The Las Vegas NACE Blog

Come Join the Las Vegas NACE Face book Group!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:04:00 +0000

The Las Vegas NACE Chapter is now on face book! You can access our group page here!

In addition to our blog, it will be a great place to post pics, ideas, have discussions, get information about the chapter and just come and hang out to catch up with your friends in NACE.

The face book page is open to the public and members of our chapter and our friends and members from other NACE National and all NACE Chapters. The group is open to co-workers at properties or companies where we have NACE members, our Student Members and other interested Catering and Event Professionals.

In the short time the group page has been active we have almost 40 members in under a week but we know we haven't even scratched the surface!

So, on November 11th at our Awards & Installation Gala Dinner meeting at Dragonridge Golf and Country Club, there will be a sign up sheet to insure we send you an invite to join our group.

We have put the word out on the NACE National & NACE face book pages as well.

We look forward to seeing you on face book! Join in the fun!!

Las Vegas NACE Installation Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:57:00 +0000

Our next chapter meeting will be our annual Installation Dinner which will take place at the beautiful DragonRidge Country Club.

Visit the website for details and register here before tomorrow to avoid the $5.00 late fee!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
6:00 pm
DragonRidge Country Club
552 South Stephanie Street
Henderson, NV 89012

$55.00 Members $65.00 Guests
$5.00 Late fee after November 4

Experience 2009!!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:18:00 +0000

Here are just a few photos from the group that went to Experience 2009! in Charlotte, NC. Please check out their stories and comments on our Website. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

Experience 2009!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:04:00 +0000

Did you go to Charlotte, NC this year for Experience 2009? Have you always wanted to go to NACE National Conference, but haven't? Well keep an eye open and ready to hear all about Experience 2009 as we will have stories and comments from the members that went this year to North Carolina!

Please Help Our Community Service Efforts

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:03:00 +0000

Canned goods and school Items will be collected from Now till November to assist the St. Rose Foundation. If you wish to volunteer please contact Diana or Shauna (volunteer list is available upon request).

Also if you are interested in doing the Dragon Boats in October please contact Diana or Shauna. It will be a fun way to recognize and help Breast Cancer Awareness.

Get Involved!!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:06:00 +0000

2009 Event Professionals SHOWCASE

Can you win & become "Chairman of the Board"?

Showcase your business in the 2009 Event Professionals Showcase! This year's theme is NACEOPOLY, and each exhibitor will be a "property" and the visitors must visit all the properties or risk "Going to Jail"!

¤ Free to Attend

¤ Free to Exhibit (NACE members only, please)

¤ Free Furniture if needed from Somer's Furniture

¤ Historical Records show large attendance¤ Great Networking Opportunity

If exhibiting: Get Creative with your Street Name by using a variation on your business name: alley, artery, avenue, back street, boulevard, expressway, highway, parkway, passage, pathway, roadway, route, street, thoroughfare, throughway, thruway, turnpike, beat, beeline, byway, circuit, course, detour, short cut, track, trail, etc.

Examples: Somer's Furniture Expressway, Bridal Spectacular Plaza, VegasVows.Depot

To register to attend: Register here at http://www.lasvegasnace.net/

To register to Exhibit: Please contact Monica Morgan at monica@vegasvows.com, also to download the application http://www.vegasvows.com/nace

NACE Community Service Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:39:00 +0000

This year Las Vegas NACE Chapter is supporting St Rose Dominican Hospitals and Programs. Please help us by supporting their various programs monthly, you may bring your donations to the Monthly Meetings or contact Community Service. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Diana Webber or Shauna Lederman.

JUNE- Wig Donations or Gift Certificates Donations

JULY- Canned Food

AUGUST- School Supplies

SEPTEMBER- Clothing Drive

OCTOBER- Dragon Boat Festival proceeds go to RED ROSE Breast Cancer

WE ARE LOOKING FOR MEMBERS TO JOIN THE TEAM!!

NOVEMBER- Gift Cards for Grocery Stores for the Holidays

DECEMBER- Toy Drive

Bash the Expected at BizBash’s L.A. Expo

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:50:00 +0000

Join BizBash for the L.A. Expo & Awards on Thursday, June 11 at a special, discounted rate available to Las Vegas NACE members! Save 20%! Don’t miss this a great day of education, exhibits, and entertainment at the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles. Network with thousands of West Coast event planners and share ideas for surviving in this economy.

