Education Tracks Help CPD Attendees Choose Programs
ISES has grouped this year's Conference for Professional Development programs into four individual education tracks. Attendees at the Aug. 18-21 conference, to be held at the Adam's Mark Indianapolis Downtown hotel, will be able to select a customized track designed to meet their education needs.
The Best Practices track covers essential ISES disciplines and centers on common techniques and current trends. Business track participants will take part in workshops on day-to-day business practices, administrative tools and management skills. The CEO Plus track offers one-to-one training and consultation geared towards helping busy CEOs find a balance between work and private life. Attendees looking for a complete overview of the CSEP program and exam can participate in the comprehensive CSEP Study track.
To provide “diversity in knowledge” at this year's event, the four tracks have been created to guide rather than restrict attendees, according to Dana Zita, an ISES member developing the program. Zita says the tracks are designed to assist delegates in choosing appropriate levels, but adds that delegates are free to “jump tracks” as they like.
For more on CPD, see eventworld, pp. 18a-h in this issue of Special Events Magazine.
CONTACT: ISES, 401 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; 800/688-4737, 312/321-6853; Web site: www.ises.com
ICA Conference Spotlights Growth and Change
This year's National Caterers Association annual educational conference in Phoenix was the largest ever, with more than 650 caterers attending, according to Diane Welland, the organization's director of communications.
Among highlights of the February gathering was the announcement that NCA will now be known as the International Caterers Association. David Dougal, association president and owner of Dougal's Catering Service in Denver, said the name change reflects the recent expansion and current global scope of the association. “We are growing at such a rapid pace, we now have members everywhere from Trinidad to New Zealand and Mexico,” he said. “With so many international members, we feel it's important to address the needs of caterers from a more worldwide perspective.”
ICA hosted 3 1/2 days of activities that kicked off with the opening night party: A Red Hot Time in a Cool Place. Held in Phoenix's historic Icehouse building, the event's festivities included fire jugglers, blues music and devil-costumed servers handing out spicy cocktails in shot glasses made of ice.
Rounding out the conference were roundtable discussions, seminars, demonstrations and the popular facility tour — an opportunity for attendees to visit catering operations in action. Other noteworthy events were hands-on buffet design and preparation workshops and the farewell Gala in the Desert, featuring a menu of veal medallions with a lime-ginger sauce and eight desserts served randomly at each table.
CONTACT: ICA, 1200 17th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036-3097; 800/622-0029, 202/973-3964
OF NOTE
The National Association of Catering Executives has selected veteran non-profit trade association manager Joyce Summers as its new associate director. In addition to handling chapter relations, Summers will assist in the planning and development of NACE educational programs, including those slated for the organization's national conference in July. NACE, 5565 Sterrett Place, Suite 328, Columbia, MD 21044; 410/997-9055; Web site: www.nace.net.
The Association of Destination Management Executives has named Lex Lyon president-elect. Lyon comes to ADME from Enjoy California Enterprises in San Diego and has held directorial positions in sales and marketing with hotels in San Diego and Honolulu. He will take over for current ADME president Terry Epton at the organization's annual meeting in January 2002. ADME, 3333 Quebec St., Suite 4050, Denver, CO 80207; 303/394-3905; Web site: www.adme.org.
Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Panache Party Rentals picked up honors for Best Store Design and Best Customer Service in the Party and Event Category of the Rental Excellence Awards 2000 during the American Rental Association's convention and trade show, Feb. 26-March 1 in Orlando, Fla. Company president Kelly Murphy and vice-president Bob DeFriest accepted the awards on behalf of Panache — the only company to win more than one category in this year's competition. Murphy also took home the Regional Person of the Year award. Panache Party Rentals, 650 S.W. 16th Terrace, Pompano Beach, FL 33069; 800/30-PARTY (307-2789), 954/781-5335; Web site: www.linenswithpanache.com.
