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Special Edition | Atlanta International Special Events Society

June 26, 2014 by jessicapark

Lori Harbin/TEP Catering

I have a passion for good food, helping projects succeed and spending quality time with my loved ones. So it should surprise no one that these passions led me directly into the special events industry. After graduating from Trinity University, I started my career at the UPS Corporate Headquarters where one of my responsibilities was planning departmental meetings and events. My love for this piece of her job led me to seek out a position with a full service special event company and soon she I coordinating corporate picnics and family days for groups up to 20,000 at The Fun Company. However, my passion for sales and marketing, along with a passion for fabulous food, ultimately led to my current position as the Director of Taste Experiences at TEP Catering.

I currently serve as the President-Elect for ISES Greater Atlanta and am an active member of MPI, ICA, and WIPA.

Jan Harlin Levie/A Handy Little Company

Jan provides event entertainment, fusing her sense of the off-beat with knowledge, skills, and talents gained working in the performing arts, entertainment, education, corporations, diverse countries, cultures, and different age groups to create beautiful and profound events celebrating great moments in her clients’ lives. On top of that, we just have fun, and so do our clients. We create events that people will talk about for many years to come.

Specialties: Naja Elieva of A Handy Little Company entertains as a fortune teller and psychic, fabulously costumed, for events large and small, corporate and private, and for all ages. Perfect for conventions, trade shows, pre- and post-event cocktail hour, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, client and employee appreciation events, birthday parties, family reunions, dinner parties, wedding and baby showers. Naja Elieva will amaze and delight your guests with her brilliant costuming, wit, humor, and kindness.

We have also introduced Handwriting analysis and LipsReadings™ as on- and off-site forms of event entertainment.

We have begun partnering with educational institutions to develop multi-sensory, interactive conference programs. These learning environments provide participants with experiential training or continuing education units which enhance job performance and productivity, but most importantly, personal engagement.

Tasha Jackson/9eighteen Events & Company

Tasha Jackson is the Principal Planner and Owner of 9eighteen Events & Company. 9eighteen Events derived from the day that changed our Principal Planners life, 9/18/2004- her wedding day. Through her vision, we’ve become a team of planners who find the greatest satisfaction in producing life-changing events.

Offering planning and styling services, 9eighteen Events is a boutique event company serving Atlanta and beyond. From concept to coordination, we provide our clients with a unique perspective that only passion and experience can deliver. With a savvy eye for detail, our boutique prides itself in executing custom-tailored affairs that boast quality and Elegance with an Edge. coordination, proposals, personal affairs, vendor management, design and style consulting and much more. Become a part of the 9eighteen family; the family who believes in specifics, is driven by details and boast exceptional organization skills. Allow us to relieve your stress of planning and take your event to places unimaginable, by infusing your personal vision with our uncommon flare.

Lorri McQueary with Destination South and Chari Leitch with CSL Entertainment

June 11, 2014 by jessicapark

photo (12) — Chari Leitch, Lorri McQueary and Jessica Park

Lorri McQueary/Destination South Meetings and Events

Lorri McQueary has been applying her creative approach to meetings and special events since 2002. In this time she has produced attention-getting events ranging from intimate gatherings to parties for 12,000. Her background in advertising as well as visual and performing arts allows her to deliver concepts for guest experiences that are dynamic, message driven and right on target with the client’s identity and goals.

She has worked closely with both entrepreneurs and international corporations to create successful brand and event identity through collateral design strategies, custom event concepts, award winning product launches, theatrical meeting openers and a wide variety of entertainment and breakout sessions.

Lorri has been an active member in the International Special Event Society, Atlanta Chapter, since 2004. In this time she has served in both committee and director roles. In 2010, she was named to the executive board as Vice President of Communications and was honored with the President’s Award in 2011. In 2005, Lorri was honored with an ADME Rising Star Award. She was also profiled in the 2010 summer issue of Atlanta Occasions Magazine as one of ten “Most Influential Planners in Atlanta.”

At her events, Lorri is most likely to be found hoping to ditch a headset and join the back-up dancers.

Chari Leitch/CSL Entertainment

CSL Entertainment helps meeting planners, corporate event professionals and non-profits find the perfect speakers and entertainers to insure their next event will truly shine. If you are looking for a keynote speaker to inform, educate or inspire your attendees, we have you covered. If you are looking for a musician for an intimate experience or to rock your house, we can do that too! As an entertainment agent, and Southern Region Director of Bruce Merrin’s Celebrity Speakers & Entertainment Bureau, we’re here to help you create the perfect package for your next event. No matter what your budget or event size, call CSL Entertainment for all your speaker and entertainment needs.

