I'd like to start by saying… WOW! I just came back from the ISES Eventworld - A Conference for Professional Development in Chicago and I'm feeling pumped and energized about the great team leading our Chapter.

A Western Regional meeting was held where each President was given the opportunity to talk about their Chapter's plans, goals and struggles. It was extremely motivating that as our Chapter representative, I had so much to say about all the great things our board has done to-date and the plans we have for the future. Even more inspiring was that the other Presidents were so impressed that they're looking to us for advice.

Realizing that we are only two months into our term as a new board, we still have a lot of work to do. The team we have this year is incredible!! We have some great meetings planned for you, including a chance to participate in a CSEP study group. Even if you are not planning on becoming certified, you may want to attend the CSEP courses for a refresher on event planning. Make sure that you visit our website on a regular basis to see the events we have coming up and read our newsletters and announcements to see what is happening in the event industry.

Members will be receiving some great benefits this year, including the ability to win a free membership for the following year! Both members and non-members will be able to attend not only a greater number of meetings, but quality networking and educational sessions as well. Please read below for more details on both.

Planning for this year's Buffet Blowout has already begun, promising this signature event will be even bigger and better than ever. You will definitely want to participate this year as a guest, a sponsor, or both. If you're interested in sponsoring a component of the event, please contact one of Buffet Blowout directors listed on our website for more information. Sign up as a sponsor soon to get the most exposure for your business; we will begin promotion on our website in the near future.

If you are not already member of ISES, this is the best time for you to join! With all the great things happening at ISES Vancouver and with the upcoming Olympics, it is important to show your commitment to your profession and the industry. I am really excited about the upcoming year, and look forward to meeting you at our next event.

Sincerely,

Mike Granek
President, ISES Vancouver

The ISES Vancouver Board of Directors has developed a vision, goals, and objectives for 2004 - 2005. This year's events and activities will be designed to:

• Add value to membership
• Increase the profile and build awareness of ISES Vancouver
• Offer exceptional education, resource development, and networking opportunities
• Increase membership by increasing opportunities for participation

What's happening this year? The schedule of ISES Vancouver events for the upcoming year is now available. (click here to view)

Plans include bedazzling social events, fresh and meaningful educational components, certification and beginner level educational workshops, as well as the annual Christmas party and Buffet Blowout - which promises to be the best ever!

Make sure you check the "Upcoming Events" section of the website frequently for details and updates.

What do ISES Vancouver members want from their membership? To help answer this question, a survey was sent out to all chapter members in the summer of 2004. Responses have been received and are summarized in this newsletter. The feedback has been instrumental in determining the direction of the chapter.

Continued Improvement - There are several new and exciting initiatives to continue improving the chapter. The website, newsletter, programs, and educational components are all being revamped in an effort to deliver more member benefits. We will keep you informed of all the exciting changes throughout the year.

ISES Vancouver members are eager and determined to help the chapter reach new levels of success. You're all invited to join the movement by attending events, visiting the website, and signing up for ISES Vancouver information and updates. Your participation will elevate the status and vitality of the special event community for all our benefit. We look forward to meeting you at the upcoming events.

ISES Vancouver Chapter is excited to announce the 2004/2005 Education and Program Schedule. Events are generally held on the third Wednesday of the specified month. Check out our website at www.isesvancouver.com for regular event updates.

• Aboriginal Traditions
  September 15, 2004

  The Aboriginal traditions remain strong in the Pacific Northwest, offer rich experiences that delight the most seasoned traveler, and create memories that your clients and guests will never forget. The First Nations people of British Columbia keep tradition and culture alive in a variety of celebrations, festivals, dances, artwork, spiritual journeys and other cultural experiences. We invite you to come out and learn the symbolism of these diverse experiences and explore new and innovative ways to incorporate a native tradition into your next event!

  More information about this event and registration instructions will be sent to you soon. You can also check for updates at "Upcoming Events" on the website.

  
  
  
  
  
  

• Event Industry Golf Tournament
  September 19, 2004

  Join CSES, ISES, MPI and WAEM members at the first Fab Fore Golf Tournament to be held at the stunning Westwood Plateau Golf Course on Sunday, September 19, 2004. This shotgun round appeals to the novice and expert alike and is a great opportunity to network with colleagues in the industry.

  Enjoy the last days of summer in the beautiful outdoors. The day caps off with cocktails, an amazing meal and exiting prizes to take home. Download an application form from isesvancouver.com and sign up to secure your spot.
  
