Hello Baltimore NACE!

Spring is in high gear and so is Baltimore.  We would like to thank our Program Co-Chairs Casey Riley and Elizabeth Bailey for once again showing how Baltimore NACE rocks at the April meeting.  If you are not a member yet, you definitely, should be, and now is the time to join.  The Spring membership campaign is still going on where you can save $100 off of membership.  We are currently the 2nd largest NACE chapter in the country, and we know we can still grow.  Please let anyone who may be interested know that we would love to have them join this outstanding organization.  Debra May, Membership Director, has all the details on how to get this great deal so don't hesitate to contact her.  Looking ahead, we are thrilled to have our May meeting at a new property - the Irvine Nature Center - so don't miss this opportunity.

Congratulations go out to a few of our members this month.  Cynthia Griffith has earned a very prestigious designation and Jerry Edwards won a prestigous award so please check out the details below in the "Ain't That NACE" section of this newsletter.  In April, the board was extremely sad to say goodbye to Heather El-Zein, who was the chapter Secretary.  She has been promoted to another position with Marriott and unable to remain on the board.  We are excited to announce that Melanie Brzowzski from Chef's Expressions has agreed to be appointed as the new chapter Secretary.  The Board is also pleased to announce the 2011 Uncorked! Fundraiser Co-Chairs Cate Buscher from Putting on the Ritz and Rachel Hoffberger-Shaw from Plan It Perfect.  Please help us congratulate all these outstanding members!

Best wishes for a great month, and hope to see you soon.

Carmen

Welcome to our new members

Ralph Alswang, Alswang Photography

DeAnne Brookshire, Doubletree Inn at the Colonnade Baltimore

Laura Fosler, Westin Annapolis Hotel

Ellen Peppler, Padonia Park Club

Alice Roberts, BGEC

Staci Summers, Haute Cocoa

Ashley Toomey, Rolling Road Golf Club

SPRING MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL IS ALMOST OVER - DON'T MISS THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!!
See the link below for more information  http://baltimorenace.net/downloads/2010_spring_membership_campaign_brochure.pdf

If you have any questions regarding membership, please contact Debra May at debra@mm4solutions.com or 410-792-8100.

NACE - Baltimore Chapter

"How to Make Your Event Really ROCK!"

Meeting Recap

Monday, April 19, 2010

When both the Baltimore and DC Chapters of NACE join forces you know the evening is sure to be a huge success.  With over 150 members and guests gathering in Laurel, Maryland for networking, a panel discussion of local music professionals, dinner and dancing the night definitely ROCKED the Party Rental warehouse!

Libations and hors d'oeuvres were a huge hit and Linwoods certainly didn't disappoint from start to finish.  Catching up with fellow DC chapter members and friends was a high point of the evening.  The stage was then set to go as our music panel consisting of: Andy Kushner owner of Andy Kushner Entertainment, Strickland Bonner of Washington Talent and Vickie Preston from Entertainment Exchange talked about how to enhance your event with music and entertainment-thinking outside the box with ideas of how to get your party started and how to end your party with a bang.  Post Q & A, a stations menu including: mini-sliders, shrimp and grits and a Cajun station were among some of the favorites.  The evening wrapped up with an evening of dancing with a live band, Marquise.  They were fabulous!

Our community service project was also well supported as we donated baby clothes to the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital.  A special thanks to all of you that supported us with this effort and our community services efforts throughout the year.

The success of our meeting would not have been possible without the help of the following event professionals:

Andy Kushner Entertainment

Blue Sky Video

Entertainment Exchange

Linwoods

Millennium Marketing Solutions

Party Rental, LTD

Photography by Alexander

Washington Talent, Photo and Video

Wicked Willow Floral

Our May meeting will be held at Irvine Nature Center with catering by Putting on the Ritz.  Don't miss our program "Making Social Media Work for Your Event" with speaker Liene Stevens.  To register online for the next meeting, check out our chapter website for more information at: www.baltimorenace.net. 

Victoria Clausen, Romance of Flowers'

Victoria Clausen is originally from Ukraine. She always had a love for flowers, but she started in the industry by a lucky accident upon arriving to US in 1997. A job to pay the bills in a flower shop turned into passion and in 1999 Romance of Flowers was born.

Since then Victoria and the team were honored to serve hundreds of clients in MD, DC, DE, PA by transforming their most special celebrations. Romance of Flowers' specialty is creating unique and custom settings that truly reflect taste and personalities of their clients. Always looking for new sources of unique and freshest flowers, taking on challenges of new décor ideas, meticulous attention to details and stellar service has earned Victoria and the team of Romance of Flowers reputation of one of the premier florists in the area.

Professional Certification

NACE encourages the professional development of caterers and event specialists through voluntary participation in its certification program. Achievement of the Certified Professional Catering Executive (CPCE) designation demonstrates expertise in catering earned by taking a comprehensive examination that covers the seven core competencies of the catering and event management industry.

Please congratulate Cynthia Griffith, CPCE of C&C Catering, she just recently passed the CPCE Exam.  Way to go Cynthia!

Chef's Expressions Catering was honored last Monday night at the Annual Restaurant Association of Maryland Gala.  Chef's won top honors as Maryland Catering Company of the Year.  Their passion for great service, creative cutting edge cuisine and community involvement were the elements that set them apart from the other fine competitors.

Calling all Teddy Bears!

At the May meeting the Baltimore Chapter of NACE is collecting Teddy Bears for the Maryland State Police.  The Maryland State Police give these bears to children found in traumatic situations, such as automobile accidents or abuse situations.  A hug from a fuzzy teddy bear can help comfort a scared child.  Please bring a new huggable, lovable bear to the next meeting at the Irvine Science Center.

Dulany Noble

Dulany@galacloths.com

Business Mission Statements

June 21, 2010
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Baltimore Sheraton North
903 Dulaney Valley Road
Towson, MD 21204

Speaker: Sage Wedding Pros

June Speaker:

Kelly Simants and Michelle Loretta, co-owners of Sage Wedding Pros

Sage Wedding Pros is a consultancy dedicated to educating small business owners. The company's mission is to create sustainable business in the wedding and events industries. Kelly Simants & Michelle Loretta, owners of the company, educate entrepreneurs on tried-n-true business basics. Their blog features a daily article on anything from writing a sales plan to defending yourself against plagiarism.

Sage Wedding Pros' business planning workshop The Simple Plan has helped business owners define a roadmap for their organizations. Kelly & Michelle feel that a business can gain huge competitive advantage by creating a business plan and that having one is the key to success.

Kelly Simants is owner of Sweet Pea Events, an event planning firm, with locations in Dallas and Seattle. Before launching her business in 2006, Kelly was a Director of Human Resources for Starbucks Coffee Company and HR Analyst for Anderson Consulting (now Accenture). Michelle Loretta is owner of mmm...paper, a wedding invitation studio in Miami. She launched the business in 2004 after working for Deloitte as an accountant, a sales manager for DDLA, and a visual merchandiser for Coach, Inc. The two became fast friends in Seattle where they would meet monthly to write their individual business plans. They launched Sage Wedding Pros in 2009.

Kelly and Michelle's  speaking topic will be "Mission Statements":

A mission statement is a company's reason for being. It defines a company's vision and philosophies. It is the SOUL of the business. A clearly defined mission statement should direct the company in every decision it makes. It should dictate a company's branding, marketing, partnerships, and relationships. When a company is clear about who they are, they are able to sell themselves more effectively. Sage Wedding Pros' speaks at length about defining a mission statement through their blog and in The Simple Plan workshop.

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