Baltimore NACE members who were nominated for Academy Awards this year included Scott Johnson, CMP (Tremont Grand), Laurie Dixon (Party Plus), Vickie Preston (Entertainment Exchange), Tammy Stone (Capital Grille), Michael Thompson (ZBest Limousine), and Lee Johnson (Pier 5 Hotel).

WINNER - Catering Professional of the Year for 2007 - Abby Fitzpatrick, Senior Catering Sales Manager for the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel
WINNER - Hospitality Professional of the Year for 2007 - Stephanie Bradshaw, Business Development Representative for Select Event Rentals
WINNER - Hospitality Professional of the Year 2007 - Sharon Charny, Regional Director of National Accounts fr the Charmer Sunbelt Group
That's right folks, there wasn't a misprint - there was actually a tie in the category for Hospitality Professional of the Year, and both winners are star Baltimore NACE member!!!

Please congratualte all the nominees and winners the next time you work with them or when you see them at the next NACE meeting!!!
Sincerely,
Alicia Karoll
President, National Association of Catering Executives, Baltimore Chapter
Facility Rental Coordinator & Director of Administration, American Visionary Art Museum

This member showcase took place the Ten Oaks Ballroom on September 24th. Zeffert and Gold Catering were wonderful hosts and served a delicious menu. We hope that everyone who attended learned something new about the participating vendors. Congratulations to all the winners who won a prize from the treasure chest with their winning keys.

Many thanks to the following companies for participating in the showcase:
Absolute Entertainment www.absoluteentertainment.com
Applied Building Technologies, Inc. www.appliedbldgtech.com
Arthur Remanjon www.remanjon.com
Blue Sky Films www.blueskyfilms.com
Bob Bell GMC Pontiac Subaru – Bowtie Bob www.bowtiebob.com
Bobby’s Portable Restrooms www.bobbyspottys.com
CC Design & Print, Inc. www.ccdesignandprint.com
Cort Event Furnishings www.cort.com
Crystal Concepts www.crystalconcepts.com
Entertainment Exchange www.entertainment-exchange.com
Fandango Productions www.fandangoevents.com
Fisher’s Bakery www.fishersbakery.com
Kelly Burns Photography www.kellyburnsphoto.com
Millennium Marketing Solutions, Inc www.mm4solutions.com
Parfections www.parfections.com
Perfect Wedding Guide www.pwg.com
Photography by Alexander www.photographybyalexander.com
Sach’s Photography www.artfulweddings.com
Select Event Rentals www.weparty.com
Show Biz Productions www.showbizproductions.com
Tremont Grand www.tremontsuitehotels.com
Washington Talent www.washingtontalent.com
Write Style www.writestyleinvites.com
Zeffert & Gold Caterers www.zeffertandgold.com
Zozzie & Heidi Innovative Party Planners www.zozzieandheidi.com
Please visit their websites and remember these members for services you need.

This event would not have been possible without our sponsors for the evening. Many thanks to the following for donating their services:
Zeffert and Gold Caterers/Ten Oaks Ballroom, Iris Gold
Absolute Entertainment, Ken Rochon
A Garden of Earthly Delights, Carole Langrall
Arthur Remanjon Photography, Arthur Remanjon
Entertainment Exchange – Vickie Preston
Gala Cloths by Dulany, Dulany Noble and Guili Cox
Millennium Marketing Solutions – Debra May
Select Event Rentals–Stephanie Bradshaw and Kelly Andres
Boston Beer – NACE National Business Partner
Cheers!!!!

The Baltimore Chapter of NACE brings you this year’s theme for UNCORKED! - “An Enchanted Evening!”

This year’s 4th annual UNCORKED! will take place on Monday, October 22, 2007, 6pm at the American Visionary Art Museum. The fundraiser will benefit the NACE Foundation, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, and the Baltimore Chapter of NACE!

This Fundraising, Networking, Over the Top Extravaganza of exquisite cuisine partnered with fabulous wines and spirits in an atmosphere that only the best Catering, Designers and suppliers Baltimore can bring. We will pull out the CORKS on this one!

Don’t miss out on being part of the award-winning group of Catering Professionals! You can sign up to participate in many various ways. Every member should make an effort to be part of this Pinnacle of Soirées!