  

• CSEP Introduction and Study Group
  October 7, 2004

  The CSEP designation is the hallmark of professional achievement in the special events industry. It is earned through education, performance, experience, and service to the industry, and reflects a commitment to professional conduct and ethics.

  If you have achieved a minimum of 25 points to date, and are looking for a way to channel your knowledge and work with a group of like-minded individuals who are planning to obtain their CSEP designation, then come and join our study group! Find more details below >>
  
  
  
  

• Seattle Chapter Event - Advertising - Taking It Up a Notch!
  October 20, 2004

  Dr. Joe Goldblatt is a legend in the event world. He founded ISES in addition to the curriculum for the George Washington University Event Management Program. Dr. Joe Goldblatt has written and published five books pertaining to the event management field and is a highly regarded professional within the industry.

  Don’t miss the opportunity to see Dr. Goldblatt speak at Choice Linens & Chair Covers in Seattle, WA on October. 20, 2004 from 5:30-8:00PM.
  
  

• Fabulous Event Venues From Vancouver & Whistler
  November 17, 2004

  The lower mainland is a playground with an abundance of diverse spaces to host your next event. Expand your horizons and learn more about known and not so well known venues that Vancouver/Whistler have to offer!
  
  
  
  

• Industry Christmas Party
  November 24, 2004

  November is the time to sparkle amongst industry professionals and celebrate the season in style. Take the night off and be our guest at the Industry Christmas Party.
  
  
  

• Student Trade Show with Personal Coach Wrap-up Speaker
  January 19, 2005
  
  
  

• Olympic 2010 Panel Discussion
  February 16, 2005
  
  
  

• Buffet Blowout
  March 23, 2005
  
  
  

• Special Effects - Hollywood North
  April 20, 2005
  
  
  

• Annual General Meeting
  June 5, 2005
  
  
  

The guiding principle for ISES Vancouver for the 2004-2005 year is to add value to your membership. There are a variety of strategies being employed to achieve this. One of these strategies is to provide increased opportunities for member participation. Please consider this one such opportunity - increasing membership.

High caliber speakers, increased resources, excellent networking, smashing parties - sound appealing? These are a few of the results we all want from membership. One of the keys to continue on this path - more members!

Growing our membership exponentially increases opportunities for business relationships. As we grow, it will become easier to recruit new members as the benefits of membership skyrocket.

We welcome your support, participation, and renewed vigor in the campaign for new membership. In this case, bigger is better!

How can you participate to increase ISES Vancouver membership?

As we provide fun, informative and exciting events and deliver useful information and colorful stories, will you spread the word about ISES Vancouver?

The success of our chapter and the elevation of your benefits depend on it. Can we count on you to participate?

All ISES Vancouver members can receive free memberships for the 2005-2006 year.

How?

Sign up four new members between now and January 1, 2005 and you will receive a free membership for the 2005-2006 year saving you hundreds of dollars!

There is no limit to the number of free memberships that will be awarded - every member who brings four first-time members into the ISES Vancouver Chapter will be fully rewarded.

Please direct any individuals who are even remotely interested in obtaining membership to contact the ISES Vancouver Vice President of Membership, Rhonda Pedersen - rhonda@pedersens.com. She’ll be more than happy to help (and she’s wonderfully persuasive). Don’t forget to make sure Rhonda credits you for the new membership.

It’s a sensational incentive! Get started today and enjoy the fruits of you labor when you spend those savings next year.

Subscribing to ISES Vancouver news and events is free for non-members. Encouraging your friends and associates to sign up for periodic emails benefits them and the member community. Increasing our membership starts with raising awareness of our organization and the services we offer.

How do you sign up for e-news and event announcements? It’s easy. Just go to the home page at www.isesvancouver.com , scroll down and click the submit button on the left side of the screen (below the menu).

Subscribers will be sent a confirmation email to ensure they want to receive ISES Vancouver news and announcements. This email will also prompt them to explore the new Privacy Policy to assure them that their personal information will not be used for any other purposes.

In an effort to ensure that ISES members derive the greatest benefit from their affiliation, the ISES Board recently conducted a survey. The purpose of the survey was to solicit feedback to determine what members valued most to allow the ISES Board to weave the objectives into the coming year’s mandate.

ISES received a strong response from its member base. This information will be instrumental in shaping and supporting this year’s vision.

Members may find the results of the survey of interest.

