2007:  february recap

2006:  june recap | may recap | april recap | february recap | january recap

ISES LA JAM 2007 – A report From the Party, August 8

by Martha Blanchfield
martha@renegade-pr.com

What’s a party without a tent – a magnificent beckoning private setting for guests? 
Greeting ISES LA JAM 2007 attendees was Raj Tent’s stunning presentation featuring water-resistant, cotton canvas exterior tenting with woodblock printed and embroidered cotton interiors. If you wished to duck the heat, this was the place before venturing out a few paces beyond to outdoor booths featuring everything from caterers to floral, planners to entertainers.

Among the booths: Best food – Border Grill Santa Monica - Ciudad. Best entertainment – Jumbo Shrimp Circus. Most interesting event idea – Largest Mixer, the ultimate networking event. Most engaging event planner – Serene Star Productions.

In the House
More vendors displayed wares inside the Los Angeles Center Studios. Front and center was Images Printed on Chocolate. Proprietor Tracy Hueth and team were snapping photos of guests using a digital camera and then queuing up files to be printed out (using a special printer bed and edible vegetable-based inks) onto yummy lolly-cookies. Around the corner more sweets were beckoning. The Chocolate Traveler had sample nuggets in flavors such as crème brulée, tiramisu, dulce de leche and deep rich bittersweet. Our friends from Orange County and San Diego were also there, as well as the Greater Los Angeles ISES chapter.

Got That Green Feeling
Need a few more eco or green vendors to share with your environmentally-concerned clients?   The JAM featured a dedicated lounge area for new things green. Girari Sustainable Event Furnishings provided unique seating options made from recycled aluminum products that have been handcast and hand finished in the U.S.A.

Guests refreshed with llanllyr SOURCE, one of the world's premium quality bottled waters. llanllyr SOURCE is obtained from sources beneath certified organic fields in west Wales in the U.K. Other vendors such as Preserve Plateware, offering tableware made from 100 percent recycled plastic and dishwasher safe, and biocompostable cutlery were featured.

ISES JAM LA is an annual event hosted by Greater Los Angeles chapter with participation and support from allied organizations including NACE LA, MPI Southern California and ABC. This year the organizers extended a complimentary table to our chapter.

More Information
www.rajtents.com
www.bordergrill.com
www.jumboshrimpcircus.com
www.largestmixer.com
www.serenestarproductions.com
www.imagesprintedonchocolate.com
www.chocolatetraveler.com
www.girari.com
www.llanllyrwater.com
www.sourcewaterusa.com
www.recycline.com/products/preservetbw.html
www.worldcentric.org/store/cutlery.htm

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ISES Meeting: February, 2007

by Katie Hamilton

Is the pepper shaker to be placed on the right, or no… is it the left? Well, on Tuesday, February 20th at the beautiful Silverado Vineyards, the ISES Napa-Sonoma Chapter was honored to be joined by guest speaker Debbie Thomas, CSEP.  

Approaching the topic of “Time Honored Protocol” for the hospitality business, this certified “professor of service” and President of the ISES San Diego Chapter, touched many important topics relating to us all; How imperative it is for your staff to have basic product knowledge; Do they really know “what you are selling?”, “Kiss the Cloth” approach to making a room united in its setting as the visual event is as much an impact as the service itself, and that eye contact as well as name recognition with your client makes hospitality SIMPLY THE BEST!

We were also honored to have Debbie take the time to brief us on the renowned CSEP program; Certified Special Event Professionals. As Debbie sits on the board that forms this extensive exam, she was able to give us an insight on what this exam entails along with ideas of how to prepare.

As we all know, the hospitality business is about creating a wonderful experience that will forever be remembered by all involved~ Debbie did just that!

www.schoolfortheservicearts.com
 

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ISES Event: June, 2006

by Moira McGovern

moira@webmoiradesign.com

The Events Gallery at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma was teeming June 27th, as members of ISES Napa-Sonoma joined our new Board of Directors at the "Planting the Seeds of Growth for an Abundant Future" event and swearing in ceremony.

