Greetings NACE members and guests,

 Summer in the City has at last struck! NACE San Francisco/Bay Area is sizzling away planning our programs for this solstice season!

We just finished a highly successful and valuable luncheon program at the Ritz Carlton San Francisco. Sharing his knowledge on driving profits was Michael Luckman, CEO of Achivex. Thank again to our sponsors, Ritz Carlton San Francisco, Creative Coverings and Richard Mayer Photography.

Coming up on July 13th is our anticipated Joint Networking event with Silicon Valley NACE Chapter members and guests. What a fabulous opportunity to meet a broad spectrum of seasoned and up-and-coming event professionals throughout the bay area. The setting will be aboard the San Francisco Hornblower-this is one networking event you will NOT want to miss! Be sure to register by July 12th! Sponsors include San Francisco Hornblower, Creative Coverings, and Memory Journalists Photography.

As a sneak preview...Our program co-chairs Duncan Reyes and Beverly Yip are whipping up another buzz-worthy event this summer....NACE Designer of the Year....watch out for more details...

As you can see, we are busy with lots of activity this summer. Our chapter is now a 110 members strong and growing every month! With the support of our NACE members, our outcome for the rest of the year and 2011 is looking very bright!

As a closing remark, I would like to share with you a few words from our NACE National President, Greg Casella, that we can all relate to!

"Dear NACE Member,
 

Finally the corporate calls are coming in, business meetings are starting to take place again and wedding season is upon us. Professionals in our industry around the country are telling me business is increasing and probably not a minute too soon for most of us.

As we noted in our news article this month, in a recent survey of the NACE membership, respondents reported a surge in wedding business. Nearly 30% reported increases in expenditures per event and 40% reported increases in total wedding revenues.

NACE members have been preparing for the uptick. We have immersed ourselves in the social networking tools, and learned how to market in different ways through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. But with the return of business comes new challenges, too.

We are all more prepared for a turnaround because of the investments we have made in ourselves. All indications show that we are going to need to continue to increase our knowledge in of the industry because this is a whole new world.

 We all share stories of customers asking "Is this the recession price?" or the bride who sees a perfect wedding on reality TV and wants her special day to be more special than anyone else's, even though she really can't afford it. Yes, this new world is filled with challenges that we need to understand.

Just as themes and trends change each year, customer demands and styles change too. Today's client is much more well informed and specific about what they want and how much they will spend for it.

How do you keep up? Stay with NACE. Go to your chapter meeting. Attend our Experience conference in Austin, Texas. And become a CPCE. The recovery will still be a challenging road, but you don't need to go at it alone...."

Yours Truly,

Stacie Hallinan, Certified Wedding Consultant

Catering Sales Manager

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

stacie.hallinan@fourseasons.com

San Francisco/Bay Area Chapter President 2010-2011

Silicon Valley and San Franciso NACE Chapters collaborate to bring members and guests

 A dynamic evening of mingling aboard the legendary

with top professionals from Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area's hospitality & events industry.  Each meeting is an opportunity for sharing ideas and advice about catering and managing special events.  Bring spouses, friends, and colleagues. 

Registration ends July 12th

Register early-by July 10th and save $10

Be prepared to enter for several raffle prizes, including a 2 night stay at the El Dorado Hotel with dinner at La Strada Restaurant, donated by Creative Coverings.

Thank you to our generous sponsors this month

Reach hundreds of event professionals and promote your company at our next event

To promote your company through a raffle, contact:

info@inthemomentevents.com

To promote your company by being a sponsor, contact:

beverly@eychaircovers.com

The month of June is in Full Swing and Wedding Season is upon us!

Here at NACE, members and guest attended a one hour lunch workshop at the beautiful Ritz Carlton San Francisco. Catering Manager Ms. Kelly Bowes and her team did an amazing job as the host venue.  The topic was Strategic Planning for Sales Success, lead by guest speaker Mr. Michael Luckman, CEO of Achievex Corporation.

Thanks to Mr. Luckman, we learned strategies for Systematic Selling:

• Bonding & Rapport/ Pattern Interrupt
• Ground Rules
• Personal Emotional Reason to Buy
• Investment
• Decision Process
• Presentation
• Post Sell & Referrals

This was a record month for NACE! Everyone who signed up - showed up! Thank you members and guests! We even had a few last minute walk ins and we were able to accommodate them as well.

 View photos from the event on our homepage

Big Kudos to our sponsors and we couldn't have done without their support!

Sincerely,

Duncan Reyes

F. Duncan Reyes Events by Design

duncan@duncanreyes.com

Program Co-Chair 2010-2011

Beverly Yip

Especially Yours Chair Covers & Chairs

beverly@eychaircovers.com

Program Co-Chair 2010-2011

Please welcome the newest member to our NACE chapter! We are thrilled and looking forward to seeing these new faces at our monthly programs and committee meetings!

Ava Freiermuth-Pleasanton Marriott

June Goldsmith-The Perfect Event

Pam Perez-Global Gourmet Catering

Ikumi Shimizu-Kuleto's

Hyun Shin-Michi Sushi

If you have questions about membership, please contact me. I look forward to meeting you on the Hornblower in July!

Sincerely,

Jason Diavatis

Bay Area Entertainment

Jason@BayAreaEntertainment.com

Membership Chair 2010-2011

We are proud to recognize one of our truly special and valuable members, who has promoted the organization and has been a leader in the industry for many years.

