President's Message by Angie Kemp, CPCE

NACE has so much in store for you this year; I encourage you to take full advantage of the educational and networking opportunities.

Many of the Board and chapter members are heading to Phillie in August, for the National Educational Conference, "Experience 2008", themed as the future of catering and event design. This can enable you to be ahead of your time and learn from the industry's most successful trend setter. It's key to your career, and it's not too late to register.

NACE can really be proud of itself. At The SD Zoo on July 8 we had the opportunity to take part in making a child’s dream come true through an amazing community service project of bike building that put smiles on the faces of 12 deserving San Diego childen of military families. A great example of community service that we're able to create as an association. Well done!

I look forward to our upcoming events and see another “Chapter of the Year” in our future! Your dedication and participation is an essential element to our success – as always, Thank You!

Membership News by Duffy Fainer

We have 199 members on the July Roster. Lot's of new faces. The best way to get noticed and make some new contacts is to make sure to attend every possible meeting. All the contributions from our members creates a meeting unlike any other association. Don't miss it. Call or email me for more infomation, or visit Nace to join online!

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 has helped many local charities over the years, but nothing compares to the feeling of giving a brand new bicycle to a needy child. Twelve children of deployed and injured military service members thought they were headed for the exit after a full day at the Zoo, but thanks to San Diego Military Outreach Ministries, (SDMOM) they made one last stop at the NACE event being held at the Zoofari Party Area.

The evening began with cocktails, hors d'Oeuvres and close encounters with some of the Zoo's most photogenic stars sponsored by Stone Brewing Company and the San Diego Zoo… Servers dressed in camouflage-chic moved gracefully thorough the crowd and Chefs from Sushi on a Roll (SOAR) and Party Donuts prepared treats-to-order in the setting sun as we readied ourselves for the challenging evening that lay ahead.

NACE members and guests had been asked to "wear something comfortable" but what they didn’t know was that Terry Hanks of TMM, (formerly The Meeting Manager) had designed an exciting Team Building competition of Networking and Community Service with 12 teams racing to assemble brand new bicycles in time for the arrival of the children. Bikes were set on tables and attendees had been randomly assigned to teams which allowed for free-wheeling networking as everyone did the "urban-jungle-mingle"… exactly what a group our size needed to get the party started! Tools were provided and the more mechanically-inclined immediately got down to the task of building bikes while the creative set designed huge greeting cards with their child's name.

Once the bikes were finished, the Quality-Assurance Team from TMM checked each bicycle to ensure that nothing had been missed, and a few well-intentioned persons who don’t believe in reading assembly instructions were… shall we say… corrected. Each team then designated a rider and the bikes were put through the paces around the track. Needless to say, there were several "Kodak Moments" throughout the evening and the bike racers set the bar high!

Dinner was perfectly themed and well presented at action stations set around the pavilion and included Cuisine of the West Indies, New World Cuisine, Curries from Southeast Asia and Festival Sweet Treats. The Culinary and Service Teams from the Zoo did a remarkable job of preparing and serving our group which has recently grown to well over 199 members.

An evening that showcases the talents of so many NACE businesses makes everyone a winner and this event was designed to highlight the best in everyone. The Bike Program Sponsors were: TMM, San Diego MOM, Brant Bender Photography, Ray McKeon, The Exceptional Music Company, Tim Altbaum Productions, Mike Hogan of Entertainment at Large, and San Diego NACE. Special thanks for contributing to the success of the dinner go to Plush Impressions, Joes on the Nose Espresso Catering, The Perfect Table, San Diego High Definition Weddings, Party Donuts, Sushi on a Roll, Stone Brewing Company, Creative Photography, and of course, The World Famous San Diego Zoo! Once again, San Diego NACE sends a heartfelt thanks to everyone… our events just keep getting bigger and better, and by your generosity you have allowed us to help others… we thank you so much for your support… we wouldn’t be able to produce such world-class events without you!