Hooray! Hooray! It’s the first of May!

Hope all your new bookings bring you great  pay!

I’m sure everyone is enjoying the busy season once again, and so is your Board of Directors.   I think it’s important that you are aware of how much goes on behind the scenes in an effort to give you the members true benefits from being part of this chapter.  Here are a few highlights for this month.

Carmen was busy putting together the Baltimore Chapter’s award submissions for NACE National Awards being announced atExperience! in New Orleans this July.  We are so proud that each year we have great stories to enter in all categories, since this chapter continues to ROCK!  Submissions were made for:

Chapter of the Year
Program of the Year
Education Program of the Year
Fundraising Event of the Year
Community Service of the Year
And (3) individual submissions for
Catering Member of the Year
Event Professional of the Year
George Zell, Spirit of NACE Award

Melanie is busy tallying Scholarships, that helps our members offset the cost of Experience!, so don’t miss the deadline of Friday, May 18th.  Please read her article for further information.  

Sherri has been getting the word out on the current Member and New Member specials, read more especially if you know someone that is not currently a member that would benefit from joining.

Stephanie and Elizabeth continue to work hard to bring you quality speakers and programs, cool venues and oh so talented chefs, along with the support of John Paul who coordinates the sponsors for these events giving them just the right finishing touches. Can’t wait to see Tara at our May 21^st meeting.

Rachel and Jean coming off of Uncorked! 2012 took one more step to ensure that this very important fundraising event continues to get better with each year.  They sent a survey to all sponsors this year to get their feedback, and they did get some very worthwhile input.  I’m also honored to announce our Co-Chairs for Uncorked! 2013, Jean Mayer, Boutique Events and Jennifer Bafford, AFR Event Furnishings.  Yes they are already working on next year, see their article and plan how you can get involved.

Here’s wishing you a fun Cinco de Mayo

Adios amigos!

Vickie Preston

David Morley is a filmmaker and videographer working in the Baltimore/DC metropolitan area.
His hands-on, service-oriented approach to live event video as well as corporate/creative work has garnered respect and notoriety for Zinnia Films in the events community, the corporate community, and among his creative peers. David is a strong advocate of collaborative--rather than competitive--game theory, and has interests in a wide variety of things, from stop-motion animation to meditation.

In addition to his work load of social event coverage and corporate video products, David is also the Director of Photography and co-producer for the feature-length documentary, By and By: New Orleans Gospel at the Cross Roads, which is currently mid-way through a Kickstarter campaign to raise finishing funds for the 2012-2013 film festival circuit. Details are at byandbythemovie.com.

For April, we are supported Suited to Succeed and Attire for Hire in the form of a clothing drive.  We encouraged our generous members to bring “ready to wear” business attire, to donate to the organizations and help those who might not have proper clothing for a job interview or in the workplace.  We were lucky enough to have a representative from each organization, Karyne Henry and Christopher Schafer out to represent the group and answer questions during the cocktail hour.  We collected over 40 items for the groups.

For this month, May we are teaming up with Baltimore Reads!  We want to help the effort to promote childhood reading which leads to confidence, imagination and self-worth.  We’ll ask members to Please bring new and gently used children’s books to the May meeting to supply local heroes, Baltimore Reads with books to distribute to free books to childrens’ families and schools.

www.baltimorereads.org

Next month, June, is the St. Vincent’s Annual Picnic!!

Thanks,

Carl Brashears, Jr.

UNCORKED! – Annual Fundraiser

We are officially off!  Planning for UNCORKED! 2013 has officially begun. Again thank you to all of you who help make 2012 a success. To see the sponsors and released photos of the spectacular event just visit…   www.baltimoreuncorked.com .

Next on the agenda…help us give a warm welcome to Jennifer Bafford from  AFR Event Furnishings, as she will be the new Co-Chair paired up with Jean Wade Mayer of Boutique Events leading Baltimore NACE through yet another successful UNCORKED!. Our one and only Rachel Shaw plans to stay on the committee working with us in other capacities, so you haven’t seen the last of her folks!  Full speed ahead!