Attendees will leave this event energized, informed, and ready to create events that BASH the expected, BASH mediocrity, and BASH the ordinary! Visit bizbashlaexpo.com to learn more, and register using priority code to receive a 20% discount on the conference or show floor pass. To get the Code please visit http://www.lasvegasnace.net/ or contact info@lasvegasnace.net.

Annual Assistants Day Luncheon- April 22!!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:33:00 +0000

Annual Assistant's Day Luncheon

Please join us for our Annual Assistants' Day Celebration. It is a great way to thank our wonderful administrative professionals for all they do, as well as, have a great lunch and learn on keys to being successful and getting promoted.

Our Luncheon will feature a discussion with Shannon Coldon, National Sales Manager with Harrah's Entertainment.

We will also have a gift for each Administrative Assistant to take home with them. As well as many raffle prizes for the assistants to win.

Come with an open mind and appetite for knowledge.

March Meeting Photos Posted....

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:14:00 +0000

On Las Vegas NACE! Check them out. We had a great time at Red Rock Country Club. Thanks again to everyone that made the March Meeting so wonderful. Please make sure you join us for our Annual Assistant's Day Luncheon at Rio on April 22, 2009! More info to come. Here are just a few of the fun photos!

From Biz Bash, NY-Article on How Caterers Keeping Costs Down

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:56:00 +0000

Once it reaches an event space, Ridgewells' black cod cartoccio requires no labor.

Photo: Courtesy of Ridgewells

This article appears in the 3.23.09 Biz Bash, NY Newsletter. Image sourced from Biz Bash.com

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With so many planners needing to keep costs down, caterers are looking for ways to accommodate shrinking budgets—without sacrificing their own standards for taste and presentation. So instead of pushing cheaper foods, some firms are integrating menu items that require minimal effort to set up and serve, and thus keep labor costs low.

"We're playing around with tapas-style [foods]," such as heirloom tomato salad and spiced mixed olives, said Pamela Swisher, director of catering sales at Wolfgang Puck Catering in Chicago. "The tapas is typically served on white square serving platters. As soon as the buffet is set, the chef prepares his backup platter, so it's ready to go. This keeps the buffet replenished without [making guests] wait." Swisher said that she has successfully served this kind of fare at events with more than 350 guests, using only two cooks and minimal front-of-house staff, who "are basically clearing a plate and a fork," she said. "No knives are necessary." Swisher recommends serving the tapas with colorful, biodegradable napkins—a festive touch that curbs linen costs.

Read the entire article on Biz Bash, NY

Las Vegas NACE Picks St Rose Hospitals for 2009 Community Service Partner

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:59:00 +0000

The history of this hospital began in the 1940s. The hospital was built as Basic Magnesium Hospital as the medical support for the Basic Magnesium Plant that provided critical goods during World War II.

After the war ended, there was no longer a need for magnesium to be produced for the war, and the plant's production slowed down. The plants were converted to peacetime uses, but attracting businesses was slow, and many of the people began to leave. Not all of them did, though. Some stayed, determined to scratch a living out of the Southern Nevada desert between Boulder City and Las Vegas.

Still, the hospital was put up for sale. It was purchased by the Adrian Dominican Sisters for one dollar a year, the assumption of the debt and a commitment to run the hospital for 25 years. That year, 1947, is where the story of Rose de Lima Hospital, now known as the St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, begins.

From 1955 through 1956, the hospital became accredited and it obtained a radioisotope (nuclear medicine) laboratory with the first accredited cancer treatment center. In 1957 was the first Mardi Gras Ball — the year I was born — and my mother sat on the Event Committee.
Selma was also involved in that early support of St. Rose. She had moved to Henderson in 1954 to work for Bank of Nevada, which she later managed, while her husband, Troy, was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base.

Selma got involved with St. Rose shortly after arriving in Henderson, when Sunrise Hospital made a move to buy St. Rose, which was failing financially. She recalled how community members met with the sisters and the mother general and pleaded with them not to sell the hospital to a private company. The conversation with the mother general went something like this, as Selma recalled:

"We said, 'Don't sell it, don't sell it.'
"But we're losing all this money," the mother general said.
"So a group of us came up with the money."

