World Alert: Take Notice…

The Toronto Event Industry is back and Ready to Rock!!

Other than bragging rights for my part in this brilliant event, I offer this article as proof that our industry has endured the worst that Mother Nature and politics has to offer and we’re not only still standing, we’re fresh, innovative and committed to mounting world noteworthy events.

A dream client (“I truly believe that you hire people you trust and then you let them do their job. Never micro-manage”) and a million + budget; so begins a great adventure culminating in a one of a kind, spectacular three day wedding event.

Two young wedding planners with exceptional listening skills, Jennifer Pettigrew and Laura Nock, owners of “He Loves Me”, develop a ‘vision’ that reflects every wish of their client. With this, they land the contract and begin to form the dream team.

A count at the conclusion of the event is an astounding 45+ suppliers who participated over 3 weeks of tent set up through 3 days of the event and finally a week of tear down. With kudos to ISES, the team was well weighted with our members. Vendors calling upon others trades they have worked with and felt secure in knowing they could rely on, enhanced the camaraderie and team spirit.

An important note to readers: The client interviewed wedding planners they found through the Web and “He Loves Me” interviewed caterers found during their Web search. Don’t underestimate the importance of your website; keep it current. The Cast: He Loves Me with Regal Tents, Designing Trendz, Allison Cumming Catering (A.C. Catering), Bombay Bhel, Udupi Palace, Ice Culture and The Decadent Martini. The Events: Thursday evening, a kick back night of fun. The vision is to create an Indian marketplace under the 30m X 60m tent, 17ft-9ft. x 10ft. tents were placed around the inside perimeter, housing an international selection of food and amusement; a video tent in which guests offered congratulatory messages, a photo tent inviting guests to attach a Polaroid shot and note to an album, a Mystic and Seers tent where guests enjoyed both handwriting analysis and card readings. No stone left unturned, a children’s tent was equipped with both crafts and entertainers. The Mandap (wedding alter) was disguised and used as the stage for entertainment and Karaoke. Set in front was a pillow lounge along with a café setting for the guests comfort. Outside, the tent entrance was a 16 ft. ice bar complete with water towers, while across and outside the far end of the tent there was an Ice Martini Luge featuring signature cocktails named for wedding family members. Both North and South Indian Caterers offered distinctive foods. Note that over the course of the three days, these two incredible restaurateurs Mandeep and Hubert never repeated a single item.

A.C.Catering presented authentic Japanese, Asian, Thai, Mediterranean, Dessert Sweets & Exotic Ice Cream, Iced Treats, Coffee and Tea specialty stations, and a French café complete with unusual and rare cheeses paired with wines suggested by the on site sommelier. As well as designing the food presentation for the Indian Catering, A.C.provided magnificent, original, one of a kind signage for every tent. We were responsible for the floor staff that created the magic of serving and busing the space so well, it appeared to happen invisibly.

Guests reveled in the lush and electrically charged environment created by Designing Trendz. Hundreds of yards of rich and textured fabric along with Indian furniture and authentic serving vessels with exotic florals were utilized to create the magic of each tent and the entire space. Unbeknownst to guests all of this would be removed on Friday (including the 17 tents) when Designing Trendz would execute the ‘vision’ for Saturdays wedding ceremony and the 500 guests.

Friday evening’s festivities were broken up into two events. The women enjoyed a traditional evening of Indian delicacies, music and the Mende (henna painting) ceremony in the comfort of the family home. Have no sad feelings for the men. In their own clear span tented venue which was erected around a tree in the center of the space, they enjoyed the same delicacies as the women with the addition of fine ports, scotch and beverages, a brilliant cigar selection and shoe shines on an oversized antique chair provided by Pennyloafer’s. All this was enjoyed in a setting defined by custom designed chocolate brown leather furniture, luxurious brown fabrics from silks and satins to ultra suede, two chandeliers and an abundance of candles to light the way.

And the raison d’etre, the wedding day. Guests arriving early enjoyed a selection of miniature breakfast delights, fruits, juices, coffee and both mint and English tea provided by A.C.Catering. The 500 guests assembled in the main tent, of which only the photos can do justice, for the entrance of the groom as he participated in all of the ceremonial traditions. As the very beautiful bride and ceremony unfolded, flowers, scents, herbs, and incense awakened the senses. Designing Trendz shone as members of the bridal party under the Mandap tugged on invisible cords, releasing flower petals over the bride and groom. After the ceremony, guests were ushered back to a totally redressed ‘gents’ tent. While they enjoyed a selection of exotic fruit juices and Indian hors d’oeuvres we turned the main tent to a fully set dining room with two double sided buffets in under an hour. Our platoon of the city’s best service staff then assisted guests, served and cleared seamlessly.

As guests made their way to the valet parking they were given original gift baskets as a memento of the day. And… that dream client I mentioned in the beginning had made certain that gift baskets were provided to the entire staff.

While this was the end for many of us, Jennifer and Laura’s vision culminated that evening when the 500 guests gathered at a prestigious downtown hotel for dinner, entertainment and dancing.

The Finale of the evening provided photos albums and exotic Indian spice inspired truffles placed in elegant organza bags for each guest to take home as a memento to the end of a spectacular wedding event.

Kudos to the wedding planners “He Loves Me” for understanding and truly valuing their clients.

They left no leaf unturned in the creation and execution of this event. In conclusion - we would like you all to know that Toronto is here and ready to do business.

The Toronto Event Industry is back and Ready to Rock!!

Take two equally well-known speakers. Female or male. They both look great. They both dress well. They both have good stage presence. They have both presented many times. But, in the opinion of your audience, one of them is a "smash", the other "just came across". Why?

The one who was the lame duck could have been in dark clothing against a dark background. Hard to see. Hard to follow. The voice was OK but not convincing. The one who was a smash had a meeting planner who paid attention to properly decorating the set. What the speaker wore was coordinated with the background. The stage setting was softened with flowers and greenery. The message of the speaker came across clear and crisp through the sound system.

I can guarantee you that the speaker with the better-decorated stage will always have a more powerful impact on your audience than one who has to compete with the environment.

To get the maximum impact with any audience, a few things have to be in harmony. If you want your presenter to shine, you have to have a closer look at the following three elements:

• Lighting
• Background
• Total perceived appearance

Lighting
The speaker doesn't need to see the audience - but the audience needs to see the speaker. It's important, therefore, that all the lights should be directed onto the presenter. The lighting should have a warm tinge to it. It's more enjoyable for the audience to look at and it complements the speaker.