Our wrap up meeting for 2012 was held April 18^th at BCC of Roland Park and there was no escaping the next order of business….next year’s theme!!! Could next year’s theme really be “We are Baltimore”??? Showcasing all of the wonderful businesses and industries stapled and started here in Baltimore??? Who knows for sure, get involved and find out.

The planning committee is scheduled to meet to kick off development on Thursday, June 7^th 2012 at Baltimore Country Club in Roland Park on the Porch promptly at 4:00pm. If you would like to be involved, sit in on a few meetings, or return as a repeat committee member, please come, as we will welcome you with open arms!  Please be advised there is a dress code policy at the club. In addition note, though this particular meeting is at BCC, the location of next year’s UNCORKED! has yet to be determined. Much planning to do!

Raffle Ramp-up

May monthly raffle is ramping up to be another great success. We have some great items themed in honor of our special guest, Tara Guerard.  Since we have been continuously raking in record amounts of dough at each meeting, why slow down now.  Look out for these fabulous raffle items on Monday, May 21^st’!!  Be sure to bring enough money for a generous “arm’s-length” ($20) or a plentiful helping of “head-to-toe tickets” ($30). Raffle tickets can also be purchased on line when you sign up for the meeting..hint, hint, wink, wink.

Cheers,

Jean Mayer and Jennifer Bafford
Fundraising Co-Chairs

The April 2012 Baltimore NACE Chapter Meeting found a new venue for us … the beautiful Cylburn Aboretum in Baltimore.   Our event was in the Vollmer Visitor Center, and the back patio was setup up beautifully for an outdoor cocktail hour with live guitar by Absolute Entertainment.  Indoor and outdoor furniture was provided by CORT Event Rentals.

Our cocktail and meal featured a Maryland Theme provided by Panache Fine Catering, and we were also treated to seeing highlights on the TV of our recent fundraiser Uncorked!

Moving downstairs, our program featured a presentation from Mark Levin, CAE, CSP titled "Creating the Brand You Want: 10 Things You Can Do to Stand Out in the Clutter".

In the fast-paced, interactive session, Mark Levin gave 10 tips (and many more ideas) on how to create the brand you want for your company, product or service.

The Maryland-themed buffet was amazing, and the décor was very festive in bright Spring colors thanks to the linens by Table Toppers complemented by a literal “garden” supplied by Ann’s Garden.

Invitiations were furnished by Write Style, Inc., and all of this was artfully captured by photographer Daniel McGarrity.  The photos can be viewed in their entirety at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.210699509046379.47359.151526414963689&type=3

Did you know that all NACE members are invited to FREE monthly members only Idea Swap webinars the second Tuesday of the month (3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET)? Join us for our next discussion:

May 8, 2012
Wine, Spirits and More!
Register for upcoming Idea Swaps at:
http://www.nace.net/cs/events

REMINDER
Sholarship forms need to be turned in by May 18th, 2012.
Please fax or email the forms to Melanie Brzozowski.
Fax # 410.561.1553
Email melaniebrzozowski@chefsexpressions.com

Monthly Special
Join now and save $100!
Any NEW professional member who joins NACE this month will receive $100 off the regular membership rate of $395. You pay just $295!

To pay by credit card, apply online with discount code SPR12 at: http://www.nace.net/. To pay by check, download the special application at: http://www.nace.net/cs/membership/dues.
www.nace.net membership@nace.net

Offer Valid:
May 1-31, 2012

THE FINE PRINT:
1. New members – those not previously a NACE member or those returning after more than one year of lapsed membership.
2. Membership to NACE national and one local chapter. Members can join additional local chapters for $50 per year per each chapter.
3. Must apply online with discount code: SPR12 or use special application.
4. Offer valid only for professional members.

Congratulations to Tonya Davis, from Blue Sky Films and her husband Matt
on the birth of their daughter, Melody Savannah Davis!

Dear NACE Members,

NACE's proud history began in 1958 as the Banquet Managers Guild.

Since then, the catering business has changed profoundly. As personal incomes and the standard of living increased, catering services were more in demand by the general public. In the 1980's we became the National Association of Catering Executives to reflect these changes and we quickly became a forum where people from hotels, restaurants, off-premise, club caterers and their suppliers could network and continue their education.