That group included City Councilman Lou LaPorta, Glen Taylor and James I. Gibson, who later became State Senate majority leader and was father of our current mayor, James B. Gibson.

We are pleased to be supporting St Rose Dominican and we hope that you all will help us support them in their many causes!

Spring Membership Drive!!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Hello all!
It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the first day of spring!

To celebrate the season, NACE is beginning its spring membership campaign, NACE-Now More Than Ever on Monday, March 23.

For $295 (that’s right, $100 savings!) potential members can enjoy the many benefits the National Association of Catering Executives has to offer! This offer is valid March 23 – May 25, 2009. The offer is good for new members or for members who have been lapsed for more than a year. Hurry and Save!!!!

Application attached..if you should have any questions feel free to contact Brit or Desiree you Member Co-Chairs. Otherwise fill out application and get them in fast! Or at National contact: Jonathan Ortiz at jortiz@nacenet.org

Please Check Out Our Very Own Tracey....

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:27:00 +0000

Tracey Kumer-Moore, JWIC, Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge & our Chapter Secretary, has been published on Style Me Pretty!

This is Tracey's 2nd published article (the first being in the Spring 2009 "The Bride & Bloom" Magazine)

"Your Vegas Wedding Style is Showing" is now officially up to read! Please follow the links and show your support for Tracey, as we are all very excited for her and it's a great article.

Style Me Pretty is considered one of the leading wedding blogs for brides today to see great stylish ideas and real weddings with great photo editorials. The Little Black Book Blog is a blog that features weddings and articles exclusively from the Style Me Pretty exclusive "Little Black Book" of selected wedding professional advertising partners who are pre-screened & limited to 3/category.

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/03/19/your-vegas-wedding-style-is-showing

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/03/19/your-vegas-wedding-style-is-showing-ii/

Caterer Spotlight Series: Meet Chef Michael Napolitano

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:21:00 +0000

We hope you enjoy this next entry in our "Caterer Spotlight Series" featuring our very own 2008 "Las Vegas NACE Caterer of the Year", Chef Michael Napolitano of Renaissance Catering.

Your Title: Chef/Owner (and Director of Food and Beverage Symmetry, I like that title)

Your Company: Renaissance Catering, World Market Cafe, The Keg and Cork and Vintage Catering

Your Website: www.Renaissance-Catering.com (a new site is under construction!)

How did you get started in your career as a Caterer?

When I was 14 I got as job as dishwasher in a Mafia owned Banquet hall in Rhode Island and fell in love with watching the cooks on the line sauteing and null and decided that is what I wanted to do. I had quit school but decided to go back to get into the Vocational Cooking Program. Once in the program I threw myself into it, placing in the top ten student chefs in the nation my senior year with null and winning a scholarship to Johnson & Whales. I turned it down, much to my parents dismay and went on to The Culinary Institute of America. Working part-time in New Jersey and New York City catering companies and taking extra classes at the International Pastry Arts School in null, NY and apprenticing in the Master Chef program. I graduated after an extended externship in Berkeley, CA at null, French pastry and truffle company.

What is the most interesting or exciting event you catered this year?

A few probably have heard me babble on about the Hover Dam event in the Summer of 2002 for US Bureau of Reclamations null anniversary. It was one of the hardest events, logistically, to date. We did a 300 person VIP hors D'oeuvre reception on the observation deck for all the governors and congressmen attending. Following that we brought them to a sit-down for the 300 VIPs set up on the balcony's overlooking the Arizona side and the Nevada side of generators. At the same time we were serving 2100 people around all the generators on the main floor from 6 buffets, 3 in each state. ( we decorated the buffets with native cactus and the same aggregate rocks used in the concrete of the dam!)

