Members of the National Association of Catering Executives elected their new officers for 2004-2006 at the Annual NACE Education Conference, held at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina last month.
The new National Board of Directors comprises:
Kevin Brant, CPCE, President
Jerry Edwards, CPCE, Immediate Past President
Daniel Briones, CMP, CPCE, First Vice President
Valerie Vollmer, CPCE, Second Vice President
Paula R. Fenner, CPCE, Secretary/Treasurer
Andy Ebon, Parliamentarian/Vice President of Membership
Rick Vita, Vice President Communications and Technology
Elena Lipkins, Vice President of Marketing
Luana Stoutmeyer, Vice President of Affiliate Members
Kelley Roach, CPCE, Region I Vice President
Kathleen Wright, CPCE, Region II Vice President
Janeen Bohn, Region III Vice President
Gilbert Hall, CPCE, Region IV Vice President
Cheryl Sgovio, CPCE, Region V Vice President
Greg Casella, CPCE, Region VI Vice President
Abby Fitzpatrick, CPCE, Chapter Presidents Council Chair
Deborah Hinson, CPCE, NACE Foundation President
Gayle Skelton, CPCE, CPCE Commission Chair
Also at the conference, NACE hosted its gala awards ceremony. The following were the award winners:
BEST CHAPTER COMMUNITY SERVICE – UNDER 100 MEMBERS
Kid’s Day End of Year Festival, the Silicon Valley Chapter
This chapter came together in a true spirit of giving back to a community for Kids’ Day year-end festival. Members at large made the difference this year and gave four to eight hours of their day and $29,390 in in-kind donations with fun balloons, carnival food and games.
BEST CHAPTER COMMUNITY SERVICE – OVER 100 MEMBERS
Baltimore Chapter
Their support ranges across several organizations, including the Food Bank, American Red Cross, the St. Vincent’s Children’s Center and the Foundation of NACE.
BEST CHAPTER FUND-RAISING EVENT – UNDER 100 MEMBERS
Happy 21st Birthday To You, by the Las Vegas Chapter
This chapter put together a phenomenal event utilizing primary and affiliate members to welcome 1,800 guests to their city for the spectacular NACE Welcome Reception at The Special Event 2004. “Happy 21st Birthday to You” was the theme, presented in glamorous Las Vegas style.
BEST CHAPTER FUND-RAISING EVENT – OVER 100 MEMBERS
A Taste of New York, by the New Orleans Chapter
For the annual December fund-raiser and first-time-ever multi-industry association holiday extravaganza, this chapter created an evening of experience and design with the theme of “A Taste of New York” celebrating the finest of the New York experience, held at the historic New Orleans Cultural Center.
BEST CHAPTER PROGRAM OF THE YEAR – UNDER 100 MEMBERS
Dress for Success ~ Create Your Personal Brand, by the Columbus Chapter
This chapter’s successful spring fashion show integrated into one collective program components of education, chapter interaction, fund-raising, and community service event. “Dress for Success – Create Your Personal Brand” afforded an opportunity for all attendees to contribute in some capacity, and better themselves in more ways than one.
BEST CHAPTER PROGRAM OF THE YEAR – OVER 100 MEMBERS Mission Impossible, by the Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter The program goal was teamwork—-a meeting involving tabletop design, chapter member teams, partnerships and competition for a whole new twist on the program “Mission Impossible.”
CATERED EVENT OF THE YEAR – ON-PREMISE
Temptation Ball 2003, nominated by Michele Polci, CPCE, Senior Catering Manager at Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino
Lush shades of red, animal prints, cage-dancing animals, wickedly infused tobaccos, temptresses vying for your every affection, live interactive chocolate fondue, food and beverage that heighten the libido . . . no, this was not a dream, this was Temptation Ball 2003!
CATERED EVENT OF THE YEAR – OFF-PREMISE
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, nominated by Travis-Lee Moore, CPCE, owner of Travis-Lee Productions
This annual fund-raiser for a local hospice services agency for persons with HIV/AIDS was held in a historic mansion originally belonging to a colorful Texas politician. His ghost, known to have been seen on occasion, was chosen as the guest of honor at this eight-course, formal-but-fun seated dinner party.
CATERED EVENT OF THE YEAR – BEST WEDDING EVENT
Wedding on a Private Ranch in Texas, nominated by Travis-Lee Moore, CPCE, Owner of Travis-Lee Productions
This wedding celebration was staged on the bride’s family’s private ranch, and was an eclectic mix of rustic elegance. A beautiful seated dinner party overlooking the fall foliage and the stunning Texas hill country, followed by a dance party with a band brought in from Austin - the ideal backdrop for a wedding celebration.
BEST EVENT PRODUCTION
Holiday Parade, nominated by Paula R. Fenner, CPCE, Director of Catering and Conference Services for The Adolphus Hotel
For 16 years, this parade has delighted millions of children and families across the United States with colorful floats, giant inflatable balloons and a cast of familiar television and storybook characters. The parade kicks off the holiday season for the city and functions as a significant fund-raiser for Children’s Medical Center.
BEST THEMED FOOD AND BEVERAGE PRESENTATION
Brazilian Rainforest New Year’s Eve Party 2003, nominated by Michele Polci, CPCE, Senior Catering Manager for the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino
Three thousand guests let their sense electrify them as they took a trip through the Brazilian rainforest to enter their New Year’s Eve feast. Smells of tropical fruits and sounds of rainforest animals and birds flying overhead excited them for the meal to come.
BEST GUEST TABLE PRESENTATION
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Party, nominated by Travis-Lee Moore, CPCE, Owner of Travis-Lee Productions
A hollow-square table setting for 20 was staged under a large chandelier from which hung a huge floral arrangement of tulips, hydrangea and snapdragons. Shantung silks in taupe, white, and ivory were accented with pale pink, serving as a flawless setting for the client’s rehearsal dinner.
BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION
Rhythm of the Night, nominated by Debbie Meyers, CSEP, President of Bravo! Productions Entertainment, Inc.
The entertainment concept paired culinary experience with entertainment using rhythm as a common thread. Designed to showcase the hotel property in which it took place, musical and dance performances worked in concert with the cuisine and décor to deliver an extravaganza with style and impact.
THE GEORGE ZELL SPIRIT OF NACE AWARD
June Bowerman, Owner of Advance Productions International and of Call the Caterer, and member of the San Diego Chapter
Mel Gilman, Owner of Mel’s Events and member of the Silicon Valley Chapter
Michel Malécot, CPCE, President of The French Gourmet and member of the San Diego Chapter
Susie Stallings, Owner of Susie’s Scrumptious Sweets and member of the South Florida Chapter
AFFILIATE MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Bill Hamilton, Consultant and Account Manager for Chair Covers and Linens, Inc., nominated by the Greater Washington DC Chapter
CATERER MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Paula R. FennerCPCE, Director of Catering and Conference Services for The Adolphus Hotel, nominated by the Dallas/Ft. Worth Chapter
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR – UNDER 100 MEMBERS
Austin
CHAPTER OF THE YEAR – OVER 100 MEMBERS
Greater Philadelphia-South Jersey-Delaware