If there is a window at the presenter's back, be sure the curtains are closed, particularly on a bright sunny day.

Background
It should be different from the presenter's clothes. If your speaker dresses in dark clothes, which most do, a light background is perfect. Most of the time I myself dress in a dark blue suit. I know I look better in it and most backgrounds where I present are white or beige colored.

Use flowers and greenery to soften the stage setting. It creates a more relaxed, warm and friendlier look. Move them from the corner in the room, or grab them from the hall, and put them behind or slightly to the side of the presenter. I do that all the time and no hotel concierge ever put me in jail.

Do not use a lectern unless you want to hide the speaker. If you watch important debates on TV, you often see the presenter behind a glass lectern. You can still see "the whole speaker".

The stage is very important. It should be high enough so the presenter is above the group, but not too high. We are more likely to believe a message if we look up, than if we look down. That's because an authority always speaks from above, not from below.

Total perceived appearance
The acoustics of the room must work well. I know it's not always possible to control this, but the positioning of the stage, platform, and sound equipment will make a real difference.

Take care to ensure that you have the best possible sound system. Position equipment so there is no microphone feedback. Play soft background music before the speaker starts. But be sure to turn it off when the presenter starts. Otherwise your audience will listen to the music.

Most professional speakers prefer to use a lavaliere or lapel microphone. There is much more flexibility with a hand-held mike than with a lapel-mounted one. A hand-held microphone will give far more control over voice modulation. It's not just the words of a speaker that are important…it's also the tone of the voice, in particular the way the voice is modified during the presentation. That is what makes a show more interesting. Your speaker must also have a proper introduction. Most of the introductions I hear say nice things about the upcoming speaker but do not relate to the topic. I offer an example of a proper introduction on my website (see below) and if you follow it, I guarantee you, the audience will listen with more interest.

The layout of the room is also extremely important. For a short outline, look on my website, under "Introductions" and click on "Creating the best conditions for your keynote, workshop, or seminar." For a detailed explanation, with diagrams, see pages 172-177 of my book Secrets of Power Presentations. It's on the website too. Click on the book cover to access it. If you want a complimentary personal copy, click on the "download button" and use the password "Perspectives2003".

"Decorating" your speaker's set will make the big difference. It helps to create that powerful, smashing and impressive presentation. The more you put into it, the better the event will turn out. And all the participants will say "Wow, what a speaker…." Only you and I know it's the effort you put into it that made it happen.

Expert Advice on How to Turn Good Events Great

1. Make it Interactive:

   Keep it moving, live party tables that describe food items to guests as they indulge. “Street entertainment” such as living statues, street buskers, mimes, caricature, strolling fortune tellers, for corporate events living statues with logos on their backs, food stations such as make your own pizza.

2. Go Retro

   Large scale graphic Marimekko-inspired flowers and butterflies done in Foam core or Styrofoam cutouts, spray painted lime green and fuschia, impersonators such as Austin Powers, Marilyn Monroe and Lucille Ball add to the fun.

3. Get Moving

   Horse racing /Gaming - study Seabiscuit for ideas. Get the parlour feel with club chairs and horse racing “wallscapes”. If the crowd is all men, other popular themes include Formula One Racing or Gentleman’s Club with gaming tables and a cigar lounge and perhaps a Vegas Style Burlesque Show, (the not so naughty kind).

4. Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah

   Larger gatherings but no head table. Create Personalized elements that the celebrant can take home for his/her bedroom. 3-D sign in boards such as Lockers for a ‘Basketball’ theme, or a Mannequin for a ‘Fashion Diva’ theme.

5. Turn Cirque

   Go for the overall look by draping fabric or using tension spandex for a more structured look. Use lighting effects; anything that glows, flower lights in flower arrangements, glowing ice cubes and glassware. Bright colored linens in varying shades with complimenting chair covers. Wash walls in luminescent hues of ambers, violets, blues and reds and use a series of gobos to create silhouettes of circus actors. Entertainment options include aerial ballets performers, strolling circus acrobats and novelty performers.

6. Corporate Events

   Trend is toward holding smaller gatherings, often repeated more frequently. There is a slow return to use of props, scenery and real ‘theme’ décor. Interactive food’ stations such as ‘Make your Own’ pizza; requests for ‘unusual Seating styles’ and Lounge areas within the party room. Corporations are utilizing ‘multiple rooms’ to achieve a ‘different’ feeling in a property they may have used for a number of years. Instead of having one ‘large room’ for dinner, dancing and foyer for reception, they may select a series of ‘smaller’ rooms that are each themed in a different manner still meeting the overall ‘capacity needs’ of the client but utilizing alternative spaces within the venue.

7. The New Wedding

   No more ‘frou frou’. Bows and ruffles be gone. The new look is sleek and clean lines. Details include: loose flower arrangements, candle light, rich linens such as raw silk, chair covers, accenting with trees, natural settings such as a tented garden or lakeside, venues where the ceremony, reception and party can be accommodated, and more use of colour. Table gifts options are charitable donations, seedlings and mini zen gardens.

Expert Advice on How to Turn Good Events Great

1. Who is your audience? Who are your guests and what do they like?
2. What do you want them to experience? What memory would you like your guests to walk away with?
3. What is the most important element or focus for you, your client, your guests - fabulous food, great wine, amazing entertainment, incredible decor, something else?
4. Where is your event going to be held?
5. When is your event? (date and time of day i.e. lunch, dinner or cocktails)
6. How many attendees?
7. What are the demographics of the guests?
8. In your past events what’s worked and what hasn’t worked?
9. How much do you want to spend?

Leave it:

• Tight balls of flowers where only the heads show.
• Swing
• Coloured water in glass vases
• Mashed potatoes martinis meals
• Events that are too showy, over the top and expensive-looking
• Anything in a faux animal print
• Krispy Kreme Cakes
• Moulin Rouge, Titanic and other old movie themes
• Anything celestial, millennium,futuristic
• Hans and Franz like planners (lose the attitude dude!)

The event would not be complete without our live décor element. Imagine the effect of a roomful of roaming fortune-tellers, belly dancers and mock concubines wielding peacock-feather fans.

Julie Brunjes, Stardust Events,
Markham, ON

Woodland Wedding
For a unique wedding reception, a series of twig arches are installed so they ‘connect’ all of the guest’s dining tables. The vertical upright for the archway is ‘planted’ in the centre of each table so that the raised arch skips over to the next table beside it. This was an event design created to solve a lighting challenge at an event with a limited budget. Each twig archway became the structural support for extensive use of miniature lights woven into the twigs. Beautiful design and exquisite look.

