ISES Greater Philadelphia Chapter

Hello again everyone and thank you for reading the May newsletter.

This month our membership drive is now in full swing. Poke your Facebook friends, post in your blog, or tweet on twitter, but get the word out about the benefits of membership so everyone can take advantage of the discount.

Also, at this month's meeting we'll have an amazing line-up of industry professionals, discussing our new economic climate and answering your questions. Don't miss it!

Be sure to find more information below about out upcoming Liberty Awards "Let Freedom Bling"!

Finally, two members just opened their new boutiques in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. Check out a short clip of the cocktail party they had.

"In The Event of the Economy"
A Discussion with Economic, Business, and Event Professionals on Today's Economic Status

$25 "Stimulus" Pre-Registration Fee for our
May 27th Meeting. Speakers: Panel Discussion

Panelists:
Dulany Noble, Gala Cloths by Dulany
Jim Cohn, Mid-Atlantic Events Magazine

Stephen Forbus, Pro-Fundraisers
Dr. Vail Garvin, Bucks County Chamber of Commerce
Laura Haymann, VP Customer Service, Wachovia Bank

Location: Sand Castle Winery in Bucks County. Registration and Networking will be from 5:30pm to 7:00pm with our program immediately following.

Special Drawing: Renew your ISES Membership or Join ISES before the May 27th meeting, bring your email receipt to the meeting and be entered into a drawing for (2) two tickets to our Liberty Awards on June 24th.
Registration/More Info

Join ISES in May 2009 Online for only $399!
14 months of membership for the yearly rate AND avoid the $50 application fee! (All memberships expire June 30, 2010

As an ISES member, enjoy:
Membership in the Greater Philadelphia Chapter
Education and Professional Development
Professional Resources
Subscription to Special Events Magazine
Listing on www.ISES.com
Use of ISES online Career Center
Professional Certification Program
Discounted business services with Alamo, Budget Truck Rental, DHL, EarthLink, FedEx/Kinkos, Quicken, Shaker Group, and Staples

CLICK HERE to become a member right now.

GET CONNECTED! Find your advantage!

The ISES Community - http://community.ises.com

Join over 6,000 of your fellow ISES Members in our NEW online community

The NEW ISES Community hosts thousands of members from around the globe looking to connect with fellow ISES professionals in an attempt to create more efficient, more informed business decisions, projects and potential project leads.

Watch destination videos, see event supplier photo albums, join or start a topic or regional discussion group, and read member blogs (or start your own).

Post information about yourself, add optional media and marketing features, see how Planners are rating their services, receive Requests For Information, interact directly with professionals and your internal associates, and much more.

For all ISES members, the possibilities are endless.

Over 6,000 of your fellow ISES members are on the ISES Community and I look forward to seeing you!

David DeLoach, ISES President

What is the ISES Community?
The ISES Community is the professional and social network on www.ises.com,http://community.ises.com for ISES members. Whether you are looking to connect with your co-workers or find new friends and colleagues within ISES, you can get in touch with those who share your interest in the live event industry easily on the ISES Community.

How do I join the ISES Community?
All ISES members are automatically members of the Community. Just log into the website and go to the Community!
David's Tip:
Once you complete your online profile with a picture of yourself, your qualifications and experience and at least a few photos of your projects or services, join a group! This alone could generate more interest for your services - What are you waiting for?

CSEP—What will those four letters after your name mean?

When it’s time to do your taxes, you probably feel more comfortable bringing your business to a CPA. You wouldn’t think about making a medical appointment with someone other than an MD or some kind of medical specialist. And you wouldn’t trust your legal fate with someone who has not earned their JD. In each case, an individual has met standards and fulfilled requirements to achieve their degree or certification. Neither is easy to attain. They all take a lot of hard work, dedication, time and most of all commitment. So does the CSEP, the Certified Special Events Professional.

Here are some reasons you should consider achieving the CSEP.
·         Certification demonstrates your commitment to the special events industry. Whether you are a CEO, department director or newcomer to the special events profession, receiving your CSEP shows your peers, clients, and the public your commitment to your career and your ability to perform to set standards.
·         CSEP enhances your professional image. The CSEP program seeks to grow, promote and develop certified professionals who can stand “out in front” as examples of excellence.
·         CSEP establishes professional credentials. Because the CSEP recognizes your individual accomplishments, it stands above your resume, serving as an impartial, third-party endorsement to your knowledge and experience. The designation defines you beyond your job description or academic degree. You can help control your professional destiny.
·         CSEP improves career opportunities. Certification identifies you as one who can adapt to changes in work, technology, business practices and innovation. It gives you the edge.
·         Certification improves your knowledge and skills. Achieving your CSEP shows your competence by confirming proficiency and career involvement, thus assuring knowledge.
·         CSEP offers greater recognition from peers. As a CSEP, you can expect increased recognition from peers for taking that extra step in your professional development.

Next CSEP Discussion Group will be June 1st at 12:30pm. For more information on this meeting, contact Lauren Huezo at lhuezo@gepphilly.com

In a New York State of Mind…
REC 2009, New York City
Samantha Flottemesch

As professionals in the event world, updating our knowledge of the industry is an essential part of both maintaining relevance, and gaining valuable experience. These two ideas were certainly the theme for this year’s REC and were woven throughout my time at the conference. Hosted by the ISES New York Metro Chapter, and held at The Downtown Marriott the conference was sure to be a hit!

REC kicked off with a great start. . . Read More

ISES Members move to New Locations in Northern Liberties

ISES Members Kendall Brown of Eclatante and
Donna O'Brien of Beautiful Blooms moved to their new locations, directly across from each other in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia.

Here's a peek at their boutique-warming party.

If you have any news about your company that you'd like to see in the newsletter, please send your information to Dave Williams, newsletter editor, at Dave@DVideography.com

Seamless Events, Inc. would like to introduce the newest member of their expanding team—Jamie Kennedy, Relationship Events & Design Manager. Jamie joined the team in April and has hit the ground running! Jamie has years of personal and professional experience in horticulture, floral design, and event planning. Her combination of design knowledge and professionalism provides her a unique ability to conceptualize an event environment and to bring out the special personal touches that are needed to turn an ordinary event into an extraordinary memory to last a lifetime.