Here is what made it so difficult- Since this was right after 9/11 Security was way over the top! We had to send in over 400 employees names and null # to the Secret Service for approval of the eventual 280 that passed their screening process. They had over 500 plus security personnel onsite, including Navy Seals in the water and Ranger Snipers in the towers and rocks around the Hoover Dam. (And we had to feed them and the doctors and nurses in the triage area as well.) We set up a 'kitchen area' that was 110 feet long by 8 feet wide, the straddled the Colorado River, to service both the Arizona and Nevada side of the party. (I don't know to many people that have catered in two states at the same party!) The area we used was the machine shop for the dam and all we had was one mop sink in the engineers closet for water and had to bring in a generator for the refrigeration. I always joked that I found it odd that we were in a structure that provided power and controlled water for the Southwestern Unites States and we had to bring it all in! And during the whole event we literally battled against the retiring director of the dam and his special event coordinator, because they wanted their friend who ran null at null to do the party, but since they were NOT paying for the party, they had no say, so they made it very difficult for us. We never got radios for communications, never got the ONLY two elevators dedicated to us for running food for the sit down dinner taking place one floor above our kitchen, never got the swipe card to pass through doors. Every door was secured and could only be opened with a security card. They actually received some backlash for their hindrances, after the event, and we went on to several other private events and historical document signings at the Hoover Dam. Making us the 'Un-official' caterer to the Hoover Dam

The easiest part was to get the Federal government to give us a liquor permit to serve on their property and in Arizona and Nevada!

I know the question read 'this year' but this event was more interesting, at least in the off-premise world.

This year was the free 12,000 person Rod Stewart concert in July with hosted bar and food. (and we didn't run out of food or drink)

If you could cater a private dinner, wedding or special event for someone famous, who would it be and why?

Leonardo de Vinci- Why, simply because I could be as creative as I wanted and I'm sure the conversation would be more than memorable. He was THE original 'Renaissance Man'

What is a new catering or food and beverage product, service or trend your venue is specializing in and marketing this year?

$10 dollar a head wine tasting's with Free Food once a month. New menus and more exotic cooking techniques.

Any words of advice for your fellow Caterers?

Times are tough for everyone, but to me its a good thing and will bring everyone back to the basics and the details of events. Making people feel good thru tough times is a good way to make a living.

Your 3 Favorite Blogs (besides The Las Vegas NACE Blog)

Sorry I don't know any. I'm old school, I still read books- Heat: An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany by Bill Buford, My Last Supper: 50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals / Portraits, Interviews, and Recipes, by Melanie Dunea , The Soul of a Chef: The Journey Toward Perfection by Michael Ruhlman. All great books.

Join us March 11, 2009!!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:21:00 +0000

Organizing and Disseminating Information Effectively Online

March 11, 2009
6pm - 8:30pm

Red Rock Country Club
2250 Red Springs Dr
Las Vegas, 89135, NV

$35.00 Members $45.00 Guests $5.00 Late fee after March 10

"Organizing & Disseminating Information Effectively Online"

Start off with tantalizing heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar with signature cocktails at the beautiful Red Rock Country Club. Then relax and enjoy a lively presentation on practical ways to use the internet effectively to share information.

Speakers to include:

Tom Wilkinson is the owner of Vegas4Locals.com, a Las Vegas city-guide that features information about local community and cultural activities as well as special offers from local businesses. Tom is an adjunct professor at UNLV's Harrah's College of Hotel Administration specializing in hospitality technology.

Christopher Roth is the owner of Las Vegas Perfect Wedding Guide and NACE member. He spent many years in the health care industry and as a department chair in engineering at a local college. During this time, Chris became proficient in his computer skills, particularly with the internet as it quickly became one of his best tools for teaching. Using the experience he obtained from his engineering, teaching and health care days, he has become very proficient at internet marketing for his own companies. He has found it to be an easy and efficient way of getting his message across to potentially millions of people rather than just a few hundred at a time like the old mass mailings. His newest internet creation is the creation of a virtual Perfect Wedding Guide as he believes this will be the future in marketing.

Location: 2250 Red Springs DrLas Vegas, NV 89135
Get Directions(702) 304-5600
redrockcountryclub.com

RSVP: lasvegasnace@nace.net

Community Service: We are continuously collecting pop top food cans (especially Chef Boyardee), canned chili, mac & cheese, canned fruit, granola bars, pop tarts for Street Teens. Grocery gift cards or meal coupons to fast food restaurants are always much appreciated. The food provided at the Street Teens “sanctuary” is often times the only meal they will have for the day. For more information on Street Teens, please visit http://www.streetteens.org/

Springwise.com Lists Top 10 Ideas for Food & Beverage Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Image from Springwise.com

Springwise.com, "One of the World's Leading Sources of New Business Ideas Powered by a Network of 8,000+ Spotters" released late last year, their idea picks from around the world to watch that will promote opportunities and inspiration in 10 different industries.

The article has been a top 5 favorite read on the Springwise.com site for some time and currently is #1.