Penni Holdham CSEP, The Event Architect,
The Display Connection, Toronto, ON

Turn of the Century
Celebrating history. A costumed ‘Henry Ford’ welcomes the guests upon arrival to a ‘Turn of the Century’ President’s Awards party held in a restored heritage inn - The Queen’s Landing. From sepia toned photos taken on the spot to recipients to restored antique casino tables including a carved wooden baccarat table. A ceiling canopy of fresh cedar garlands swagged to a centre chandelier, enhanced with nearly 200 fresh roses hanging amongst the lights and crystals. Ivory brocade linen dressed the tables as a centrepiece of roses graced each table and included hand made 12” ‘tin’ reproduction Model ‘T’ Ford cars. Every element is approached thinking ‘what would they do in 1903’!

Penni Holdham CSEP, The Event Architect
The Display Connection, Toronto, ON

Sweet and Soulful
The cool, smooth, and rich martini sets the tone… better yet, the Chocolate Martini. Invite your guests to an evening of decadent desserts, such as tri-colored chocolate truffle lollypops, tuxedo strawberries, chocolate rice pudding and chocolate mousse cups. Wash your desserts down with mouthwatering chocolate martinis. Set the mood with a lounge-like atmosphere - rich, deep colors like burgundy and smoky gray, chocolate browns, comfortable couches and mahogany cocktail tables. Think Frank, Dean and Sammy - sooth the crowd with classic jazz tunes and low mood lighting - votives and candle lamps will complete the décor.

Colleen Walker
Catered Affare,Toronto, ON

Return to Your Childhood: “Seussville” a Children’s Holiday Party
From the famous children’s books and the movie “Cat in the Hat” with Mike Myers. Why? Because the clients wanted to add a twist to the traditional kids holiday parties. Theodor Seuss Geisel is one of our all time heroes. He defied the establishment and revolutionized the process that children use to learn to read. “Children want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted,” he said. Event décor and designs are planned with the same goals in mind. Use a huge “Welcome to Seussville” archway. Bring the room alive with hundreds of colored Christmas lights strung across the ceiling…oversized books, quotes and characters from Seuss classics. Add craft stations that are based on Seuss books Have children decorate Hats at the Cat in the Hat station and egg shaped cookies for cookie decorating are based on Green Eggs and Ham. Where else would Santa be than sitting in a sleigh in the middle of Whoville? The Grinch as a book has become a classic. Like the book itself, we hope that the spirit of the Holiday season will shine brightly on this event.

Stardust Events
Markham, ON

An Evening in Calcutta
Not reserved for cultural events anymore, the smoky, romantic, spicy flavor of a Calcutta night can be easily recreated into a fabulous, exotic theme appropriate for any kind of client. Create colorful lounge areas with bamboo mats surrounded by dozens of colorful satin and patterned pillows. In the center of the mats, place gold and silver urns and bowls filled with flower petals, incense and fake candles (don’t use real flames). Scatter these vignettes throughout the room and in lay tables throughout so that the room completely loses it linear shape. Alternate linens on tables in shades of jasmine, wine and gold and top the tables with scattered jewels. Hire a few belly dancers, play authentic Indian music and serve spiked pots of chai tea cocktails. Get set for a sultry affair guests are sure to remember.

The Masters
Art of the Masters combined with cocktails, throw in some ball gowns and ladies and gentleman, I think we have a party on our hands. Take your corporations logo or product line, get creative in Photoshop and integrate it into the works of the great masters. Blow up the images, frame them and hang throughout the room. Hire freeze pose performers and have them create the great sculptures. Go with live buffet tables and adorn table centers with miniature pillars with mini images inset in each of the four sides to recreate a mini gallery. Or you could do a combination of mini greats sculptures on each table. Use chivari chairs in gold or silver and ta da, it’s an event Michelangelo himself would be proud of.

Not only has the company laid a solid claim to its status in the ultra competitive business of décor, it has managed to do what very few businesses in any industry sector have done, made a million friends along the way. In this sometimes crazy and political market, it is a rare occasion when one ever hears a negative word about D&M or any of its team. They truly are an amazing team; lead by a philanthropic woman with a keen business mind and a warm heart. That has been the backbone that has carried them through all these year to where they are today.

Leslee is a graduate of the Ryerson Food Science program. She got her start working in the catering industry for 5 years before making the decision to stay at home to raise her boys. While at home, she taught evening courses on The Art of Entertaining and Gourmet Cooking. As a corporate wife, she planned small parties for her husband and when he was involved with a 3,000 person American Convention coming to Canada, he called upon her to chair the social and spouse leisure committees. It was her first foray into this industry and it didn’t take her long to know she was hooked. She hired a professional planner to help her with the event and, throughout the process they joked that she had talent and an instinct for this industry and should consider working in it. Two years later, out of the blue, she got a call with a job offer from someone who had seen her talents. She initially worked as an account executive for a meeting planning and event services company. Shortly into the position, she was asked to handle a project where the designer quit over artistic issues four days before the event. With little knowledge, but incredible passion and a determination to succeed, she produced an event that exceeded the client’s expectations. This success continued with every project she handled and seven years later, in true Leslee style, she warmly parted ways and started her own business. So amicable was her departure that her ex employer became her client until they the day they closed their doors.

Decor & More Inc. was started in January 1, 1990, with a bank loan, a 900 square foot prop lock up, a 10’ x 10’ office and a lot of chutzpah. Initially, it was a one-person operation with several good contacts and dedicated friends, that made up the crew. As of the last fiscal it stands at 42 full time employees, a 30,000 square foot warehouse loaded with props, fabrics, and full time floral, carpentry, graphics and signage divisions. It services over 600 annual corporate events, tradeshows, weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs across Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. Since their inception, they have worked on over 3500 events ranging in size from 50 to 5,000 guests. Their most memorable events include - an “intimate” dinner for 500 on the floor of the Skydome at which they suspended crystal chandeliers over every table and created an amphitheatre event on half of the field and a cocktail schmooze on the other; A salute to New York City in the shadow of 9/11 in which they re created New York 3-dimensionally, 35’ high, 12’ deep, complete with full store window displays, a 45’ x 30’ ice rink, taxi cabs, Rockefeller Centre with a 35’ tree, and a cast of NY characters. The piéce de resistance was the horse drawn carriage through Central Park; a fabulous indoor beach party complete with sand and surf…. remain among their favorites.