Kristi Casey Sanders and Sophia Chin with Plan Your Meetings

June 5, 2014 by jessicapark

photo (11) — Kristi Casey Sanders and Sophia Chin of Plan Your Meetings along with BRX Host Jessica Park

Kristi Casey Sanders and Sophia Chin/Plan Your Meetings

As VP of Creative/Chief Storyteller for Atlanta Metropolitan
Publishing, Kristi Casey Sanders oversees content, community and
experiences for its Plan Your Meetings, Encore Atlanta and
PoshDealz.com brands. She is an award-winning writer and creative
director who’s covered the arts, business and travel industries since
2003. Prior to joining the AMP team, she entertained audiences and
trained corporate groups with Boom Chicago Comedy Theater from its
home base in Amsterdam and throughout Northern Europe. She educates
groups frequently on the topics of sustainability, proving ROI, hybrid
event platforms and other business-related technology. She is a Google
Explorer and broadcasts educational webinars and talk show-style
hangouts fromYoutube.com/PlanYourMeetings and
Youtube.com/EncoreAtlantaVids.

Sophia Chin is a social media manager with Plan Your Meetings, and an
occasional contributor to Encore Atlanta and Plan Your Meetings.

Special Edition | Atlanta International Special Events Society

May 30, 2014 by jessicapark

Lissette Suarez/Viridian Images Photograpgraphy

Viridian Images Photography is a husband and wife wedding photography team based in Atlanta but available for travel to any destination. We consider ourselves to be wedding photojournalists. Therefore our style has a strong documentary approach, where we focus on those sincere moments when our subjects are camera unaware. Our mission is to provide elegant, organic, artistic photographs that stand on their own merit, regardless of the latest trends. With that in mind, we offer a tailored approach centered on each couple's unique relationship. While weddings are the cornerstone of our business, we also shoot for several magazines in Atlanta as time permits. Other interests include volunteer work, running and lots of traveling.

Shane M Cochran/Amusement Masters

18 years in the events industry. 2012 Allies Chair, ISES member for 9 years

Jack Perry Jr with Source Coaching and Purvi Patel with Big Squid Interactive

May 8, 2014 by jessicapark

Jack Perry Jr./Source Coaching

Jack Perry, Jr. of Source Coaching came to Atlanta from all corners of the world as a former Army commander, rescue helicopter pilot, and police officer. His experiences around the world, on the battlefield, his disaster rescue operations in Haiti, and his encounters with street criminals and their victims, provide Jack with a unique perspective about the meaning of life, and how we will be remembered at the end of our days.

When Jack is off the airwaves as host of Legacy Leaders Radio, he is a recognized public speaker, book author, teacher, and professional life coach promoting quality of life issues and teaching professionals to reach for the greater good in their own circle of influence. His particular passion is the war on anger, how very destructive anger is at home and in the workplace, and the fight to extinguish angry emotions in any given situation.

Purvi Patel/Big Squid Interactive

Social Media Strategist/Director, Purvi Patel manages the social media department for Big Squid Interactive. Purvi was discovered through her LinkedIn profile for Social Media, marketing, and design expertise. Her advanced knowledge and experience with Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Optimization, Web Design, Google Analytics, Google Algorithms, Social Reporting, and Content Writing made her an asset to Big Squid Interactive. Purvi strongly believes social media is the greatest marketing tool for any company and their future. Her dedication to research and Social Media development continues to grow our level of service.

Kirkley Hennessy with Hennessy Transportation and Lasso

May 1, 2014 by jessicapark

Kirkley Hennessy/Hennessy Transportation and Lasso

Kirkley Hennessy’s entrance into the chauffeured ground transportation industry evolved out of his first business venture, Avalanche Entertainment, founded in 2001. Avalanche offered DJ services to brides, grooms, event planners and venues throughout Atlanta and the Southeast, establishing a large footprint in the wedding industry. With the increasing success of their DJ and videography packages, Avalanche expanded their offering to include a DJ, video and limousine package for weddings. Shortly after this addition, the limousine aspect spun off into its own company in 2011, and Hennessy Transportation was born. Launching in May is Kirkley’s newest venture, Lasso. The only on-demand car app managed by limousine operators.

