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People in the News
Alan Eingold of Over the Top Party Linen is the new VP of Programs/Education for the ISES SFLC Chapter and Susan Bennett of Embassy Suites Boca Raton is a new director...Downtown Events is now the in-house carterer at the Woodmont Country Club in Tamarac, a 36,000-square-foot property available for social and corporate events...Tropical Elegance moved into a new, bigger office almost doubling the size of its floral design space...
Thank you to the sponsors of the August Meeting! |
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Want to sponsor an upcoming ISES meeting? Contact Alan Eingold... |
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New Product Profile: Flogos |
Zeev Weissman, the man behind DECO AV, has introduced a revolutionary new way to advertise. Flogos are clouds of foam, shaped into a client's logo. They are 100% green and an environmentally safe product meant to last as long as needed. Most flogos last 30 minutes or more and can reach heights of up to 5,000 feet.
To learn more about flogos, visit www.deco-av.com or call 954.602.0484
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ISES EventWorld 2009: By Shari Lynn Rothstein |
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Held in San Francisco, California, this year's ISES Event World was an action packed journey through one of the country's most incredible cities.
As ISES is all about education, tracks ranged from novice professional to skilled professional to seasoned professional. Each was packed with pertinent information on business, creative, strategy, money, insurance, design, social networking and more. Well-known speakers included Jackie Bernstein, Empire Force Events; Richard Carbotti, Perfect Surroundings Inc.; Corbin Ball, Corbin Ball Associates; Chris Bonney, Vanguard Technology; Jodi Collen, CSEP, Augsburg College; Paul Creighton, T Skorman, and many others.
Simon T. Bailey, founder of the Brilliance Institute, did Release Your Brilliance: How to Reposition, Reconnect and Re-emerge in Times of Change as the opening session. He received rave reviews.
 This year, the events were truly exceptional. The ISES Event World Welcome Reception, held at local club called Mezzanine, was great. The venue, a funky, two-story club offered a loft-like feel, featuring wide open spaces, a stage for a live band, and an upstairs "nook", where a limited number of couches and chairs served as an intimate lounge, complete with a small bar. It overlooked the downstairs component so attendees could watch the action from above.
Friday's festivities began at 4:30 p.m., where America's sassiest lifestyle guru, Steve Kemble, put on the featured edutainment session: Happy Hour! Hot and Sassy Trends. With Lady Bunny emceeing the event, Kemble assembled multiple panels and speakers covering topics including design, the economy and more. Stage sets changed as Steve's "sassy stagehands" (including Aaron Sayer, ISES SFLC's own Jamie Oristano, Larry Greene, Kevin White, and others) were recruited to "service" the ever-changing looks of moods of Kemble. With cocktails and audience participation, plenty of great information was shared and a good time was had by all. 
As night fell, the festivities focused on the SEARCH Foundation's efforts. This year, guests were bussed to the Galleria in the design district, where they were treated to a lovely evening of food and wine pairings. Planned and executed by Sasha Souza and her team, the event spanned three floors, bringing local wineries and caterers together at individual stations to create a delicious and truly tasteful event.
EventWorld culminated with the ISES Esprit Awards on Saturday evening, a prestigious awards ceremony to honor industry excellence.
To view more photos from the various events taken by Doorstop Photography, click here
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 Venue Spotlight: Mai-Kai |
This year, the Mai-Kai celebrates its 52nd anniversary and is proud to announce the completion multi-million dollar renovation. Established in 1956, the business is still owned and operated by the same family, now spearheaded by Dave Levy, and supported by the Mai Kai team, some of whom have been with the operation for up to 45 years.
The Mai-Kai features several private rooms that can accommodate from 50 to 250 guests. Each room is named after one of the islands in the South Pacific, such as New Guinea, Tahiti, Samoa, and Tonga. All rooms are decorated with museum-quality artifacts and tropical flowers. The restaurant's beautiful gardens feature waterfalls, lagoons, and giant Tiki sculptures, which provide one-of-a-kind photo op for any occasion.