Is it all roses and glory? Not even close. They work in an industry where no matter how well you plan, down to every minute detail, you are still vulnerable to the unexpected and sometimes, the unimaginable, becomes real very fast.

For example, one of their first events was a mountain top ski hotel/chalet event themed Mash Bash. The road to the top was washed out and everything had to be trucked by all terrain vehicles… in February in Ontario. It took 28 trips up the mountain as opposed to the estimated one. Despite the climb, the client was thrilled with the décor and all seemed to be re-focused, when the chair lift, ready to transport guests up the mountain broke down. The food, the décor, the entertainment at the top - the guests at the bottom. The show went on and they did remedy the situation and both Leslee and the client still laugh about it today as they continue to create special events together (they try to avoid mountains)

Its not an easy business to own and run that is for certain. The business is feast or famine and jobs are never evenly spread out. They have to take it when it comes. Leslee is constantly striving to find the balance between owning the business and not having it own her. Married for 32 years to a corporate Senior Vice President turned pastor and a mother of 2 young men - Bryan 27 and Greg 24 (both in the business), she stays involved in the church where her husband counsels and keeps herself grounded through her secret emotional outlet: laughter. She adores comedy. All kinds of comedy from live performance to film, theatre and life itself. In an industry where the hours are so long, she and Tom make great strides to create family time where they and the boys can touch base as a family in a realm other than Décor & More.

Leslee has to work at staying in the zone at the office. The daily need to be the leader and the roles that go with that position can shroud her love for the tangible aspects of the job, such as the new props, or fabrics, or “stuff”. In her partners, Kimberly and Brian she finds the support she needs. Each having their own unique skill set allows them to unite their talents to fuel the D&M engines and keep them running at peak performance. Those engines are propelling them forward everyday. From their prop fantasyland in Oakville they continue to work toward honing their craft, building their business and generating new innovations in design.

The need to be creative, unique and cutting edge in the décor world is ever present. It’s a fast paced and competitive industry where something is only new until its been done once. Innovation is synonymous with success.

Leslee views the need to compete as both a positive and a negative. “The best part of the industry is the great colleagues who share our passion and want to raise the industry bar” The worst part is the way some colleagues go after business. When business is slow, the “anything goes” mentality sets in. People stoop to using décor photos of events they didn’t do to sell their company, they begin to cut prices and then over-promise and under-deliver - it’s a “buyer beware”, market where clients need to know they must measure apples to apples. Her advice for clients shopping around? “ I tell them to ask to see their warehouse, call the client they did events for, check with the venue regarding any damages. Make sure you know what you’re getting” she explains” Most are solid but “this is definitely not the majority but a few bad apples can ruin a client’s impression of the entire industry.

As the economy changes, so does the industry. D&M believe that Toronto, except for the social market, is in a crucial period that will take time to recover. The next 5 years are defining years. It’s now that companies like theirs will make the decision whether to move toward continued growth, remain very focused on their niche, or try to expand the services to new areas. Each has its advantage, each its risks. One thing they know for sure - don’t try and take a bigger slice of the pie than you are ready for, it will come back to bite you. It’s what has gotten them to where they are today and it’s the philosophy that will carry them forward to another 10 years of success.

Looking ahead, Leslee envisions two scenarios for the dream team. “In five years we will either be a larger company doing more events internationally, and more from coast to coast ,perhaps even with satellite offices … or we will scale back and do fewer with a slightly reduced staff.

SARS, the war in Iraq, 9/11, Mad Cow Disease and the recent blackout - what next, the locusts? We’ve felt the effects of it all in our corporate areas so Toronto’s recovery will determine the future of many companies in our industry sector. From a corporate standpoint the summer was a write off, but the fall and winter look great and next spring will tell the whole story. I am “the past” and “the present” of this company, however, I share the present and the future with my two partners, Kimberley McGibbon, VP of Operations and Bryan Bell, VP of Sales, as well as our wonderful talented and dedicated D&M team. I am a part of a big picture and more and more the team is accepting complete responsibility for their events using the concepts, ethics, and attitude instilled in “the D & M way” as their yardstick.

If she had to do it all again, would she? “Absolutely, what else would I do? Over the years I’ve been embezzled, had four break-ins, had staff that have stolen from us, had entire records removed from our system, and had people do totally unethical things behind our back … but we’ve had over 100 employees who have been loyal, ethical, talented, passionate, possess ownership mentality, are gifted and I love them immensely. Did I learn from my mistakes? Probably not enough, I still trust easily, but I am less easily fooled and I wouldn’t want to live life as a jaded person. I love having fun, laughter and joy and there needs to be more of it in the industry. I believe I have been blessed with two amazing business partners in Kimberley and Bryan, great department managers, incredible designers, detailed event coordinators, exceptional artists, fabulous florists and production teams who make us look good everyday. What you need to work at D&M is the APE SYNDROME …Ability, Passion, Ethics and you’ll fit in perfectly. Our motto as you come in the front door is Do what you love, love what you do and always deliver more than they expect. We started with this mantra fourteen years ago and still live by it today. Would I do it again? … Many days it feels like it is the most thankless job but, then, when the clients walk in the room and you have exceeded their expectations and see the look on their faces… it’s all worth it! Would I do it again … in a second!

CANDID - Leslee Bell

CEP: Do you have any advice for young planners just starting out?
LB: This job looks so glamorous from a distance but let me warn you, it is really hard work. From the praise and accolades side it is amazing. From the loading dock at 3:00 am after 3 straight weeks of work during “high season” - the bloom is off the rose. You have to be passionate about it, be driven, and a touch of madness doesn’t hurt. You need to be able to laugh at yourself to survive.

CEP: Do you have any wisdom and/or advice you can share with suppliers looking for your business (or others business)?
LB: People who get our business share our pursuit of excellence. They deliver on time, on budget and error free to stay suppliers and I expect no less from them than I expect from us. If they aren’t ethical or are dishonest with us, I won’t ever use them again. Be up front: if you screw up; say so. Most companies can deal with that better than a concocted story or a shift in blame. I am a straight shooter and the truth is the most important thing to me.

CEP: If you can tell the readers and the corporate clients something about D&M what would be?
LB: I would change people’s perception that we only do large events with big budgets. We recently have had several clients tell us how pleased they were that we do events of all sizes and have a huge “rental only” division. Because we have won awards for large events they perceive that it is the majority of our business, and that simply is not true.

