March is here already and with it comes some fascinating milestones! First, Daylight Savings Times comes early this year, so be prepared to lose an hour of your life on March 9th. I know it usually takes me a few weeks to catch up after that! March 17th is Bowtie Bob's national holiday - St. Patrick's Day - so don your green and drink some Guiness!!! Spring officially begins on March 20th, and Easter falls a bit early this year as well - Sunday, March 23rd.

March wraps up with a fantastic NACE meeting on Monday, March 24th with guest speaker/cake lady extraordinaire Sylvia Weinstock in the house! Register early - this meeting is expected to sell out and you won't want to miss it!

So, let's all hope there's no freak March snowstorm - come on people, it's Baltimore! - so we can enjoy all the festivities!!!
Sincerely,
Alicia Karoll
President, National Association of Catering Executives, Baltimore Chapter
Facility Rental Coordinator & Director of Administration, American Visionary Art Museum

Community Service - February Recap

Bears, bears everywhere!!! Thank you so much to everyone who brought a cute cuddly bear in for our February community service project. State troopers carry them in the back of their cars to be given to children in painful, traumatic situations. These bears will be put in the hands of small children that will be having the worst day of their short lives. One of my own employees received a bear from a trooper in a domestic violence incident. She still has the bear and remembers the kindness of the trooper. Thanks again, everyone. NACE members make a difference in our community.

Upcoming Community Service - March

Cut it Out!!!

Art with a Heart, Inc. brings the joy and benefit of visual art to those who need it most. They provide interactive, hands-on art activities to disadvantaged families and children, and to people with developmental and physical challenges. They offer unique, custom programs at a variety of sites throughout the Baltimore area, including: group housing facilities and shelters, senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities, community centers and public schools

Art with a Heart needs scissors! Straight scissors, craft scissors, scissors for large and small hands. Art with a Heart, www.artwithaheart.net
Dulany Noble
Community Service Chair
Dulany@galacloths.com

Please Help Me Welcome Our New Members:
Brian Armacost/ Karl's Event Rental email: brian@karls.com
Louise May / Gourmay Baskets email: food4220@msn.com
Amber Miller / Renaissance Harborplace Hotel email: amber.miller@renaissancehotels.com
Marc Wilner / Bialek's Music email: mwilner5@aol.com
Fran Berger / R & R Events, Inc. email: fberger@rrevents.com
Brian Haysbert / Forum Caterers, Inc. email: brianh@forumcaterers.com
Fran "Pineapple" Schmitz / Ste. Michelle Wine Estates email: fran.schmitz@ste-michelle.com

For more information about joining NACE, please contact Director of Membership, Vickie Preston at 410-828-0305 or vickie@entertainment-exchange.com.

Meeting Registration

Did you know that Ellene Pomerantz, Board member in charge of Hospitality, has developed a smoother way for you to check in at the chapter meetings? If you register and pay online for the meeting, you may simply take your name badge from the display board she created and get started networking as soon as you arrive. If you do not register and pay online, you have to wait in line to pay for the meeting, which has unfortunately been taking a long time. Please don’t fear using a credit card online for the registration process because the Baltimore NACE website is secure. When you pay by credit card at the meeting, we are still entering the information into the website anyway.

Because we are expecting so many people at the March meeting featuring Sylvia Weinstock, registration is required for this meeting. Walk-ins will not be allowed. Also, because of the large volume of attendees, I would imagine this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of Ellene’s quick entry.

Also, it was brought to our attention last month that it has not been clearly stated on the website that if you register for a meeting and do not attend, you are still responsible for paying for that meeting. To explain, the reason you are required to pay is because we base our count guarantee to the caterer on the number registered. We are charged by the caterer for the guaranteed amount so if you don’t pay, the organization is loosing money. This is just like any catered event where you are billed for your guarantee regardless if less people attend.

We have disconnected the Baltimore NACE phone line. For questions regarding registration please contact you Hospitality Chair, Ellene Pomerantz at 410.296.7722 or by email ellene@writestyleinvites.com.
Carmen E. Lennartsson
Treasurer

Every Organization needs a MARKETING PLAN

Keep it simple and work on it!

Remember people buy from you for three reasons
Your product or service:
1)Makes them feel good
2) Makes them look good
3) and/or fills a need
Janet Caslow
Director of Marketing, NACE Baltimore

On February 18th, an evening at THE WESTIN, Baltimore Washington Airport was very zen, peaceful and relaxing. A bustling cocktail crowd networked in the beautifully designed Westin spaces. The calming atmosphere of the staff and venue offered a great escape for a normally stressful Presidents Day Monday. The service was excellent and the personalities of the management team were delightful!

Absolute Entertainment filled the air with great music to set the mood, while Freed Photography snapped up shots of the who's who crowd of members and guests, who were exchanging ideas and information from the past month.

NACE Baltimore was pleased to welcome guest speaker Lynn Cohenof Project you, Image Consulting, offering her expertise for the evening - Image + Attitude = Success! Lynn reminded everyone that Image be it visual, verbal or e-mailed is so important to our industry and success!

Wessel's Florist and Party Rentals, LTD set the scene and tone of the evening, while Millennium Marketing Solutions designed the postcards that remind us to register and come to our favorite networking and educational association monthly meetings!

Another successful meeting with the tremendous efforts of the members who support and participate Baltimore NACE!

Thank you to all of our sponsors and to all who attended! We look forward to seeing you at the next NACE meeting on March 24th!

“Sweet Celebrations” Presented by Sylvia Weinstock

Please join us for our March program on February 24th at Baltimore Country Club’s Five Farms Clubhouse

The famed Cake Lady of Soho will share her secrets to executing the most memorable celebrations. Whether you are planning a wedding, party or other special event the key is to connect with your client and emphasize the purpose of the event – love and celebration! Gain wise advice from this seasoned professional and get a sneak peak at some of her most beautiful culinary creations. Sylvia’s signature cakes are by no means ordinary. Weinstock creates cakes as part of the overall event “statement” – coordinated with the theme and mood and ranging from whimsical to magical.

To register or for more information, go to http://www.baltimorenace.net/meetinginfo.php?date=2008-03-24

Carole A. Langrall began her journey to “A Garden of Earthly Delights” in the early 1990s, selling flowers for Latin American Growers in Washington D.C. Carole gained her knowledge of floral identification and care in her early years working in the wholesale industry. In addition to her responsibilities as a sales rep, she also helped many of the primarily Hispanic staff learn English, as she was the only American, not to mention woman. Carole was responsible for opening the company’s first major super-market chain accounts: Giant, Safeway and Fresh Fields (now Whole Foods).

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 freelanced at Les Belles Fleurs, which was recognized by the ‘Advocate’, naming them the most innovative floral creations in D.C. Second Lady Tipper Gore also fell in love with their work, as Gwen, Carole’s design partner, would eventually become the Vice President’s personal florist. Carole decided to head north to Paradise—Maryland, that is—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 much media attention locally and nationally….voted Baltimore Magazine’s Best Floral Designer 2006, and the Baltimore City Paper’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, My Day Magazine, First for Women Magazine, as well as numerous covers of Baltimore Bride. She is also a member of the Baltimore chapter of N.A.C.E.

Carole’s personal quote…
"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 for an incredible floral design for your next event or wedding!"
“A Garden of Earthly Delights” artistic floral design studio
Carole Aine Langrall
24 Ridge Rd., Catonville, MD 21228
(410) 744-3810-studio
www.agardenofearthlydelights.net

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

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