They say April showers bring May flowers, but I'm hoping for a GORGEOUS first month of spring - I don't know about you but I'm tired of the cold, dreary weather!!! At least the cold hasn't stopped NACE Baltimore from hosting some fabulous programs this winter!

I want to thank everyone again who came out to Five Farms on March 24th to meet Sylvia Weinstock. She was absolutely amazing and her cakes - even just in pictures - we breathtaking. The venue, the program and the speaker were all wonderful - and our highest attended meeting to date, maxing out at 180 members and guests.

I'm looking forward to even more fun programs this spring, and meeting many new faces at NACE meetings.

Sincerely,
Alicia Karoll
President, National Association of Catering Executives, Baltimore Chapter
Director of Administration & Facility Rental Coordinator, American Visionary Art Museum

March Community Service Report - NACE cuts it out!

We collected over 40 pairs of scissors for Art with a Heart! 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, www.artwithaheart.net

March Raffle Report
What a fabulous meeting! Sylvia Weinstock brought the crowds and signed the books. The crowd was so large that I had to enlist helpers. Thank you so much Cate Busher and Bow Tie Bob for helping me sell tickets to the huge crowd we had a the beautiful Five Farms. We rose close to $700 that evening and the monies collected go towards paying for more fabulous speakers. If anyone has an item that we might raffle off, please contact me. And thanks to everyone who bought tickets!!
Thanks to those who donated.
Hannah Rodenwald
The Board of NACE
Alicia Karoll
Dulany Noble
Mt. Washington Conference Center
If you would like to donate a raffle item for an upcoming meeting, please contact the Raffle Queen at Dulany@galacloths.com

Community Service April - Help capture a child’s smile!

For most, the first 18 years of our lives are carefree and fun, school, friends, family, laughing and playing. Consider those children that do not fit this mold, the children that battle disease. Little League and pajama parties are replaced by bone marrow transplants and chemotherapy. Running is done in a wheelchair. Tough life lessons will rob these children of their innocence and childhood. Quite often, at lease one parent must leave the workplace to focus full attention on their sick child, take a second job and other siblings will receive little attention. Each day is one of overwhelming medical, emotional and financial stress. The Casey Cares Foundation understands and supports these families by providing uplifting programs and outings. It provides programs for critically ill children and their families to encourage them to enjoy rather then endure life. www.caseycaresfoundation.org

Please bring a disposable camera to help capture these special moments!
Dulany Noble
Dulany@galacloths.com

April - “Extreme Makeover: Buffet Edition”

Please join us for our April program on April 21st at the Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore. Join us as we race against time to turn an ordinary, plain buffet into an extraordinary one in just 45 minutes. The local team of designers will include Andrew Zill of Andrew Zill Designs, Daniel Raffel of A la Carte, Distinctive Catered Affairs and Stephanie Bradshaw of Select Event Rentals. The cast of designers will not be given the final theme until the program begins. The host of the show will be Petra Compel of P.W. Feats. Just like the show, we will be looking for some volunteers from the audience to help them beat the clock!

This is a great event to bring your food & beverage and banquet managers for new ideas to boost your current buffet presentations.

To register or for more information, go to http://www.baltimorenace.net/meetinginfo.php?date=2008-04-21

Marketing Tip #4

Most businesses get 80% of their sales from 20% of their clients. Know exactly who that 20% is and aim at their needs. As business grows prepare a strategic plan that will meet the long term needs of your clients.

WOW! Or should we say O-O! that was a great (sold out!) meeting!

Baltimore Country Club's beautiful and elegant Five Farm Clubhouse was the setting for this truly memorable evening. Every detail was inviting - the ambiance, the appetizers, dinner, libations and spirits - both the drinks and the attendees! Walking entertainment from Entertainment Exchange was a great addition to take it over the TOP!

Now to the main event! Sylvia Weinstock was whisked to our meeting by Zbest Executive Transportation in style and presented a gift basket from Gifts with Good Taste. Sylvia captured the attention of every guest that evening with compelling stories and fabulous cake designs and tips for continuing a successful business - and life for that matter! Chris Sikora’s cake from Sweet was fantastic and delicious…and a very successful presentation considering the pressure of the meeting! Photos by Sachs Photography will be available on the Baltimore NACE website of Ms. Weinstock and all the awed guests. If you were there take a look, or if you couldn’t make it look to see what you missed - and buy your tickets earlier next time!

Special thanks to all of our sponsors for the evening - the flower arrangements provided by Flowers and Fancies were gorgeous, thanks you Stanton Wingrat! The table coverings were tastefully done thanks Dulany and Guili from Gala Cloths by Dulany! And the invites were just that, inviting, thank you Millennium Marketing Solutions. Making sure Sylvia was heard above the crowd was Washington Talent, Photo and Video.

Don’t forget to register for April’s meeting ….let’s see how Baltimore NACE can keep up the incredible monthly meetings!

In 2005, as he was finishing his MBA at Loyola College in Timonium, Chris Sikora was looking at various business investments, as opportunities at his current employer were limited. He evaluated many different businesses from leather importing to dog poop scooping, but the one that presented itself as the most intriguing was Fisher’s Bakery in Ellicott City.

The bakery had a good reputation for quality, but lacked in service, innovation, and knowledge and presence in the local wedding market. Chris made the purchase, and over the next several months, hired new staff including a great senior cake decorator in Tracey Buchanan, increased advertising in the retail and wedding trade, greatly improved employee retention and satisfaction, improved the menu and items offered, and increased the bakery’s visibility in the local wedding scene. For the first time, the bakery became active in the local industry, joining NACE. The level of creativity in the cakes and other products improved tremendously. Still, the old name of the bakery left some customers leery. So after much debate and consultation with employees and fellow professionals, Chris decided to change the name to Sweet. a bakery and café.

The thought was that the new brand reflects on our products and service, not on the (former) owners. Along with the name change comes a renovation of the showroom, including a nicely done wedding cake tasting area. Chris continues to look for more opportunity in the wedding, catering and special event industry. He enjoys the wonderful professional relationships being developed through NACE.

A native of Wisconsin, Chris is married to the beautiful Pamela, and they enjoy their two precious daughters, Meredith, 4, and Andrea, 1, in their Ellicott City home.

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