Lastly, in true rose colored glasses form, I would encourage a more harmonious industry environment where we can kibitz back and forth sharing information with our competitors. I have that relationship with several peers in the industry but it is not widespread enough at this point.

CEP: If you gave your staff the chance to be candid, what would they say about you?
LB: I think staff would say that I really see D&M as a team and I empower them to take control of their events. I hope they would say I am ethical, fair and just. I’m sure they would see Kimberley, Bryan and I as generous to them and realistic about our expectations. Since we have full time staff and not freelancers, they know “our way” and our high expectations so there are few surprises. I also have an open door policy and I hope they respect me, but definitely they are not afraid of me. I know they would say I am easily bored so I crave the new and different. I am a quick study and expect others to be also. I am sure they would say that I truly love the business and most importantly I hope they know our success is totally dependent on them and that I really appreciate them and think they’re awesome.

“Recent renovation developments have allowed us to incorporate even more upgrades into the project than were originally possible,” adds Fisher. “The additional developments include heating, cooling and plumbing upgrades.”

New building systems will replace outdated equipment and provide a more efficient use of water and fossil fuels. Among the features will be air handling systems that will recover 70 per cent of the heat exhausted out of the building; a direct digital control system for all air handling units; as well as dual flush toilets and waterless urinals in the main washrooms.

The renovation is slated for completion in September, allowing the facility to re-open with the additional building system developments. The official grand opening gala, originally scheduled for August, will take place September 27, 2003.

A number of conferences are booked at the conference centre through the end of 2003 including the BC Institute of Purchasing Management, Swim BC, BC Lacross, BC Math Teachers Association, First Nations Education Steering Committee, Canada’s West Marketplace, and the Nokia World Cup Snowboarding event.

The renovated conference centre will have a sky-lit gable entryway into an expanded pre-function area featuring mountain views, exposed wood beams and indigenous stone, and a 12-metre-tall low-emission wood-burning fireplace. A new glass conservatory at the front of the building will hold 120 people. The facility will have a new roof and will feature added telecommunications capabilities, business centre, additional washrooms, and a coatroom. The conference centre will have the space to host larger groups: the ballroom will have increased capacity from 1,600 to 2,000 people, and meeting room breakout space capacity will increase from 500 to 1,000 people in 14 breakout rooms. Meetings business is a key component of the Whistler economy. The International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus estimates that each delegate typically spends $264 per day while meeting in a destination. In 2001, the Whistler Conference Centre generated 32,000 room nights and $18.5 million for the Whistler economy. In summer 2001 (May through October) meetings/conference and group business accounted for 37 per cent of room nights in Whistler, while accounting for 17 per cent of room nights in winter 2001/02. Tourism Whistler is working on confirming 48,000 room nights of new business for 2004, representing an economic impact of $25 million.

I think that for the most part across the country we at CEP are seeing some incredible events go down, even more so than last year. Oddly enough, shrinking budgets have given way to a need to be more innovative, more resourceful and more imaginative with events. The client is more discerning and the lead time is almost non-existent, which means planners and decorators are being kept on their toes. The need to stay up to date and current with the trends has never been more imminent. Gone are the days when one had 2 weeks to turn around an RFP. Today you’re lucky to have 2 days. That’s means more stock themes, more sophisticated computer equipment and a virtual batman like hotline to your best and most trusted suppliers. It’s not just about getting it out the door. When that proposal gets sent off, it needs to be superb because you can bet the competition will have worked just as hard as you to get the gig.

It’s getting crazy out there. I like to think that in my work, I am fairly tapped into the event community across Canada but even with the vast database of clients and suppliers that we have across the country, even I am astounded at the number of companies I have never heard of that pop up everyday. Just yesterday, I got a copy of Business in Vancouver’s new directory of suppliers and as I was flipping though it, I found plenty of new companies I had no idea about. That’s great for the industry, but it also means more competition. So the need to stay competitive becomes ever present. CEP can help you do just that. I encourage you to try out some of the suppliers listed and mentioned in this issue. They all offer tremendous products. I would also like to see you at the CSEME events this coming spring in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver where you can not only generate a ton of business but you can also find suppliers, preview their work and hone your skills with the award winning roster of speakers offering expert advice on everything from risk management to theming and décor. Our newest event that can help propel your event company into position as an industry front-runner is CEP Event C.A.M.P. (Conference for Achieving Mastery in Planning). For professional planners, this interactive and inspirational 3 day learning experience features the best designers in the world combined with the highest level of intensive professional direction in the biz. Check out these events and more online at www.canadianspecialevent.com and I will see you at the show.

When I talk of communication in business, though, I don't mean any of these things. Instead I see instead an opportunity to save huge amounts of money, improve productivity and do better business. That's why I call communication "The Hidden Profit Center".

Although most business people pay lip service to communication, there is little understanding of just how vital it is to an organization's profitability. Contrary to popular belief, communication is not some warm and fuzzy thing that is "nice to have". Communication is nothing less than the lifeblood of your organization.

You can't see communication any more than you can see the blood coursing through your veins, but if blood doesn't circulate at just the right pressure and speed to all parts and extremities of the body, that body will sicken and eventually die. If communication doesn't flow freely throughout your organization, that body too will sicken and eventually die.

Nowhere is the potential for huge communication-based gain or loss greater than in the planning and execution of a major event.

• What if there had been a miscommunication about the temperature needed for Catered Affare's "Colder Than Ice" event?
• What if someone at Roger Halfacre got the time wrong for the buses picking up all those kids on World Youth Day 2002?
• What if the 630 high profile guests at Alison Silcoff Events' Daffodil Ball didn't send in their money because somehow nobody was designated to ask them for it?

I'm sure a shiver runs down your own spine just thinking about what could go wrong with a communication breakdown at your company. And it happens more easily than you think - lose your concentration for just a moment at a key meeting; dash off an e-mail without reading it carefully; give unclear instructions because you assume the listener is "on your wavelength"; give a sales presentation that concentrates on what you can do, rather than what the client needs.

Perhaps you never thought of all these examples as communication, but they are. Mastering the skills and using them well can add to your bottom line. What might all those mistakes cost your company? What are similar mistakes costing you already? Nothing happens without communication. It takes interaction between people to create a product. It takes collaboration to approach a new market. It takes teamwork to implement a strategy or pull together an event. It takes exchange of written and spoken words to oil and run the machinery of business, and if that machine breaks down-as it often does-business suffers.

