A Message From the President

This has been a busy month for me, meeting with President's from the Western Region of ISES, sharing ideas and possibilities for strengthening our individual chapters and figuring out ways that we can work together to gain recognition for our organization and our industry as a whole. We all agreed that the Special Events Industry has come a long way during the past decade and that we expect to see monumental growth over the next decade. It's important that each of us in the industry position ourselves to stand out from the rest as more and more people join our ranks. How can we do that you ask? By taking an active role in TEAM ISES LA of course! There are so many opportunities to gain professionalism and recognition within our industry. For starters, we are beginning the task of putting together the slate for our ISES LA Board of Directors for the 2006/2007 year which begins in July. Get involved and learn from your peers. You can't imagine how much you can pick up by working together with fellow ISES members who represent disciplines other than your own within the industry. Not only can you gain knowledge, but also business, as you build relationships with your fellow members. Just being part of a professional group and keeping up with changes in the industry, can put you far ahead of your competition. Another opportunity that exists within ISES is to join a study group and sit for the CSEP Exam. Earning that designation will become more important in the future and definitely set you apart from the rest.

I also met with the producers of The Special Event 2007 this week. As most of you know, TSE is coming to Los Angeles next January. Our ISES Chapter has an extraordinary opportunity to get involved in the planning and to showcase all that LA has to offer in the way of Special Events. There will be a Kick Off meeting on Tuesday, May 9th at 9:00 AM at the LA Convention Center (exact location to be announced) for all of you who want to get involved. All sponsorship and committee membership opportunities will be discussed. What a great way to showcase your company to event people from all over the globe! Think about events that you've worked on during the past year and be sure to submit them for a Gala Award. That's a great way to gain recognition within the industry.

ISES LA welcomes BizBash as a Media Partner! We're excited about partnering with this great company and their West Coast division on upcoming events and publications.

Now, here's a more immediate way that you can get involved. The ISES LA Fundraiser is almost here. April 19th to be exact. It promises to be a great night! Help us to gather items for the silent auction which will raise money for our chapter and our industry charities. Spread the word and get your friends to attend with you. The last day to receive the early bird registration rate is today Friday, April 7th. Let's make this year's event the largest and most profitable one yet. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Eventfully yours,
Carol

This year92s Fundraiser, La Noche Caliente, will be held in the newly opened Sculpture Garden at the Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA) in Long Beach. The Fundraiser benefits the SEARCH (Special Events Assistance & Resources with a Caring Heart) Foundation, the first-ever nonprofit organization designed to support members of the special event industry in need of care due to life-threatening illness or debilitating occurrences, as well as the International Special Events Education Foundation (ISEF), and the ISES LA Scholarship Fund.

La Noche Caliente will feature an evening of contemporary Latin entertainment, plus good company, great food and 96 as always 96 a chance to support important causes. La Noche Caliente will also include a silent auction with many specialty packages up for bid.

MoLAA is currently under a major renovation which, when complete in September 2006, will more the double the current size of the museum. Founded in 1996 by Dr. Robert Gumbiner, MoLAA is the only museum in the western United States that exclusively features contemporary Latin American art. Through the utilization of its permanent collection, traveling exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events, MoLAA educates a diverse Southern California audience about contemporary Latin American art.

The museum is located in the East Village Arts District of Long Beach, California. Between 1913 and 1918, the site that the museum now occupies was the home of the Balboa Amusement Producing Company, then the world92s most productive and innovative silent film studio. Before there was a Hollywood, Balboa was the king of the silver screen, producing as much as 20,000 feet of negative film per week. The Balboa Room 96 an entertainment, education, and special event space at the museum is reported to have been part of the old Balboa film studio.

Showcase companies for La Noche Caliente are: Adventures in Parties, Inc., Airstar America, Inc., ASI Production Services, Inc., BBJ Linen, California Parking Services, Classic Party Rentals, Craig92s Crew, EventCo Entertainment, Get Flipped!99, Grosh Scenic Rentals, HM&P Digital Event Photography, Ice Magic SoCal, Ovation Chocolates, Ruisseau Espresso, SJM Industrial Radio, Trewa Wineries and Visions Entertainment. Also, special thanks to Museum of Latin American Art, 20th Century Props, Gourmet Celebrations and Magical Blooms.

To purchase tickets for La Noche Caliente, click here or visit the ISES LA website.

