Board meetings are open to all ISES New England members. Active committee involvement is strongly encouraged as a way to strengthen the Chapter through personal leadership and, in doing so, raising you and your company’s visibility within the organization. The annual installation of new Board members occurs at the June monthly Chapter meeting.
2011-2012 ISES New England Board of Directors
President
Jen McPhee
Phone: (508) 843-4046
addsomeswizzle@gmail.com
Jennifer McPhee’s professional background began in multi-association and trade show management. There, she was one of three full time employees, running all aspects of the associations’ activities, including their strategic management, budgeting, long range vision, newsletter production, fund-raising, special events and the development of a certification program. “I love the variety of designing events that work to create a greater good for an association and the meaningful relationships that develop by working with those same clients on a daily basis.” Additionally, she was part of the founding management that introduced “New England Grows”, a horticultural trade show/conference, which quickly became one of the country’s fastest growing shows of its kind – attracting over 10,000 attendees, for the three day event, in just three years.
She left her 9 year position with a multi association management firm in 2001 to create a better balance between work and family life – continuing to produce special events independently. She filled an open position on the board of the International Special Event Society (ISES-NE chapter) in December 2004 and served as their Vice President of Programs and Education for two and a half years. She was honored to receive a Heart and Soul Award at their 2005 Annual Meeting and was also a recipient of the ISES Merit Award Scholarship and the Chapter Leadership Award in subsequent years. She is proud to have represented the programming committee when ISES New England received the Spirit of Excellence Award in programming for the 2006/2007 season in Montreal Canada. Currently, the majority of her event planning focuses on both corporate and social events and those that demonstrate philanthropic interests. In her spare time you will often find her teaching classes at the gym, cooking, getting to as much theater as she can, and trying to absorb, appreciate and enjoy every possible moment of motherhood.
President-Elect
Kate Gold
Account Executive
Rentals Unlimited
Phone: (781) 818-4554
kate@rentals-unlimited.net
www.rentals-unlimited.net
While attending the University of New Hampshire, Katie Gold majored in Tourism Planning and Development and gained a passion for event planning. Katie went on to work as an Event Manager at Echelon Events where she was responsible for event development, management, and logistics for corporate clients. Katie then moved over to LTI Worldwide, a chauffeured Limousine Company as the Head of Sales and the Meetings and Events Manager. Currently, she has the honor of working for Rentals Unlimited as their account executive, responsible for outside sales and account management in Boston.
She joined ISES New England in January 2007 and this will be Katie’s fifth year on the New England Board. Katie served as Membership Director from 2007-2008, VP of Membership for 2 years 2008-2010, VP of Programs and Education from 2010-11 and currently serves as the President Elect. In 2010 she was selected to be part of the 2009-2010 ISES International Membership Committee, from 2010-2011 she selected to be on the 2010-2011 ISES International Nominations Committee and currently Katie serves on the ISES international pages committee. Katie is a proud recipient of the 2007 ISES New England Merit Scholarship Award, 2009 Spirit of ISES Heart and Soul Award, 2010 Spirit of ISES Heart and Soul Award and ISES New England’s Presidents Award, and 2011ISES New England Presidents Award.
Immediate Past President
Larry Green
Owner
Rentals Unlimited & International Event Products
(781) 341-1600
larryg@rentals-unlimited.net
Larry Green is a graduate of Bentley College with a BS in Accounting. He began his foray into the special events industry in 1966 when he founded Green Manor Catering, and has since been involved in the industry for over 40 years. In 1997, Green began importing and distributing wholesale china, porcelain, serving pieces and other dishes through his company International Event Products. In 1999, Green closed the catering company, and turned his focus to Rentals Unlimited, a full service rental company that was created to fill the need so many of his catering clients had for linens, tables, and chairs. He has built Rentals Unlimited into the company it is today; a nationally and locally renowned business that serves all of New England.
He serves as the Treasurer and a former Past President of the SEARCH Foundation, the Immediate Past President of ISES New England, and is a past board member for ISES Rhode Island. He also supports & participates in several other industry-based associations: NACE, MPI, Boston & Rhode Island Wedding Groups, ICA, ARA, and local chambers of commerce & visitors bureaus. He is also on the advisory boards for both Catersource Magazine and BizBash Boston.
