Planners looking for a unique venue to host a meeting and have a little fun typically turn to Edgefield, Kennedy School or the Grand Lodge. These are all great options, but we have others as well. We recently made a few improvements to the Bagdad Theater and Back Stage Bar to make both spaces more meeting friendly – they already had the element of fun!

The Bagdad Theater is a one-of-a-kind space, perfect for meetings and presentations or a reception-style event unlike any other. With its ornate Mediterranean architecture and elaborate interior design, the Bagdad provides a grand forum for multimedia presentations. The historic theater was built in 1927, and McMenamins has focused on preserving and highlighting the building’s unique character –thus providing a stimulating, fun atmosphere for your meeting. Amenities include:

· Ample seating (complete with balcony)

· 590 seating capacity for theater

· 700 capacity for reception-style event

· Large theater screen

· LCD projector

· Catering available

The Bagdad’s Back Stage Bar is the perfect venue for a more casual event that can be followed by a team-building pool tournament or simply social time with co-workers. The entire space can accommodate up to 150 guests reception style, and can be broken down into more intimate areas for groups as small as 16. With its huge, colorful mural, brass-railed bar, and seven-story ceilings, the Backstage Bar is the coolest place in town to build company-wide camaraderie! Amenities include:
· New huge drop-down screen

· Ceiling-mounted LCD projector

· Versatile capacity for 16-150 people

· Custom table covers that convert pool tables into buffet or dining tables

· Full bar

· Two separate “breakout” rooms that can be used for additional pool games once meeting is finished

· Catering available.

More information at Mcmenamins.com

 Looking for a place to hold a corporate retreat? Beautiful Five Pine Lodge in Sisters, Oregon has a conference center and accomodations for your next event. The Teresa Conference Center is behind the lodge and has a variety of meeting spaces to accomodate your needs. The Chef will customize your menu for you. Shibui spa is onsite as well as Sisters Athletic Club. Group activities can be added to enhance your next meeting or event. Three Creeks Brewery and the Sisters Movie House are also on the property.

Your attendees can stay in a lodge room or in a private cabin. Each room has a waterfall soaking tub and Italian tile shower.  I had the luxury of staying in a private cabin and it was fantastic. Five Pine Lodge has thought of everything to make your stay perfect.  Your attendees will leave feeling refreshed and energized. For more information check out www.fivepinelodge.com.

I had the opportunity to check out a fantastic new event space acquired by West Coast Event Productions. The space is located at NW 14th and Overton, on the outer edges of the Pearl District.

This space can be used for events or weddings, with a capacity up to 999. There is a lower and upper space available. West Coast can provide you with many ways to decorate the space.

Planners and brides can bring their choice of vendors to the space.

Beautiful Windows cover the exterior of the building.

For more information contact Danette at 503.294.0412 or danette@wcep.com.

Pimp My Warehouse is BACK! ISES Portland is thrilled to bring you the second annual party of the season….and it’s much more than a party! Great education, great networking, see, hear, and sample the wares of some of Portland’s finest event service providers…. you DON’T wanna miss this one!

1801 NW Thurman is the spot (formerly the Norm Thompson warehouse), Wednesday April 21st from 5:30-9:00 is the time. But NOW is the time to register, so you don’t lose your chance to see what the best collaboration in the business is going to do to this space!

This year’s production sponsors and providers are:
Bravo Publications
Peter Corvallis Productions
Greenlight Creative
Henry V
Holland Studios
Hollywood Lights
Honey Bucket
The Party Place
Royce’s Prop Shop
Stages Northwest
Samantha Swaim Fundraising
Team Casino
West Coast Drape
Alesia Zorn Calligraphy

PLUS, we’ll have Live Entertainment from Vagabond Opera and DJ Anjali, and the ever-popular Crave Catering will provide amazing food and a full no-host bar!

Of course, we will have our signature networking sessions before and after dinner, and a “superpanel” educational session where our experts tell you how they did it, and take your questions as well.

Go to www.isesportland.com to sign up…. see you there!

Themes and more Themes!
The majority of planners always (47%) or sometimes (48%) use themes for their events. However, only 37 % feel extremely comfortable coming up with creative themes. Meeting & Conventions magazine have created a list of suggestions for your next event.

No Data Left Behind
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go” (Dr. Seuss)
Are You Ready for the Turnaround?
Mission Possible
No Small Role in Big Change
Plan. Protect. Prevail
CSI: Common Sense Ideas
Up, Up and Away
Capital Pursuit (Tivial Pursuit)
Driving Your Business to Success (Car-Racing School)
Coloring Outside the Lines
Winners at the Game of Business (Game show theme)

For more great ideas check out Bravoevent.com for Interactive Entertainment Ideas, Casino Parties, Team Building Activites and much more.

Meetings & Conventions Magazine, March 2010

For the third year, WCEP is proud to be in good company with the “30 Top Event Rental Companies” worldwide, as recognized in Special Events magazine’s November/December 2009 issue.

For more information: http://wcep.com/newsletter/SpecialEvents_Nov:Dec09.pdf

Pacific Perks Has A New Look…

Our new logo represents the extent of
who we are. We are more than great
espresso and wonderful food options.
We provide atmosphere and a smile…

Pacific Perks is YOUR Personal Cafe.

Our service is like the kitchen at a party
where everyone feels comfortable and gets
face-to-face time. Not to mention exceptional
choices of food and espresso.

We look forward to working with you in the
upcoming year. Use the coupon below to
help your budget.

Thank You,
Jim & Natalie Fairchild

Save $25
Book two 2-hour events during January thru
April and receive $25 off your second event.
Just mention this email and we will help your
budget by saving you $25.



Our new logo represents the extent of
who we are. We are more than great
espresso and wonderful food options.
We provide atmosphere and a smile…

Pacific Perks is YOUR Personal Cafe.

Our service is like the kitchen at a party
where everyone feels comfortable and gets
face-to-face time. Not to mention exceptional
choices of food and espresso.

We look forward to working with you in the
upcoming year. Use the coupon below to
help your budget.

Thank You,
Jim & Natalie Fairchild

Save $25
Book two 2-hour events during January thru
April and receive $25 off your second event.
Just mention this email and we will help your
budget by saving you $25.





Join us for the ISES Holiday Party on December 1st from 11:30am-1:30pm at The Treasury Ballroom.

You’ll  enjoy a delicious lunch from Vibrant Table, important “first to know” announcements about upcoming ISES events, and of course friendly and valuable networking with the area’s premier event professionals.

ISES Portland is thrilled to announce our Holiday Gala will include a competitive Gingerbread House Building Competition. This will be one of the most memorable holiday activities you’ll enjoy this year–aside from a visit by a certain jolly red-suited fellow, that is.
Please bring an unwrapped toy to give to the Foster Children Program of Portland.

Members: $20.00
Non-Members: $35.00

Hurry!  Registration Closes on Friday, November 27th at 12:00 noon.

Register Here:

September’s ISES Portland meeting will be an interactive display and panel discussion:  “What’s New in Swag?”  We want our panel of expert promotional product distributors to give us their best pointers on when and how branded giveaways can best be utilized, so we’ll be asking the hard questions, as usual!  Each of our panelists will also be bringing a wide display of the latest “giveaway” products, and even telling us which ones we could order AT THIS EVENT and have ready in time for, say, the Bravo show in October!

The event will be on September 29th from 11:30 to 1:30, at the brand new Urban Studios in the heart of the Pearl District at 206 NW 10th Avenue.  Lunch will be provided by Pearl Catering.  

Join us at this very special new venue for great networking, food, and education.  Click HERE to register.