CulinArt Almost here!

March 3, 2010

A GIANT AND HEARTFELT THANK YOU SHOUT-OUT TO OUR AMAZING SPONSORS, WE COULDN’T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!

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Wild Orchid

Big House Sound * Hyatt Regency Austin * ILIOS Lighting

Marquee Event Group * Premiere Party Central

Hydrangea

API Productions * La Paloma Events * The County Line * The Inviting Pear

Dahlia

6ixth Sense Events * Allison’s Events * Cannoli Joe’s * Central Texas Clinical Research * Greater Giving * Get the Picture * Garrett C. Higley * Hill Country Ride for AIDS * Ron Parks Photography * Stacey Hoyt Events The Wright House Wellness Center * Whole Foods Market Culinary Center

Planning and In-Kind Support From:

Austin Art Garage/Austin WeddingDay Publication/The Corporate Butler/Eagle Pritchard Murray Band/FUNauctions/Ginny’s Printing/Hummingbird House/The Great Outdoors/Rainmaker Talent/Solutions 50

Susan Fortney & Fantasy Designs/SWANK Audio Visuals/The United Court of Austin

LIVE AUCTION PREVIEW:

1. Experience the incredible production of Phantom of the Opera for four and enjoy a weekend stay at the Renaissance Austin Hotel with dinner for two at Banderas.
2. The ISES President’s Dinner with Stacey Hoyt, CSEP and Damon Holditch, CSEP will be hosted at Deep Eddy Hacienda for eight people and catered by Austin Catering.
3. Balance and restore at Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs, California for the weekend! Airfare for two is included.
4. An Acoustic Night with Amy Cook includes a private party for 30 at Deep Eddy Hacienda, with cocktails and an acoustic performance by Austin’s very own Amy Cook.
5. Escape the city and enjoy Lake Travis for a night on a 5 bedroom private houseboat with a hot tub and party deck.
6. A unique piece of art created at CulinART by Michael Laster will be revealed in the live auction.
7. The Windy City is calling to you! Enjoy a two night stay at the Fairmont Hotel, dinner for two at LeColonial and airfare for two to Chicago, Illinois.

CULINART: A FANTASY OF THE HEALING ARTS
Gala Hosted by The Wright House Wellness Center and Produced by ISES/ Austin Chapter
The ISES Austin Chapter, an organization of individuals who are dedicated to deliver creative excellence and professionalism in special events, is proud to present 2010 CulinART benefitting The Wright House Wellness Center – a local non-profit that offers care, resources, education and empowerment to Central Texans living with or at risk of HIV and other chronic illnesses.

2010 CulinART will be held on Thursday March 11th, 2010 from 6pm to 11pm at the Hyatt Regency – 208 Barton Springs, Austin TX 78704. This annual event is produced by the event professionals of the Austin Chapter of the International Special Event Society (ISES). The theme for the evening is “Nature’s Labyrinth”. The gala will feature aspects of our planet’s four natural elements – earth, air, fire and water. Guests may look forward to signature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a four-course plated dinner as well as silent, live, and fine art auctions. A live band, interactive chef demonstrations and whimsical artistry will entertain throughout the evening.

This award winning annual gala brings together the best of the best in the Austin event industry for an ethereal experience that truly defies the imagination. Marquee Event Group and Premiere Party Central will showcase their artistic talent by creating high-end and unique décor & design for this enchanting evening which will set the tone for an incredible four-course dinner produced by an all-star team of acclaimed local celebrity chefs. Cannoli Joe’s Chef Robert Hauser who has worked side by side at Le Cirque with Chef Daniel Boulud will whip up a taste of Italy with his Shrimp Agnolotti to begin the meal. Then, the Hyatt’s Executive Chef Javier Ortiz draws from his Latin roots to hand-craft mouthwateringly spicy hors d’oeuvres as well as to demonstrate a classic poultry dish for the second course. Skeeter Miller, President and Owner of The County Line Bar-B-Q Restaurants who has been featured on the Food Network, will take on the third course, demonstrating how to prepare his Pepper Jack Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. Finally, Whole Foods is proud to have Pastry Chef Christy Hughes, winner of the 2008 National Association of Catering Executives Chef Competition, present a sweet and fiery decadent dessert. Join us in this celebration of giving. Proceeds will benefit The Wright House Wellness Center (501©3 non-profit), so your donation is tax
deductible to the highest extent the law allows.
Purchase advance tickets ($100), Become a Sponsor, or Donate an Auction item.

The Wright House Wellness Center (WHWC)
: Since 1988, WHWC has helped people living with chronic illnesses make healthier life-style choices, delay disease progression and improve quality of life, as well as provide the tools to prevent disease for those at risk. It offers a Disease Management Program which includes outreach, case management, food pantry and nutrition services, mental health services, and complementary health therapies for persons living with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. Its Disease Prevention and Education Program includes HIV/Hepatitis C testing and education, evidenced-based prevention models, case management, and support groups. WHWC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization funded by a combination of private and public sources and receives monetary and in-kind support from a variety of individuals and organizations. Dedicated volunteers donate their time and talents to ensure that programs and services are available to clients of WHWC. Most of the services provided by WHWC are free to clients. Other services are offered on a sliding scale based on income, or are offered at a reduced flat fee. WHWC was awarded the 2007 award for Best Non-Profit Group in Austin by the Austin Chronicle.

*There will be one complimentary media pass distributed per source. The media representative using the pass will be expected to cover the event.

