Thanks to all who came to the January meeting.  It was an amazing showing of how many years NACE has been a part of so many lives as well as recognizing some of the great talent and professionalism our members possess.  The board would like to send a special thank you to the NACE National Executive Director Bonnie Fedchok for attending the meeting and performing the induction ceremony.  We attempted to thank Alicia Karoll for all her contributions to the chapter during her reign as President, but of course, there are not enough words to do this properly.  The highlight of the evening was the new annual chapter awards that were presented.  The wonderfully deserving members receiving these awards provided a moving end to the love fest that took place.

Board Retreat 411:  The January board retreat went extremely well, and more than anything, we are focusing on the overall value you get for your membership.  We are working on some fantastic speakers and education for the meetings, and developing ways to give back to the members for their continued support.  Please find us on Facebook as NACE Baltimore.  Feel free to post information on this page as we hope to open communication among members here.  We also need your help and involvement and what better way than to serve on a committee.  We had sign up sheets at the January meeting, but we need more help.  Please contact a board member to find out how you can be more involved.  As always the Annual Uncorked! Fundraising event is planned to be amazing, and we are thrilled with the participation for the planning, design, food and auction.  You must checkout the event's dedicated website www.baltimoreuncorked.com to find out how you can get involved.  We hope to raise even more money for Meals on Wheels, the Foundation of NACE and the Baltimore Chapter of NACE this year.  Continued education is something we all know is critical to our professional success.  Once again, we have budgeted more than $8,000 in scholarship for the membership to apply for the NACE National Experience, which will be hosted in Austin, TX this July.  We have also added funds to offset members' costs for taking and passing the CPCE (Certified Professional Catering Executive) exam.  If you are interested in obtaining this certification, please contact Vice-President Vickie Preston for more information.  This is just another way to set you apart from the rest in the competitive catering field.

Vickie Preston attended a National Leadership Summit in Orlando recently and Heather El-Zein, Danielle Baird and I are attending the summit in Nashville.  We will bring back the ideas exchanged at these summits from other chapters across the country to continue the growth and success of our chapter.

The board looks forward to seeing all of you at the next meeting on February 16^th at M&T Stadium led by our own member Dave Ricklin.  We know we all have a little competitive streak in us so you better bring it!

Carmen E. Lennartsson

Welcome to our new members for 2010

Jennifer Grove, Sky Blue Events
Katie Shannon, Intercontinental Harbor Court Hotel

Pleae join us for member-orientation before the February 15th meeting at 5:30pm.  All are Welcome!

NACE - Baltimore Chapter

"Member Recognition, 2009 Chapter Highlights and What to Expect in 2010!"

Meeting Recap

Monday, January 18, 2010

What a night for the Baltimore Chapter of NACE!  On Monday, January 18, 2010 at the Renasissance Harborplace Hotel (just days before President Obama was in town) we installed our new board of directors and inducted a new chapter president to boot.  We have been so blessed for the past three years to have been lead by Alicia Karoll and the reins have now been handed over to Carmen Lennartsson from Baltimore Country Club.  She is stepping in to lead our group into the new decade and it is a very exciting time for our board, members and the entire event industry. 

Membership awards were given for years of service and it was a delight to see so many folks turn out to support our local chapter.  Our Meeting of the Year Award was for the "Secrets of Super-Productivity" hosted by the InterContinental Harbor Court, Washington Talent & Video, Flowers by Chris, Gala Cloths, Arthur Remanjon Photography & Millennium Marketing. 

We also recognized three special members of our chapter with individual awards including:  Caterer of the Year - Jerry Edwards, Event Professional of the Year - Anne Sachs, and the Arthur Remanjon Inspirational Member of the Year - Carl Brashears. It was an emotional moment for many of us to see Carl receive the first award in memory of our long-time friend and event professional Arthur Remanjon who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year.  Carl said it best when he accepted the award saying, "This is for all of you who get up and get better every day."

We would also like to thank the following event professionals for making our meeting the success that it was:

Renaissance Harborplace Hotel

Amy Deputy Photography

Andy Kushner Entertainment

Flowers and Fancies

Chair Covers and Linens

East Hill Video

Millennium Marketing Solutions

Our February meeting will be held at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.  Don't miss "The Original Game Show LIVE!"  It is sure to be a fun and interactive program for all that attend.  To see a complete list of our new board meetings or to register online for the next meeting, check out our chapter website for more information at: www.baltimorenace.net. 

