The International Special Events Society (ISES) provides
an unparalleled opportunity for the industry professional to gain insight to
the Special Events industry and the other segments of the entertainment
industry related to the production of live events. From small family events
like weddings and anniversaries to international film and music award
ceremonies almost every segment of the industry relies on special event
professionals to present their brand in the best image possible. According to
their official website, “The Mission of ISES is to educate, advance and promote the special
events industry and its network of professionals along with related industries.
To that end, we strive to…
▪ Uphold the integrity of the special events
profession to the general public through our "Principles of Professional
Conduct and Ethics"
▪ Acquire and disseminate useful business information
▪ Foster a spirit of cooperation among its members
and other special events professionals, and…Cultivate high standards of
business practices.”
Based in Chicago, Illinois, ISES is the international
standard bearer for professional event planners with official chapters located
on every continent worldwide. Education is a very important component of an ISES
membership program; the society offers numerous special event industry
recognized certifications to their members and the opportunity to participate
in a myriad of educational conferences, seminars, webinars, and workshops to
ensure their members maintain the high standards set by the society. This
dedication is further evidenced by the opportunity of a student membership to
the society for the very reasonable price of $35.00. This is a great opportunity
for any aspiring student to establish contact with other industry professional
around the world.
Education and industry certifications are not the
only benefits offered by ISES. Other services offered to their members and the
general public include the broadcast of current industry news, international,
regional, and local political decisions that affect the production of special
events, and annual awards ceremonies to recognize industry professionals that
excelled in their field of expertise. Another ISES benefit to its members
through subscription and the general public through both subscription and newsstand
sales is their monthly publication of Special Events Magazine (SEM). This is how
I was originally introduced to the Society and their impact on the industry.
SEM is an outstanding resource for in-depth articles on the international
happenings in the industry and almost as beneficial as the reporting is the
international brand advertisements located throughout the publication. The
powerful combination of education and access to competitive, international,
state-of-the-art brands will help ensure the success of the committed special
event planner.