Although I have featured the Food & Beverage Industry picks here, do take a look at their picks in other industries as there are also some amazing and interesting concepts to discover; some food oriented as well. Under "Retail" for example is one of my favorites. Idea #6; Foodzie.com is an Etsy (hand crafted items marketplace) geared to those who produce and buy Artisinal Food.

Here is the the Top 10 Food & Beverage Industry list with the actual links to all the ideas shown here. Are there any inspiring ideas here where you can incorporate some element into your menus or presentations at your venues? Whether yes or no, I am sure you will find some interest to you professionally or even to enjoy for yourself.

Graze — Healthy snacks, delivered by mail in serving sizes
Geschmackslabor — Taste lab restaurant lets customers add flavour to their meals
Honibe — Honey without the mess
Catch a Piece of Maine — Adopt a Maine lobster trap
Bin Ends — Wine tastings via Twitter
Tcho — Next-gen chocolate makers
Pink Flamingo Pizza — Balloon-enabled pizza picnic delivery
WineSide — Wine by the trial-sized tube
Morsels — Bakery focuses on bite-size treats
Sonntagmorgen — A customized cup of joe

Bonus | And three more that we just had to squeeze in:

Kids Konserve — Reusable lunch kit for kids
Volute — Single-serve wine flaunts its portability (and eco credentials)
Eatbite — Mapping restaurants by photos of their dishes

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Bookmark or subscribe to Springwise.com to get the latest updates on more great ideas and trends in the food & beverage and other industries being "spotted" around the country and globe. Take advantage of this and the other resources in our links section to stay in tune, in touch and at the Cutting Edge" as the best Catering professionals in Las Vegas!

Article by Tracey Kumer-Moore

Let us know what you think of these ideas and this story by commenting on this post.

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Will you be at the Catersource/Event Solutions Conference & Trade Show 2009?

The conference will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton & Convention Center from February 22nd through the 26th.

Educational sessions from the best in the Catering and Special Events Industry to advance your knowledge and professionalism and keep your cutting edge in the business.

The Trade Show featuring 100's of the newest trends in food, food presentation, event design and all the companies there to interact and interface with you. The trade show begins on Wednesday February 25th.

Our Las Vegas NACE chapter again will be hosting a very popular facility tour for the conference attendees to get the inside scoop on the machinery behind the magic of some of the most incredible resorts on the strip and in the country. The Rio and The Venetian are a just a few on the list as is an encore of a great tour of the Aramark Las Vegas Convention Center facility.

For more information about the bus tours, please contact James Filtz at james.filtz{@}gmail.com.

Many NACE members from across the country will be presenting sessions and NACE will have a booth at the Trade Show. There you can meet many of your national Board of Directors and possibly some other active local members who will be on hand to promote NACE. Please stop by the booth to say hello. It's a great chance to meet some of the great people who are guiding this great association into the future and also to meet fellow NACE members from across the country.

Here is a link to Catersource Website: www.Catersource.com and the link to the Conference Brochure.

If you plan to attend Catersource for the entire show, just a few days or just drop in to the trade show please leave us a comment here to let us know and look for you at the show.

Congratulations to Donell Bayot from TISOH who won a full conference registration and Jesus Ochoa from Woflgang Puck Catering at Springs Preserve who won tickets to the Catersource Wedding Party!

by Tracey Kumer-Moore

Caterer Spotlight Series: Meet Carrie Key | Dragonridge Country Club

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:42:00 +0000

Carrie Key of Dragonridge Country Club

Your Name: Carrie Key

Your Title:Wedding & Event Director

Your Company: DragonRidge Country Club

Your Company Website: www.DragonridgeGolf.com

How did you get started in your career as a Caterer?

I was a store director of a high end bridal store in Atlanta, GA for 4 yrs. and president of the Southern Bridal Network Assoc. for 2 yrs. when I moved to Vegas in 1999, a friend had told me of anew golf course building a clubhouse that wasa in need of someone to oversee the wedding and events dept. when they opened. I applied and was selected for the position.

What is the most interesting or exciting event you catered this year?

A private party for Danny Gans, his family and friends-- we had a custom illuminated dance floor built for the event.

If you could cater a private dinner, wedding or special event for someone famous, who would it be?

