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

April 2006

President's Message
Winter 2006
by Tracey Amernick, CPCE

State of the NACE Address

It's hard to believe that we're already well into 2006, and from what we hear around town, everybody's been staying pretty busy these first couple months. Conferences and tourism are generating some excellent pieces of business and the social market is going strong.

The San Diego Chapter of NACE is also well under way, as we kicked off the year with our annual Board Retreat held on January 18th at the Radisson Hotel Harbor View. This was a full-day meeting for Board members to come together and plan for the upcoming year. This year's meeting saw a good mix of new and returning board members as we chose the direction our chapter would take for the next 12 months.

Some issues discussed were Finances, Membership, CPCE, Communications, Community Service, Scholarships, and Programs. One of the main focuses was to increase the size of our committees so that more members have the opportunity to be a part of the process, and to plan for succession. <more...>

April-May Membership News
by Duffy Fainer

We have several different "categories" of membership: Primary, Associate, Affiliate, Corporate, Secondary, Student, Honorary, and Provisional. You may not know what you've signed up for, but to clarify these, and see what they mean, click on:
http://www.sdnace.org/membershipform.html

If you're changing jobs, you might be able to "take" your membership with you, and the person replacing you, might "get" your membership for up to 6 months...free! Read about this, under the "Provisional" definition.

Email me if you have any changes to your contact information, questions, or have issues of concern.

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

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

Our April Meeting
by Chris Agrippe, CPCE

Click for pictures

Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino hosted our April meeting, and let me address the commute first. As Tony Soprano would say, "Forget About It!" It's not only a painless experience (less than half an hour at 5:00pm on a Tuesday); the last several miles are through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery that Southern Cal has to offer. We actually felt like we went somewhere, whereas a similar commute up I-5 would've only incited the usual desire for Road Rage.

When we arrived and breathed the terra firma-scented mountain air, we were treated to a delightful evening arranged by Catering Director Pamela Roos. The reception was held outside on the Fairway Terrace with butler-passed hors d'oeuvres, accompanied by the lilting strains of violin provided by Bernie Kaye of Entertainment Solutions West. Inside, Jim Yates of Casino Del Sol hosted two blackjack tables, and Nancy Changon-Baron was the Head Bunny Wrangler for our annual Bunnies for Babes drive that was also conveniently located near the refreshments.

Our Speed Networking Program was designed and produced by Pierre Charmasson CMP of Professional Event Solutions, and we had a blast! Pierre is a long-time member of the industry and knows our kind well: we like to chat. He orchestrated a fun-filled twenty minutes that had us exchanging seats and business cards every 90 seconds. It's amazing how much you can learn about your fellow-business members and how much fun it can be!

The Ballroom was set with linens by Erin O'Donnell of BBJ Linen and featured the most popular hues of Spring. Persimmon, Buttercup Lamour, and Parisian Stripes were offset by complimenting chair covers and napkins, anchored with elegant glass vases filled with flowering Forsythia branches. New member Pam Milan of Pam's Productions DJ's kept the evening soft and relaxing.

Executive Chef Dean Thomas was fresh off his First Place Win of the "Taste of Elegance" competition, and his menu was a gastronomic delight! The appetizer was a trio of Shrimp Diablo & Sea Scallops with Sweet Corn Coulis followed by his Award-Winning Champion Dish; "A Tasting in Pork". He prepared a trio of recipes featuring Seared Sirloin Medallion with Sweet Peas and Black & Tan Sauces, Confit of Shank-Parsnip Puree, and Fritters served with Fennel Slaw. When Chef Thomas came out and took a bow, he mentioned that the best was yet to come... and the dessert was extraordinary! A perfectly scooped, delicately light, pure white soft meringue was gently floated in a golden pool of Tahitian Vanilla Bean Cream Anglaise, and was topped with house-made caramel, toasted almonds, and fresh berries. This dessert will be the benchmark by which many of us will measure balance and perfection.