Once I was successful in obtaining a prestigious piece of business against some very large competitors. When I later asked my client why she chose me, she replied, "The others just concentrated on what they could do, but you listened to what we needed." Listening is one of the most overlooked communication skills, and it certainly added to my profit center that day.

Poor communication costs business millions of dollars every day. These costs are hidden though, because there isn't a line on the balance sheet to account for poor communication. Nothing shows up in the accounts saying, "lost productivity due to miserable meetings" or "missed business opportunity through sad selling skills". The cost is nonetheless real. Find a way to take just a portion of that money back, and you have a "Hidden Profit Center".

For more information,
contact Mehndi & More at: 604-812-2048 or
www.mehndiandmore.com

Miss Cora & The GO-SHOW Five
This fully interactive comedic team-builder the audience channel-surfs the night away, stopping on wacky game shows, talk shows, infomercials, and musical guests - plus customized advertisements featuring the participating company or event theme. All of your television hosts are played by Miss Cora, each character more hilarious than the next. From The Go-Show Game Show, to Cooking With Chantal, to Bingo With Margie, your guests become the stars, working together through a virtual game show obstacle course, challenging their task management, accuracy, and cooperation skills. Toe-tapping theme songs, quick changes, and a whole lotta 'character' make this a performance not to miss.

cora@thegoshow.net

InFocus TD30
InFocus announces its bringing its expertise in image quality to thin display with the debut of "InFocus TD30", a new, innovative display that fits in even the most challenging spaces. With InFocus TD30, customers can display their image and messages in bright areas, small conference rooms and environments that require around the clock display. At four inches thin, its the perfect solution for applications such as conference areas, arenas, public information displays, retail signage and billboards, control rooms and trading floors.

www.infocus.com

Human Arrows
Sensix from Montreal has created a unique and fun way to move people from one area to another with Human Arrows. These colourful and captivating 8-foot characters stand well above the crowd and are easy to follow. Your logo can even be applied to the arrow tip. Whether you need to lead your guests from a hotel to an outside venue or bus, from a general business session to a reception, or from a cocktail area to a main dining room everyone will be able to find his or her way and be entertained at the same time.

info@sensix.com

This past July 4th, the performers from Toronto-based entertainment company Circus Orange got the perfect opportunity to showcase their diverse talents. The City of Toronto’s Special Events division was looking for an original, grand-scale performance for its opening ceremonies which would get the public primed and ready for the three day long Streetfest.

They wanted fireworks and pyrotechnics combined with a unique live performance element, all of which are standard fare offered by Circus Orange. (Though it’s called circus the second part of the name is orange - for fire and the pyro-technics, which have quickly become the hallmarks of the shows they create.)

The show was to be a five to seven minute, large-scale turn-key spectacle performance that would knock peoples’ socks off. With a mere three weeks to prepare for the show Circus Orange scaled up some of their most popular acts, increased the number of performers and created entirely new material to fill the thirty by forty foot outdoor stage that was to be built at the intersection of Yonge and Eglington. The show would contain these main elements: dance, fire effects, stilt acrobatics, performer and stage pyrotechnics with an integrated fireworks finale. Circus Orange would bring in some of their performers from New York as well as all their Ontario based fire acts.

Challenges arose, including permits issues, as well as pyro specific and special performer insurance and the time frame to complete the choreography of the show.

The pyrotechnic effects had to be carefully selected as the extremely large expected audience would be pressed right up to the perimeter of the stage. There was to be NO fallout from any pyro. A custom rig had to be fabricated to attach pyrotechnics to the very top of a Demag crane which could not be attached or tested until the day of the show. Luckily, Circus Orange has a close relationship with the fire chief which enabled them to get near immediate approval for the show with it’s less than ordinary use of special effects.

The Circus Orange team worked day and night to prepare the show and cover the hundreds of small details required to pull it off. As planned, on July 4th the show went off without a hitch.

The show began as a tightly choreographed three-person ribbon dance number with fluterfetti, stage mounted strobe pyro and specially made performer lance props and headpieces. As the dancers exited, two dynamic circus performers on bouncing stilts entered and shot pyro out of all four limbs and custom back packs while bouncing up to ten feet in the air. The pyro stilters were then joined by two highly skilled fire jugglers and finally by the three featured dancers with flaming finger and headpiece attachments. At this point custom pyro props were utilized as well as stage pyro synched perfectly to the music to completely fill the stage area to near overflowing with performance, effects and fire. As the performance built to its climax it left the confines of the stage and culminated in a high-elevation pyrotechnics display off the roof of the stage and on the second location at the top of a Demag crane 150 feet above the stage.

The crowd roared with applause at every twist and turn during the show. Their energy built in waves from the first act to exploding right along with the fireworks finale. The show was a huge success and a milestone for Circus Orange in Toronto. “I was blown away by your Friday evening Opening Ceremonies performance. It was fantastic!”

Kimberly Bain,
City of Toronto Special Events

The dining room revealed rectangular dining tables well spaced throughout the enormous room, arranged east west, north south and diagonally. Interspersed among the tables, two salons provided the perfect places to exchange gossip and intrigue. The salons were furnished with Louis XV style sofas and chairs borrowed from the Montreal Opera, ornamental rugs, tables draped in jewel-coloured silks, crystal candelabras and silver chalices filled with marrons glacés.

Daffodils were everywhere - 55,000 of them. Massive topiaries adorned the cocktail area. The salons were flanked by eight 12-foot-high daffodil “trees” topped by palm branches. Fourteen crystal and silver vases filled with daffodils were on every table. The ladies’ bathrooms were adorned with daffodils and scented candles, and Chanel make-up artists offered to apply une mouche, the beauty spot beloved by 18th century ladies, to any guest who desired it.

Many of the 630 guests contributed to the dramatic mise-en-scène by dressing in period costume or enhancing their evening gowns with ribbons, ruffles and bows. Each guest became an actor in this dramatic theatrical production, the Court of Versailles, and added to its splendour.

The gala's defining moment came when guests were seated for dinner. 65 glittering crystal chandeliers, every one laced with silk daffodils around its 12 candles, had been suspended high above the massive tables. As the orchestra played Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance (a reference to the evening’s theme), the 65 ballet students, each standing beside a table, lowered the chandeliers, simultaneously, to just above the centre of each table - very Versailles. The guests burst into spontaneous applause.

Madame de Pompadour’s love of opulence, rich colours and frivolities, opera and the arts was reflected in the evening’s entertainment and decor. Performers throughout the evening included a classical quintet, the McGill Chamber Orchestra, sopranos from the Montreal Opera who sang the popular duet from Lakmé by Délibes and a former Cirque du Soleil artist who performed from a soaring 40 ft above the guests on a red fabric trapeze.