Tickets are limited so please check out www.baltimorenace.net for more details and contact any of our committee members for information.

Thank you for helping to make this the best year ever!

Janet Caslow
Fundraising Chair and Event Chair
Pride of Baltimore, Inc.

September Community Service report

Thank you, everyone who brought socks for Paul’s Place. If you forgot to bring them to the meeting, Paul’s Place would be delighted to get any kind of donation at any time. Paul’s Place offers emergency services, hot lunches, a nurse’s clinic, showers, laundry services and a clothing bank. In preparing for the winter season, Paul’s Place is looking for socks for their clients. All sizes are desperately needed for children, women and men.

September Raffle

Thank you to everyone who donated items for the September raffle. Remember, you too, can see your name listed on the on the web site. Please give me a call if you have an item to add to our November raffle.
Bottle of Parrott Bay Rum, Alicia Karoll
$50 off your next membership, NACE National
Free monthly meeting, NACE Board
Bottle of wine and $50 gift Certificate, The Capital Grill
Breakfast for two at the Grille Marriott Waterfront, Marriott Waterfront
Bengaline cocktail napkins (2 sets), Gala Cloths by Dulany

Get ready to greet the newest faces at the next NACE meeting!  Our October new members are:

Kathy Hargest - B&O Railroad

Sandy Kareski - Sheraton Columbia

Celia Lourens - Port Discovery

Holly Smith Blackett - Zuriana's Elegant Occasions

Sandra Riley - Richardsons Flowers & Gifts

Katlan Radebaugh - Radebaugh Florists

Emily Koziol - The Daily Record

Only 2 weeks left for the Catch a Star membership offer!  $100 off first year membership dues for first time members!  See the National site for details, or ask any of the Baltimore Board members!  (offer ends November 16th!)

Unattended, often FORGOTTEN GARDENS for clipping + MESSY, beautiful, overgrown weeds + LOCALLY GROWN flowers and greens + some FLOWN-IN STUFF from around the world + the MAGIC of the FOUR SEASONS + a BOHEMIAN SPIRIT + a good sense of humor and DEEP COMPASSION for all living things = CAROLE’S SECRET RECIPE.

Carole began her journey to “A Garden of Earthly Delights” by selling flowers for Latin American Growers in Washington D.C. in the early 1990s. She ended up dividing her days teaching English to the all Hispanic staff; she was the only American working there as well as the only woman! When she wasn’t teaching or selling flowers, she was often found hiding in the cooler daydreaming about owning her own studio someday where she could create unusual, earthy concoctions using all of nature’s bounty, and not just flowers. Martha with an edge if you will, like if she wore Doc Martens under her cute garden outfit.

Carole left the wholesale industry to apprentice at some of D.C.’s high-end floral studios where she found her true passion: designing. She free-lanced at Les Belles Fleurs, which was discovered by the ‘Advocate’ for the most innovative floral creations in D.C., and later, Second Lady Tipper Gore who fell in love with their work. Gwen, Carole’s design partner, went on to become the Vice President’s personal florist, and Carole wandered up the road and found her way to Paradise (Maryland) opening “A Garden of Earthly Delights,” in 1996. She named her business after her favorite painting by Dutch artist, Hieronymus Bosch, Garden of Earthly Delights. Reflecting upon this piece, it dawned on her that it encompassed everything she wanted her designs to represent: beauty, sensuality, exoticism, color, and the absurdity of the human condition. Just like in her beloved painting, Carole’s arrangements go from the simple and sensual to the ornate and romantic.

A Garden of Earthly Delights floral arrangements incorporate all aspects of the garden (but never baker’s fern—they prefer diversity over mediocrity!). Carole uses only the freshest, seasonal product from area wholesalers and farmers, some who produce organically grown flowers, reducing carbon emissions from delivery trucks and other vehicles. They fashion living works of art that reflect your personality and passion. You can be sure your event will be an earthly delight, with unique arrangements both beautiful and healthy for the planet as well.

