ISES meeting at The Academy of Music Ballroom

On Wednesday, May 26th, we were the A/V sponsor for the ISES (International Special Events Society) event at the Academy of music. Wow! What a place. The meeting was held in their recently renovated ballroom and it looked stunning. Kelly Benedict, who works for the Academy and the Kimmel Center was a pleasure to work with, as she always is, and Mike Chowansky, Catering Director of Restaurant Associates was his usual smiling self. Restaurant Associates is the preferred caterer and they did a great job with the unique cocktail hour’derves and dessert.


It was a great meeting - I got to catch up with the usual gang - and meet some new people. One of the things I love about networking events is seeing places that I have never seen or worked at before. Plus, I can always count on Gene Blum from Drexelbrook catering to let me know what national holiday it is. I think May 26th was National Blueberry Cheesecake Day!



We provided the 7 microphones and projector/screen for the event and I must say, the panel was very informative. i have already put some of the things I learned into place. A big thanks to Eric Allen for putting that program together!

The panelists

A little about the Academy of Music Ballroom-
The Academy of Music Ballroom ushers in a return to traditional elegance and gracious entertaining in a landmark setting overlooking the Avenue of the Arts. Shimmering chandeliers and hand-gilded walls create an oasis of refined luxury, a classic setting for weddings, holiday parties, corporate receptions and celebrations. It took two years and $10 million to renovate the Ballroom to its original look when it was built in 1857. Currently, all of the shows for Broadway, Opera and Ballet reside at The Academy, which falls under the Kimmel Center, Inc. umbrella in which the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Academy of Music, and the Merriam Theater are a part of.

Thanks so much to Jean Valentin Photography for the pictures!
-Jason