Organized by Robin McKee of Wine Country Party (who provided the event equipment for the night), the event featured amazing decor by Sylvia Parkinson of ATL Events and Allison Creager of D'Lovely. A delicious family style meal provided by Feast, stunning centerpieces by Julie's Flowers and wines from Nicholson Ranch, Sebastiani, Silverado Vineyards, Domaine Chandon and Mumm Napa Valley all combined into an unforgettable night at a uniquely beautiful venue.

Heather Harris of Rising Sun Catering and Jenne Hohn of Jenne Hohn Events - who together planted the seeds that became our chapter - welcomed the group and offered thanks (by way of gorgeous flowers by Chloe Vanessa) to those who served during the nomination and election process. Before the meal was served, Marshall Bauer of Wine Country Party shared his ideas on how event professionals in the Valley might better work together to enhance the event production process for us all.

After the board was sworn in by Heather Henderson, CSEP of the International Board of Directors, Jenne Hohn - our first ever president of the ISES Napa-Sonoma Chapter - spoke of her excitement, and of her vision for the chapter.

The crowd adjourned to a fabulous dessert lounge provided by Feast in Cornerstone's Garden Tent, and throughout the night, guests were invited to tour this amazing site.

ISES Event: May, 2006

by Chloe Vanessa

chloevanessa@sbcglobal.net
 

The dismal rain of April not present on May 16th! Gorgeous sunshine and good time awaited all! Our fabulous day began by picking up our Northern California Chapter friends in San Francisco with transportation provided by Pure Luxury Worldwide Transportation.

Everyone met in Glen Ellen at the beautiful BR Cohn Winery - our host was Suz Crews (she is a part of Business Development for BR Cohn). Here we experienced delicious hors devours from Kinyon Culinary Services. We were also treated to a fabulous tour of the property and of course wine tasting!

The journey continued to the Atwood Ranch, which is known for 'Cutting, Cattle, and Cabernet' and our gracious host here was Julie Atwood (Julie is an Event Designer). Guests were greeted with delicious hors devours provided by Melissa Teaff Catering and wines from local growers and members of the Sonoma Valley Vintners Association. And boy did Twilight Design help set the mood with their beautiful lanterns scattered throughout the barn!

While everyone was toasting to a beautiful day good ol' Alice Ganow (from La Bella Party Rental) was making the rounds with her raffle tickets! The raffle prizes were so wonderful Alice raised over $1200! Talk about working the crowd!

Guests were then asked to take their seats at unique luncheon tables with brand new linens provided by La Bella Party Rental and decor provided by Chloe Vanessa Floral Decorator. As we enjoyed a delicious first course of Mushroom Tortes and salad provided by Wine Valley Catering, our guest speaker Doug McConnell from KRON TV's Bay Area Backroads was introduced by Ashley Capra (Paula LeDuc Fine Catering) and President of NCC. Lunch continued with an incredible presentation of Salmon on a bed of pureed Fava Beans provided by Rising Sun Catering.

While we nibbled on our delicious lunch Doug entertained us with stories of his travels, followed by a great question and answer session. Chocolate cake with a raspberry sauce provided by Knickerbockers Catering was a wonderful way to end the meal.

Before heading back to their shuttles everyone was invited to tour the Atwood Ranch grounds in unique old station wagons! Guests were taken to the pond and main house to see the site's hosting capabilities.

If you thought this event sounded like a must attend please do not miss the next one in June at Cornerstone Gardens!

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ISES Meeting: April, 2006

by Jenne Hohn

jenne@hohnevents.com

Laughter, fun, and knowledge echoed through Rubicon Estates South Barrel Room at ISES Napa-Sonoma's April 25 event. Napa Valley's Rubicon Estate opened their Barrel Room doors, extending warm hospitality to 52 attendees from the entire Bay Area. The Referral Institute's Trey McAllister was on-hand to teach guests new, fun, and informative networking techniques that really work.