Mr. Green has won the Event Solutions Spotlight Award for Samaritan Service twice (2006 & 2010) for his philanthropic contributions to the events industry, as well as other charities. A proud supporter of the Pan Mass Challenge, he has coordinated the food & beverage for the past 25 years and has ridden in the race for 4 years, in memory of his late wife. He is a proud father & grandfather.
VP of Membership
Lisa Santoro
Account Executive
CORT Event Furnishings
Phone: (617) 785-2507
lisa.santoro@cort.com
www.cortevents.com
Lisa began her career in sales at the tender age of 15 and knew right away that she would make a career out of it. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising and immediately began working for high-end retailer Neiman Marcus where she excelled for 6 years. A career in outside sales followed with sales positions in IT recruitment, technology education and finally a Senior Account Executive role at CORT Furniture Rental in Miami, Florida in 2005. Her great success with CORT brought her back home to Boston to work for the company’s event division, CORT Event Furnishings, where she is responsible for their New England Area sales.
She chose to lend her passion, excitement and commitment to ISES New England where the most creative, passionate and dedicated event designers and planners, caterers, venues and vendors come together to learn and share. In 2010 she became an active member and immediately joined the Programming Committee. Soon after was voted in as Director of Membership in 2011. She was the proud recipient of the Rising Star Award at the 2011 Heart & Soul Awards.
VP of Programs & Education
Jessica Zirpolo
Owner
Just Your Style Events
Phone: (781) 449-1661
jysevents@verizon.net
www.jysevents.com
Jessica Zirpolo began her career in the special event industry in catering as a server while in college. She went full-time in 2004 with Crazy Chefs Catering where she learned the nuts and bolts of the profession. In May of 2005, Jessica joined Gourmet Caterers where she found new ways to apply her skills in order to better serve her clients. In 2007, Jessica started her event planning company called Just Your Style Events. Jessica joined ISES New England in December, 2004. She quickly became involved with the Membership and Programming Committees as well as worked on Special Projects. In the past, she has won the Merit Scholarship, Rising Star Award, Spirit of ISES Award, Chapter Leader Award, and President’s Award. In 2008, Jessica was co-chair of the 2008 Northeast REC planning committee. She looks forward to hearing from all members with suggestions and comments this year.
After hours, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to new restaurants, shopping, and having fun!
VP of Communications
Bobby Dutton
Owner
GrooveBoston
Phone & Fax: (888) 815-9694
bobbyd@grooveboston.com
www.grooveboston.com
Bobby Dutton created GrooveBoston in 1998, and has since led the company as a pioneer of the “mobile club.” Drawing inspiration from “superclub” venues and full-scale rock-concert production, Bobby spent ten years accumulating first-hand experience with both, as a resident DJ at Avalon (now the House of Blues) in Boston, and doing freelance production work at events like the WBCN River Raves, Kiss Concerts, and Boston’s nationally-televised Fourth of July. As his experience grew, GrooveBoston emerged as a fine-tuned machine, capable of generating an intense, immersive dance club experience like no other. Each fall, the GB crew mounts a new tour, delivering legendary events to colleges across the northeast, as well as private clients looking for a crazy dance party.
Since joining ISES in 2008, Bobby was quick to jump in. As a member of the Special Projects Committee, he looks for opportunities to showcase fellow ISES members in their element, and to further strengthen the ISES reputation as a distinguished group of creative experts. Bobby received the 2010 Merit Scholarship Award, and is pumped to be a new leader for the industry and the New England chapter.
In addition to “rocking faces” (as the GrooveBoston team so eloquently puts it), Bobby is a Computer Engineering graduate of Tufts University (the site of annual Mobile Club prototypes), an avid reader, a private pilot, and a soccer player with an unusually powerful left foot.
Director of Membership
Jennifer Iovino
Sales & Marketing Director
Peterson Party Center
Phone (781) 729-4000
jenniferi@ppcinc.com
www.petersonpartycenter.com
Jennifer Iovino joined the team of Peterson Party Center in September 2010 in a role that links her former life of managing special events for some of the best restaurants in Boston to supplying event rentals to the best venues, planners, caterers and designers in New England.
