The 2008 Baltimore NACE Board certainly does have huge shoes to fill if we want to top 2007, but I am looking forward to what's to come in 2008!!!  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season - rest up and we'll see you in January!
Sincerely,
Alicia "Lucky" Karoll
President, National Association of Catering Executives, Baltimore Chapter
Facility Rental Coordinator & Director of Administration, American Visionary Art Museum

Is Your Net Really Working?
Presented by Mark Levin, CAE, CSP
Holiday Inn Inner Harbor
November 19, 2007

I know this time of the year is a very busy time for our industry but we had a great turn out for this program. Mark Levin, CAE, CSP provided an interactive and interesting program on how to work all aspects of networking. Here are some of the highlights you missed.
• You can meet almost anyone through a connection of six people
• In “Managing” your meeting time, remember the following. When part of a group, remember you have two ears and one month. Use the person’s own words when responding to something they said. Humor is always appropriate, but it’s not always appropriate humor.
• When working a trade show, get a pre-registration list if possible, offer customized incentive to get people to your booth and always make comments on their business card.
• When attending a trade show, use your business card to introduce yourself, prioritize the exhibitors you want to see and never try to sell to an exhibitor during the show.
• Some tips for Over the Top customer service are to mystery shop your own company, get everyone on your staff on the customer service team and personalize as much as your customer interaction as possible.

As always, this event would not have been successful without our member sponsors. Many thanks to JoAnne Franzini and the staff of the Holiday Inn Inner Harbor for being such a gracious host, and Millennium Marketing Solutions for designing and printing the invitations. Thank you to BBJ Linens for the beautiful linens and especially Joyce Jones, CPCE and Marymac Cortner from BBJ for traveling from Tennessee to attend this program. New member, Kaitlin Radebaugh of Radebaugh Florist & Greenhouses provided gorgeous flowers and generously donated them to guests. Michael Antenucci of Elan Artist provided the live music for both the cocktail hour and dinner. Finally, Alexander Morozov of Photography by Alexander captured the memories of the evening to share with us all. Cheers!!!

My name is Kaitlin Radebaugh, I am 26 years old, and have the pleasure of working with my family every day...well mostly it is a pleasure. My family has owned and operated a Florist and Greenhouse business in Towson since 1924. I grew up in the shop and greenhouses so there is something so comfortable and special about spending my time here now.

I used to work in the store when I was younger, my most infamous story is when I sold an older couple a fruit basket out of the case...only problem was, it was a fake one! Now I am in charge of events and marketing, far away from the fruit. I have three older brother, yes, only girl three big older brothers... dating was so much fun in high school. I have 2 nephews and 2 nieces who I adore and am lucky enough to have close by. I love to hear "Aunt Kait" just as much as I like to hear "we need 100 poinsettias for our office building."

I live in Federal Hill and absolutely love everything our small but charming city has to offer. I have recently gotten engaged and will be married next December, and of course the reception is at a NACE venue, I know the rules, a big thank you to Keith at the Tremont for being so wonderful to me! I look forward to seeing everyone at the Holiday Party! Cheers!

Please join us at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards on December 17, 2007 from 5:30 pm to 8:30pm.  NACE is once again a proud host of this event.  We look forward to seeing many of our members and friends there! 

This year’s theme is “Heating up the Holidays”!  We are still looking for participation for a food station to join the others already on board. So please, send in your station request from located on the website.  We have a decorating contest for the theme, so be as creative as you can with your booth!  Please contact me today at 443-524-1348 or sjohnson@tremonts.com.

If you are unable to participate but would like to donate a silent auction item, Please contact Cori A. Ramos at 443-263-1811 or Ramos@maamc.org.  We must receive your auction item(s) and silent auction form(s) by December 10, 2007 in order to acknowledge your gift in the Silent Auction listing. 

To find out more about the event, please visit www.holidaybash.org

Scott Johnson

Baltimore Chapter Vice President

Co-Chair 2007 Holiday Bash

Getting ready for the holidays is always hectic and stressful. Here are few ways that we can all really celebrate the season. These projects will really help you get in the holiday mood!
Mend a quarrel
Seek out a forgotten friend
Dismiss Suspicion
Write a long overdue love note
Hug someone tightly and whisper, “ I love you so.”
Forgive and enemy
Be gentle and patient with an angry person
Express Appreciation
Gladden the heart of a child or someone you care about
Find the time to keep a promise
Make or bake something for someone else-anonymously
Release a grudge
Just listen, for a change
Speak kindly to a stranger
Enter into another’s sorrow
Smile. Laugh a little, laugh a little more
Take a walk with a friend
Kneel down and pat a dog
Read a poem or two to your mate or friend
Lessen your demands on others
Play some beautiful music during the evening meal
Apologize if you were wrong
Turn off the television or computer and talk
Treat someone to an ice-cream cone or yogurt
Do the dishes
Pray for someone who helped when you hurt
Fix breakfast on Saturday morning
Give a gentle answer though you feel strongly
Encourage an older person
Point out one thing that you appreciate most about someone
Whit whom you live or work
Offer to baby-sit for a weary parent

Thank you to all the members who attended the November NACE meeting at the Holiday Inn Inner Harbor and voted for our new 2008 NACE Baltimore Board of Directors!!! And the winners are....
President: Alicia Karoll
Vice President: Scott Johnson
Secretary: Renee West
Treasurer: Carmen Lennartsson
Affiliate Representative: Stephanie Bradshaw
Web Master: Ryan Felps
Membership: Vickie Preston
Education & Meetings: Debra May & Abby Fitzpatrick
Fundraising: Cate Bushcer
Community Service: Dulany Noble
Hospitality: Ellene Pomerantz
Marketing: Janet Caslow
Immediate Past President: Daniel Raffel

If you are interested in becoming more active with NACE Baltimore, why not join a committee??? Contact any of the Board members listed above about participating, and let's make 2008 the best year yet!!!

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