REGISTER

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Picture 12At Meritage Events we are a part of many industry organizations and associations. We feel that it is a great way to network with fellow event professionals, keep a finger on new happenings in our respective cities, expend our knowledge and also get our name out there. Well, for the ISES (International Special Events Society) Austin Chapter I will be beginning a new blog series for the chapter’s website and very successful blog. I will be asking a panel of fellow event professionals, all members of ISES, the most sought after questions that “YOU” want to know. These are the Frequently Asked Questions that many of us [vendors, clients, others interested in the event industry] have and always want to ask others.

Our esteemed panel will answer a proposed question and will be open to comments or further questions. I will also be taking your questions that you would like to see answered in the future, after all this is all about the event community. Here’s to the start of a great conversation!

Cheers,

~Tacy Infante

This week’s FAQ:

Should you give a new client ideas or designs before they sign a contract?

Cindy_Headshot_KoreyHowell_LowRes
“Yes, I am open to sharing some new design ideas with prospective clients.  However, I do have a clause that is included with all proposals that state that this proposal is done complimentary & in good faith that they are using these ideas to help make their decision on which firm they would like to work with.  If they choose to work with another firm, we expect them to destroy our proposal.  If they wish to implement our ideas without our involvement, they can pay for our time in putting the proposal together so all parties are doing what is most ethical for each others’ business.”
Cindy Y. Lo
Red Velvet Events, Inc.
www.RedVelvetEvents.com

Facebook

“There’s a fine line, in my view, between “giving away” your expertise and demonstrating your abilities to new or potential clients. The new or potential client deserves, I think, to see what you’ve done for other events and what you might do for theirs . . . the discussion of ideas and possibilities gets them excited about what you and what you / your team can bring to the table. But “designs” are more than ideas or possibilities . . . they represent intellectual property and a significant investment of time and energy. I know that some planning firms impose a “design fee” if the customer chooses another planner . . . and waives that fee if the customer follows through. Perhaps some version of that approach is the ultimate answer.”
Delores Crum
Premiere Party Central / Premiere Tents & Events
www.premierepartycentral.com
www.premieretentsandevents.com

DamonFeltHat1

“Marquee is asked by all parties for quotes and CADs. Several times I have seen our CADs used by others as a party is being set. The cost of doing business! We must limit our design time with a new client until there is a commitment. We can tell if someone is fishing or shopping for a low price but requesting our design advice. Tough decision.”
Damon W. Holditch, CSEP, CERP
Marquee Event Group
www.MarqueeEventGroup.com

kristin

“As a caterer, I am not sure that we have an option of withholding ideas until there is a signed contract, since we send out themed and customized menus.  It is often the tool used to intrigue a potential client. “
Kristin Stephens
Austin Catering
www.austin-catering.com

If you’d like to see a question answered in this series, please contact us at tacy.infante@meritageevents.com.

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Mid-Year Leadership Shift

February 23, 2010

Dear ISES Austin Members,
Our chapter has experienced a voluntary change in leadership and I am pleased to announce that I will be assuming the role of president for the remainder of the 2009-2010 membership year.  Please join me in thanking Nancy Allison for her extended service to the organization and wishing her all the best [...]

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Red Velvet Events + Chinese New Year!

February 18, 2010

ISES Austin’s very own Cindy Lo & Sarah Lo with Red Velvet Events featured on My Fox Austin this morning for Chinese New Year!!!

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Thank you, SLK Creative

February 15, 2010

SLK Creatives’ — Shari Lynn Rothstein has so graciously provided us the link of her ISES Austin February presentation. Shari, we sure appreciated your time, efforts, enthusiasm and information!

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Mr. Austin Transportation Speaks!

February 8, 2010

How long have you been in the transportation business in Austin? 29 YEARS
You’re referred to as Mr. Transportation in Austin. What is your favorite part of working with ISES Austin planners?
THEY “GET” THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SERVICE I PROVIDE AND IT’S VALUE TO THEIR CLIENTS.  IT’S NOT AS EASY AS YOU MIGHT THINK.  IT’S [...]

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ZPAAC : New Space for ZACH Theatre

February 3, 2010

As you’ll see when you join us for the ISES Austin February event, ZACH brings a whole new meaning to the potential of a blank slate.
Their newly renovated ZPAAC is a planner’s dream–centrally located in the thick of downtown, FREE PARKING, clean and shiny empty space (which doubles as a rehearsal hall), high ceilings, affordable [...]

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Interview: Tacy Infante, Meritage Events

January 27, 2010

Photo credits by: D. Jones Photography, Scott Stanfield, Eric Hegwer, Vim STudios, Peter Jordan Photography.

Meritage Events was formed when?
Nov. 2005
When did you become partner?
I joined as Director of Events in Sept 2006 and became a full partner in the business in 2008.

When you decided to open a satellite office of Meritage, what were some [...]

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New Kingdom for Marquee Rents

January 27, 2010

Grand Open House. Photos by Bill Bastas.

Marquee Rents officially opened the doors of their new kingdom –  a 72,000 square foot wonderland of rentals. Housed in a state-of-the-art facility, the efficiently designed space features a custom sewing room, inspiration room, planner consultation space, drive-through bays for ease of loading and much more.
Photos of Grand Opening [...]

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Calling all Wedding Planners!

January 26, 2010

An awesome opportunity from another local Austin organization — elevating the event industry citywide.

For more information or to register.

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