The seven-course banquet was worthy of Madame de Pompadour and Louis XV themselves. It included typical French 18th century banquet fare - scallops and lobster, snails, foie gras, lemon sorbet, stuffed quails, cheese and a luscious chocolate cake. Crystallized fruits were served with coffee. Fine French wines and cognac completed the gourmet experience.

Guests included Brian and Mila Mulroney, Galen and Hilary Weston, Lucien Bouchard and Audrey Best, and André Desmarais and France-Chrétien Desmarais. Lise Thibault, the Lieutenant-Governor of Quebec, Gerald Schwartz, one of the Ball’s Co-Chairmen & his wife, Heather Reisman, Stéphan Quintal of the Montreal Canadiens and his wife, Yves Fortier, former Canadian Ambassador to the UN. Presidents and CEO’s of major Canadian corporations dominated every table in the room.

The celebrity of the night was the gorgeous Sharon Stone who spontaneously offered to conduct the auction when Stephen Bronfman, who won the first raffle prize, a safari vacation for four in South Africa, generously donated back his prize. She spoke movingly about her father’s cancer, reducing some guests to tears, and then worked the room in true star fashion, raising the bidding to $75,000.

As the evening progressed and the champagne flowed, Motown, Rock and Latino sounds tempted guests to hit the dance floor until the wee hours.

The story on Daffodil Ball was written by Laura Gangoo. Laura is an Event Coordinator at Alison Silcoff Events, Montreal Quebec.

As the umbrella for two distinctly different events - the One World Festival and the International Fireworks Competition - the inaugural event proved to be an overwhelming hit not only for organizers and the 1250 volunteers involved, but for the estimated 40,000 spectators who attended the park where the fireworks were staged.

The event, 10 years in the making, combined the spectacular fireworks shows of a caliber never seen before in Calgary, with a six-day bevy of multi-cultural entertainment showcasing the city’s rich and diverse ethnic makeup. But it was the fireworks extravaganza, involving competing teams from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico that proved to be the biggest attraction as the nightly 20-minute dazzling display of pyrotechnics exploded, popped, and cracked over Elliston Park before raining down showers of brilliant colors to an assortment of choreographed music that included everything from hard rock to classical fare. Dan Rosen-bach, who took his family to watch all three competitions, as well as the Saturday night finale, summed up the feelings of spectators and judges who awarded the Canadian team - lead by designer Brad Dezotell, of Fireworks Spectaculars Canada - the biggest applause and the bragging rights to the best fireworks display over competitive counterparts American Ken Julian and Mexico’s Jorge Mauro Marquez.

“The Americans were bold, the Mexicans magical, but the Canadians were right on the money,” he said while packing up blankets and chairs following the Canuck display. When not being dazzled by the 9:30 p.m. fireworks show, an estimated 15,000 people took to shuttle buses, or their own vehicles, to take in the sights, sounds and cultural flavours of the One World Festival, a smaller version of Winnipeg’s highly popular Folklorama. Here the entertainment and food proved to be as varied and diverse as the cultures they represented. Operating out of community and church halls, the 10 pavilions represented more than 40 different countries including, Germany, France, Ireland, Africa, Congo, India, Mexico and the Middle East and Asia regions.

All monies raised from the fireworks went to the United Way of Calgary and Area, while all revenues from the pavilions went to the cultural associations hosting the events, thanks mainly to title sponsor Trans-Canada’s involvement.

"It was a win, win situation for everybody, Global Fest media spokeswoman Daniela Lindner said, adding the only criticism came from people not being able to get on the shuttle buses provided to get back to their vehicles. “ I guess we were the victims of our own success,” she said.

Festival chairman Norman Leach, said he was gratified to be a part of such a success, “not just for ourselves and the volunteers who helped us, but for the audience, the community and the city as a whole.”

He said organizers were looking forward to making the event not only bigger but also better. “I guess one of our biggest challenges in the years to come will be to make sure that it doesn’t get stale or taken for granted.”

China, Japan, Australia, and the winning team from Canada, have all indicated they want to be a part of next year’s fireworks show. Organizers are looking at doubling the number of participating pavilions from 10 to 20 next year and extending it six days from August 18 to 29.

The Arcadian Court boasts 10,000 square feet of event space include the Main Ballroom, Reception Mezzanine, Bridal Path Room, Forest Hill Room and Bay Street Bar & Grille. The spectacular 44’ foot high vaulted ceilings, marble floors and chandeliers all add to the sophistication of any event. Vignette décor can be added if the theme requires but it would be a shame to cover up the striking designs and natural architecture of this amazing venue. For upscale charm and world-class service, choose Arcadian court for your next event and discover a hidden gem, in the heart of Toronto.

sugarandsugar

On April 7, 2003, Jason and Damon Sugar opened their new fully licensed and fully equipped, multi-level designer space. The popular Vancouver based brothers are excited about offering something truly special and unique to Vancouver. "We’ve taken the sugarandsugar concept to a whole new level,” says Damon Sugar. “It’s about the art of celebration, the coming together of friends, family and associates to celebrate life, creativity, art, culture, and the joys and rewards of personal and professional achievement.” sugarandsugar, a fresh new concept in art, leisure, and entertainment facilities, is poised to become Vancouver’s premiere private and corporate event venue, providing the ultimate in versatility: an Über- venue with extraordinary possibilities of transformation. With a chic, minimalist décor setting the backdrop for inspiring local and international art and design exhibitions, the new venue features two cocktail bars, an upper & lower level cocktail lounge, an interior balcony overlooking the main exhibition gallery and dance floor, a VIP lounge, a private sun-room, an outdoor patio, and a fully-equipped commercial kitchen. Fully licensed, with a capacity of 250, sugarandsugar is the definitive locale for the quintessential host.

Making a Move
Q1 Production Technologies Vancouver has relocated to 3700 Keith Street, Burnaby, BC, V5J 5B5. Tel:(604) 434-6400, Fax (604) 434-6479, briank@q1pt.com

Picture This Digital Photography in Calgary has moved into a new location. Their new studio and full service digital photo gallery is 2 minutes away from the from downtown “special events” district at #101-535 8th Avenue SE, T2g 5S9.

