December 2011 • San Diego NACE Newsletter 

by Duffy Fainer

These meeting photos courtesy Gabriel Hernandez Photography

Click on this camera icon to the left, to view the pics of the meeting.

by Jackie Campbell CPCE

Happy Holidays to all our NACE Members and Friends!

I hope you all enjoyed out December Holiday event at the Paradise Point!  We once again had the opportunity to join forces with ISES San Diego to celebrate the holiday season.  The night was a fully charged evening of networking, great food & fun!  Thank you to those that joined us for a record attendance of almost 200!

The SD NACE board will be hard at work planning for 2012 during our Board Retreat in January.  We have an enthusiastic group of new and returning board members for 2012, so we should have lots to talk about and for our upcoming monthly programs, membership drives and new ways to enhance Member benefits!

As we close out 2011, we must reflect back on the year to learn and grow from our year long list of experiences!  Holidays are a time to slow down and enjoy the company of others, even if it is for just a few days between events or gigs!  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and New Year and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2012 at our Networking only event at the Maritime Museum January 10th!

Our December 2011 Meeting by Jose D Ramirez

"The Holidays in Paradise" at The Paradise Point Resort & Spa These meeting photos courtesy Gabriel Hernandez Photography

San Diego NACE and ISES joined forces to kick off December with our Annual Holiday Party. A huge thanks to everyone who came out! As always, It turned out to be a fun event with tons of new people to meet and mingle with. The holiday party is a time to reflect on the year and unwind.

Thanks to Paradise Point Resort & Spa for providing a great venue. Cocktails and appetizers kicked off the evening portion of the event. 

The reception was held in the sunset ballroom of the hotel. The ballroom was transformed for the event using kool’s party rentals event furniture and décor. Lights illuminated the walls adding extra flare to the ambience.  As guests flowed into the reception ballroom they were enveloped in modern style and sophistication.  A mixture of tables and seats where utilized to create a dramatic effect.  Some of the centerpieces featured an elegant acrylic mirrored chandelier which added a bit of “glitz and glam” to the experience.  Other centerpieces showcased floral enhancements by Embellishmint Floral and Event Design Studio.  A special thanks to Gisele Chalhoub from Dream Event 4 You for coordinating the execution of the event.

The uplifting sounds of "The Players" completed the evening by providing a variety of music hits which got everyone on the dance floor. 

We'd like to thank everyone who attended the meeting including our sponsors:

Paradise Point Resort & Spa, Velocity Audio Visual Services, Sushi On A Roll, Stone Brewing Company, The Players, Pacific Event Productions, Bill Coleman Music, Bob Hoffman Video & Photography, Joes On The Nose, Mobile Music Plus, Embellishment Floral and Event Design Studio, Kool Party Rentals, The Foto Box, Gabriel Hernandez Photography and Best Beverage Catering.

See you next month at the Maritime Museum of San Diego Januray 10, 2012 at 5:30pm.

If you are a current NACE member and have content that you'd like to share on our Social Media platforms, please contact me via email at: Jose@BackdropsBeautiful.com

Visit us on Twitter and Facebook

by Merrylin Brichmann

I encourage you all to get the most value for your NACE investment.  Be a "regular", make new and meaningful relationships with other members, and attend with the intention of "learning something new".  That's the mission of NACE, and we're all better professionals as a result. 

Thank you for awarding me the 2011 June Bowerman Award ~~ it was a total surprise, a wonderful honor and still puts a smile on my face.  Happy Holidays everyone!

If you want to showcase your business at an upcoming monthly meeting, please call 619-593-7367 or email me at Artistic-Productions@cox.net so I can get you on the upcoming schedule.  Happy Networking!

by Mariana Ogando 

The Fall membership campaign  was a great success, and many new members have joined our chapter. We're now at 157 members, and going strong.

The 2011 Membership Referral Program:  Keep the referrals going!  We've had 10 members receive a free of charge monthly meeting since they referred someone who joined the chapter. When you refer someone and they join NACE, you receive one complimentary monthly dinner program.

When you have referred someone for membership, please email us at and let us know the name of the person you’ve referred. We'll will let you know as soon as they actually join NACE and you will get to enjoy the next month’s dinner program at no charge!  Help us and yourself to network with quality individuals that you know would enjoy NACE.