Audrey Hepburn—picture of grace and elegance, an actress & world humanitarian

What is a new catering or food and beverage product, service or trend your venue is specializing in and marketing this year?

Add-on features to create an event "experience"--also pairing specialty beverages with a food group or item such as a cigar/scotch bar, cordial/coffee and dessert station or mojito/ceviche display for a cocktail reception.

A word of advice for your fellow Caterers?

Get out, be competitive, network, stay up on current trends through media, joining organizations and furthering education~

Your 3 Favorite Blogs (besides The Las Vegas NACE Blog)

Diary of a Las Vegas Wedding Concierge , Andy Ebon's Las Vegas Wedding Marketing Blog and Las Vegas’ Avante Garde Wedding Videographers, new Memory Lane Video Cinematic Blog!!

*If you and your venue would like to be featured in our Las Vegas NACE "Caterer Spotlight Series" or the soon to come "Event Professional Spotlight Series", please send us an email to lvnace.blog@gmail.com

This questionnaire/spotlight series for Caterers and soon to come, "Event Professionals" is inspired by the "Smart Planner Series" on The Smart Planner.com written by Liene Stevens in Scottsdale, AZ. It is an excellent site for providing business resources and coaching for professional wedding consultants.

Meetings: Join us at Origin India Restaurant, Feb.11, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:00:00 +0000

Origin India Restaurant

Please join Las Vegas NACE on Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 at Origin India for our February networking meeting.

February 11, 2009

6:00 pm-8:30 pm

Origin India
4480 Paradise Rd
Las Vegas, NV

Registration Meeting Fees:

$35.00 Members $45.00 Guests
$5.00 Late fee after February 10

The evening calls for "Spicing it Up & Jazzing it Up" so be prepared for an enticing night of networking, delicious ideas and learning with your fellow NACE members.

Visit our meetings page for more information and to register for this meeting and stay tuned for meeting information to come very shortly!

NACE is at The Special Event 2009!

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0000

As in past years, NACE will have an association with The Special Event Show, January 28-30, 2009-this year to be held in San Diego at the San Diego Convention Center.

NACE once again has an association on the education front and the "Food Services & More" track will feature some NACE Members such as former national President Daniel Briones, National 2nd VP Cliff Schamber CPCE, CMP and our own Andy Ebon will be presenting as well.

Our good friends from the San Diego NACE chapter are the co-sponsors of the always popular "Welcome Event" and they are putting on a great California Beach Party as only San Diego can do.

"TSE has teamed up, once again, with NACE to bring you San Diego’s key players in the catering community. Discover the true meaning of an endless summer… the good vibes of food, fun, surf and sound as SoCal's award-winning caterers and event professionals catch the perfect wave and take you on the ride of your life! Enjoy the flavors of California Fresh, traditional Mexican with a modern flair, and a colorful mix from the local San Diego culinary scene." -From "Welcome Event" page at Special Event Show website.

"Good Vibrations" & Delicious Libations will surely be on the menu for this fun event!

Finally, Don't forget to drop by the NACE booth (#525) on the Trade Show floor starting on Wednesday the 29th. It will be the place to meet many of your national NACE leaders and ask them questions, learn about what's new with NACE on the national stage and meet many of your fellow NACE members from around the country.

Hope to see you next week in San Diego!!

Tools of the Trade: Thermal Tray Keeps it Hot, Keeps it Cool

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:00:00 +0000

On reading the Sparklatti Blog of one of my favorite wedding and event planners, Sasha Souza, I discovered her latest post referencing these thermal serving trays which she found on a great blog called Totally Tabletops (you can find the link in our "Best of Catering..." section on the right.)

"This stainless steel serving tray features a heat sensitive gel core which allows warm foods to stay nice and toasty and chilled foods to remain cool and fresh. For warming, toss the Hot/Cold Serving Tray into the oven. For cooling, the refrigerator. Place your hors d'oeuvres on the serving tray and their temperature will be maintained for hours (depending on the ambient temperature of the room, of course)."

What a cool/hot idea to keep delicious food at its best and surely something that our caterers will find interesting I'm sure. If you haven't heard about this product already, the product can be purchased at Vat19.com. Their product page has a video, images and specs about this product.

Tracey Kumer-Moore

Join Las Vegas NACE & ISES for Holiday Party on Dec. 10

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:00:00 +0000

World Market Center Building

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and if you have any great recipe ideas for leftover turkey, please email us at lvnace.blog@gmail.com.