Mark your calendar for UNCORKED! 2010 Unplugged on Monday, March 15, 2010!

Kathey Freundel

Award winning Baltimore wedding and lifestyle photographer Kathy Freundel has documented weddings throughout Baltimore and Washington DC. Lauded as one of the area's top wedding photographers, she and her associates have built a reputation for investing so fully in her clients that they become her friends and neighbors!

From her lips . . .

"I was born into a house of love. Didn't choose it, but I sure am thankful for it! I trained to be a teacher of writing and literature and spent the early part of my adult life loving those experiences. Then, I met a stage director who got wind that I danced. He enlisted me to choreograph for him, and it was all over. We went crashing into one another . . . he asked me to marry him on our second date!. . . and I said YES!

My wedding gift to him . . . a Gibson J160E. His to me, a Nikon body with an 80-200 f2.8. We've had such a glorious adventure living our days together and encouraging one another in our art.

Life is precious. I'm only guarenteed today. And I'd rather fail at something I LOVE than succeed at something I could take or leave. So, that's my story in a nutshell.

I. love. life

UNCORKED! "Music is the Food of Love"   Tickets are on sale for our 6th annual award-winning fundraiser, UNCORKED!  Our theme this year is "music," and proceeds will benefit the Baltimore Chapter of NACE, the Foundation of NACE, and Meals on Wheels of Central MD.   March 15th, 2010 5:30pm to 10:00pm American Visionary Art Museum   Please visit the website, www.baltimoreuncorked.com, to learn more about the event and how, as a NACE member, you can become involved!    For further information, contact the Director of Fundraising:   Cate Buscher Putting on the Ritz Catering cab@puttingontheritz.com 301.725.4220  

Big changes are happening at Jackson Photography.  Creative artists Philip Weber and Laurent Hrybyk, both formerly with Arthur Remanjon Photographers, will be joining Gary Jackson as of February 1^st.  Arthur had developed a very strong studio team that was integral to his photo shoots and the elegant look of his finished work. With the endorsement of Arthur's sister, Gary's studio will provide still-needed services for Arthur's clients such as coverage for previously booked weddings and album design.  Arthur's business phone number and a revised website will be maintained by us for the better part of 2010 as well.

Jackson Photography will continue to be based in Phoenix, Maryland (12 minutes north of Baltimore Beltway exit 27 - Dulaney Valley Road).  The new team will expand and enhance the services Gary has offered to the Mid-Atlantic area for over 20 years.

The new team members:

Philip Weber is a well-traveled and experienced photographer who worked with Arthur on many, many weddings over the years, both as co-photographer and principal photographer.  I have been very impressed with his photojournalistic style, technical skills, and positive personality.

Laurent Hrybyk is an artist, illustrator, and graphic designer. He graduated from Maryland Institute, College of Art with a BFA in Illustration & Design.  Laurent has established himself as an original editorial illustrator as well as an innovative graphic designer. He has garnered success as a fine artist as well with work being exhibited throughout the Maryland region.  Laurent will continue to create wonderful albums for our clients and much, much more.

Gary Jackson

Jackson Photography

410-817-6778

gary@jacksonphotography.com

http://www.jacksonphotography.com

February Community Service

Paint it up and Cut it Out!!!

Art with a Heart, Inc. brings the joy and benefit of visual art to those who need it most by providing 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. They are also in great need of paint pens (Elmer's or Decco color pens) available at Michaels and colored Sharpies available at any office supply store. Art with a Heart, www.artwithaheart.net

 Dulany Noble

Community Service Chair

RAFFLE Special thanks to the donors who contibuted raffle items for our January meeting.  We raised $320.00, half of which will be donated to last month's community service recipient, House of Ruth.  

Raffle Sponsors: La Famiglia Restaurant (www.lafamigliabaltimore.com) Gala Cloths (www.galacloths.com) Plan It Perfect (www.planitperfectevents.com) Baltimore Country Club (www.bcc1898.com) The Wine Bin (www.winebinec.com) Elizabeth Bailey Weddings (www.elizabethbaileyweddings.com)  

 If you would like to contribute an item for a future raffle, please contact our Raffle Princess (official title):   Cate Buscher Putting on the Ritz Catering cab@puttingontheritz.com 301.725.4220  

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.