Carole’s work has garnered media attention locally and nationally….voted Baltimore Magazine’s Best Floral Designer 2006, and Citypaper’s Best Florist 2000, A Garden of Earthly Delights work has also been featured on WJZ, TV 13, Fox 45 TV, WBAL TV 11, Walter’s Art Gallery –Art Blooms, Mademoiselle Magazine, Floral Management Magazine, First for Women Magazine, as well as numerous covers of Baltimore Bride.

Carole became a member of NACE two years ago but forgot to go to the meetings. She caught a lot of grief for this and started attended once she realized how fun it was hanging out with her industry peeps. She has donated her artistic blooms to several NACE meetings and hopes to do more for this wonderfully supportive group in the future.

Job Opening – FACILITY RENTAL COORDINATOR

The American Visionary Art Museum is in search of a full-time Facility Rental Coordinator.

Primary responsibilities include –

• Market facility for rentals through advertising, networking and special events
• Provide all rental information to potential clients, schedule site visits, keep master calendar and handle all contracting of rental events
• Maintain updated database of clients and vendors; maintain working relationship with area catering and event professionals
• Schedule AVAM event and security staff for all rental events
• Responsible to coordinate Museum events; handles all BEOs & RFPs, catering, menu selection, staffing, coordinates all rentals, including linen, china/glassware/flatware, etc.

Job Requirements include -

• College degree in Marketing, Communications, Business or related field.
• 3+ years experience in Marketing and Event Planning; knowledge of Hospitality/Food & Beverage Industry
  Computer skills – Microsoft Office/Word/Excel, FileMaker Pro, iCal, etc.
  Knowledge of spreadsheets and budgeting
• Detail-oriented, organized, ability to multi-task
• Customer service skills

Salary – based on experience
Benefits – health/dental insurance, vacation/sick leave, 403B retirement

Please send cover letter and resume to:            

Donna Katrinic
American Visionary Art Museum
800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD  21230
443-874-7252 fax
donna@avam.org

We are seeking a highly motivated wedding and event sales professional to help grow our very reputable retail floral boutique and get ready for our big move from Canton to Roland Park. This individual must be knowledgeable in all aspects of floral design and customer consultation as well as possess a proven sales-closing track record. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, energetic, and driven to make sales while routinely exceeding our customers’ expectations. Duties will also include design and daily orders. Knowledge of Excel and Mac Mail a plus!

Please have applicant send resume - amy@crimsonandcloverdesigns.com

Chair Covers & Linens Territory Sales Manager
Responsibilities:
The Baltimore Territory Sales Manager engages in sales strategies to meet and exceed assigned goals.  This person aggressively identifies, pursues, and maintains new accounts, while maintaining the existing client base.  This individual represents the organization in industry related events and within the event industry.

Requirements:
• Associates or Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Must have proven sales and performance experience.
• Must possess superior customer service skills.
• Experience within the event industry preferred.
• Must be a proven self-motivator, with self-guided disciplines.
• Must have the ability to work with little to no supervision, along with the ability to work within a team environment.
• Must possess above-average computer skills.

All qualified applicants should e-mail a resume, along with salary requirements, to Kristen@linenhero.com.

A World of Opportunities
In today's increasingly cluttered and complex hotel industry, the winners - those companies who can deliver for their guests, customers, employees, shareholders and owners - will be those with the best brands…the best locations…size and scale…the best people…attractive marketing programs…and financial strength. Few fit the bill. Hilton Hotels Corporation stands above the rest.

Not only are the brands in the Hilton family well-known and well-respected, they represent market leadership in their respective segments of the industry…whether in upscale, mid-priced, extended-stay or vacation ownership.

The Hilton Family has more than 2,800 hotels and 480,000 rooms in 76 countries, including 100,000 team members worldwide. Come explore a world of opportunities to join our team and help us achieve our mission to be hospitable and, in the words of our founder Conrad N. Hilton, “to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality”.

Part of the Hilton Family Travel Should Take You Places™
Hilton is the proud flagship brand of Hilton Hotels Corporation and the most recognized name in the global lodging industry. Conrad Hilton purchased his first hotel in Cisco, Texas back in 1919. Since that time we have grown to over 500 hotels in cities all over the world. “Be My Guest” is still the gracious and warm way we want for our guests to feel at Hilton hotels and resorts whether it’s at the Cavalieri Hilton in Rome, the Hilton Waikoloa Village or our brand new Hilton Omaha. With new products and services, business and leisure travelers alike now have even more reason to say, "Travel should take you places."