Hennessy has grown into a full-service company for airport transportation, corporate planning and leisure travel, dedicating themselves to logistics and manifest management for groups throughout the world! Hennessy services over 1,200 airports in 500 cities across the globe, making them a brand trusted by Fortune 500 companies to manage their group transportation needs. With an in-house team of professionals dedicated to great customer service, backed with the state-of-the-art technology, you can count on Hennessy Transportation to manage, execute and oversee any project with your group’s manifest. And with reservation processes built with the client in mind, you go wherever you need to, 24 hours a day!

Today, Kirkley is directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the company: “We are a company that truly recognizes grass-roots marketing and customer service. Our clients continually support our model with feedback, and they deeply appreciate and admire our attention to detail. We work hard to keep our vehicles safe, clean and enjoyable. Whether it’s the smoke free environment, chilled water or Wi-Fi onboard, you’ll quickly realize we offer much more than transportation.”

Kirkley holds a seat on the Board of Directors for the Greater Atlanta Limousine Association (GALA). This association, comprised of approximately 20-30 limousine companies in the Atlanta area, aims to be the best reflection of the chauffeured transportation industry, as they service over 80% of Atlanta’s limousine and black car fleet.

Hennessy Transportation has been a finalist for “Best Operator of The Year” from Limousine Digest for the past 2 years and is once again nominated in 2013. Hennessy Transportation has also been voted “Best Transportation: Atlanta” from the Wedding Industry Experts organization.

Finally, Hennessy is a company dedicated to giving back to the community. They continually support non-profit organizations of all sizes, including this past weekends event for Tripp Halstead with the Sunshine on a Ranney Day charity!

Special Edition | Atlanta International Special Events Society

April 23, 2014 by jessicapark

Today’s episode of Meeting Pros features the Atlanta International Special Events Society (ISES). The President Elect is in the studio along with a few members to discuss Eventeract and the work they are doing.

Eventeract

We had the pleasure of broadcasting live from Eventeract at America’s Mart for our Special Edition of Meeting Pros Radio. A revolutionary event evolving from the DNA of the Meetings Exploration Conference (MEC), Eventeract, April 23-24, is an exciting new experience that will challenge the way the event and hospitality industry relate. Powered by the Southeast’s most influential associations, Eventeract will feature 90,000 square feet of education, innovation and networking covering a variety of disciplines including, but not limited to: Corporate and Association events, Food & Beverage, Meeting Design, Décor & Event Design, Meeting Planning Strategies, Tactics & Design, Technology, Audio Visual, Incentives, Revenue Management, Sales, Revenue Management and DMC Services. General Session, Education and Exhibits are located all in one space designed to provide the attendees a 360 degree comprehensive event experience and to present the exhibitors & sponsors a vast customer base with which to network.

Ashley Miller/Blush Event Company

Blush Event Company strives to create stylish and memorable experiences for their clients. Every event is a blank canvas to build something unique & magnificent.

Ashley Miller has always loved pulling together the details to make an extraordinary event. Blush Event Company was born from years of being the “go-to” force for organizing special events, including weddings and surprise marriage proposals, for friends and family. With a degree in Business and her instinctual organizational talents, she possesses the tools to produce any event with precise execution. Her managerial background enables her to lead her team to develop the event you have always dreamt of.

She has made her mark in the Atlanta event planning market and is contributing greatly to the industry through ISES (International Special Events Society), being an Allie Awards committee member, and other engagements that give back to the industry. The native Georgian is always on top of the new industry trends and constantly building & nurturing her vendor relationships. The Certified Event Planner has a special love for weddings and marriage proposals, but directs all events with grace and sharp execution. She is passionate about what she does and driven to create unforgettable experiences. Ashley’s love for special events makes the planning experience pleasant from the beginning until the last guest leaves the event.

Lori Harbin/TEP Catering

Lori Harbin is Director of Sales with TEP Catering. Experienced sales professional with a proven track record of meeting and exceeding sales goals. 14+ years in the Hospitality industry. Skills include venue sales, catering sales, event planning, meeting planning, fundraising, tradeshow marketing, social media marketing, negotiating and new business development.

Currently serves as President Elect for ISES Greater Atlanta and also as the Marketing and Communications Chairperson for the 2014 Allie Awards. Active participant of MPI and NACE.

Bill Goode/A Celebration with Music!

DJBGoode is the owner and resident Celebration Specialist at A Celebration with Music! and Peachy’s Portable Drive-In in Atlanta. Spinning tunes since his senior year of high school, DJBGoode worked as a mobile and club DJ while also working as the Promotion and Marketing Director for stations in New York and Georgia including WFAS AM/FM in White Plains, NY, WRNN-TV/Regional News Network in New York City, and WGAU/WNGC in Athens, GA. If you are a TV junkie, you will see him in the final episode of I’ll Fly Away and in an episode of In the Heat of the Night, and in a few segments from the early days of Regional News Network!

