First, I want to say "thank you" to ISES Denver for making a scholarship to attend The Special Event available to our members.  I am honored to be the one that was selected to attend the conference in January.  New Orleans is an amazing city and the conference was an invaluable experience for me on many levels.  I arrived early enough to participate in the leadership training for ISES and feel I got so many great ideas from other chapters and leaders of ISES that I could take with me and share with our local chapter.  Once the actual conference started I took full advantage of the amazing lectures and classes offered.  My two favorite classes were Sasha's class on Inspiration Boards and the class offered by The Wedding Summit on branding.  Of course, it wouldn't be a TSE show without the trade-show where I delighted in the latest and greatest in technology, decor and everything else related to putting on spectacular events.  It was a fantastic week filled with great camaraderie with fellow ISES members from all over the country, wonderful food and inspiring education and ideas that will help me as an ISES board member and a business owner. Thank you again for allowing me to attend!

Attending The Special Event Convention in New Orleans was a career changing experience.  As a member of The Denver ISES Chapter and active member in the community, I gained knowledge that will improve my career ambitions. I am a Catering Manager for a downtown hotel and am constantly searching for educational and networking opportunities.  Associations within my community and peers have assisted me with my aspirations, but attending The Special Event accelerated this process. I gained new marketing ideas, knowledge, and enthusiasm about new business to pursue.  The speakers for each program were very informative and creative.  They influenced me to better my career and become more involved in the community.  I also made several connections with other event professionals.  It was breathtaking to be in a room with so many people in the event industry.  I established relationships with contacts across that nation that I intend to maintain.  It was refreshing to meet people outside the Denver community.  I was able to talk about my venue and expand on what Denver has to offer. I left the convention stimulated, motivated, and ready to apply my finding to my career.  The Special Event was an experience that will assist me to achieve my career goals.  It was a life changing event that I am thankful to have had the opportunity to experience.  I strive to attend The Special Event for years to come.