Today, we again find our industry, and our association, in the midst of growth and change. Our members provide catering services, and so much more - working in all the disciplines of event planning and providing all the services that event professionals have to offer. Last year we looked at the Core Member of NACE and found that we are "catering-based and event planning professionals who specialize in one area and have the desire to know and understand the intersection of all event elements to enhance their career and gain credibility with clients."

The National Board's mission and responsibility is to make sure that NACE remains relevant to our industry and to maintain value for our current members, while ensuring the future growth and prosperity of our association. That is why the board of directors voted during its recent meeting in Las Vegas to recommend that we change our name to the National Association for Catering and Events.

With this change, we maintain our strong NACE Brand but become more reflective of who we are today and who we will be for many years to come. Of course, this change will not be made without the consent of the membership. A vote by the delegates to approve the board's recommendation, and by doing so update the organizations articles of incorporation, will take place at the NACE Experience!^TM 2012 conference in New Orleans in July.

As you all know, NACE is a strong community because we have been so inclusive, and the board believes this change will make it easier for all of us to explain what NACE is to people who may not understand the value, and invite them to join. We also know that it will spark new questions. I will attempt to anticipate and answer some of them in the following document, and I also seek your patience, as many of these details are still unfolding.

Over the next few months we will have ample opportunity to answer all your questions and at the same time we are looking at all the ramifications of the change. To better serve you, we hope you take a moment to review the Questions and Answers on this exciting news. If you'd like to share your thoughts with us on this matter, please contact us at brand@nace.net.

With change can come great opportunity and I look forward to taking this journey will all of you, it is an exciting time for NACE and for our industry!

Sincerely,
Greg Casella, CPCE

NACE National President

We are very proud to have a 'Like' page now. You can visit it at www.facebook.com/NACEBaltimore and see the photos of the evening. Please 'Like' them, share them and make comments. In the short time we have had the page up, we already have 101 'Like's!!! 

Our goal is to make the brand NACE Baltimore so powerful, that members experience one of the qualifying questions when being considered for an event is 'Are you a NACE member?'

We want the NACE Baltimore 'Like' page on Facebook to go viral. If every member let's their network know the value of their membership, then being a member will have more value.

Please visit www.facebook.com/NACEBaltimore and see the excitement of what we are creating. Because when you 'Like' NACE, you will Love NACE!

Feel free to share this QR Code so more can see the great things we are doing in Baltimore!

Ken Rochon
Director of Marketing

Summer is almost here!
As I said at the January Meeting I am putting together a study group for the CPCE exam. 
I am planning on sitting for my CPCE at Experience! 2012 in New Orleans (remember the beads!).
If you are interested in joining my study group or would like more information on CPCE please feel free to contact me at melaniebrzozowski@chefsexpressions.com.

~ Melanie Brzozowski
Event Design Consultant / Chef's Expressions
melaniebrzozowski@chefsexpressions.com
   Baltimore NACE Vice President

Experience! 2012
July 15-18, 2012
New Orleans Marriott
New Orleans, LA

JOB OPPORTUNITY BULLETIN

DIRECTOR OF CATERING HILTON GARDEN INN – DC CAPITOL HILL

Are you motivated by sales success, energetic and love catering? Do you love to win? If this describes you, apply now! Bring your determination, creativity and selling skills and join a nationally growing food and beverage management company who is looking to hire the best! CULINAIRE, a dynamic, privately- owned company headquartered in Texas, is seeking a professional and enthusiastic Director of Catering to drive sales for the new Hilton Garden Inn DC. The 13 story hotel is located on Capitol Hill and has an upscale vibe and décor with a celebrity chef driven restaurant – Todd Gray’s Watershed. It features 204 guest rooms, 5 different meeting and banquet rooms, with the largest at 2,583 square feet and the smallest at 468. It’s one metro stop from Union Station and one block from the New York Avenue/Florida avenue red line. This is a one person catering department and the perfect opportunity for a superstar Catering Sales Manager to move up to the Director level!

