International Special Events Society (ISES) Greater Chicago Chapter and HereChicago.com Forge Strategic Partnership to Reach Common Business Goals

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire -08/09/12)- International Special Events Society - Greater Chicago Chapter (ISES-Chicago) and HeresChicago.com, an online resource for event managers -- two high profile organizations within the Chicago events community -- announced today the development of a strategic partnership designed to support mutual business objectives.

ISES-Chicago is an international organization dedicated to furnishing education, ethics and standards for professionals in all disciplines of the special events industry. As a longtime member of ISES-Chicago, an accomplished entrepreneur and a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), HeresChicago.com's CEO Jim Grillo saw an opportunity to forge a strategic partnership that would benefit both organizations. With a business that is built upon development of strategic relationships between event planners and service providers, Grillo tapped into his own experience to help develop a framework focused on optimizing respective resources and exposure.

"As a longstanding member of ISES and an active representative of the special events community, I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to team up with ISES-Chicago. Our collaboration on outreach programs will expedite the growth and increased exposure we're both striving to attain. For HeresChicago.com, this partnership is a special event in itself!" Grillo said.

Seeking new ways to create audience engagement and generate brand exposure, both organizations found that teaming up would help them reach respective business goals more effectively than attempting to reach them on their own. As both organizations spearhead respective marketing communications and event initiatives, they will join forces to extend their outreach and growth opportunities through such activities as email campaigns, events and social media.

ISES-Chicago's President, Bob Moisan, shares in Grillo's enthusiasm for the strategic partnership. "ISES-Chicago is continuously seeking ways to educate, inspire and connect our members with new ideas, people and markets. Partnering with HeresChicago.com furthers this initiative and supports a long-standing member in the process." He continued, "We're thrilled to work with Jim Grillo and look forward to enjoying mutual success from this partnership for the next two years, and for many years to come."

To learn more about ISES-Chicago, visit iseschicago.com or email Bob Moisan at bob@intelligentlighting.com. For more information on HeresChicago.com or Jim Grillo, please visit HeresChicago.com or call 630.916.8000 ext. 3.

About ISES

The International Special Events Society is comprised of over 5,000 professionals in over thirty-five countries representing special event producers (from festivals to trade shows), caterers, decorators, florists, destination management companies, rental companies, special effects experts, tent suppliers, audio-visual technicians, party and convention coordinators, balloon artists, educators, journalists, hotel sales manager, specialty entertainers, convention center managers, photographers, entertainers and many more. For more information, visit iseschicago.com or email Bob Moisan at bob@intelligentlighting.com.

About HeresChicago.com

Launched in 2004, HeresChicago.com is Chicago's preferred online resource for meeting and event planners seeking Chicago solutions for their meetings, events, client outings, corporate activities, ground transportation needs and meeting and event services. President and founder Jim Grillo, CMP (certified meeting professional) is an accomplished meetings industry leader. Grillo served as President of Meeting Professionals International - Chicago Area Chapter, President of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association of Illinois, and as a committee member for several industry organizations. Grillo is the recipient of the 2008 Emmy Award, Alternate Media/News; 2008 Supplier Hall of Fame Award, Illinois Meetings & Events; and 2009 individual Hall of Fame Award, Meeting Professionals International - Chicago Area Chapter. He is a frequent contributor to industry conferences and publications. For more information, call 630.916.8000 ext. 3, or visit the blog at www.hereschicago.com.