Job Summary
To solicit and respond to companies and organizations to purchase food & beverage, rent meeting space and ancillary services from the hotel. Represents the hotel with customers by telephone or in-person to solicit and close group and local catering business. Manages customer relationship by responding to inquiries, meeting with and entertaining clients, conducting property tours, promoting facilities and services, drafting contracts. Provides direction and supervision of meeting and/or catering logistics to catering staff. EOE/AA

Contact Julie Woods at  julie.woods@hilton.com

SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER

2-4 years of relevant industry experience is a minimum requirement of this position.

OBJECTIVE: Execute contracted programs with seamless execution, problem solving and overall management. Produce professional services and optimal client satisfaction to drive future business opportunities.

SCOPE: Programs range in size from 15 - 3,000 attendees and services provided include, but are not limited to: Arrivals and departures, Tour programs, Dine-arounds, Hotel decor, Off-site event (venue, catering, lighting, floral decor, entertainment) and Shuttle systems.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The position of Senior Operations Manager is expected to perform all the duties of an Operations Manager including, but not limited to:
Ø Coordinate with client and supervise all events, tour programs, transportation systems, airport arrivals and departures, and/or other contractual programs as assigned to you
Ø Develop and execute account schedules, contracts, deposit invoices and final billing
Ø Utilize existing GEP Baltimore systems in producing contractual scopes of work, including timelines, staff notes, etc.
Ø Coordinate, negotiate and confirm arrangements and contracts with suppliers for program accounts. Conduct or participate in client site inspections as needed
Ø Operate account P&L statements according to company standards
Ø Responsible for collecting deposit funds and final billings from assigned accounts
Ø Ongoing development of client relationships for the purpose of acquiring future business
Ø Work evenings and weekends as required by individual accounts in addition to being available to clients on 24 hours basis
Ø Regularly update and maintain reference or resource tools as assigned to operations team members
Ø Travel one day a week to our headquarter office in Washington, DC

As a Senior Operations Manager you will also be expected to uphold the following duties and responsibilities:
Ø Operate more than $1.2 million in program revenue per year
Ø Require minimal supervision over day-to-day activities, work product and program operations
Ø Ability to attend site inspections, pre-cons and client meetings alone
Ø Expectation of acting as point for larger programs when run in conjunction with other Operations Managers
Ø Consistent utilization of GEP Baltimore business practices for all accounting, systems and program work
Ø Willingness to take on additional projects and programs throughout the year

If you are interested please contact our President, Marty MacKay, at the number or email provided.
Marty MacKay, President
GEP Washington | GEP Baltimore
1111 19th Street NW | Suite 680 | Washington DC 20036
Main Line: 202.777.7800 | Fax: 202.777.1222 | Direct Line: 202.419.3410
E-mail: mmackay@gepwashington.com
www.gepwashington.com | www.gepbaltimore.com

Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel - Catering Manager

Job Number:  60071460

To Apply Contact:  http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/careers/search/country.html?country=US

Description
The Corporate Catering Manager is a key sales position, responsible for maintaining existing catering accounts as well as actively soliciting new business.  In this role you will foster relationships with meeting planners, corporate contacts, as well as contact within the local social markets in order to meet or exceed revenue goals.  This individual also oversees client functions to ensure customer satisfaction.  The ideal candidate will be passionate about event planning and committed to educating themselves on current food & beverage trends.  Starwood Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to maintaining the highest reputation within our industry and the Catering Sales Manager must be able to sell and keep that promise for the property.  Candidates may be called upon to work extended workweeks, including weekends, to accommodate a client's needs as well as any functions they are overseeing.  Starwood prides itself as a "promote-from-within" organization and opportunities for advancement may present themselves for a successful Catering Sales Manager.  This position reports to the Director of Catering & Convention Services and is held accountable for quarterly sales goals.

Qualifications
High school or equivalent education required
Bachelor's Degree preferred.
Minimum of two years of Hotel Catering Sales experience. 

Primary Location:USA-MD-Baltimore-Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel

Schedule:  Full-time

Shift:  Variable