But now it is time to kick into high gear for the holiday season and Las Vegas NACE is looking forward to our holiday party, along with our event colleagues and friends from Las Vegas ISES (International Special Events Society) at The World Market Center on Wednesday December 10th from 6:00-8:30 PM.

It's always a great party when the top event planners and caterers in Las Vegas (and the country) get together. Bring your cheer, bring a friend new to the business and come have a great time with us.

The food will be catered by 2008 Las Vegas NACE "Caterer of the Year", Michael Napolitano of Renaissance Catering.

And to spread the cheer to our fellow Las Vegas community who are struggling this holiday season, Las Vegas NACE & ISES will continue our great tradition of giving to two very worth local charities.

Please visit www.LasVegasNACE.net for more information and to register for the meeting.

You are in store for some great fun, food and exciting surprises and a jolly good time with friends to share the good spirit of the season. SEE YOU THERE!

Las Vegas Board of Directors Plan Chapter's Future at Board Retreat

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:03:00 +0000

At the November 19th Installation and Awards Dinner at Cili Restaurant, the 2009 Las Vegas NACE Board of Directors was officially announced and installed by past Las Vegas NACE President Frank Gregory.

On Sunday November 23, the Board of Directors met at the Rio All Suites Hotel & Casino for a Board Retreat to chart the course for the coming year.

Your new "administration", under the leadership of President Kathy Baldieri, CPCE of Lake Las Vegas Resort discussed a variety of topics ranging from planning exciting and interesting new programing and venues, enhancing the quality and usability of the Las Vegas NACE Website and all our communication methods and reviewing the member survey results you so kindly provided.

Our goal this year is to ensure that we do our best to respond to ALL our members, both new and established-to listen to you and do all that we can to ensure that whether you have been in NACE for a few months or several years, your experience will continue to be a positive one and a worthy "Return on Investment" for you and your company.

We are excited for a great year in store and look forward to a very successful and rewarding 2009 for the fabulous Las Vegas NACE chapter from a local chapter perspective, as part of the greater Las Vegas community and on the national NACE stage.

We are honored to serve you and to have your support this coming year.

Here is of your 2009 Las Vegas NACE Board of Directors. Complete contact information will be updated shortly on the Board of Directors information page on our website.

Kathy Baldieri, CPCE: President

Wendy Weisgerber: 1st Vice President

Patsy Dolan: 2nd Vice President

James Filtz CPCE:Treasurer

Tracey Kumer-Moore JWIC: Secretary

Annie Kang-Drachon, CPCE: Immediate Past President

Desiree LaDesma: Membership

Brit Bertino: Membership

Marissa Cronister: Website and Communications

Donnell Bayot: Education, Website and Communications

Monica Morgan: Event Professional

Robyn Mathis: Event Professional

Timothy Lam: Programs

Michael Testagrossa: Programs

Carrie Key: Hospitality

Juliet Douglas: Hospitality

Nicole Turnbow: Fundraising

Holly Zawislak: Fundraising

Michelle O’Neill: Newsletter and PR

Shauna Cornwall: Community Service

Diana Webber: Community Service

Michele Polci, CPCE, CMP: Parliamentarian and Special Project Chair

Andy Ebon Featured in new book "Power of the Platform"

noreply@blogger.com (Las Vegas NACE) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:16:00 +0000

Andy Ebon

Congratulations to Andy Ebon of EBS Virtual Communications and The Wedding Marketing Blog who is a featured co-author in a new book called "The Power of the Platform: Speakers on Success".

In conjunction with the announcement of the book, Andy has launched a new website, "The Power of the Platform", where you can learn more about the book, Andy's contribution on "Blogging Your Way to Success" and the other authors. Additionally, there is information on how to pre-order the book.

Below is the official PR Announcement from Andy on his website...

"Published by the Las Vegas Convention Speakers Bureau,The Power of the Platform features Andy Ebon (Blogging Your Way To Success) and 20 other A-list Authors-Speakers.

Speaking luminaries such as, Les Brown, Jack Canfield, Amanda Gore, Dr. Tony Alessandra, and many more, share their success and motivational secrets.

The Power of the Platform will be ready to ship on or about January 2, 2009. Pre-orders will available, as early as December 1, 2008."