ATTENTION: SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED!!!!

SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED

All Entries are $75

7^th Annual Texas Star Awards

Celebrating the BEST of the
Texas Meetings and Events Industry

Excitement is in the air as we celebrate the 2010 Texas Star Awards at the beautiful Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek.

These awards are the benchmark of achievement honoring excellence within the many disciplines of our Industry

Show off the "best of the best" of the events you produced from

August 31, 2008 thru December 31, 2009 and submit your entry for

the 7th Annual TEXAS STAR AWARDS!

Call For Entries:

Deadline extended to Friday March 5^th at 5:00 pm.

Entries are $75 per entrant

Download the Call for Entries Click Here

For more information or questions about uploading your award submissions, please contact:

Submissions Chair Marla Watson-Werst, CSEP at submissions@texasstarawards.com

Event Registration:

Sunday March 28, 2010 Register Here

For more information or questions about the Texas Star Awards, please contact:

Event Chair Tamara Martin-Harris, CWC at Info@texasstarawards.com

Hotel Information:

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

Recognized as the most celebrated hotel in Texas, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is the only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond hotel in Texas. Considered a Dallas icon by both locals and visitors alike, the Mansion retains the intimate ambience of the private residence it once was while providing the highest levels of quality and service.

The Mansion is offering a special room rate Sunday night, March 28, 2010 for Texas Star Award guests at $199 (regularly $599). To book this special room rate, call 214-443-4747 and identify yourself as part of the Texas Star Awards/ISES Group.

If You Don’t Enter - You Can’t Win.
So Come On, Send It In!

Sponsors

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek ▪ Ducky Bob’s Event Specialists

Encore Productions ▪ inChorus Marketing ▪ J. Monroe Designs

LiveWire Special Events ▪ R Fox Designs ▪ Rental Stop ▪ Shag Carpet Productions

Exciting Member News

Ultimate Ventures is delighted to announce that Cindy Hartner, CSEP has obtained her Certified Special Event Professional designation. The CSEP is the hallmark of professional achievement in the special events industry. Cindy was also named as a Finalist for the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME) Rising Star Award. This honor is given to a DMC professional who has been in the industry less than five years and has demonstrated significant contribution to their DMC or the industry.


In related news, the Ultimate Ventures' President, Laurie Sprouse, CITE, CMP, DMCP was named Destination Management Professional of the Year for 2009 by ADME. This award recognizes an individual who has given their time, dedication, leadership, and knowledge towards the advancement of the destination management industry. UV was also award finalists for Best Transportation Logistics and Best Team-Building.

The Special Event 2010 - Coming Full Circle

By Marla Watson-Werst, CSEP, CTA

Excitement is always in the air whenever The Special Event comes around. There are a lot of great classes, a terrific trade show, and great parties that can be over the top and lavish beyond your wildest dreams. I love all of these things, but this year I was able to see one of the most amazing examples of love, labor and coming full circle, as we journeyed to our sister city of New Orleans for the 2010 Special Event.

The Special Event has always held a special place in my heart. I have been blessed to participate in several, and even Co-Sponsored the Opening General Session when in was here in Dallas in 2006, with Brian Acheson, CSEP of VIP Events & Jim Monroe, CMP, CSEP. It was a great event and one that I never expected to take so much away from.

That was a hard year for our sister ISES Chapter in New Orleans. Katrina had hit the previous year and almost destroyed one of the greatest event cities in the world. It affected them financially and in spirit. It hit us close to home, as these wonderful folks had been our friends for many years in the industry. It was a hard thing to watch, but a small silver lining sprung forward from the S.E.A.R.C.H. Foundation, who came in and gave the chapter enough money to help keep it going, and helped some of its members from going under financially. It was one of the most moving things I have ever seen, and we all became even closer from that special moment.

Over the next several years, we would see our friends from NOLA, and hear stories about the rebuilding of the city, and the event industry by the great people who were fighting the good fight. S.E.A.R.C.H. Foundation made sure to let us know each year at Eventworld and TSE how our friends in New Orleans were doing, and what we could do to continue lending them support. It was never forgotten, and everyone always gave more to the cause, as a result.

