San Diego Chapter National Association of Catering Executives sdnace.org San Diego

June 2005

President's Message
Summer 2005
by Tracey Amernick, CPCE

Our annual NACE Educational Conference is right around the corner in Orlando, Florida from July 10-13. It's a great way to experience education at it’s finest, attend seminars featuring the latest trends, network with over 600 members of our industry, and get out at night for a little fun. If you want any further information, go to the national website - www.nace.net. Several San Diego chapter members are attending, we promise to share what we learn!

CPCE Update - I am proud to report that after meeting every Monday evening for the last five months, six of us finally took the CPCE exam! (Special thanks to Judy Anderson, CPCE for hosting us at the Holiday Inn on the Bay). Congratulations Nancy Changnon - Baron, Angie Kemp, Sandy Maurin, Chris Agrippe, CPCE and Judy Anderson, CPCE for your dedication, and a special thank you to Marcy Seibert - Melley for proctoring. The test took almost 5 hours to complete and we are awaiting results. A second study group is in the works for this fall, which will meet at the Bahia Resort Hotel on a weekly basis…details to be announced in August. With the "CPCE" designation after your name on a business card, you have a distinct advantage over most other caterers, and the added knowledge to make a difference in your business. The exam is given 3 times a year at NACE National Conferences, but our certified chapter CPCE’s can proctor the exam in San Diego.

We would like to see at least 10 members in this new study group. Please call Judy Anderson, CPCE or myself if you are interested. Also, your board has voted to acquire a second set of NACE library books to be available for members to check out in preparation for the Exam. 50% of all major fundraising efforts for the remainder of 2005 will be put aside to purchase books. Quick note: we need all of the books back that were loaned out in February!

With September elections only a few months away, I want to touch on the Board’s responsibilities and encourage "a few good people" to join our board! Some of our current Board members will choose to run again, and there will also be a few vacancies to fill. You may want to run for a position or join a committee. Don’t underestimate your ability to become a leader! Information about elections, eligibility requirements and the respective board positions will be posted in the near future. What follows is a brief synopsis of our positions. Vice President Judy Anderson, CPCE acts as the "client" when booking our monthly NACE events. She works closely with the hosting venue insuring, menu, beverage, guarantees; decor and equipment needs are met. She’s the "go to" person and books our monthly NACE dinners up to one and a half years out. If anyone has a location or suggestion for a meeting location, she’s the one to call!

Treasurer Anna Maria SanFilippo maintains our financial records, accounts receivable and payable, and reconciles all transactions after every event. She handles credit cards, cash and checks, and makes sure the money’s in the bank.

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Our June Meeting
Mastering Change
by Chris Agrippe, CPCE

Click for pictures from June 7, 2005 Westin Horton Plaza

In our business, it's the little touches that count… and during our June meeting the team at the Westin Horton Plaza showed us how it's done. Before we even entered the building we were greeted with a smile by valet parkers, doormen, and management who directed us through the lobby to the next turn where another greeter awaited who handed us off to the next person waiting, feeling personally welcomed each step of the way, until we found The Santa Fe Room located on the fourth floor. Class.

Then, because the banquet room was too large for our group, the banquet team created atmosphere and reduced the overall room size by surrounding it with up-lit palms that blended nicely with the ceiling fans to create a tropical setting with an intimate feel. Style.

It's the little touches that count.

We enjoyed cocktails with tray-passed hors d'oeuvres on the patio overlooking the city view, as music provided by "Mike on the Mike" our DJ for the evening, played in the background. The Santa Fe Room was set with Burberry-Plaid overlays in shades of brown, and the chairs were covered in white with distinctive blue satin sashes, successfully coordinating the current color trends. Centerpieces were colorful and low, allowing us to see across the table and network with our friends. We've changed up our meeting format, which allowed our Affiliates introduced by Mike Ryan a chance to present their products prior to dinner service. Kathy Ziegler Art & Photography and Chris Joseph from Classic Party Rentals each gave us their background and information on their businesses.