In 1998, Jennifer joined the team at Mistral as Special Events Manager. She oversaw Mistral’s special events department and managed all marketing, public relations and off-site functions for the restaurant. Jennifer and her special events team catapulted Mistral into one of the most sought after private dining and special event venues in the Boston area, even earning the “Best of Boston” award for “Best Group Dining” in 2003. In 2004, she and a former Mistral co-worker teamed up to start their own event management and consulting company, Isis Partners Events. She then decided to go out on her own while raising her two small children, consulting with area restaurants on how to manage special events, improve customer service skills as well as how to manage their marketing & public relations. Jennifer’s career in restaurants began in Connecticut where she was raised and her growing passion continued to flourish when she briefly moved to Boston in the late ’80s. She attended the University of Vermont where she worked for several area restaurants, caterers and special event planners in Burlington, Vermont while earning her self-designed major in a small business entrepreneurial program. When Jennifer returned to Boston in 1994, she became restaurant manager at Rialto, Jody Adams’ acclaimed restaurant at The Charles Hotel in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She continued to apply her strong managerial and interpersonal skills as General Manager of Biba and Pignoli, Lydia Shire and Susan Regis’ celebrated Back Bay restaurants.
Jennifer joined ISES New England in early 2011 and was eager to become more involved in the group. She joined the board this past fall as Director of Membership and is looking forward to the 2011/2012 year where she hopes her organizational skills and creative abilities will contribute to the continued success of a group that is so supportive to this industry.
Director of Programming
Julie Brewster
Owner
Event Planners of Plymouth
Phone (781) 883-3810
JBrewster@EventPlannersofPlymouth.com
www.EventPlannersofPlymouth.com
Julie Brewster has been planning weddings and special events for over nine years. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Spanish and Legal Studies, and went on to teach four years of High School Spanish. Realizing she had a talent for efficiency and organization, there she reorganized the curriculum in Spanish and French. She also taught ServSafe alcohol safety certification from 2003-2006 in numerous restaurants and bars. While juggling education and managing restaurants for the past 18 years she has obtained a hands-on education in the hospitality industry. She went on to manage a cake department and create and decorate cakes for three years, she organized numerous wine dinners, weddings, meetings and special events for the restaurants.
In 2009 she decided to unite her two passions and form Event Planners of Plymouth, a full service event planning company specializing in weddings. Event Planners of Plymouth offers personal and customized planning services for every event. Julie’s goal for her company is to help make the dream of each event into a reality for the client. Throughout the planning process she works with the client to determine likes, style and vision of the perfect event, and professionally executes it, so the client can relax and enjoy their special day. She has organized everything from small intimate events to large weddings, and each event is personalized to the client. Her attention to detail, creativity and planning skills make her a perfect choice for creating amazing and unique events.
Julie is very excited to be serving on the board of ISES New England for the 2011-2012 year and wants to bring her expertise and creativity to each meeting and event.
Life outside of the special events industry is never dull for Julie. She is the mother of two girls, ages 8 and 1, and works part time at a popular bar in downtown Plymouth. She also volunteers at her child’s school and drama program, and tries to be active outdoors with her children as much as possible. She hosts her own three events annually, an Octoberfest complete with lederhosen, a summer Luau with over 50 attendees, and a February Valentines’s Day celebration.
Director of Education
Alison Rose
Catering Sales Manager
Omni Parker House, Boston
arose0922@verizon.net
www.omnihotels.com
Born and raised in upstate New York, Alison Rose began her professional career in the hotel industry after graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York in 1998. Working within the hotel industry, Alison was able to make connections and create opportunities to new experiences. With a couple of moves around New England under her belt, she moved to Boston in 2005 to continue and expand her career as well as live closer to the ocean. Being new to the city and wanting to make new business connections, Alison joined ISES in 2005 and got involved with the “Tiny Tasks” committee within the chapter. This proved to be a perfect way for Alison to meet others and still be able to fully commit her time to her career. Getting involved with ISES has helped her connect with vendors as well as make new friends. Now in her fourth year on the Board of Directors, Alison continues to look for more ways to get members involved in the chapter and the community.
Alison lives in Rockland, Massachusetts with her fiancé and two cats. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping, gardening, shopping, and traveling.
Director of Career Development
Desiree Modano
Director of Marketing
Rentals Unlimited
desiree@rentals-unlimited.net
www.rentals-unlimited.net
Desiree Modano was born and raised in Northern Maine, but always knew her heart was in Boston. She came to the city to attend Simmons College, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Marketing Communications. She worked for the college as a Senior Client Service Representative in the Office of Student Financial Services for two years. Desiree began her journey in the events industry when she was hired at Rentals Unlimited as an Event Rental Consultant in 2005. She has since held the position of Director of Marketing for the company for nearly three years, and handles all advertising, marketing, public relations, and social media. As an on and off member of ISES for the past five years, Desiree is excited to be on again and be a part of the board. She hopes to bring energy, passion, and excitement to the group and contribute to the already well-established reputation of ISES New England.
