President's Message by Angie Kemp, CPCE

It has been my goal this year to introduce and highlight several opportunities available to you in order to get more from NACE than what you put into it. My hope is that you have participated in at lest a few of these opportunities, but if not, there is no need to worry. We still have several ways you can get involved before the year is over.

Ever think about joining the NACE board? Elections take place in November and we have a few open positions just waiting for you. Although being on the board is a great way to get to know the members and guests of NACE – it is a commitment so I encourage you to ask me or another board member what it’s all about before taking the plunge. We all love serving the San Diego Chapter of NACE and we know you will too.

The Special Event conference is coming to San Diego and NACE is a co sponsor for the Welcome Party taking place on January 28, 2009 at On Broadway. This is an amazing opportunity not only for San Diego to host such a great conference but for the San Diego Chapter of NACE to really show off. We are looking for committee members, sponsors and volunteers for this event so contact me soon. Plans are moving forward quickly and you won’t want to miss this one.

I sincerely hope you enjoy the rest of the year and what we have in store for you. In November we will be at the new Crowne Plaza in Mission Valley for our second event professional showcase of the year and of course, in December we will be at the Hilton Torrey Pines. This is always the party of the year so save the date now!

Membership News by Duffy Fainer

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE! Tell your friends. Until November 10th, new members can get $50 off and more with multiple memberships. Get a "seat at the table", and join NACE. Call or email me for more infomation, or visit Nace to join online!

email me duffy@voicebyduffy.com 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:

The Second Annual NACE Award and Fundraising Gala was held at The Abbey Tuesday, October 7, 2008. Our host for the evening was Chapter Secretary Jackie Campbell of Hornblower Cruises who along with the Gala and Auction Committee set the stage for an extraordinary evening that recognized chapter members who were instrumental in our success over the past year.

The October sun shone through The Abbey’s historic stained glass windows and illuminated the silent action tables set on the upper mezzanine as guests and members jockeyed for position to select and bid for their favorites. Legendary San Diego pianist Lee Galloway played from the balcony framed by The Abbey’s warm hardwood interior.

David Wright of Plush Lounge set the theme during cocktail hour with his trademark sleek and elegant lounge furniture, and table linens were custom-made by Yasmin Kloeffler of A Touch of Linen. White satin overlays with richly embroidered jet back brocade were placed over sheer-black lower cloths, accented with double-sashed lime green and black chair covers and lime-green napkins. Centerpieces were set low for ease of conversation and held single floating candles.

Dinner was designed by the talented Hornblower Culinary Team and was served by the their attentive banquet staff. The first course was Jackie’s Campbell’s favorite Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Soup Topped with a Cinnamon Crème Finished with Vermont Maple Syrup Crouton. This was followed by Grilled Prime Center-Cut Black Angus Filet Mignon and finished with a Cognac Veal Demi Glace, Red Peppercorns, and Cream. Dessert was a Chocolate Trilogy, accompanied by steaming hot lattes and cappuccinos provided by Melissa Darisay of Eurobar Espresso.

Toby Russel of Velocity Audio Visual provided all of the lighting, and technical support including staging for our surprise entertainer world-renowned Chinese acrobat Miau Miau who performed during an intermezzo between courses. The Program was hosted by emcee Duffy Fainer of Voice by Duffy, Merrylin Brichmann of Artistic Productions, and Chapter President Angie Kemp, CPCE.

The evening allowed us to catch up with old friends and new, as we honored some of the members who made 2008 great. It was a wonderful night for celebration and we look forward to 2009 as we set course for new and exciting programs and events, all brought to you by the dedicated San Diego NACE Chapter Board. Don't miss it!

by: Chris Agrippe, CPCE:

The “June Bowerman Spirit of NACE” award recognizes a NACE member whose commitment and compassion towards humanitarianism makes a profound and recognizable impact. June Bowerman who passed away in 2004 and to the end was a supporter of NACE and “was one heck of a gal”.

Tracey began her NACE career began over 20 years ago in Dallas. She joined the San Diego Chapter in 1998 and immediately volunteered to join the board and served in nearly every position until being elected as Chapter President in 2003. Last year she was elected onto the NACE National Board as the Region 5 Vice President where she oversaw 7 West Coast Chapters.

The “NACE Angel" award recognizes an Event Professional who goes above and beyond and has made the chapter better for their efforts. He provides guidance and inspiration to all of our members and is actively involved in chapter programs and meetings.

Carl Jerris of CJ's Confections has always been there for us, never said no, and has designed personalized presentations that make our clients happy, and quite honestly, make the Caterer's job a whole lot easier. Throughout his 10 year membership he has donated thousands of chocolates for our NACE dinners and when a guy goes around giving away free candy, as my grandmother used to say "So what's not to like?"

The "Event Professional of the Year" award recognizes an Affiliate member who provided our Chapter with their time, energy, talents and plenty of steaming hot lattes.

Melissa Darisay of EuroBar has made sure that our events are staffed with the best baristas in San Diego who make Macchiato Mochas with the best of them.

In addition to ensuring that we end each event accompanied by freshly brewed specialty coffees provided by EuroBar Espresso, Melissa recently joined the NACE boardon the Hospitality Committee, where she greets everyone with her trademark enthusiasm .

The "New Member of the Year" award recognizes someone who has recently joined our chapter and has made an immediate impact by donating time and energy,

David Wright transitioned from a successful career as a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot and founded Plush Impressions Lounge Furniture Rental just before joining NACE.
In his first year with us he went above and beyond expectations for a new member and made an outstanding impact Beginning in Sept 2007 at the Aerospace Museum. Oct 2007 at our last Awards Gala, in February at the NTC Promenade, in April at the Hyatt Manchester, The Industry Cruise in July, and once again, right here this evening.

The "Caterer Member of the Year" award recognizes a woman who has provided San Diego NACE her time, talents, and leadership, and gone above and beyond expectations and made the chapter better for her efforts.

Denise Jermyn owner of Continental Catering has been a member of San Diego NACE for 10 years and first burst onto the scene by producing the award-winning Fire and Ice Program. She and her team also designed and produced many of the themed events during the 2005 Educational Conference, and her culinary team matched fantastical displays of food & beverage to décor.

Last September at the San Diego Aerospace Museum, she began with an Interactive Cocktail Hour that flowed into a Sophisticated Dinner and Wine Pairing Program, followed by a Vignette of Chocolates and Desert.

Event Professionals Corner by Merrylin Brichmann

Please mark your calendars so you don’t miss our 2008 Event Professional (formerly known as Affiliates) Showcase scheduled for Tuesday, November 11th at Crown Plaza.

If you want to secure a table and be part of this successful, fun and easy presentation to all NACE members and guests, please RSVP so you’ll be added to the list! There is no charge to participate in the EP Showcase; it’s just another wonderful bonus for being a NACE member!

I look forward to hearing from you soon! Happy Networking!

Showcasing is easy…interested? Email me: artistic-productions@cox.net or call me at 619-593-7367 to get you on the schedule for 2008. It’s up to you to take advantage of this opportunity. I hope you do