Dinner was prepared by Chef Joanne Kosowski, and served by the well-rehearsed banquet team under the direction of Banquet Manager Arno Honselaar. Salad was a cylindrical vertical arrangement of roma tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, arugula sprouts and Maui Onion Glaze, followed by grilled Mahi-Mahi topped with chanterelles accompanied by saffron rice and pencil-thin asparagus. We also want to thank Todd, Leo, and the Catering Team, in addition to the new Food & Beverage Director, Jeff Foster. You may remember Jeff from the Sheraton Marina last year where he was the Director of Banquets when our chapter hosted the 2004 Educational Conference. We wish him much success in his new position and thank him for once again supporting our chapter!

Our speaker for the evening was Duane Grischow, and he delivered an excellent program on "Managing Change in the Workplace". His insights were refreshing and inspiring. For icebreakers, we chatted about the first music we ever bought, and the format it was on. (talk about change!) For the next two-minute segment we turned to our dinner partners and discussed whether change is good or bad. This encouraged networking and many of us agreed that, though sometimes difficult, change is a progression toward positive growth. Duane pointed out that it's the unexpected change that challenges our comfort-zone, and in order to progress, we must overcome our natural tendency toward analytical thinking. Ultimately, change is normal and is something we've been doing every day of our lives.

And speaking of change, we have a new Raffle policy. Occasionally a member who has donated an item will actually be drawn to win that item. In the future, whenever this happens, they will be awarded a substitute prize. In this case change is being aware of a problem, finding a solution, introducing the change, and moving on.

Thanks Duane!

Affiliate's Corner
by Mike Ryan

Kathy Ziegler of Kathy Ziegler Art & Photography

Showcasers at the June 7th Westin dinner meeting were just as colorful as the Onion Award winning obelisk in front of the hotel!

Kathy Ziegler’s vibrant personality matched her wonderful outfit sans price tag. During her introduction I related a story of a photographer who ran out of film at a critical point of a wedding. A similar story was related to board members by Tracey prior to the meeting. Both stories point out how critical it is to have dependable vendors. Kathy Ziegler Art & Photography tops our list! For examples of her photographic art check out her website: ktziegler.com or call: 619-475-0077.

Cris Joseph of Classic Party Rentals

The evening’s second showcaser, Cris Joseph of Classic Party Rentals continues to amaze all with her energetic personality considering she is a new mother. Cris, an Event Rental Consultant, describes Classic as the largest party rental company in America and challenged all that she could supply equipment for the largest party anyone could imagine. From personal experience I can attest to the excellent customer service at Classic! Cris is also a champion volunteer on the NACE Community Service Committee. Contact Cris at: classicparty.com or call: 858-496-9700.

With a warm wave, Mike Ryan - Affiliate Representative

Community Service Update 2005
by Geneene Thornton

Your community service committee created several opportunities to provide some happiness for San Diego:

April - Clothing Drive - we continued our clothing drive and asked all SDNACE members to get into their closets and donate any mens or womens gently used business clothes to the "From Welfare to Work Program".

March - "Bunnies for Babes" — SDNACE delivered 131 stuffed bunnies to The Polinsky's Children Center in time for Easter

Raffle Kudos
by MaryAnn Quinto

A special thank you to all those of you who donated to the June meeting:

Brunch for two from Darla Mercer from Humphrey’s
Starbucks card from Phillip Burge from Ballonatics
GC $200.00 from Dena Nolen-Malasek from San Diego Style Weddings
2 sets of four Bahia Belle passes from Tracey Amernick, CPCE @ Bahia
Handmade baskets donated by Mike Ryan from Mike on the mike (where the prizes were presented in)

If you would like to make a raffle donation, contact MaryAnn Quinto, 619-252-7874

New Members in 2005

Cade Fulton-Centerplate