Visit NACE to join online us at 619/295-2511 or via email at mogando@theinnatrsf.com   if you have any changes to your contact information, need a name badge, change properties or have general membership questions.

by Deborah Young

The NACE charter provides for us the inspiration to give back to our community. Each year, we create several events and opportunities for our members to participate in fundraising for worthy causes and our chapter. 

We had a beautiful Holiday Party with ISES and I am so happy for the great response we had with donations to our community service project for November and December for the Alpha Project who opened up the Winter Homeless Shelter, open November - March. So many wonderful NACE attendees brought many bags filled with items such as towels, sheets, hygiene products, blankets, etc. to help the shelter and donated money. Thank you, thank you, I will be organizing a small group to get together to group like items together and deliver them to the shelter, if you are interested contact me, information is below.

In September – October we collected coats for the Burlington Coat Drive and I am grateful for the donations by NACE members. Lots of people will stay warm this winter because of your generosity.

We have so much and it always feels good to share it with our community that needs our help. You can continue to give your coats, just take them to any Burlington Coat Factory and there will be a big bin in the stores (see picture above) for you to put your coats. Also you may bring any future donations to the Alpha Project to their office or shelter, see the information for the Winter Program at www.alphaproject.org. Open your hearts and develop the art of giving and help our chapter of NACE to do our best to lend a helping hand. Be generous and enjoy your holidays.

Community Service is a great way to volunteer for the chapter . If you are interested in donating your time to working with NACE members on a variety of community service projects, please contact me. As we help others we help ourselves so lend your helping hand today and make a difference in your community. Take a look at some of the great things we've done over the years on our Community Service page.

Call or email me if you'd like to join my team. deborah@deborahyoung.com  619-239-3306

    By Jerry Beck and Nada Ajadj  - Raffle  co-chairs

You can get all kinds of visibility AND give to a good cause. Your raffle donations raise money for both the needy and our chapter scholarships.  We'll give you lots of special mention, and the membership can sample your product too.  We appreciate that.

If you would like to make a raffle donation, and receive special mention and recognition at the dinner as well as here on the web site, contact email Nada Adjadj. 619-504-2651

Welcome to our newest members in 2011

Tara Hoffman- Bob Hoffman Photography and Video

Tanya Eraca-6 Degrees/Le'Marie Events

Tiffany Cooper-Centerplate

Jeff Roberto-Sushi on a Roll

Susanne Duffy-Crown Weddings and Events

Haydee Alderete-Concepts Event Design

Alison Sansom-L'Auberge Del Mar

Brett Rose-Brett Charles Rose Photography

Dawn Stone-Embellishmint Floral + Event Design Studio

Rodger Price-Eagle Graphics

Mark Evenchik- Allies Party Equipment Rentals

Carolyn Ham- Maderas Golf Club

Eric Scott Gold- Classy Event Group

Jennifer Hawley The Brigantine

Joni Guerrier - Centerplate/San Diego Convention Center

Melissa Daffara - MWR US Navy

Ashley Lieser - Marriot La Jolla

Eddie Garcia III - E3 Photography

Cindi White - Charmed Events

Frank Busic - Stone Brewing

Jennifer Palmer - Petitefeetphotography

Chuck Samuelson - Stone Brewing

Craig Spitz - Stone Brewing

Jennifer Dery - Jennifer Dery Photography

Denise Gunter - The FotoBox

Sara Rader - The Crossings at Carlsbad

Paula Cook - Party Production Rentals

Franciso Guerra - Royalty Staffing

Mark Boyd - Storyteller Productions

Meredith Powell - The Grand Del Mar

Tom Howell - Evergreen Cuisine

David Oleary - Snaps Films

Brandy Schwab - Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort

Brett Brokett - San Diego Mesa College

Cassie Smiley - Wayne Foster Entertainment

Amber Nelms - Monte De Oro Winery

Nada Adjadj - Sobelle Flavors

Dave Howell - Velocity AV

David Poret - San Diego Catering Concepts

If you know a prospective member who could benefit from NACE,  and through whom our chapter could benefit, please direct them to our website, and to the Membership Chair  or email mogando@theinnatrsf.com