ISES Sydney was ahead of the pack in holding their Christmas Party in July! It was a cold and wintry night in Sydney but in Newtown the Christmas spirit was upon the members and guests attending the ISES AGM and Christmas party at the wonderful Marlborough Hotel. 

What a great venue! So many hidden rooms with spaces leading off each other, all with polished floors, balconies, open fires, outside terraces and downstairs the Cellar where the highly entertaining Comics on the Run rule. 

Over 60 guests including founding members sipped Gluhwein amongst the tinsel, cracked a Christmas cracker, had their photo taken with Santa, heard the new ISES board sworn in and laughed with Barry McLeod and his stand up comedians with a substantial menu to sustain the guests. 

Incumbent President, Meg Fisher (Events and Protocol Manager, Local Government Association NSW) said “The board of ISES has a great strength of talent across catering, themeing, audiovisual, marketing, venues, event management and technology.  We look forward to working together to give ISES creative unity in the next twelve months.”

Everyone had a fantastic time with photos taken with the Scottish Santa, drinks and canapés and a night with some of Sydney 's best stand up comedians. The attending SES members had a fun night of entertainment and networking - just in time for the busy second half of the year!  

Comics on the Run kept the audience in stiches!

The show comprised three comic performers: MC Barry McLeod who is both an established corporate MC and comedy host, wowed us with his unique Scottish comedy style and view on the world. 

Darren Sanders, one of Australia' s leading headline acts and manager of Parramatta ’s Laugh Garage at the Riverside Theatre.

Also on stage was Gary Eck, another great Australian headline act, winner of Tropfest, star of Boytown, and currently working on a George Miller film special for release in 2010.

The chapter executive committee was sworn in during the event with all the necessary pomp and ceremony. President - Meg Fisher - Events and Protocol Manager, Local Government Association NSW, Vice president - Jeremy Garling – Director, Great Southern E-vents Immediate Past President - Brendon Burke Educational & Programs - Simon Anderson - Director Gastronomy; Joanna Kapsimalis - General Manager; Directions; Joe De Abreu – Director, Austage Sydney P/L Membership - Lorri Loca - Manager, Lorri Loca Allied Organisations - Vivien Reed - General Manager , Australia in Style Marketing Communications - Pamela Wheat - Special Events Consultant; Ivan  Kwasha - Director, Conference Data Services; Leon Adler - Business Development Manager, Cruise bar restaurant events ISES Secretariat - Babette Darcy