Guests were warmly greeted at the reception area and handed questionnaires provided by Trey. Questions ranged from 'Who do you know who owns a bicycle?' to 'Who do you know who is a twin?' These light-hearted questions were a brilliant icebreaker to a serious topic - the importance of effective networking and the tools to do it. Trey provided the competitive edge and insider's scoop to network properly and in turn, increase business success and profits.

At the completion of Trey's program, guests were asked to take what they learned and practice with the group. Rubicon Estate's Chef Kelly McGown provided wonderful appetizers paired with amazing Rubicon wines during the practice session. Dorian Greenow of Pine Ridge was the event's master-of-ceremonies. After introducing Gemma Kochis from Rubicon Estate Events Program, Dorian promoted the benefits of being an ISES member and the importance of voting for the chapter's first ever Board of Directors.

The event culminated in a rousing raffle session. Alice Ganow of La Bella Party Rentals has been hot on the trail of amazing raffle items. April's raffle consisted of high-end wines to spa and photography gift certificates to a free sponsorship on the new www.isesnapa-sonoma website. (Please contact Alice Ganow at 707.963.5233 if you would like to provide raffle items for upcoming ISES events).

Trey looks forward to any networking questions you may have. Contact Trey at 707.527.1303 or tmac@trele.com. For questions about Rubicon Estate, call Gemma Kochis at 707.968.1182.

El Dorado Hotel: February, 2006

by Martha Blanchfield

martha@renegade-pr.com

With the member roster count growing at a brisk pace, the first ISES Napa/Sonoma ‘chapter in formation’ meeting was held on February 13 at the historic El Dorado Hotel on the Sonoma Square.

Early guests were invited to tour the new restaurant and hotel property which was recently purchased by the Auberge group. A wonderful luncheon buffet featuring El Dorado Kitchen Chef Ran Fancher’s signature ‘sophisticated yet straightforward’ fare was served to more than 40 guests. Wine service was provided courtesy of Colleen Fraser and the Sonoma Valley Growers Association. Post-lunch, members of the club leadership team introduced themselves and presented plans and views for the upcoming year. Certified Special Event Professional Ingrid Lundquist, CSEP from The Lundquist Company in Sacramento, was a surprise guest. Lundquist is a multiple Gala Award Winner – the Academy Awards of the event world.

ISES Napa/Sonoma, which plans to hold member meetings every two-months, proudly features guest speakers who inspire, educate and entertain. The afternoon’s presenter was Naomi Tickle, a world renowned face reading expert and career coach. Naomi shared her expertise and time-tested techniques she uses when working with clients to create more meaningful customer relations. She has appeared on CNN, NBC, Good Morning America, BBC and numerous radio shows worldwide. For more about Naomi Tickle, visit
www.thefacereader.com

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ISES Rally: January, 2006

by Alice Grisez

alice@grisezeventdesign.com
 

January 23, 2006 marked a very important date for the Sonoma and Napa counties.  It was on this day that the ISES chapter for Sonoma and Napa became official!

The ISES rally took place at the newly remodeled Lincoln Theatre in Yountville. The lobby of the theatre was transformed into an inviting, swanky and hip atmosphere, complete with mood lighting, an array of  jewel toned linens, beautiful floral arrangements and a wonderful display of fine food and desserts from the counties local professionals. It was truly a great reception!

Guests were greeted with programs about ISES and what our plans were in the Wine Country for this much needed, support system and resource for Event professionals. The outcome was a great success, many came and many joined while networking amongst each other and meeting new friends.  Once the minimum 35 new members was achieved a loud bell sounded off and it was announced. ISES in the Valley was established! The evening continued with great music, great wines and even a belly dancer!  All in all it was a huge success and has brought many people together in this great community. We look forward to much continued success for ISES Napa-Sonoma now and in years to come!