What about those nightclubs and restaurants? They include Desperados in Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Georgio’s in Elmwood Park, NJ; Mickey Mantle’s in Manhattan, NY; Irish Bred Pub in Rex, GA; and the legendary 57th Fighter Group Restaurant and Nightclub in Atlanta, GA.

DJBGoode has major DJ experience spinning and entertaining for thousands of happy clients throughout the southeast and northeast. Weddings, schools, and corporate events are the niche for his company, A Celebration with Music!

Spinning and entertaining is not all he does. DJBGoode is an accomplished author and blogger about weddings, events, and DJ-related issues at start.mobilebeat.com, where he serves as the Formal Events moderator, and at djbgoode.com. His articles on how to DJ a wedding are published at Disc Jockey University (dju.mobilebeat.com).

DJBGoode also serves other event professionals in the metro Atlanta area as a Director for the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the International Special Events Society.

Cindy Brown/Cindy and Sharon | Same Sex Weddings Photographers

Cindy Brown CEO of Same Sex Weddings Photographers honed her photographic story telling skills as a photojournalist and picture editor for major daily newspapers and as a professor of photojournalism. She has won numerous awards for her photojournalism and wedding photojournalism. She shares her home with her wife and business partner, Sharon, and their animals Roux, Candler and Ferron.

Special Edition | Eventeract

April 17, 2014 by jessicapark

Larry Greene/Greene Worldwide Transportation

Greene Worldwide Transportation has been in business for 25 years. We are a 24/7 transportation company with someone in our office 24 hours a day to help you with your every need. Whether you need leisure, corporate or group transportation, we have a large, late model fleet of sedans,5 passenger suvs, vans, 6,10,14 passenger stretch limousines, 31 passenger minibuses and 56 passenger motor coaches to fit all of your needs. Past President of GaMPI.

Felicia Newberry/Magnum Companies

Felicia Newberry is the Director of Sales and Marketing for The MAGNUM Companies Ltd., a prominent leader in the production industry for over 30 year. Felicia started her career in production selling lamps and gel part time and worked her way up to be a principal player in the meeting & Events industry. Felicia is part of an award winning team at MAGNUM receiving several awards for lighting & production design as well as logistical achievement. Always hands on, Felicia has worked with some of the top lighting designers and event planners in the industry and always enjoys a challenge. Felicia is currently serving her 4^th term on the board of MPI Georgia chapter as VP of education producing fresh & relevant educational programs for its members.

Eventeract

A revolutionary event evolving from the DNA of the Meetings Exploration Conference (MEC) , Eventeract, April 23-24, is an exciting new experience that will challenge the way the event and hospitality industry relate. Powered by the Southeast’s most influential associations, Eventeract will feature 90,000 square feet of education, innovation and networking covering a variety of disciplines including, but not limited to: Corporate and Association events, Food & Beverage, Meeting Design, Décor & Event Design, Meeting Planning Strategies, Tactics & Design, Technology, Audio Visual, Incentives, Revenue Management, Sales, Revenue Management and DMC Services. General Session, Education and Exhibits are located all in one space designed to provide the attendees a 360 degree comprehensive event experience and to present the exhibitors & sponsors a vast customer base with which to network.

Bob Carignan with Corporate Events Unlimited

April 9, 2014 by jessicapark

Bob Carignan/Corporate Events Unlimited

Originally from New England with an extended stay in South Florida, Bob Carignan is the fearless leader of the Corporate Events Unlimited team. Bob earned his undergraduate degree from Florida State University before heading back up the coast to complete his MBA at the University of Maryland.

While there, he further engaged his love for sports and event marketing, joining the national marketing and promotions team at Warner Lambert before migrating to the Great Northwest and Intel Corporation. After cashing in his proverbial (computer) chips, he landed in Atlanta where he made his Olympic debut behind the scenes as a Logistics Manager for the 1996 Olympic Games.

As the Vice President of Corporate Events Unlimited, Bob brings his unbridled passion for events and sports to a new level. He is dedicated to his amazing staff, his community and the industry. His team mentality, attention to detail, persistence and results-oriented mindset puts all events he touches on a course that leads to surpassing expectations.

Given an opportunity to be an object at one of his events, Bob stays true to his nature noting he’d like to be a baseball bat “because every time we step up to the plate, our goal is to hit it out of the park!”