Duffy Fainer, our membership chair, awarded 5 year certificates and NACE pins, to Merrylin Brichmann , Barry Cohen, and to Mike Hogan who kept our meeting running on time, and for being good little NACE members, released us to enjoy the Casino promptly at 8:30pm. As Ethics Chair, I really can't say if I saw anyone else over there while I was playing.

Affiliate's Corner
by Merrylin Brichmann

NACE affiliates came through at our last meeting......
A special thanks to Kathy Ziegler, photographer extraordinaire. for taking photos at Tuesday's meeting, And to Bernie Kaye of Entertainment Solutions West for providing the violinist during the cocktail hour. A classy start to our night!

We welcomed Erin O'Donnell, Sales Manager for BBJ Linen, who provided gorgeous linens for our dinner at Barona. This Southern CA native went east to Colgate University in New York, and graduated with an English major, basically because she couldn't figure out what she wanted to do. After graduation, that she wanted to get into special events. Always the social planner among her friends, she knew this was a huge industry with great potential. At an ISES event, she met Kathy, the former General Manager at BBJ Linens, got her business card with a scheduled interview. She has worked at BBJ Linens for the last three years, loves her job and has met some wonderful people along the way.

We enjoyed the talent of Pam from Pam's Productions DJ's and her eclectic mix of music during dinner. A graduate from the School of Creative & Performing Arts, she was drawn to the disc jockey industry in 1983 and opened for business in 1996. She specializes in weddings. She is a hopeless romantic and successful with her co-dependent "wanna make everyone happy" personality. She is the mother of an incredible eight-year old and wants to be just like her when she grows up.

An Affiliate meeting will take place on Tueday, May 9, at 4:15pm, 75 minutes before the start of cocktails and networking at our next NACE dinner. It will give us a chance to talk about issues important to members doing business as vendors to the hospitality industry. We'll chat, exchange ideas and gripes, and network, too. Mark your calendars for this once a year gathering. It's an opportunity to maximize your investment in promoting yourself within NACE.

If you are interested in showcasing your business at a future meeting, please contact me at 619-593-7367 artistic-productions@cox.net and I will gladly get you on the schedule!

Keep smiling affiliates and know that you can make a difference!

Community Service Update
by Nancy Changnon-Baron

Bunnies for Babes - 2006

Thanks to all who either brought a bunny, or contributed cash to the cause. Over thirty bunnies, traveling in my trunk, no-muss, no-fuss, were delivered to Children's Hospital to share their softness with the kids!

Nancy Changnon-Baron, CPCE
858-488-1725, ext. 331
nbaron@thefrenchgourmet.com

Raffle Kudos
by MaryAnn Quinto

Thank you to all who donated to the April meeting:

Tickets to Del Mar from Balloonatics
3 CD music compilations from Voice By Duffy
Gordon Biersch dining certificates from Gordon Biersch
2 hrs of entertainment from Barry Cohen's "Touch of Class"
Chocolate centerpieces from Michel, The French Gourmet
A floating photo frame from Kathy Ziegler
Room night, dinner, and goodies from Barona Ranch Resort Casino

If you would like to make a raffle donation, contact MaryAnn Quinto, 619-252-7874 sandiego@pwg.com

New Members

Pam Milan - Pam's Productions DJ's

Anthony Milkey - La Costa Resort and Spa

Rick Kahn - American Audio Visual Center

Rick Mitrovich - Manchester Grand Hyatt

Larry Monet - Photography by Monet

Joe Sands - Sushi Specialties

Paula Licitra - A Perfect Planner

Darlene Mendoza - San Diego Zoo

Jay Cabus - AztecShops, LTD

Erica Mendoza - Bahia Resort Hotel

Lauren Finley - Rancho Valencia Resort

Lee Siegel - Kabobs, Inc.

Jennifer Lim - Sheraton Suites San Diego

William Crandel - The Clergy Referral Service

Ray McKewon - The Xceptions

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 Chairs. duffy@voicebyduffy.com sandy.maurin@ichotelsgroup.com

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