You will report to the Food and Beverage Director and must be able to perform effectively in each of these areas:

Responding to customer inquiries and developing customers independently. Heavy soliciting to build local client base through outside sales calls, prospecting, direct mail, networking, and referrals. Meeting weekly quota for outside sales calls. Ability to close the sale and meet monthly booking goals. Ensuring successful events that meet both the client needs and company’s profitability guidelines. Communicating all relevant information to appropriate departments in a detailed manner. Managing event from initial sale through successful completion.

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

At least 2 years catering sales experience with heavy emphasis on the social market and prospecting for new business. Prior experience in the DC area strongly desired. Strong selling skills.

Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. Strong attention to detail. Experience with menu development, event coordination, BEO origination and food concepts. Ability to work weekends and evenings when events are held.

CULINAIRE provides upscale food and beverage management services to a diverse collection of accounts including cultural arts centers, hotels, restaurants, private clubs, special event venues, zoos, and retail operations. We add value to our clients' enterprises by maintaining a distinctively high level of quality in our cuisine and service. We offer our associates an entrepreneurial atmosphere with continued growth and leadership opportunities.

Salary is $50K + 2% commission paid monthly. Total compensation should be around $60K. We also offer medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, 401K with company match, tuition reimbursement, paid holidays and vacation. Culinaire is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.

PLEASE APPLY ONLINE: www.culinaireintl.com

 
Director of Catering Operations
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center

 The Location
Gaylord National is the crown jewel of the newly developed National Harbor, a dynamic waterfront community in Prince George's County, Maryland. A world-class resort hotel and convention center covering 41.7 acres, Gaylord National overlooks the monuments and skyline of our nation's capital.

Ideally situated along the scenic shoreline of the historic Potomac River, Gaylord National is the largest combined hotel and convention center on the Eastern Seaboard. True to the Gaylord Hotels tradition, this one-of-a-kind environment ignites the imagination and captures the spirit of its region with everything in one place so that you can have it all.

Located eight miles due south of Washington, D.C., the resort is just 15 minutes away from our nation's capital--an ideal location for meetings and conventions. And with 470,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, Gaylord National is the largest combined hotel and convention center on the East Coast.

This luxurious new addition to the Gaylord Hotels family in Washington D.C. boasts 2,000 Guest rooms, including 110 lavish suites, and a staff, also known as STARS, of over 2,100 individuals dedicated to providing a flawless service experience.

 
The Position
This position will provide leadership and direction for the following departments: Banquet Operations, Banquet Culinary, Local Catering, Catering Sales, and Executive Meetings.

 
Job Responsibilities: (see online posting for full description)

• Ensure the efficient and profitable operation of these departments while maintaining and enhancing effective communications that exceed client expectations.
• This is a very high-level position with significant responsibilities as Gaylord National generates approximately two million covers in catering (outside of F&B) on an annual basis.
• Approximately 600 STAR employees, including over 300 full time STARS, report to this position including the Director of Local Catering, the Executive Chef, the Executive Steward, the Director of Banquet Operations and 30 other salaried reports.
• This position partners with the Director of Convention Services to lead the entire Conference Service team and reports directly to the VP of Conference Services.

Job Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, a related discipline or equivalent additional experience required.

Experience: Minimum of seven years progressive catering operations and sales experience required preferably in a major convention hotel. Experience as a Director Catering or in an equivalent role required. Good communication and project management skills required.

Licenses/Certifications: Licenses/Certifications: Member of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives preferred). CMP and/or CPCE preferred.

Compensation
Competitive based salary, stock options, annual incentive plan, group insurance,
401(k) savings plan, and relocation.

Contact:  (personal privacy guaranteed)
Kathryn Peters
Senior Recruiter
kpeters@gaylordhotels.com
Phone:  (301) 965-2208

Looking for an exciting career in the hospitality and special event industry? Are you highly motivated, well organized and results oriented? Do you enjoy handling multiple projects and excel in developing business relationships? If so, Party Plus has an incredible position available to assist our clients with their events while developing new business relationships! We offer a competitive salary, commission, performance based incentives and benefits.

Send Resume and Salary History in confidence to:

Employment@tenting.com

or

Fax: 410.760.0419 Attn.: Pam Lightner

Mail: Pam Lightner, Party Plus, 711 E. Ordnance Rd., Suite 701- 704, Baltimore, MD 21226