As the years have pass by, I knew I wanted to return to my favorite city but the timing never worked out to get me there. Then it was announced that TSE 2010 would be in New Orleans. The chills ran up my spine, as I knew I would be back in the city I loved, and with the people who I had grown so close with since that TSE in 2006. It would be a chance for us all to celebrate the true spirit of the event industry together in grand fashion.

The city did not disappoint! From the Education to the Opening General Session to the Opening Night Party & Wedding Luncheon to the Gala Awards – not one thing was missing in the equation. Our NOLA friends worked night and day to create a new aura and mystique about the city that doesn’t give up! It was really a wonderful way to celebrate the true spirit of perseverance and tenacity. You see, NOLA is the embodiment of True Grit. I am so blessed to have seen it come full circle and cant wait to return again and again. As they say in New Orleans ~ Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Be a Part of Something Great!

ISES Dallas Great Group wants YOU!

We are proud to partner with Carter BloodCare in their Great Group Blood Drive. During February 18-20 go to the Carter BloodCare Centers listed above or take a flyer to the location nearest to you to donate.

With your participation in this charitable event the Dallas ISES Chapter will be advertised on the Carter BloodCare website for 7 days. To make a donation on behalf of ISES use the sponsor code: SPON047581 or simply follow the link a flyer will be emailed to you.

Click here

So have a HEART and give blood to enrich a life!

Have a Heart

We are proud to partner with Carter BloodCare in their Great Group Blood Drive. During February 18-20 go to the Carter BloodCare Centers listed above or take a flyer to the location nearest to you to make a donation. With your participation in this charitable event the Dallas ISES Chapter will be advertised on the Carter BloodCare website for 7 days. To make a donation on behalf of ISES use the sponsor code: SPON047581.

As you leave from making your donation, you will receive a t-shirt for donating!

The Social Side of TSE

Special event professionals from throughout the world gathered in New Orleans in January for the educational value of the conference. Sure TSE will provide you new and unique ways to improve your business and tweak your professional skills through several days of industry specific education; however I really enjoy the social side. Its a great opportunity to network with other motivated and inspired event professionals from around the world. TSE provides many opportunities to kick up your heels, experience the host city and to expand your circle of professionals. You’ll find others to partner with and share knowledge of the industry and event management. Sure we talked about best practices, business strategies, and leadership with other ISES members, but at night mostly we just had a great time at the many social events provided.

The first social event for most attendees was “TSE Starts Here” put on by Nicolas Nevares and Denise Malo from our sister chapter New Orleans. The event was held Tuesday night at Generations Hall in the Big Easy. It was great seeing all of our industry peers and event professionals from all over the world. Generations Hall provided a true New Orleans experience. The facility was originally built in the early 1820s as a sugar refinery, this New Orleans landmark is now decorated with artwork by prominent artists George Schmidt and Xavier deCallatay depicting the history of New Orleans jazz. The food was great and we danced until they kicked us out.

The next night we attended the “NACE Welcome Event”. This sold out event was held at Mardi Gras World at the Port of New Orleans. This was an incredible event where upon arrival we were greeted with Hurricanes an authentic precession band and all of the fabulous Mardi Gras floats. After passing through all the floats with our party hats on we entered River City Ballroom which featured the beautiful Grand Oaks Mansion room. This space was perfect for getting a taste New Orleans. And speaking of taste, there was an abundance of the food New Orleans is famous for. The caterers and chefs of New Orleans came out in full force serving Cajun, Creole, soul and seafood.
On Thursday many showed up for the 12th annual Search Foundation Fundraiser, “The Big Give in the Big Easy”. The event was hosted by Bourbon Vieux on Bourbon Street. It was a special evening of entertainment, networking, dessert, dancing and bead throwing from the balcony while supporting the foundation by participating in the silent auction and the generous donations from individuals and ISES chapters from around the world.

Other social events and activities included the Leadership Reception, The Wedding Lunch, The Masters Series Brunch, The Gala Celebration as well as extra curricular activities such as gambling at Harrah’s, dining at Brenan’s, Acme Oyster House, Happy Hour at Pat O Brien’s, late night leadership karaoke at the Cats Meow and even a bunch of us riding clown cars around the city.

Don’t miss The Special event next year in Phoenix Arizona January 25-28 unless you want to miss all the fun again!

Brooks Kendall