Events Manager at the Indiana Historical Society. She will begin on Monday, March 6, 2006.

• Beginning on March 7th Jason Felders can be reached at 924-3389 or jason@hoaglinfinecatering.com

• Mike Wiggins has left Party Time Rental and is now at A-Classic Party Rentals.

• Annie O's has moved to Broad Ripple. They are at 813 Main Street. More details on an open hours to come.

If you have news that you would like printed in “The Scoop” please contact Jason Felders at jason@hoaglinfinecatering.com

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Member Spotlight

Born and raised in Cleveland Ohio most of my influence is big city. After several careers in retail, automobile, shoes, formalwear and real estate, in 1999 I landed a 125 year old abandon building in downtown Indianapolis. I moved from the suburbs to the city to renew my love for the urban environment. Most of my support team said I would never make it work.. Too much money and seven years later I now own and operate the Mavris Arts & Event Center. We are growing to be one of the most successful event venues in Indianapolis. The driving force for success is passion and an eye for what people are looking for. It is no secret we are the most expensive event venue in Indianapolis. Having every Saturday for 2006 reserved and making a strong impact on weekday corporate functions and Friday weddings, Mavris continues to draw every age group to experience a sense of energy that brings new life to its guests. Now operating with the help of a larger staff I expect to double our 2006 revenue over 2005.
Why? It’s different and I’m different. I’m driven by passion to be free. My hobbies are flying airplanes, skydiving, climbing and rafting as well as studying human behavior. Most people said I would never make it in this project. Those of you that know me know different. Those of you that don’t are welcome to tour the facility at www.mavriscutlrualcenter.net. The pictures of the building will tell you who my inner soul is. Thank you for keeping me young at heart.

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Board Member Spotlight

Jennifer McKinney-Seet
Indianapolis Zoo and DIY Events

Jennifer joined the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens in 1999 as a Special Events Manager. She is responsible for overseeing nearly 40 events a year including the state’s largest, most successful, black-tie fundraiser: Zoobilation. Other events include donor cultivation and recognition events, exhibit openings, golf outings, and other major fundraisers. Since 1999, Jennifer has more than doubled the annual income generated from fundraising events for the Zoo and is now responsible for raising over $1.1 million dollars annually for the organization.

Under her strong leadership, Zoobilation has received many awards including PACE Awards for “Best Overall Event” (3 years in a row), “Best Achievement in Logistics”, “Best Annual Fundraiser” by Indianapolis Woman Magazine and “Best Charitable Event” by Nuvo Magazine.

In recognition of her accomplishments at the Zoo and her volunteer efforts in the community, Jennifer was a recent recipient of the 2005 YWCA Professional Woman of the Year award.

Working for a not-for-profit and seeing first hand the need in the community, Jennifer is a strong believer in volunteering. She serves as a Board member for ISES Indiana and for the YWCA. She was co-chair of the ISES Indiana 2005 Education Conference and also serves on the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade Bands Committee, the ICVA ROSE Awards Planning Committee and volunteers for the Circle City Classic Parade, the Minority Vendor Fair, and is a Team Leader in the Hands on Hundred program for The Special Event National Conference.

In addition to her full time job, Jennifer also runs her own event consulting company which she started in August of 2005 called DIY Events; “for those who like to do it themselves but just need a little help.” She has two boys, Connor (2) and Corey (5), and lives in Greenwood with her husband of six years, Robert Seet, who is an attorney. Rob will be running for office in 2007 as Greenwood City Court Judge and Jennifer will serve as his campaign manager.

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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 still 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

Watch for room themes soon!

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

The 2006 Community Outreach Project is underway. The Committee is currently waiting for the Horizon House to set their date before they get the ball rolling.

Please contact Lori Fields at ldfields@iupui.edu or 278-2136 if you are interested helping with this year’s project.

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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