ISES Greater Philadelphia Chapter: Liberty Awards 2007

Larry - Open Aire Affairs is an event site management company. We market, sell, and manage events at unique indoor and outdoor properties. Our most popular venues are outdoor locations where we install large tents with carpeted floors for the season (March through November) and leave the vendor list open to any professional (catering, floral, entertainment, etc). I am the general manager of the company.

ISES Phila - What was the event that you won your Liberty Award (please describe your role)?

Larry - A Capital Affair: A large health organization held a gala fund raiser at one of our most popular properties, Elm Lowne in Bucks County, Pa. The venue is a twelve acre estate property with a quaint manor house and private lake. Our existing tented structure is a 40'x120' NaviTrac tent with clear ceiling sections. This tent became the cocktail hour space to the approximately 450 guests. We installed a 60'x100' Century Tent to house seating, entertainment and silent auction space. A 30'x60' catering tent, 20'x40' restroom tent, and 16'x16' valet tent were all connected to ward off the light rain of that evening, protecting all the guests and staff.

ISES Phila - How long have you been in the industry and a part of ISES Phila?

Larry - I have been in the special event industry for over 15 years since graduating from college. I started my first day, with diploma in hand, washing rental dishes and flatware for more than 10 hours. Since then I have helped grow three fledgling companies into substantial organizations in the special events industry. I joined ISES in 2004 and still count it as the best move I have made working in this industry.

ISES Phila - What is your role in ISES Phila and/or International Leadership?

Larry - Currently, I am the Vice President of Membership for the Philadelphia Chapter. Previously I was the Director of Membership and VP of Communications. I was named "Member of the Year" in 2004 and have worked on the committee for FRESH and other special projects for the chapter.

ISES Phila - What do you think is your favorite aspect of ISES?

Leila - The amount of business that I receive from ISES connections is invaluable. Upon joing ISES and becoming actively involved in committees and the board, my company ahs seen enormous growth in revenue. I attend the monthly meetings to network with really great professionals in the area and learn from the unique and useful programs given each month.