I cannot believe that an entire year has passed. It seems like yesterday that David Merrell and Stan Aaronson, my mentors, were advising me on how to run the chapter. For that, I am eternally grateful and hope to impart their wisdom to your next leader, Jackie Korman of Abbey Event Services. ISES-LA has taken some great leaps forward this past year. A year ago we didnât even accept credit cards. We just had our first fundraiser and are adding additional Strategic Partners on a monthly basis. At the Installation and Awards meeting next week we will be awarding our first Scholarships and the newly created awards for ãMember of the Yearä and ãFirecrackerä.

None of this would be remotely possible without the tremendous effort of your current board of directors and our Executive Director. I want to thank each of them for a job very well done.

As I step aside to let new leadership take its place with new ideas, I find myself in awe of their energy and commitment. I encourage all of you to embrace their commitment and drive to make ISES-LA even better, with continued educational opportunities and outstanding events, to add value to your membership with ISES-LA and the results measurable.

It has been quite a ride and I have enjoyed every moment. I would not trade this experience as your President of ISES-LA, for anything.

I hope that all of you truly did ãMake Connections Workä this year.

Thank you so much for this opportunity to serve you.

Marty McGowan, CMP

Managing special events just got easier. If you want to use email to make a splash with your special event, Cvent is your solution! In less than a year, Cvent has become the premier online registration, eMarketing and reporting tool for meeting and marketing professionals. Imagine having customized online invitations, automated 24/7 registration and payment, and survey capabilities for your next event. With Cvent, you can increase your marketing reach and make a lasting impression, all while saving precious time and money.

As a partner of the ISES-LA chapter and many other key industry organizations including MPI, PCMA, and IACVB, Cvent is committed to making your events a success. Our customers include planners from corporations, associations, nonprofits, educational institutions, and networking and social groups. All ISES-LA members receive a 10% discount off Cventâs first year licensing fee. To learn more about Cvent or register to see an online product demo, click here. cventdemo

Darrin McAfee is Cventâs West Coast Sales Director and is an active member of ISES-LA. Darrin has over 10 years experience in the travel, incentive and meetings industries. His expertise and dedication are clearly represented by his success in helping clients find news ways to leverage technology to improve events and ultimately their lives. Darrin would like to hear from you to discuss how Cvent can transform your events. He can be reached at dmcafee@cvent.com or 818.735.0199.

Meet the new Board at the July Installation Dinner by William M. Hodge

Starting at 6:30pm, during the first hour, you'll enjoy tray passed hors d'oeuvres and adult beverages in the World of Life and Creative World Galleries. During the next hour you'll dine on three Technicolor Dream Platters of either Shitake Chicken, Paper Wrapped Salmon and a Mongolian Wrap Station in Edgerton Court (here's your chance to ride that bicycle and sit under the 5,000 pound Hyperbolic Parabaloid). After that you'll settle down for some inauguration festivities and surprises that should end by 9:30pm.

Supporting this whole program we have the help of Creative Gourmet, Neon & Spandex USA, Plan It Interactive, Creative Event Technology, Carol Royce Wilder providing event photography, HM&P Photography providing studio portraits of the Board and award recepients, Ice Occasions, Total Success Events, Angstrom Stage Lighting & Production Services, Abbey Event Services, and of course the California Science Center.

The venue is in downtown Los Angeles. Go west on Exposition from the Harbor Freeway, left on Flower, left on Figueroa, one half block on the right you'll see the parking kiosk for the facility.

2001 Allied Mixer hosted by ISES-LA on August 29th

The Globe Theater, Universal Studios will be our venue host on August 29th as the top Allied organizations in the hospitality industry get together with ISES-LA to showcase their services to a group of event and meeting planners. If you were there last year, get ready to bump it up a notch, we will have many top venues, designers, caterers, lighting and special effects, full event production companies, entertainment companies, florists, and all other suppliers who can make your events and meetings SPECTACULAR. Donât miss out on this opportunity to showcase your services and show everyone what the special events industry has to offer.

The Globe Theater is going all out for the special event industry. Expect the usual great food, décor, and entertainment that you have come to expect at the ISES-LA meetings. An evening of networking and showcasing in a relaxed and social atmosphere, this is what we are all about! Look for our email invitation next week.

For general ISES-LA questions please contact our offices at (310) 732-2222 or iseslosangeles@aol.com Don't forget to visit our website to get the full scoop on chapter happenings at www.ises-la.com