Desiree lives in Quincy, MA, with her husband and their dog. She enjoys music, traveling, tennis, yoga, and spending time with family and friends.
Director of Partnerships & Public Relations
Marie Caci, CSEP, CMP, CPCE
Phone: (617) 688-2759
marie@mariecaci.com
www.mariecaci.com
Marie Caci began her career more than 18 years ago in the Entertainment Industry. She has had many different roles in promotions, guest relations, event security, and as an on-air personality in the New England region. She has worked for numerous radio stations, record companies, concert promoters, and the region’s notable music venues. Marie claims the highlight was being able to work as Event Staff for SuperBowl XXXIII and XXXIV. Most recently, Marie produced Marketing-based events for The Boston Globe for almost 11 years. Her role included creating, strategizing, marketing, and executing business-to-business and consumer-facing events for internal clients and advertisers to build brand-awareness and revenue. As described by a former colleague as being “organized, collaborative, talented and fast”, Marie is a five-time recipient of The Boston Globe Impact Award for excellence in performance.
Her skill-set includes fiscal management, training and staff mentoring, business development, marketing/publicity, trade show and festival management, contract negotiations, client and vendor management, and operations management.
Marie has appeared in several industry publications including the 2009 BizBash National Venue Guide. Having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a concentration in Marketing and Promotions from Regis College in 1994. A member of ISES New England since 2007, she is very excited about contuining her work on the Board.
Marie is an avid traveler who has been in all 50 states. She enjoys hiking, biking, running, spending time with her friends, and cheering on New England sports teams!
Director of Social Media
Skip Bensley
Producer
Bensley Productions
Phone: 617-841-8911
skipbensley@skipbensley.com
www.skipbensley.com
Skip Bensley has been working in video production, and in AV event production for almost 30 years. he graduated from Northeastern University in 1986 and immediately worked at the Harvard Business School producing video support materials for the MBA and exec education programs. He then spent time in Los Angeles in the 90s working freelance for MTV, ESPN and CBS. He also worked in AV production in both Los Angeles and San Diego.
He moved and worked in the Bay area in the late 90s as a National Account Executive for Projection Presentation Technology assigned to ZD Events / Comdex, and was their in-house AV representative. He assisted with shows like Networld & Interop, Seybold Systems, Web Innovations, IT Wall Street, and Java One.
Skip started his own video production company doing weddings and events called Brilliant Video Productions in 2002. In 2010 Skip became the sales and business development lead for Corporate audio visual services in Boston, where he heads up the office.
“I am a true ‘video geek’ who’s always on top of new ways to deliver video by camera, phone, projector or web. I am an expert in AV project management from budget and planning through setup and execution. I bring lots of experience and energy to my role as Director of Social Media, and I will help anyone that needs support getting started. I also have a keen visual eye with an ability to go beyond the conventional.”
Director of Special Projects
Amy Zediana
Director of Special Events
Gateway Productions
amy.z@gateway-productions.com
gateway-productions.com/
Amy found her passion for the events industry when she planned community-based events as a teenager. Amy joined the industry professionally in 2004 after completing her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration and French at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. She has managed more than 4,000 events working with clients as large as AT&T, Bank of America, Staples, the NCSL Legislative Summit and many more. In 2005, Amy joined ISES in order to gain professional development and make industry contacts. By 2008, she served on the Board of the New England Chapter as Director of Students and Volunteers. Amy attended several industry related conferences including the Regional Education Conference (2007 & 2008), the Eventworld Conference (2007), and has had the honor of speaking at the Rhode Island Regional Education Conference (2008). Amy is currently pursuing her Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) designation. Although Amy has launched her professional career, she still makes time to help out her community. She recently served as the Co-chair on the Board for the Boston Area Walk for Lungevity and currently helps out with the annual Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament benefiting the Kenny T. Mockalis Fund – a scholarship drive for a deserving member of the fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) at Merrimack College.
Amy currently lives in Woburn with her fiancé, Ben. She enjoys traveling, game nights, softball, cooking, watching her two nieces and one nephew grow up, and of course relaxing with family and friends.