1. Please indicate which of the following areas you would be willing to travel to for an ISES Function. (Check all that apply)

   Vancouver	94.6%
   North Vancouver	67.6%
   Burnaby	73.0%
   Richmond	62.2%
   Whistler	43.2%
   Other	29.7%

   
   
   

2. Between what times of day do you prefer ISES meetings to be held? (Check all that apply)

   (8am - 11am)	8.3%
   (11am - 2pm)	8.3%
   (2pm - 5pm)	11.1%
   (5pm - 8pm)	86.1%
   (8pm - 11pm)	11.1%
   Doesn’t Matter	8.3%

   
   
   

3. What factors do you consider when determining if you will attend an ISES meeting? (Check all that apply)

   Location	67.6%
   Parking Availability	10.8%
   Access to Skytrain	2.7%
   Access to Public Transportation	5.4%
   Speaker	91.9%
   Price	29.7%
   Time of Day	54.1%
   Other (please specify)	29.7%

   
   
   

4. What do you consider are the most valuable components at our ISES meetings? (Check all that apply)

   Networking	86.5%
   Business Prospects	45.9%
   Education	75.7%
   Other (please specify)	10.8%

   
   
   

5. How would you prefer to receive our quarterly newsletter, "ISES Reporter"?

   Mail	21.6%
   Email	78.4%

   
   
   

6. Are you aware that ISES offers a certification program, the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)?

   Yes	100%
   No	0%

   
   
   

7. Do you plan on becoming a CSEP?

   Yes	50%
   No	47.2%

   
   
   

The ISES Board will continue to refer to these survey results in addition to the valuable comments shared throughout the year to create exceptional value for the membership.

Early in July, ISES members were invited to participate in a survey to collect information on their needs and expectations. An extra incentive to participate was offered - one respondent would receive 6 free tickets to the 2005 Buffet Blowout. This has an estimated $300 value!

The draw has taken place and the lucky winner is James Thornley from Lonsdale Event Rentals. Congratulations James and thank you to everyone who participated by responding to the survey. See you at the party.

ISES Vancouver now delivers important industry related announcements at the ISES Vancouver website.

You may have noticed there is now an Announcement Board on the home page of the website. This provides a place for members and non-members to post industry related announcements. More importantly, it provides a place for a target audience of website visitors to read them. The website receives thousands of hits every month! This initiative puts the ISES Vancouver resources to their best use - increasing the value of your membership.

Announce events, new jobs, titles, addresses, recent awards and accomplishments and more.

The announcements seen on the home page are linked to an Announcement Board page with more details. The Announcement Board page also contains a "submit your announcement" button. When clicked, it cues a pop-up screen with information on the submission guidelines and criteria:

• 70 words maximum
• text only - links are permitted; logos and graphics are not
• posting duration - 90 days maximum; this can be split between 2 time intervals
• current announcements will be included in quarterly ISES Reporter newsletters
• posted announcements must benefit ISES Vancouver members
• anyone can submit a posting; posted announcements are free for members; non-members are pay a $75 fee
• submissions can be made to info@isesvancouver.com

Reach out to the special event community by posting your news to the ISES Vancouver Announcement Board and make the most of your membership!

Yes, your friends and associates may be eligible for ISES Vancouver membership benefits…..

Co-workers of ISES Vancouver members can attend ISES Vancouver events for the same price as members.

Your co-workers have access to all the fun, inspirational and informative networking and educational programs that are in the works for the upcoming year! And they can attend for the same discounted price as members.

By taking your co-workers to ISES Vancouver events, you’ll:

• show them the best of Vancouver’s special event venues
• introduce them to the crème de la crème of the industry
• increase your chances of being chauffeured to and from the event
• appear to be very well-liked

Get your office cronies involved! Register them for ISES events and help to build our community for everyone’s benefit.

Interested in the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation?

Now is the time to take the first steps toward achieving your CSEP. We will help you begin the process with orientation programs that explain the requirements, commitment and other details. Our organized study group will then help you achieve the designation.

The CSEP designation is the hallmark of professional achievement in the special events industry. It is earned through education, performance, experience, and service to the industry, and reflects a commitment to professional conduct and ethics.

If you have a minimum of 25 points so far, and are looking for a way to channel your knowledge and work with a group of like-minded individuals who are planning to obtain their CSEP designation, then come and join our study group!

Study Group Facilitator - Eileen Bistrisky - CSEP and President of Effective Event Management.

As past president of ISES Vancouver and numerous other national and regional ISES board positions, Eileen was the first individual in Western Canada to obtain the CSEP designation. She has been actively encouraging others to become accredited, which will help further elevate the professionalism of the event management industry throughout British Columbia.

October 7, 2004

6:00pm - 7:00pm	Orientation &Introduction What is involved in obtaining your CSEP certification - are you prepared?
7:00pm - 8:00pm	The Plan of Attack Those that have attended the session at 6:00pm and are committed to writing their CSEP examination prior to the summer of 2005 will discuss and examine as a group, a plan to achieve this goal that fits with everyone’s expectations.

