Signature Events Hires Kellie Mathas of Tchoupitoulas + Vine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Shelley Pigéon
Signature Events
504-962-7260
888-899-2788
tom@thomaslong.net

Tom Long
Thomas Long Corporate Communications
504-283-8522
504-669-3030 (cell
spigeon@signature-dmc.com

SIGNATURE EVENTS HIRES KELLIE MATHAS OF TCHOUPITOULAS + VINE
Affiliation makes Signature Events only event company
in New Orleans with in-house design services

NEW ORLEANS, LA (July 18, 2012)- Kellie Mathas, founder of the event design company Tchoupitoulas + Vine, has joined Signature Events, making Signature the only event company in New Orleans offering in-house decorating and design services, announced Shelley Pigéon, managing partner and creative director of Signature Events, and Jill DiMarco, director of accounts and partner of Signature Events.

"We are excited to offer this new in-house service to our current and future customers," Pigéon said. "Through creative strategy, branding and other concepts, we will continue to deliver the most cutting edge events and services that have always been the Signature way," she added.

Signature was named one of the top 25 destination management companies in 2004 by Special Events magazine and in 2007 was named one of the top 15 companies to work for in New Orleans by City Business magazine. In 2008, Signature was one of only 24 companies worldwide to be named a charter accredited destination management company by the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME). In 2011 it was awarded the Gala Award for Best Fundraiser by Special Events magazine for production of Liuzza Palooza; and in 2012 was nominated for Best Public Event by ADME for Liuzza Palooza.

Signature was founded in New Orleans in 1990 and today has 8 full-time employees and an extended team of more than 100 ancillary associates. Signature produces an average of 325 programs annually.

"With the constant evolution and often volatile nature that the DMC industry is constantly faced with, we realized the need to approach business in a different way," said Mathas, who will serve as director of creative strategy and development. "I am thrilled to be a part of a team so committed to hard work, high standards and a desire to create trends rather than follow them," she added.

Tchoupitoulas + Vine provides complete event décor and design services from concept to completion. The company specializes in creative services for several event markets, including corporate, corporate hospitality, private, philanthropic, sports, brand launches, festivals, weddings, music and film. Some of the company's services include fabrication of custom décor pieces, vendor collaboration and management, and specialty lighting and linens.

Mathas was the first certified special event professional (CSEP) in Louisiana and the first person to hold both the CSEP and certified meeting professional (CMP) designations in the city and state. She serves as a board member of the International Special Events Society, and in 2009, she designed and produced the award-winning Final Night Event for PCMA, held in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

She opened Tchoupitoulas + Vine in 2011, focusing on corporate and private events. A native New Orleanian, she is a graduate of the University of New Orleans and the George Washington event management program. She has more than 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry, specializing in event design and production.

Pigéon, a certified meeting professional (CMP), purchased Signature in 1998 after working for other DMCs in the New Orleans area since 1991. She has served on the local chapter of Meeting Professionals International Board in four different board positions since 2002 and is a member of other industry associations such as the Society of Incentive Travel Executives and Skål, the International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals.

DiMarco spent nine years in the hospitality industry before joining Signature in 1998. A native of New Orleans, she received her BS in business administration from Louisiana State University. She holds the CMP and destination management certified professional (DMCP) designations. She has served as the chair of the Association of Destination Management Executives accreditations and certification board. She is the co-author of the book Best Practices in Destination Management.

About Signature Events
Based in New Orleans, Signature Events was founded in 1990 with the philosophy of a hands-on attitude and an attention to detail unsurpassed by any other events company. Interpreting the client's expectations then developing, creating and managing an event is the foundation of what Signature has offered to clients over the years. For more information, go to http://www.signaturenola.com/.

About Tchoupitoulas + Vine
Based in New Orleans, Tchoupitoulas + Vine specializes in décor, design and creative services. Its mission is to create exceptional event décor, design and creative solutions. The company's goal is to imagine and deliver projects with limitless creativity. For more information, go to tchoupandvine.com.

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