Concept Fiatlux has relocated to 75 Fernstaff Ct. Unit 16, Vaughan, ON, L4K 3R3, Tel: (905) 760-0025, Fax: (905) 760-9677, toll free: 1-800-342-8587

Moving Up
Speakers Spotlight is thrilled to announce that Kelly MacDonald has joined the agency as a Partner and Senior Vice President! Kelly has spent her entire career providing business solutions to the meetings industry and the association marketplace. Kelly is highly regarded in the speaking industry for her passion, dedication and expertise and she will certainly make a tremendous contribution to the Speakers Spotlight Team.

Ms. Arlene Campbell has been appointed General Manager of The National Trade Centre and Ricoh Coliseum at Exhibition Place, Toronto, Canada. Exhibition Place is a 200-acre multi-use property owned by the City of Toronto, and governed by the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place.

O&Y/SMG Canada is the private sector Manager of both The National Trade Centre and Ricoh Coliseum. Ms. Campbell brings over 20 years of business experience, most recently as the Acting General Manager and prior to that as Assistant General Manager and Director of Finance for O&Y/SMG Canada at The National Trade Centre. Arlene has extensive experience in managing all aspects of The National Trade Centre and is committed to enhancing the reputation of Toronto and The National Trade Centre as the premier trade and consumer show facility in North America.

Corrections
In “Canada’s Top 100 Event Venues” report the information for the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel was printed incorrectly. The correct data is as follows:

Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, 1088 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2R9
Contact Person: James Colistro
Telephone: 604-331-1000
Fax: 604-331-1001
Email: sales@wallcentre.com
Website: www.sheratonwallcentre.com
Exhibition space is actually 48,600 square feet.

“The VCEC contract is a great win for Riggit,” said Rick Smith, Principal, Riggit Services. “It is a confirmation by the VCEC and the special event industry in general, that our business strategy of focusing exclusively on rigging and rigging services provides our clients with exceptional service and value.” Riggit opened its office at the VCEC on September 15, 2003, and will provide the special events industry with around-the-clock consultation and rigging services for Vancouver’s largest convention facility.

Singer Natalie Cole performed at the Opening Ceremonies for the skating rink at the Rockefeller Center, New York City earlier this week and Hensall, ON based Iceculture, with a crew of 10, built a bridge of ice, taking guests from the edge of the rink to a carpet in the center. Refreshments were served from two ice bars also designed and built by Iceculture for the event sponsor, the Wachovia Bank. ‘It’s among the biggest single project Iceculture has ever undertaken’ says General Manager, Heidi Bayley. More than 140 blocks of ice were transported from Hensall for the project by Hogro Transport of Parkhill, and one lane of New York’s busy 50th Street was blocked off to provide a parking and unloading area for the job.

The bridge, which spanned 28ft, kept ice carvers at the Hensall plant busy for five days, cutting and carving ice to fit closely around a robust wooden stairway. It was erected in the studio and then taken apart for shipping, to be re-assembled at the Rockefeller Center. Building the bridge presented a tough challenge. The ice had to be unloaded at street level and then taken below to the ice rink, which involved carrying the blocks by hand down many flights of stairs. The Iceculture team worked through the night to have the bridge ready in time for the opening ceremonies. Then a short rest before taking the ice bridge down and disposing of the ice, just four hours later. The rink had to be ready for public skating by 7am the following morning.

Currently, Iceculture ships block ice and ice sculptures all over Canada, the US, Britain, and Europe. The company also plans to export its crystal clear ice to Australia and South Africa.

Frances McGuckin President of Small Biz Pro proudly announces that the electronic rights for the third edition of her self-published book, Business for Beginners, have been purchased by Intuit Canada to bundle with their new small business Quicken product, which will hit the stores mid-July. It's the first time that Quicken has done this type of product bundling. In addition the book will also be published in Russia in the fall of 2004.

Exposoft Solutions, in collaboration with Congress Canada, will be developing the Internet-based registration system for the Buddhist gathering that will take place in Toronto from April 25-May 5, 2004. This gathering, called a Kalachakra, is the largest Buddhist ritual and initiation. It traditionally attracts large groups of people from around the world and is considered a special blessing to the participants and the city in which it is held. The Kalachakra 2004, organized by the Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario, will attract an estimated 9000 attendees, including major celebrities. His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama of Tibet will be present in Toronto to confer the Kalachakra Initiation for World Peace.
For information on Exposoft system send email to: info@exposoft.com

Regal Tent Productions and Advanced Tent Rentals combined their expertise, inventory and manpower to accomplish the workload involved in the SARSfest concert that was held in Toronto on July 30th at the Downsview air base. More than 450,000 attended, breaking the world record for a one day, ticketed event. The Rolling Stones were the headliners, however there were several other high profile bands including AC/DC, The Guess Who, Justin Timberlake and Blue Rodeo, to name a few.

This project was huge in scope - over 230,000 square feet of tent structure to be set-up in less than 3 weeks. Regal's 50-meter wide structure (the only one in Canada) hosted the VIP area. Providing 46,200 square feet, the structure welcomed 5,000 VIP's. The event was a huge success and was a needed 'shot in the arm' for the Toronto area. The show's organizers and suppliers worked from dawn till dusk each and every day to bring life to this event.

Winning Moments

Congratulations to the Canadian winners of the 2003 ISES Esprit Awards. These prestigious awards were handed out at the 2003 Conference for Professional Development in Minneapolis in early August. Canadian winners included:

• BEST EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

  Envision Digital Photography - for the Bio Technologies Conference in June 2002 for our clients Decor & More and Toronto Tours .

• BEST ISES TEAM EFFORT

  Budget $50,001 - $100,000 USD

  Craig Gruzd, Designing Trendz Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• TECHNICAL PRODUCTION AWARD and ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION AWARD over $100,001 USD

  Heather Kaufman, City of Toronto Special Events, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION AWARD

  Budget $50,001 - $100,000 USD

  Jo-Ann Craigie, Visions Display Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

• The only Canadian recipient of the 2003 ISES SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS is:

  Mettle Attitude Award

  Rob Gray, The Event Professional, Toronto, ON Canada

  Congratulation to the Canadian Nominees for the Westie Awards (ISES Western Regional Awards). The awards will be handed out at the Westies Gala in November on the Westies Educational cruise.

• BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION

  Under $25,000 and

  BEST LOGISTICAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR AN EVENT

  e=mc2 Event Management Calgary, AB, Jocelyn Flanagan & Kenneth Christopherson

• BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION

  $25,001 - $100,000

  Granek Productions, Vancouver, BC, Michael Granek

Milestones