San Diego Chapter National Association of Catering Executives SDNACE.ORG San Diego

December 2005

President's Message
Fall 2005
by Tracey Amernick, CPCE

Greetings Members,
It's hard to believe the summer is gone and we are in the final quarter of 2005.

It's been a wonderful year so far for our Chapter and we have accomplished many of our Goals. We have streamlined the registration process with our new CVENT reservation system and introduced a new Web site with a brand new look! We've gone "paperless" with our newsletter, saving chapter $$$, which we now use toward funding scholarships for members to attend our National Leadership, Educational and Regional Conferences, or apply towards the cost of attaining your CPCE Certifications. We have addressed concerns about the timelines of our meetings, and continue to end at 8:30pm or sooner. Our recent "Industry Sail Night" was a joint effort with our fellow partners, CONVIS, MPI, HSMAI, ISES, the ABC and the NSA. It was a first time event and a huge success; we will be planning more programs together in the future. Our membership base continues to grow. San Diego is ranked nationally as one of the top Chapters in the Country. <more...>

Winter Membership News

Congratulations to our chapter. We've increased our membership by 8 members, and we now total 124 members, continuing our tradition of being one of the strongest and largest chapters in North America. If you know a prospective member who could benefit from NACE, please direct them to our website, and to the Membership Chairpeople.

If you are a first year member, you're happy with NACE, and intend to rejoin, you can really do your chapter a favor, by renewing your membership before December 31. We can receive a cash reward from NATIONAL for maintaining a high level of first year renewals, which we will ultimately apply toward scholarships and other member benefits.

Read the TOP 10 REASONS THAT NACE BENEFITS YOU AS A MEMBER

Welcome to our Chapter, Anthony Milkey-La Costa Resort and Spa; and Larry Monet, Photography by Monet

If you have any questions, please call or email your Membership Chairpeople.
Duffy Fainer or Sandy Maurin.

Our December Meeting
by Chris Agrippe, CPCE

Click for pictures

VELOCITY AUDIO VISUAL LIT UP THE JOINT WITH THEIR DAZZELING MAC 5000 INTELLIGENT LIGHTS

OUR HOSTESSES, VAMPING FOR THE CAMERA: From left Robin Torre, Darla Mercer, Rachael Francisco Mary Hancock.

The NACE Before Christmas
by: Chris Agrippe

'Twas a few weeks before Christmas and all through the place
the party was rocking with people from NACE

Invitations were sent by e-mail through the air
in hopes that our friends from ISES would be there.

When I in my best suit and my date in her gown
arrived a bit late due to traffic downtown.

And what to our wondering eyes should appear?
But a soirée for three hundred done in red for this year!

The bartenders all were so lively and quick,
I knew in an instant this would do the trick.

The buffets were two sided with food hot and cold,
and Big Daddy on stage was so brassy and bold!

His eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His zuit suit was white in a room done in cherry!

His dancers were vixens and pranced through the night
while making great music both funky and bright.

The sweets were donated by the French Gourmet too
and served up with espresso by Eurobar, brewed.

The raffles were held outside just for fun
Maryann checked off our numbers to see who had won.

We brought bundles of new toys from here and from there
which were given with proceeds to children with care.

The event went off perfect, with service first-rate,
a Humphry's Production, a magnificent fete!

As the evening wound down and we wished well to all
the music was ending and I heard the "Last Call."

Then Mike Hogan said as we drove out of sight;
"Thank You for coming, be sure to drive safe,

Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a Good Night!"

Affiliate's Corner
by Merrylin Brichmann

There are many ways to make your NACE membership work for you. In case you need some ideas, here are 13 guidelines for our Affiliate Members

Be proud of your membership in this important organization!
Invite someone else you network with to come to a meeting this year (maybe as your guest?).
List your NACE membership on your advertising, business cards, web site, etc.
If you are not insured, you should seriously consider getting insurance for your business. More and more catering facilities are requiring insurance for their vendors, especially disc jockeys and entertainers. Don't lose business because you aren't insured.
If you have promised pictures, business cards, etc to someone, remember to get the items to the person....don't forget and put it on the "things to do list". They will remember that you forgot.
Instead of just attending meetings, become involved. There are endless projects and committees that need your help.
Make it a goal that at each meeting, you will either introduce yourself to someone you don't know, ask someone's name if you don't remember it or say hello to someone "standing off in a corner alone".
Smile a lot in 2006 - it feels good, you look good doing it and everyone will smile back at you.
If your business is down, re-evaluate your goals, marketing and business practices. Take classes, read more about the industry in general and don't be afraid to change your business image or yourself.
Take one of your successful peers out for coffee or lunch and just talk. What are they doing right?
Take one of your NACE members out for coffee or lunch.........find out what they have learned from being a NACE member.
Take one of your NACE members out for coffee or lunch.........find out more about the person....you may make a new friend.
Remember that as an affiliate, the way we present our business is a reflection on ourselves and on the catering members who support us. What we do is important!

What we do matters! What we do makes a difference in NACE!

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year,
Merrylin Brichmann
Disc Jockey & Emcee
Artistic Productions
NACE Affiliate Rep.

Community Service Update 2005
by Nancy Changnon-Baron

DECEMBER

Thanks to all for their contribution to the Holiday Party-Toy Drive, Humphreys Half Moon Inn.

The unwrapped gifts will go to appreciative children and families for Christmas, and you know that you've participated in putting smiles on many faces for our San Diego neighbors in need.

Great opportunities for giving in 2006 are in the works, so stay tuned. See you in February!

For more details contact Nancy at 858-488-1725

Raffle Kudos
by MaryAnn Quinto

A special thank you to all those of you who donated to the November meeting:

A beautiful gift basket from Merrilyn Brichmann from Artistic Productions
7 gorgeous center piece bouquets from Patrick Higgins @ Artistic Florals & Plants
Family portrait from Dennis Way @ ABI Photography
2 gift cards to Gordon Biersch from Perfect Wedding Guide of San Diego
Bahia Belle passes from Tracey Amernick @ Bahia Resort Hotels

If you would like to make a raffle donation, contact MaryAnn Quinto, 619-252-7874

New Members in 2005

Cade Fulton-Centerplate