ISES September Meeting
Please Note the Date and Speaker Change!

TUESDAY, September 16, 2008

Every Producer, Designer and Owner understands the fine line we walk every day between creativity and profitability. When do you re-invent the wheel and when do you address realistic budgetary expectations? Are you over designing the project? What are your client’s true expectations? And can you make a profit within their budget? No matter how fabulous the design, if you’re not making money you won’t be in business for long!

Walk away with a whole new take on the war between designers and bean counters. Find out if you’re a right brain or left brain personality and how it effects your work and your business.

About David Merrell:
When David Merrell founded AOO Events in 1989, his vision was to design and produce personalized and original events. “All truly special events,” Merrell says, “demand a customized approach in order to fully achieve the client’s vision and purpose.” It is this philosophy that has positioned AOO Events as one of the most reputable event design and production firms in Southern California.

Merrell, a native of Cleveland, moved to Los Angeles in 1983 and he worked in a sales and marketing capacity in various industries before finding his niche in special events. Combining a creative eye with sales savvy, Merrell immediately excelled in the event industry. AOO Events fast became the special event company of choice for clients ranging from former President Ronald Reagan to Warner Brothers Studios. Since 1999, AOO Events has won seven Gala Awards, the event industry’s highest honor. The awards were for Best Corporate Event in 1999 and 2000. In 2002 the fourth Gala Award and an Esprit Award was won in the Best Décor category for the movie premiere event for “John Q”. Again, AOO Events won the coveted Gala Award for Best Décor in 2003 and 2004. AOO Events recently won the 2007 Esprit Awards for Best Décor for an Individual Recently, AOO Events co-designed a series of events that was awarded a Crystal Site Award for best Multiple-Day Incentive Program at the ITME show. Dave was also nominated in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 and this year, 2007 won a Spotlight award for the “Designer of the Year” from Event Solutions Magazine. AOO Events has also just been nominated for “Event Company of the Year” by Event Solutions Magazine. Today, AOO Events produces events not only in Southern California, but worldwide.

Merrell is the former President of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES), and has served in numerous positions of international boards of ISES. A former member of Special Events Magazine’s Advisory Board, Merrell is regularly featured and quoted in numerous trade and consumer publications and is a popular industry speaker both nationally and internationally. Merrell’s current office is located in Hollywood, California.

Register Now!
TUESDAY, September 16, 2008
Speaker:	David Merrell, AOO Events
Topic:	“Walking the Tight Rope Between Creativity and Profitability”
Where:	Westin Hotel Indianapolis 50 South Capitol Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46204
Cost:	$30 Members $50 Non-Member $20 Students $40 Corporate Associate Note: On Monday, September 15th the cost for each registration will increase $10.
Time:	Registration/Networking Lunch & Program: 11:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Register Now!
Sponsored By:

SAVE THE DATES! 2008-2009 MEETING SCHEDULE

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The Programming Committee Needs Your Help!
We are looking for planners who would like to get involved in our monthly meetings. Please look over the list of our upcoming regular monthly meetings (listed above), and choose a meeting that interests you! If chosen, you will able to assist the Programming Committee in planning and preparing for that meeting. Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated! This would be considered a sponsorship and your company’s logo would be displayed along with all other sponsors on the PowerPoint that is shown during the luncheon. Help out ISES Indiana and promote your company! If you are interested in providing support during one of the regular monthly luncheons, please contact VP of Programs and Education Lee Johnson at lee@chaircovers.net

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Welcome New Members
ISES Indiana welcomes the following new members:

Lynette A. Snell, Event Planner/Owner
Confetei
lynette@confetei.com

Jan Aldridge-Clark, Harpist Composer
Splendid Harp
janclark1@mac.com

Janea Marking, Assistant Director of Events and Communication
IU Kelley School of Business
jmarking@iupui.edu

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August Meeting Review
Guests dined with Wolfgang Puck Catering at the Deer Zink Pavilion at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Jim Cerone gave a wonderful presentation on "Being the Perfect Host" of an event. He listed his top (10) of what to remember when "hosting" and event. Jack Leicht, Chief Operating Officer, of the IMA also welcome guests and discussed what the museum had to offer it's guests for events.

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Member Spotlight
Dee Haddad, CSEP
Thomas Caterers of Distinction

1) How long have you been in the events industry? I have been in the special events industry for 6 years. With 12 years of restaurant service prior.

2) What first interested you in being an event professional? I love the opportunity to be creative and this industry lets you express yourself on a daily basis.

3) What has your best event been?
I just recently catered an event out of state for 750 guests. I was able to work with all new vendors and loved the new experience. It opened my eyes to how others work and how important your reputation is to you.

4) What has been your worst event and how did you overcome the challenges?
My most challenging event was during the Men's Final Four in 2008. We had an event in the downtown area that was very restricted.

5) How did you first learn about ISES Indiana?
My general manager Kelly Early, CSEP invited me to my first meeting.

6) What do you feel the value is of being an ISES Member?
The amount of education and networking opportunity has been never ending since I began a member. I have met numerous people in the industry from all over the world. Becoming an ISES member has truly enhanced my life.

7) Words of Wisdom: please share a favorite quote or something that you would like to pass on to others.
Always treat others the way you want to be treated. These words of wisdom will never let you down.

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Download your ISES Member Logo

To download your ISES Member logo and the official logo usage policy, please click here . You will need your member ID number and password to access this section of the web site. (http://www.ises.com/source/security/member-logon.cfm)

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