President's Message by Angie Kemp, CPCE

Your NACE board is working so hard to ensure that you're receiving maximum value for your investment in NACE. We have great events in the works for the rest of 2008, so please plan ahead to join us.

Many of the Board and chapter members just returned from Phille, from the National Educational Conference, "Experience 2008". Themed as the "future of catering and event design". We learned from the industry's most successful trend setters. It was a tremendous learning experience that I would highly recommend for caterers that are serious about their careers. Consider coming to Conference next year.

NACE can really be proud of itself. It has evolved into a very contemporary industry association that accurately serves the changing needs of it's membership as the catering industry evolves and grows.

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 200 members on the August Roster, and many fresh faces. Consider checking the "yes, I'd like to be a Hospitality Host" on the next Cvent invitation. It's a sure way to meet a new member, prospective client and spread the good vibes of NACE. Help us be a friendly and welcoming association. 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:

On August 12 San Diego NACE and guests arrived at the Omni Hotel for an uplifting evening of great food, beverage and networking provided by the Omni Hotel. As many of us know, hosting an event downtown can sometimes be a challenge due to heavy traffic on game night, so we really appreciated the nice touch of complimentary valet parking provided by the Team at the Omni!

When we arrived for cocktails at 5:30pm, we were treated to butler-passed Royal Surf & Turf, Antipasto, and Achiote-Spiked Lamb Chops. As we chatted, mingled, and unwound with select beer and wines sponsored by Stone Brewing and the Omni, some lucky guests had the opportunity to try out "Boogie Bodies", one of the many high-tech toys in JAIC Event System's arsenal… this resulted in some very interesting moves being laid down by some of the hottest dance talent in San Diego.

The Grand Ballroom of the Omni was warmly lit and tables were set by Haydee's Creative Flowers and Concepts Event Design, who teamed up to create beautiful tableaus in soft late-summer hues. Flowers and fabrics complimented each other with subtle fragrance and touch, blending burnt-orange pin tucks with red lamoure, and rich mahogany with celadon earth tones, suggesting seasonal hints of the upcoming harvest here in Southern California.

Guest speaker for the evening was the "dynamic international speaker and author Susan Clarke, whose effervescent and lively style of communication reflects her outlook on life and her beliefs". Susan emphasized the importance of maintaining positive values by sharing real-life examples of how to better enjoy the work environment by laughing and finding humor in everyday rituals. A veritable fountain of positive energy, Susan touched on attitude adjustment, values, and internal and external customer loyalty. We donated some of our raffle proceeds to her favorite charity, Scholars for Foster Kids, at www.mydollar.org

The talented team from the Omni, lead by Sales Manager Ryan Hurd and Executive Chef Mauricio Enriquez provided us with a first-rate evening of excellent service and cuisine. We began with the Chef's Amuse Bouche, accompanied by Citrus Salad with Blue Crab, Bibb, Fennel, Radicchio, Orange and Cilantro Dressing, followed by French-cut Rib Eye served with Celery Root and Fricassee of Mushroom, ending with the final course of White Chocolate Macadamia Cake.

Well, it's hard to believe that with this event we'll be saying goodbye to the summer of '08 and hello to the fall… but what better way to welcome in the autumn next month than to take a short drive out to the beautiful new Stone Restaurant and Brewery! Please plan on joining us on Tuesday, September 9th as the always-gregarious Arlan Arnsten and the team from Stone open their arms (and tap a few kegs) for their friends at NACE.