Signature Destination Management

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Mardi Gras 2010

Signature hosted their 11th annual Mardi Gras Clients' Appreciation Party at the Columns Hotel the d... more.
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The Special Event

Special Event Magazine produces two annual industry trade shows called The Special Event, one is in the summer and one in January. This January found the nation's, and some international members as well, in the Big Easy for a week of discovering and discussing new trends; networking with peers and colleagues; attending fabulous events and most importantly - state of the art educational sessions.

On Thursday, January 14, 2010 Signature's own Kara Pigeon and James Williams were hand selected to co-chair The Special Events' Master's Brunch. Their vision was to make sure the masters of the industry came away with knowledge and tools on how they could reinvent and/or reinvest themselves within their industry discipline. In order to achieve this Kara and James put together a stellar panel of leading event professionals that included John Besh, chef/owner of Besh Restaurants; Alan Freeman, general manager for the Louisiana Superdome and the New Orleans Arena; Ti Adelaide Martin, co-proprietor of the Commander's Palace restaurants; Steve Rehage, owner of Rehage Entertainment and producer of Voodoo Fest; and Kristin Shannon, executive director of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation. Next, who would be the best person in the industry to moderate the panel, who would have the knowledge and passion for our industry to bring out the best in our panelists and the audience? A master himself - the President and CEO of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitor's Bureau - Mr. J. Stephen Perry.

Now where should the brunch be held? Kara and James though it should be a place where the food and service standards are very high and where they understand the impact of the TSE conference; another master came to mind, Rick Vita and the Hotel InterContinental New Orleans. They were on board in no time. Linens and florals were designed by BBJ and Tapestry Linens and a beautiful event was born.

As Kara and James worked on the questions for the panel, Kara was told that the Steve Kemble Foundation award was to be given out at the Master's Brunch so she gave her old friend a call. Steve was so excited that Stephen Perry was moderating the panel because he indeed was going to be receiving the award for outstanding efforts in keeping event and tourism business alive in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

From the decor to the outstanding food prepared by Klaus Happel, Executive Chef of the Hotel Intercontinental New Orleans, to the intriguing discussion by our panel. It was a smashing success!!

Please take a look at the article which was picked up by Google news via The Special Event Magazine. http://specialevents.com/news/New_Orleans-CVB-head-Perry_honored-at-The-Special-Event-2010/