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.

President's Letter

THE VALUE OF ISES
by Leslie Swathwood, Ises Indiana Chapter President

Why did you join ISES? As president of the Indiana chapter, I have asked myself this question several times over the past few months, and I have asked it many times long before serving in this current leadership role. The answer I always come back to is “to develop a network of like-minded individuals who are willing and helpful professional resources.” I don’t mean people that I can just “use” for my business needs, but a group of friends – some only by our affiliation, and not necessarily because of our relationship – who are responsive when I say, “I’m a fellow ISES member.”

Some days that is exactly what I need – to know that through my ISES involvement that I have built a network of trusted friends who I could rely on, whether it is to provide a product or service for my company, to fill a short-term staffing need, to accept client referrals for events during busier-than-usual times, to listen to some crazy event idea that needs refining, or to help each other solve an event-related issue. And when I might have to produce an event in another geographic area – those helpful professional resources are just a phone call or an email away. Wow, the value of belonging to ISES is truly amazing!

What about you? Why did you join ISES? Did you join to volunteer your services and give back to your profession? Did you join to hone or develop a new skill by serving on a committee or on the board? Did you join to build your network of professional resources? Or did you join just to add a four-letter acronym to your resume? (I hope you didn’t join only for the last reason.)

As volunteer positions continue to be created and filled, please try to find time in your busy professional life to carve out a little time for ISES. Remember that you get out of ISES what you put into it. And if you are willing to give ISES some of your time and talents, you will find the rewards well worth that investment. I certainly have.

Business Brilliance

Business Brilliance was held on Monday, May 1st at the Indianapolis Art Center and was a fabulous event and a wonderful fundraiser for the Indiana ISES chapter!

Each year, the chapter chooses one room to be the “Best in Show” - and the Winner is (drum roll please)…..

Best in Show 2006 – The Soda Shop - a throwback to the 1950’s – complete with black and white dance floor, singing Elvis impersonator, soda shop and miniature hamburgers and French fries to complete the fun atmosphere! Congratulations!

Photos from Business Brilliance

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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.

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April Meeting Power Point

In case you missed the April meeting at Hollywood Bar and Filmworks entitled “Meeting and Events can be a Risky Business –Answers to your legal questions” by Naomi Angel of Howe and Hutton, the powerpoint presentation can be found and downloaded from the ISES Indiana website under the “Tools” section. Just click here

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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The Scoop

• April Perkins, formerly of the Fields Group, has joined Detail + Design! She will be handling destination and incentive travel. April is a member of ASID and will head Detail + Designs team of interior designers
• Mary Bayt formerly of A-Classic Rental is now with Best Rentals
• Jennifer McKeinney-Seet will leave the Indianapolis Zoo to become Event Designer and Marketing Coordinator for Thomas Caterers of Distinction.
• Since Jennifer is leaving the Zoo, her position is now open. Here is the job announcement: Special Events Manager, Indianapolis Zoo - key role in one of the top cultural attractions and family destinations in Indianapolis. This professional will coordinate, develop, implement and evaluate special events, including Zoobilation. Must have minimum five years of experience with event planning and volunteer coordination. Background in budgeting is necessary. Bachelor’s degree and references required. Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter and salary requirements, by May 26, 2006, to Human Resources Department, Indianapolis Zoological Society, 1200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222, Email: jobs@indyzoo.com EOE/Drug Free Workplace

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

May Board Meeting Recap

At the meeting Leslie gave Kudos to Iris Dillon and her committee for a job well done on a very successful Business Brilliance event. She also gave the board and election update and reported that the next year’s slate is on track and moving forward. Also reported is that May is ISES International Membership Drive month – all members are encouraged to look for new prospects to join the organization. Finally, the date for the community outreach project was solidified. The event will be held on Sunday, August 27, 2006 at the Colts Pavilion from 6 – 9 p.m.

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Online Membership Drive

The May ONLINE Membership Drive is approaching fast!

Membership Drive Dates: May 1, 2006 – May 31, 2006
Application must be done ONLINE to receive Waived Application Fee of $50
Dues Fee-- $399 Members and Corporate Primarys
$299 Non-profits and Corporate Additionals

**(Students are not charged an application fee)

New Members will not be listed in the 2006 ISES Printed Membership Directory (as it is already printed and distributed) but do receive a copy of the 2006 ISES Printed Membership Directory

New Members (non-students) are listed on the Online Directory—Finder Service

The ISES member who sponsors the most new members during the month of May will win a FREE Education package to ISES Eventworld 2006—An Institute for Professional Development in Hawaii!

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Member Spotlight

Jennifer Sessoms
Born and raised in northwest Indiana, Jennifer Sessoms knows a thing or two about Hoosier Hospitality. She currently serves as the Director of Special Events for Marian College. Her primary responsibilities include planning donor recognition and fundraising events. An annual fundraising event, Opportunities for Excellence Scholarship Dinner and Silent Auction, hosted on campus raises $400,000 for student scholarships and operates on a 14% expense ratio.

Marian is near and dear to Jennifer’s heart; she earned a degree in Sociology and Business Administration from Marian College in 1997. She also earned a certificate in event management from IUPUI in 2003.

One of the venues on the campus where Jennifer plans many events is the exquisite Allison Mansion. It was built in 1911 by automobile magnate James A. Allison, a co-founder of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The founders of Marian College, the Sisters of St. Francis Oldenburg, Indiana purchased the estate from the Allison family and moved the college to Indianapolis in 1936. In 1970 Allison Mansion was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tucked away on a hill off Cold Spring Road, Allison Mansion is the perfect site for any special occasion. Throughout the entire mansion beauty abounds. Enjoy lavishly designed large open rooms, elegant wood and marble carvings, and magnificent examples of old-world craftsmanship that include:

• bronze entry doors opening into a 40 x 40 foot, two-story grand foyer of hand-carved Circassian walnut walls in a leaf and berry motif;
• a one-ton German silver chandelier;
• grand staircase built of solid hand-carved walnut;
• a music room 42 x 18 feet with carved mahogany paneling and plaster featuring musical instruments; and
• a breathtaking aviary lines with white Italian marble beneath a Tiffany stained glass ceiling.
  In addition to campus use, the Allison Mansion is available to the public and can accommodate up to 300 guests for wedding receptions, anniversary and birthday parties, or any type of social event or meeting.

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Community Outreach

2005-06 ISES Community Outreach Project

This year’s Community Outreach Program is under way. Horizon House has scheduled their 2006 fundraiser, Tackling Homelessness to take place Sunday, August 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the Colts Practice Facility on 56th Street. The event will be hosted by Indianapolis Colt’s player, Hunter Smith and his wife, Jen.

If you are interested in serving on the Community Outreach Program committee to assist Horizon House with their event, or are interested in donating good and/or services for this event, please contact Lori Fields at ldfields@iupui.edu or 278-2136.

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Welcome New Members

Rebecca Cass
Katina Kaisher
Meg Magsamen
Babette Record
Jennifer Sessoms

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