New President's Message by Angie Kemp, CPCE

I’d like to express my gratitude to San Diego NACE. Getting involved has allowed my career in the hospitality industry to grow at a pace faster than I imagined, but nothing I can’t handle.

It was a little over 5 years ago when I attended my first NACE meeting with Judy Pratt. She asked me to help collect ballots, as it was election night. And now here I am, serving as your Chapter President, thanks to all of you, and of course, thanks to Tracey Amernick.

Tracey has mentored me over the last couple years to become president and I am blessed and grateful for this opportunity. Thank you Tracey, for the encouraging words, continued support, and the silver platter with the little blue box.

The true driving force behind the San Diego Chapter of NACE is the amazing and talented Board members. It has been an honor to be among such an energetic group of people and I am looking forward to spending more time with them next year. They're hard at work developing innovative new programs for 2008. The Board’s abilities and creativity is astounding - It’s going to be a great year!

Finally, I want to thank you all as members. You are the heart of this association and my goal is that the educational opportunities, networking possibilities and exposure to new experiences and ideas will inspire you to reach your definition of success, both professionally and personally.

Membership News by Duffy Fainer

We must be doing something right. During the November membership special, we topped every other chapter in NACE with 23 new members. What a fantastic wealth of talent and experience we welcome to San Diego NACE. We will all experience maximum value from our investment by being regulars at our meetings, and networking with each other often. Don't miss the meetings...something exciting is happening every month.

We are now 163 members, our highest ever. Welcome to our newest members, Kaiya Karges, K&K Productions, Lee Galloway of Piano:Classical to Jazz, Tim Altbaum of Tim Altbaum Entertainment, Lynn Shuster of Perfect Planning, Haydee De La Cruz-Weiner of Haydees Creative Flowers, Amber Gilliat of The Grande Colonial, Denise Jones, of Blue Coral Seafood, Linnet Bautista of The Hilton, Shannon Henry of True Photography, Kristin Spitz of Rancho Valencia Resort, Stefani Engebritson of The Doubletree Golf Resort, Jill Pancio of Simply Exquisite Weddings, Peyton Vincent of La Jolla Disc Jockeys, Steven Boyle of White Lotus.

Email me if you have any changes to your contact information, need a namebadge, changing properties, questions, or have issues of concern. See you often in 2008...right?

by: Chris Agrippe, CPCE:

San Diego NACE capped off a year of success with a glittering Holiday Celebration at the SAN DIEGO Hilton Del Mar. The Hilton team led by Executive Chef Francisco Castanedo, Catering Manager Michelle Edelman, and Banquet Manager Moises Padilla, utilized cutting-edge techniques to produce an event that was the highlight of our Chapter’s Award-Winning year.

Tray-passed hors d’oeuvres were courtesy of Menu Inspirations, and the bars stayed busy as Music as You Like It’s Roving Magician worked the crowd and we relaxed for a few hours during our busiest season.

The ballroom was set with luxurious fabrics accented by warm lighting, and the room glowed with comfort and goodwill as hues of gold and silver twinkled from centerpieces. White Shimmer Sheer over Wintry Blue Lumen tablecloths were provided by BBJ Linen, and Magical Party Rentals coordinated the chair covers to match. Organic Elements, Artistic Florals, and Hartworks florals provided wintry-themed centerpieces.

Entertainment at Large dusted the walls with soft snowflake spotlights, and Dreamworld Backdrops set the stage for our own magnificent Emcee, Mike Hogan.

Mike kept the announcements brief as our new President, Angie Kemp, CPCE bid farewell to our outgoing President Tracey Amernick, CPCE, and we recognized our incoming board of directors.

Dinner was strategically designed at action stations throughout the room, which allowed guests to mingle, dine, and dance to the fabulous sounds of the Ultratones while the Hilton staff directed by Banquet Captains Mariano & Vern provided us with service that was simply perfect.