ISES LA members and guests had evening of chuckles in March. The World Famous Laugh Factory played host to our monthly meeting, featuring it's historical theatre - once used by Charlie Chaplin. Guest speakers Audrey Burton and Ann Convery educated attendees on successful networking methods, and "How to Speak Your Business in 30 Seconds or Less."

Special thanks to our March showcase companies: Audrey Burton, Contemporary Catering, Ann Convery, Laugh Factory and Pico Party Rents.

You just can92t miss our May meeting! How often do you get free rein of a luxurious hotel?

The Luxe Rodeo is a great example of the boutique hotel at it92s finest. Located in the heart of the world92s most famous shopping district, the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive combines the style, glitter and luxury of its prestigious Rodeo Drive location, with the exquisite guestrooms and breath-taking views.

Each of the 88 guestrooms and suites offers European linens, multi-line phones with data/modem ports, private voicemail, wireless Internet access throughout the hotel, CD player, mini-bar, hairdryer and twice-daily maid service. A business center, meeting facilities and a fitness center are also available.

And again, location...what a location! This is the ONLY hotel on Rodeo Drive in the heart of 90210...that92s Beverly Hills for all you non-locals. Adjacent to the hotel are museums, galleries, salons, celebrity restaurants and boutiques that must be experienced, rather than browsed. Five minutes from the heart of LA business - Century City, twenty minutes from LAX and less than thirty minutes from either downtown LA or the beach.

And, since ISES is all about events, what about that? The Luxe Rodeo has the answer to that also. If everything I92ve mentioned above hasn92t convinced you that this hotel is totally cool, you'll just have to come check it out at our May meeting.

There are indoor and outdoor settings to suit every occasion. Menus ranging from Continental to International selections, prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients by Chef RaShon Smith. Offsite and kosher catering is also available. State-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, high-speed internet access, themed events, Kosher facility, International and customized menu selections as desired.

You don't want to miss this opportunity to experience one of the finest hotels around. Log onto www.ises-la.com and sign up for this event.

The time is quickly approaching to begin the nominating process for our 2006/2007 Board of Directors.

Being an ISES LA Board member allows you to make your ISES membership work harder for you by becoming more active in the Greater Los Angeles Chapter.

For details about the nomination process, contact the ISES LA office at (805) 557-1141 or by e-mail at ises losangeles@aol.com.

-Membership Drive Dates: May 1, 2006 96 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 Directory97Finder Service
-The ISES member who sponsors the most new members during the month of May will win a FREE Education package to ISES Eventworld 200697An Institute for Professional Development in Hawaii!

Visit www.ises.com for more information.

Registration for ISES Eventworld 2006 - An Institute for Professional Development is now open both on-line and via mail. Rates for ISES Eventworld 2006 may be found on the ISES web site. Make sure to take advantage of the Early Bird rates, available until July 17, 2006.

ISES Eventworld 2006 information will be updated on a regular basis on the web site. Education programming will be posted to www.ises.com in February. Advance programs will be mailed to ISES members in April.

ISES Eventworld 2006 - An Institute for Professional Development - is the industry-standard event for improving your proficiency and knowledge, and inspiring innovation.

This premier international continuing education event for the special events industry is a must for all event professionals. Given today's competitive and dynamic business environment, event professionals are always looking for ideas, resources and business contacts to be a step ahead of their competitors. ISES Eventworld 2006 will provide the tools to help attendees stay ahead! Sharpen your skills, pick up new ideas and network with other special events professionals who share your passion for excellence.

Prepare to be:

-Inspired by internationally-renowned speakers
-Challenged by leading event professionals covering the latest trends
-Motivated by new and refreshing ideas Informed on successful business management topics
-Equipped with additional knowledge about the international special events industry
-Energized by renewing friendships and making new contacts with business associates from around the world

Keynote Speaker

ISES Eventworld education sessions will feature keynote speaker James H. Gilmore. 93Welcome to the Experience Economy94. In this provocative session, Mr. Gilmore will describe the nature of the emerging Experience Economy, outline design principles for creating compelling experiences, and explore how special events can become truly special experiences.

Jim Gilmore, co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP and co-author of The Experience Economy, contends that experiences are, in fact, a distinct form of economic output, as distinct from services as services are from goods. In the years ahead, new-to-the-world-experiences will increasingly emerge, providing the very basis for economic growth and prosperity. As this occurs, traditional event design and management will need to be considered anew, in light of myriad forms of event-based competition for people92s attention, time, and money.

