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

September 2005

President's Message
Fall 2005
by Tracey Amernick, CPCE

Greetings Members,
It’s hard to believe the summer is gone and we are in the final quarter of 2005.

It’s been a wonderful year so far for our Chapter and we have accomplished many of our Goals. We have streamlined the registration process with our new CVENT reservation system and introduced a new Website with a brand new look! We’ve gone "paperless" with our newsletter, saving chapter $$$, which we now use toward funding scholarships for members to attend our National Leadership, Educational and Regional Conferences, or apply towards the cost of attaining your CPCE Certifications. We have addressed concerns about the timelines of our meetings, and continue to end at 8:30pm or sooner. Our recent "Industry Sail Night" was a joint effort with our fellow partners, CONVIS, MPI, HSMAI, ISES, the ABC and the NSA. It was a first time event and a huge success; we will be planning more programs together in the future. Our membership base continues to grow. San Diego is ranked nationally as one of the top Chapters in the Country. <more...>

Fall Membership Drive

We like membership drives for several reasons:

It refreshes our local networking and referral base
It keeps our chapter energized with new member participation and enthusiasm
It helps to maintain financial health of our local chapter and National Association

Please help your Chapter grow, by recommending San Diego NACE to your vendors and clients. New members who sign up by November 18th, will have their initiation fee of $50. waived, and can have their first year of membership at only $295.

Previous years members, who have been gone for more than one year, may also re-join at this low price. Follow this link and make sure you ask for the $295 rate before November 18, 2005.

If you are a first year member, you’re happy with NACE, and intend to rejoin, you can really do your chapter a favor, by renewing your membership before December 31. We can receive a cash reward from NATIONAL for maintaining a high level of first year renewals, which we will ultimately apply toward scholarships and other member benefits.

Read the TOP 10 REASONS THAT NACE BENEFITS YOU AS A MEMBER

If you have any questions, please call or email your Membership Chairpeople.
Duffy Fainer or Sandy Maurin.

Our September Meeting
by Chris Agrippe, CPCE

Click for pictures

Creativity was the buzz as our evening at the Holiday Inn Bayside began poolside with an exceptional display of culinary talent featuring a Tropical Ceviche Station, Crab Tostones, Serrano Ham & Arrugula Rolls, and Chicken & Beef Sugarcane Skewers grilled to order at a barbeque action station. And that was just the Hors’ d’oeuvres! GCS Photography was on hand to snap pictures, which were printed on the spot for us to take home, and the panoramic ocean view from our beautifully set banquet room was stunning. Diner was equally delicious and perfectly executed, and the service staff provided us with a flawless dining experience. The Holiday Inn wBayside is a little hidden jewel.

Our annual Board Elections were weld, and the results were announced during dinner. Our incoming board was introduced, and new Committee Members were introduced as well. We are all very excited about the team that has been assembled. Welcome to all... we’re looking forward to another great year!

The creativity continued throughout the evening as our program entitled "Event Planning and the Five Senses" tested everyone’s imagination. Each table was given a party bag filled with goodies with their own theme. Tables were challenged to create an event based upon the contents of their bag by filling out blank BEO’s. The guidelines were the same criteria used by NACE National when judging the annual award entries for Best Off Prem, On Prem, Wedding, Catered Event, etc. Some of the ideas we saw went way beyond the norm as guests took full advantage of the fact that their client for the event was the ultimate dream. Their instructions? Cost is no concern, money is no object. The final words when booking the party were "I don’t care how much it costs, just do it right!"

Genius took center stage, and imagination took flight. As a result, some of the themes you can expect to see around town this year are: A Martha Stewart Breakout Party, a "Bark"-Mitzvah, a Weekend Romance Party, Diamonds and Denim Fundraiser, Jungle Night, and Extreme Daredevil.

Also, the Board voted that all raffle proceeds for the evening would be matched by chapter funds and donated to the New Orleans Chapter of NACE. A huge thanks to all of our special donors and members who raised an amazing 1200.00! This is a record contribution and we are truly grateful to be able to help members of New Orleans NACE. Two days after the hurricane struck, NACE National built a virtual meeting place for the New Orleans Chapter. Well wishes and additional contributions can be made by visiting the site, http://www.nacefoundation.org/hurricane/

Affiliate's Corner
by Mike Ryan

Affiliate affinity

First off congratulations to Merrylin Brickmann upon being elected the new Affiliate Chairperson. She and her husband Bob own Artistic Productions Disc Jockey Company.

Merrylin and I plan on having an Affiliate meeting/get-together – date and time tbd.

I’m moving on to Public Relations so I’ll be "all ears" for anything newsworthy from everyone – please don’t hesitate to call me with news about you. 619-223-7587.

Mary Ann Quinto of Perfect Wedding Guide

The two Sept 6th Affiliate showcasers graced us with their charm and warm humor. I just couldn’t wait to hear from Mary Ann Quinto from the Perfect Wedding Guide . . . she is so darn cute and bubbly. She told me that she was “just the manager”. I was surprised to hear her talk about the “guide” with such confidence and pro-fessionalism. Mary Ann and her Husband Anastacio L. are actually the Publishers! The free guide is handy (easily fits into your pocket or purse) and has a classy format and look. . . “no articles” just the facts. A great book to advertise in. For more information, contact Terri Colon, sales manager at 1-800-84-BRIDE (27433) Website: www.pwg.com

P.S. Mary Ann continues her outstanding efforts in her position as the Raffles Chair.

Kathleen Isherwood of Party Staff, Inc.

Our second Showcaser, Kathleen (or Kathy) Isherwood, Director of Client Relations ("sales") of the Party Staff, Inc, is well known amongst most SDNACE members who have found themselves in need of professional help with food service and special event staffing. Kathy’s team is well trained in food preparation, tending bar, waiting tables etc. They are also well groomed, insured and ready to jump into the kitchen at a moment’s notice. I want to personally thank Kathy for her donated gifts, in the most beautiful boxes I’ve ever seen, for the evening’s raffle . . . ‘cause I won one! Thanks Kathy, the chocolates were de-lish. I’m keeping the boxes.

For more information call Kathy at 619-563-1663 or visit the Party Staff website at www.partystaff.com

With a warm wave, Mike Ryan - Affiliate Representative

Community Service Update 2005
by Geneene Thornton

Late but None the Less Sincere!
Geneene Thornton, and her Community Service Committee, want to thank the members of SDNACE that donated nearly $3,000 (retail) of gently used clothing to the Rachel's Women's Center in San Diego, this past May. To Say THEY were appreciative would be an understatement. They were elated!!

2005 Year End Community Service Calendar

SEPTEMBER
"NACE night with the San Diego Padres"
Monday, September 26th
Game time 7:05 p.m.
Padres vs. San Francisco Giants
(RSVP deadline: August 19th, 2005)

NOVEMBER
Holiday Food Drive
Bring a $10.00 bag of non-perishable food items to the November SDNACE dinner meeting. Food will be distributed to the San Diego Food Bank in time for the holidays. Don't have time to shop? Bring $10.00. We'll be happy to do it for you!

DECEMBER
Holiday Party-Toy Drive
December 6, 2005
Joint holiday party with ISES
Humphreys Half Moon Inn
Bring an unwrapped gift for a needy child - all aged gifts are welcomed (don't forget the teenagers)

Raffle Kudos
by MaryAnn Quinto

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