Drape Kings' Wins Big at the ISES New Jersey North Fourth Annual Gala

	Melissa Maniglia. Photo: Vero Luce Photography

The event drape specialists at Drape Kings New York Metro won multiple trophies at the fourth Annual International Special Events Society (ISES) New Jersey North Gala Awards at the Cedar Hill Country Club in Livingston, New Jersey. Their work in July and August of 2012 for the 12th Siyum HaShas at Met Life Stadium resulted in the award for "Best Creative Design" while New York communications manager, Melissa Maniglia, was awarded the Presidential "Team Spirit Award" for her work with the ISES New Jersey North Chapter.

On the night of August 1, 2012, Met Life Stadium was transformed into the largest synagogue in the world for the 12th Siyum HaShas, an Orthodox Jewish ceremony that occurs every seven and a half years to celebrate the completion of the reading of the Talmud. According to Orthodox law, during specific prayers, the females have to be hidden from the view of the males, while still allowing for their complete participation. Drape Kings' solution: Covering the 300 level of the stadium with four tiers of their custom made, retractable, green mesh drape. This two and a half mile mechitzah, or privacy screen, created the necessary separation required for this significant religious event. Drape Kings CEO Kevin Goodrich stated "Any drape project requiring 2,268 25lb sandbags, 5,000 tie wraps, 11,500 ratchet straps, and 17,500 clips is certainly going to require a little extra creativity and this project was no exception. The Drape Kings team worked overtime to pull off a truly one of a kind solution to a very complicated request."

The "Team Spirit Award," given annually to one member of the ISES New Jersey North Board who diligently works to move the chapter forward as a whole, was presented to Drape Kings' Maniglia. She celebrated her first year on the ISES New Jersey North board with the 2012 - 2013 year, beginning the term as the director of communications and eventually succeeding to vice president in February of 2013. Goodrich stated, "Melissa's dedication and work ethic truly embodies the essence of what ISES stands for. We're proud that she's a part of the Drape Kings team."