For more information, visit www.maikai.com
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 The August Meeting at the Mai-Kai was the perfect way to wind down our summer. If you missed it, read the meeting wrap-up below.
With Fall and the Holidays just around the corner, I want to know:
What do you do to prepare for the rush of events and last-minute holiday planning?
Email me at and fill me in.
Eventfully,
Vanessa Goyanes
VP of Communications, 09-10 |
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Mai-Kai Hosts August Meeting with Tropical Flair |
For the August ISES meeting , members gathered at the Mai-Kai Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale for a tropical-inspired evening set in the Molokai Lounge. Everyone was greeted with a complimentary tasting of Saaga Vodka-a peachy-orange concoction that one expects to find in any reputable tiki bar in the islands. A small appetizer buffet with Polynesian favorites filled the air with delicious scents. 
Tours of the restaurant were available to show members the variety of spaces the Mai-Kai has to offer for any size group, no matter the occasion. The evening could not be complete without the authentic entertainment the Mai-Kai is known for, which has been drawing tourists and locals alike to this spot since 1956. A trio of entertainers performed traditional dances to the beat of live drummers, creating a hi-energy performance to rival the best cardio workout known to man! Even some ISES members were pulled into the act for some brief audience participation. After the show, everyone cooled down and got back to relaxing and just spending some much-needed time with fellow members.
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New Member Profile:
Mandy Diaz, Room Service Rentals |
Tell us about your company
Room Service is a full-service furniture and event rental company that provides a wide range of fine furniture, upscale accessories, and high-end event rentals. We pride ourselves on providing world-class customer service and flawless furnishings for every event. We service events of all sizes nationwide with offices currently in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.
What makes your company different from the rest?
The variety and versatility of our products makes them unique and appealing to any type of client and/or budget. I can pride myself in working with a great team that together offers exceptional customer service with a great product.
What are your professional and personal goals?
To continue to learn and grow each day and continue to challenge myself not only on a professional level but a personal level as well. I am involved in other organizations and have participated in various charitable events but I pride myself in walking every year for the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" as it is a cause close to my heart. Join me this year!!!
Why did you join ISES?
To connect with other industry professionals with the same visions and goals as myself. It is definitely a great tool for networking and meeting key players in the industry which together can make our clients' events a triumph and therefore having a winning combination of!
What do you hope to get out of ISES in the months to come?
Knowledge, Experience and great Contacts!
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Floral Trends with Tropical Elegance:
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Joan Cherenfant, owner/floral artist of Tropical Elegance in Pompano Beach, has seen a change in the floral trend within the last few months and shares what she has created for her clients as a result.
The fashion industry has long had an influence in the special events world. With the recent 40th anniversary of  Woodstock, everything from clothing to flowers have been getting a retro makeover. For one of her brides, Joan focused on rich, vibrant colors to create a "hand-picked" look, pictured at right.
"Everyone uses glass vases in their events and I designed this  piece (left) with branches and palm fronds without jeopardizing the elegance and style of the event," Joan said. She has been asked by many clients to literally think "outside the box."
Another trend that will never go out of style in South Florida is the sexy, South Beach look. Joan wants clients to know that you can still create this style without sticking solely to white orchids submerged in a large vase. "I infuse three  different type of flowers (shown at right) into the arrangment with the orchids being an accent to the piece and not the focal point," she says. The trick is to choose one color and get a variety of blooms in that one hue to create a sexy, stylish centerpiece. Visit www.tropicaleleganceinc.com to learn more
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Welcome to the soon approaching Fall season. I love Fall, not only because of the beauty in the season, but because of the optimism and energy we have this time of year. Some of us have had the opportunity to relax or re-group during the summer days and now we are eager to begin the busy season. Some of us may be concerned about the economy and what business opportunities may or may not be coming our way. Regardless of what your thoughts may be, remember your options within ISES.
Want to advertise a new product or special offer? ISES SFLC is now offering marketing opportunities to its members. To learn more, please call Sandy Hermens at 954.578.5500 or via email 