This month's Liberty Award Winner Spotlight is with Meryl Snow of Feastivities Events.  Meryl won a 2007 Liberty Award in Best Cuisine for "Backstage: Culinary Amusement."

The Cuisine category awards catering on and/or off-premise, specialty bakeries, chocolate creators, restaurants, facility operators, hotels and any other entity that provides food to the special events industry.  Exclusive of alcoholic beverages

ISES Phila - What does your company do and what is your role?

• Meryl - Feastivities Events is a full service event planning and off-premise catering firm in Philadelphia. My role as a Ring Master keeps the team enthused, creative and on schedule. Juggling multiple acts into a cohesive performance.

ISES Phila - What was the event that you won your Liberty Awards?

• Meryl - After 20 years in the catering and event planning business, we opened a 20,000 square foot culinary center.  This new facility which houses the commissary, offices, conference/sampling spaces, staff training room and warehouse all under one roof was also the site of the grand opening gala "Backstage: Culinary Amusement". One would think egos would get in the way when eight planners, an executive chef and both owners gather together to plan the details for their own event.  That was not the case with this group.  It was evident from the very first planning meeting that everyone agreed the event needed to be over the top.  Planning teams were set-up: logistics, culinary, décor and bars.  Each group had a point person heading up the team, and reporting to me at the weekly staff meeting.  Organization and detailed paperwork were a few of the keys to the huge success of this event. The objective was to please not one client but seven hundred clients. They expected to see new innovative ideas that were well executed and usable for their events. We can't just follow the trends, we need to set them.

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

• Meryl - Feastivities Events is celebrating 21 years. Out of the 21 years, I'm not certain how long we've been associated with ISES. But, I do know that some of my best friends were met at the ISES monthly meetings.

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

• Meryl - Running a business certainly takes it's toll on "free time", although, it is important to me to give back to the industry. I have been asked to speak at the ISES REC workshops, hosted several ISES monthly meetings and as a team been on the planning committee for FRESH.

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

• Meryl - Hands down- networking. Someone once told me that Philadelphia was one of the most competitive cities in the nation. I believe that. However, it amazes me that these most competitive people work so well together. Think about it, what better way to make a living, we go to parties.

Mark your Calendars for Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 for the 2008 Liberty Awards!