Pre-registration is mandatory as seating is limited. Interested individuals should email Lori Beaulieu, VP of Education at lori.beaulieu@cme-mec.ca

Cost:

ISES Members:	no charge
Non-ISES Members:	$150.00

Just a friendly reminder, these are not instructional sessions and there will be no ‘teaching’. This is a study group for industry professionals, who are looking for practical ways in which to consolidate their knowledge and work with peers to organize their knowledge, and pass an exam.

In order to protect the privacy of our members and e-news subscribers and clearly communicate the means by which personal information is handled, ISES Vancouver has formally adopted and posted a privacy policy.

The privacy policy is available at www.isesvancouver.com. You’ll find a link to it at the bottom of the homepage. Additionally, anyone who subscribes to e-news will receive a confirmation email that provides a link to the privacy policy.

Board member Linda Bartman volunteered for the role of Privacy Officer. Anyone who has questions or comments can contact her at info@isesvancouver.com. The Privacy Officer has additional detailed information about the policy and its application.

Eileen Bistrisky, CSEP, recently reached the summit of Russia’s Mt. Elbrus, which is Europe’s highest peak at 18,510 feet. In doing so, she personally raised $4,000 for the BC Children’s Hospital - Congratulations Eileen!

Eileen was a member of an elite climbing team working with Summits of Hope. Summits of Hope is a non-profit organization and an official partner of the BC Children's Hospital Foundation. The organization raises funds and awareness and brings hope to kids who are facing life-threatening illnesses.

Eileen and her team of nine battled extreme weather and high altitudes in some of the world’s most difficult and uninhabitable terrain in order to reach the top of Mt. Elbrus. All nine climbers and their guides reached the summit - an incredible feat! Eileen recounts,

“As it became clear that we were all going to make it, it is overwhelming the emotions that you go through. I get weepy at the best of times on local peaks. I remember embracing the others on the summit as the floodgates opened and there was no holding back the intensity of what we had just experienced. All twelve of us were there. It was windy, and our flags ferociously fluttered their messages to the heavens above. Photos were hastily snapped, and it was time to quickly descend.”

The team carried with them the dreams of the children back at home and a giant flag signed by all the kids at the BC Children’s Hospital along with smaller flags signed by respective donors. We’re happy to report that the entire team safely descended and returned home.

Although Eileen’s team members have completed their journey, the kids are still climbing, still battling to overcome their challenges. Their journey is not over and they need all the help they can get. Please get involved and make an online donation at www.summitsofhope.com.

Find out more about Eileen’s courageous adventure by checking trip reports at the Summits of Hope website. As well, we’ll be posting a detailed account of Eileen’s adventure on the ISES Vancouver website soon - be sure to check that out.

Eileen Bistrisky, CSEP, is the owner and founding director of Effective Event Management. She is also a former ISES Pacific Northwest Chapter President and International Regional Vice President.

We thank the following Strategic Partner organizations for their tremendous continued support of ISES Vancouver:

• Art Of The Party
• Bright Ideas Event Coordinators
• MVKA Productions
• Pedersen’s Rentals
• Performance Video Wall
• Table Trends Enterprises

Their commitment to the principles and objectives of ISES has been exemplary. Our success is theirs as well.

Our most sincere appreciation to you sponsors!
From The Board of Directors and all the ISES Vancouver members.

Your organization can benefit from a closer affiliation with ISES Vancouver. Sponsor an event with monetary, labor, or rental contributions.

Join our strategic partners and receive exposure from promotions and advertisements directed at your target audience.

There are many opportunities to contribute and participate. We can custom design a sponsorship package that suits your particular needs. Contact info@isesvancouver.com for more information.

For those of you who haven’t renewed your ISES membership for 2004-2005:

In order to be listed in the ISES International 2004/05 Member Directory please pay your member dues by August 30, 2004.

Renewing your membership by mail or fax can take up to three or four weeks to process - you could be left out of the Directory!

The solution: In order to process your fees immediately and ensure your listing is included in the International Directory, go to www.ises.com and renew on-line.

Another benefit of renewing online - your contact information will be more promptly available on ISES websites.

In order to renew on line, you’ll need:

• Member ID
• Password

Have you forgotten your member ID or password? Please contact Kristin at ISES International for the these two pieces of information.

Kristin Kindsvater,
Membership Coordinator
kkindsvater@smithbucklin.com
312-321-6853 ext. 5714
800-688-ISES (4737)