Business Leaders Workshop NEW!

John Parke, CMP will be the forum leader for this interactive and exciting new educational offering. Mr. Parke, President and CEO of Leadership Synergies was the Keynote Speaker at ISES Eventworld 2005. His keynote presentation "Sales and Service Marriott Style" was a huge success! Be sure to register early for this workshop as space is limited!

CSEP Education Track Information

Because of its popularity at ISES Eventworld 2005 in Los Angeles, ISES is proud to announce that the CSEP Track will be held again prior to the Conference Education Tracks! The CSEP Track will begin on August 23, 2006 and end August 24, 2006 prior to the Opening Session. You will be able to attend each and every course which will prepare you for the CSEP Exam.

For each CSEP Exam Preparatory Course you attend August 23 96 August 24, during the CSEP Education Track before ISES Eventworld 2006, you will earn 0.5 points per class to put towards eligibility to sit for the CSEP exam. This eliminates the tough decision for choosing between the CSEP Courses and the Conference Education Courses. Don92t let another year go by without earning your CSEP. Come to ISES Eventworld 2006 to learn how, and not miss out on other education courses!

** The full Education programming schedule will be posted to www.ises.com in February 2006.**

Book your Hotel Reservation Today with the Sheraton Waikiki! To book your hotel room on-line, click here. To book your hotel room by phone, call +1(800)782-9488. Group ID # is 43390 or you can just identify yourself as an ISES attendee to get the ISES rate.

Commanding a half-mile of white sand on the world's most famous beach, the Sheraton Waikiki offers extraordinary views of Diamond Head, with over two thirds of their rooms facing the Pacific ocean. A step in any direction and you're in the heart of Hawaii's hub of excitement.

Need to book your flight to Honolulu For ISES Eventworld 2006?

Here's How:

*Contact Apollo Travel to book your air and rental car!*

ISES has chosen Apollo as the preferred travel agency for this meeting. Contact Apollo today and receive ISES's specifically negotiated discounts on air and car rates. You will always be offered the lowest available fare!

Pick one of the four ways listed below and book your travel to Honolulu!

-Call 1-866-880-6483 6am-8pm CST M-F
-Email travel@travelapollo.com
-< STRONG>Cli ck here to submit your 93Travel Request Form94 now!
-Go online to www.themeetingevent.com

Mention ISES, August 2006 Meeting and they'll take care of the rest!

Pre and Post Institute travel can be booked through Apollo as well 96 click here for more information.

Important Information!

Agents are available to help book your reservations from 6am to 8pm M-F, and are available 24/7 should you need emergency travel assistance.

When stranded at the airport due to severe weather, mechanical delays, or when needing an immediate change due to scheduling issues, your agency is an indispensable ally.

Your ticket will be issued and an e-mail will be sent confirming your itinerary. The price of your ticket, including our service fee will be listed. Restrictions, fees, and cancellation penalties will apply.

In the next few weeks, all current ISES LA members will receive via e-mail a listing of all ISES LA members. Following that, monthly updates will be sent via e-mail of any new members that have joined. Please visit www.ises.com and make sure that your member information is correct. A printed directory of all current ISES LA members will be available at the beginning of summer.

Also, the May ONLINE membership drive is a perfect opportunity to join ISES (and get one month free and your application fee waived), and the last opportunity to get your information into the ISES Los Angeles member directory.

April 19, 2006 Annual Fundraiser at Museum of Latin American Art

May 17, 2006 Monthly Meeting at Luxe Rodeo

June 22, 2006 Meeting with ISES OC & SD at Astor Classics Event Center

July 18, 2006 Board Installation Dinner location TBD

August 16, 2006 ISES LA JAM/Tradeshow at Petersen Automotive Museum

August 24-26, 2006 Eventworld Hawaii at Sheraton Waikiki

Pardon Our Dust!

We are in the process of creating a new look for our e-zine.  Next month, look for our hot new design.  In the mean time, special thanks to our Strategic Partners:

Platinum Sponsors - 20th Century Props, BBJ Linen, Cvent, Party Pals and Team Play Events

Gold Sponsors - Luxe Summit Bel Air and Plan-it Interactive

Silver Sponsors - Air Dimensional Designs, Andy Gump, Inc., A Song For You Productions, Bruce Garnitz Entertainment, Grand Events, The Korman Group, Ron Rubin Events and Wildflower Linen

Media Partner - BiZBash Media