Join us this week at the ISES April Meeting with David Merrell

You may register on site after Monday March 30th

Agenda
5:30pm: Registration, Networking
6:00pm: Dinner
6:15pm: Welcome
6:20pm: Introductions
6:35pm: Speaker
7:35pm: Questions
7:45pm: ISES Announcements
8:00pm: Evening Ends

Click Here to Register
MASTER SERIES: An Evening with David Merrill of An Original Occasion -“Walking the Tight Rope Between Creativity and Profitability”First, experience an event unlike any other - at the warehouse homes of both Kool Party Rentals and Shadow Mountain Productions! Dinner will be provided by Special Moments Catering and Events with beverage service by Pourmasters. And catching it all on camera will be Kelvin Photography!

Spend the evening with David Merrell! When David Merrell founded An Original Occasion (AOO) Events in 1989, his vision was to design and produce personalized and original events. “All truly special events,” Merrell says, “demand a customized approach in order to fully achieve the client’s vision and purpose.” It is this philosophy that has positioned AOO Events as one of the most reputable event design and production firms in Southern California.

Merrell, a native of Cleveland, moved to Los Angeles in 1983 and he worked in a sales and marketing capacity in various industries before finding his niche in special events. Combining a creative eye with sales savvy, Merrell immediately excelled in the event industry. AOO Events fast became the special event company of choice for clients ranging from former President Ronald Reagan to Warner Brothers Studios. Since 1999, AOO Events has won seven Gala Awards, the event industry’s highest honor. The awards were for Best Corporate Event in 1999 and 2000. In 2002 the fourth Gala Award and an Esprit Award was won in the Best Décor category for the movie premiere event for “John Q”. Again, AOO Events won the coveted Gala Award for Best Décor in 2003 and 2004. AOO Events recently won the 2007 Esprit Awards for Best Décor for an Individual Recently, AOO Events co-designed a series of events that was awarded a Crystal Site Award for best Multiple-Day Incentive Program at the ITME show. Dave was also nominated in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 and this year, 2007 won a Spotlight award for the “Designer of the Year” from Event Solutions Magazine. AOO Events has also just been nominated for “Event Company of the Year” by Event Solutions Magazine. Today, AOO Events produces events not only in Southern California, but worldwide.

Merrell is the former President of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES), and has served in numerous positions of international boards of ISES. A former member of Special Events Magazine’s Advisory Board, Merrell is regularly featured and quoted in numerous trade and consumer publications and is a popular industry speaker both nationally and internationally. Merrell’s current office is located in Hollywood, California.
Join David as he delves into “Walking the Tight Rope Between Creativity and Productivity”…
Every Producer, Designer and Owner understands the fine line we walk every day between creativity and profitability. When do you re-invent the wheel and when do you address realistic budgetary expectations? Are you over designing the project? What are your client’s true expectations? And can you make a profit within their budget? No matter how fabulous the design, if you’re not making money you won’t be in business for long! Walk away with a whole new take on the war between designers and bean counters. Find out if you’re a right brain or left brain personality and how it effects your work and your business.
Click Here to Register

Thank you to our April Partners:
Venues/Decor - Kool Party Rentals/Shadow Mountain Productions
Catering - Special Moments Catering
Drape - Quest Drape
Beverage Service - Pourmasters
Photography - Kelvin Photographer
Speaker - David Merrell of AOO Events
Cost: $20 for student members, $40 for members, $50 for non-members if registered by Monday, March 29. Registration increases $10 after Monday, March 29 -- and at the door.

Don't Forget to Enter Your Event and Register for the Zonies!

THE THIRD ANNUAL ARIZONA EVENT INDUSTRY AWARDS (THE ZONIES) ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

March 10, 2009 – Phoenix, Arizona: The third annual Arizona Event Industry Awards – the Zonies – are now accepting applications. The winners will be announced at the Arizona Industry Awards Gala on May 13, 2009 at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale.

Award categories include:
Best On Premise Catering
Best Off Premise Catering
Best Use of Rental Equipment
Best Event Décor
Best Event Marketing Campaign
Best Lighting/Technical Production
Best Logistical Achievement
Best Entertainment
Best Fair/Festival
Best Social Event, Budget Under $25,000
Best Social Event, Budget Over $25,000
Best Non-Profit Event, Budget Under $25,000
Best Non-Profit Event, Budget Over $25,000
Best Corporate Event, Budget Under $25,000
Best Corporate Event, Budget Over $25,000

While you do not need to be a member of ISES Arizona to enter, each entrant must be a member of the event & hospitality industry in the state of Arizona and have an Arizona address. The event must also have occurred within the state of Arizona between January 1-December 31, 2008. The format for entries that must be followed is specified on the application – entries must adhere to all rules. The entry deadline is 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 and must include the $35.00 entry fee. Entries should be delivered or mailed to Brianna Patterson, Creative Event Rentals, 2850 S. 36th Street, Suite 7, Phoenix, AZ 85034.

More information, including the Rules and the Checklist, can be found at http://www.isesaz.com/subcontent.aspx?SecID=79. For further information, please contact Brianna Patterson at Brianna@creativeeventrentals.com or at 480-840-0202. Tickets for the Arizona Industry Awards Gala on May 13, 2009 will be available beginning April 6, 2009.

What is ISES?The International Special Events Society is comprised of over 4,000 professionals associated among 41 chapters world wide who work in the special events industry as event planners, caterers, decorators, florists, destination management companies, rental and production companies, tent suppliers, audio-visual technicians, party and convention coordinators, hotel and convention managers, entertainers and much more. ISES provides education and networking to its members to promote professionalism in the special events industry.

Imagine This

Don't forget about the IMAGINE Industry Happy Hour details are below.
IMAGINE Happy Hour

NEW Date: Thursday, April 2, 2009

Time: 5 pm - ?

The Place To Be: Sandbar
10050 N Scottsdale Rd (Scottsdale & Gold Dust – North of Doubletree; South of Shea)

It's time we had a bit of fun! Hope to see you there.

You must be a member of the Imagine AZ group to get details so invite your business friends to join our group.

Imagine AZ Facebook Group:
http://www.facebook.com/events.php#/group.php?gid=39004020795

Or for more information contact:
AMY PETROVSKY
SENSATIONAL EVENTS
Scottsdale: 602.696.4646
Northern AZ: 928.445.1199
Fax: 602.334.1446
Mailing Address: 16252 North 49th Place Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

Visit:www.sensational-events.com