Christine Torrington of M.Christine Torrington Photography

joined San Francisco/Bay Area NACE 20 years ago, and has made  remarkable contributions to the events industry since we have had the fortune to work with her. Please congratulate Christine for her accomplishments!

About M. Christine Torrington

It has now been twenty years since my friends and acquaintances first insisted on paying me to photograph their weddings and festive events, and even to take their portraits.

I had always enjoyed sharing as gifts "people photos" which I had taken spontaneously.  I never considered becoming a professional photographer until I suddenly found myself with real clients and contractual commitments for photographic work.

In the beginning, I shared a studio near Union Square with an established photographer. His mentorship, as well as his state-of-the-art darkroom and printing equipment, proved critical in my becoming established as a professional portrait, wedding, and special events photographer catering to San Francisco's burgeoning hospitality industry.

Within three years, my business was flourishing financially, and I had become a member of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, and most of the local hospitality industry association chapters. I relocated to a studio of my own, still staying close to Union Square with its access to parking and public transportation, business locations, and event venues.

While continuing to serve my clients in the hospitality industry by documenting events, I  developed a reputation as a wedding and portrait photographer. Along the way, I garnered the nickname the "Friendly Flasher" because of my ability to make even the most camera-shy person feel comfortable in front of a lens.

As a hopeful - rather than a hopeless - romantic, I take great pleasure in listening to a prospective bride and groom describe their dream wedding, and then in capturing all the natural joy of their day both in formal portraiture and in candid photos.

My interactions with diverse ethnicities and cultures and my experiences as a multilingual world traveler have been great assets in my work with the diverse business and social communities of San Francisco. Happy to travel anywhere, I have been invited to photograph an association meeting in Sydney, Australia, and a wedding in Bali, Indonesia.

A native of Colorado,  I earned a B.S. in Zoology (pre-med) at Duke University, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Psychology at the United States International University. I moved to San Francisco in 1978, built a small international business consulting firm, and launched my photography business nine years later.

- M. Christine Torrington

Richard Mayer

Richard Mayer Photography

rmayerphoto@aol.com

Affiliate Chair 2010-2011

Kimpton Hotels Employment Opportunity

Position: Director of Catering / Conference Services

Property: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Location: US - CA - San Francisco

Position Summary:

SUMMARY: Overall direction and responsibility for sales and operations of catering/private dining department. Act as liaison between restaurant and hotel.


PRIMARY MARKETS
1) Local Corporate Business
2) Social Markets
3) Meeting and Convention Planners
4) Tour Operators and DMC's

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Develop annual sales budget with restaurant team.
* Develop and directly yearly/quarterly marketing plan to meet and exceed budgeted sales goal
* The ability to generate new and on-going business through:
o creation/maintenance of database
o prospecting-at least 5 calls/visits per week (cold calls, referrals, old business)
o networking-attending at least one civic/professional activity per month
* The ability to direct and maintain the sales process (as outlined by audit program)
o return all inquiry phone calls/walk-ins
o conduct tours/entertain potential clients
o create menu presentations for potential clients
o negotiate/achieve maximum revenue/profit while satisfying clients needs
o conduct and maintain appropriate trace/follow-up systems for all sales activity
o close deal and generate appropriate paperwork
o communicate to banquet manager/Chef, the needs of the clients
o build and maintain potential/existing client database
* The ability to manage department effectively
o conduct regular sales meeting for catering/hotel sales managers-focus on sales building
o implement and review weekly/monthly sales activity reports from Sales Managers
prepare and submit PACE/LOST BUSINESS reports monthly. Send to General Manager,
o Director of Operations, VP Restaurant Operations, and Director of Marketing
o Coordinate sales efforts between hotel sales department and catering/private dining sales to
ensure proper utilization of function space to yield maximum revenues.
o Review and update menus/packages/upgrades regularly to insure we are satisfying guests needs and maximizing revenue.
o Create appropriate sales collateral and tools for department.
o Review all banquet event orders and daily/weekly banquet sheets to ensure accuracy.
o Conduct appropriate weekly communication meetings with operation team to ensure successful events.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
* Organize activities and represent restaurant at off-premise/charity events
* Supervise execution of banquets on occasion
* Support restaurant in any hotel emergency/safety situation

Required Skills & Experience:

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS NEEDED
1) 3-5 years related sales experience in hospitality industry. Knowledge of food/wine is essential
2) Thorough knowledge of property, space, capacities, concept/food style (menus)
3) Knowledge of sales/negotiation/closing process
4) Knowledge of sister properties and Kimpton Restaurant Group
5) High level of creativity, enthusiasm and flexibility
6) Great sense of humor
7) While some support is provided for the position, superior writing skills and knowledge of Microsoft Word/other database systems is mandatory.
8) Proven management and motivational skills

Seeking that perfect candidate? Send your job openings to:

Mimi Renfro-Rodriguez

Creative Designs by Mimi

mimirr@creativemimi.com  

Secretary & Treasurer 2010-2011

Volunteer opportunites with NACE are endless, whether you are interested in serving on a committee, becoming a member of the board, volunteering as a student, or assisting with a community event.

Please send me an e-mail if you are interested!

Yours Truly,

Marlen Abolafia

Ideas Event Planning

marlen.abolafia@ihrco.com

Volunteer Chair 2010-2011

President 2009-2010

Watch the Experience! 2010 Promo Video!

The National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) presents Experience!^TM 2010, July 25-28, 2010 in Austin, Texas. The nation's premier gathering of leaders in the catering and events world- on- and off-premise caterers, as well as event designers, photographers, videographers, florists, DJs and all manner of specialists who create magical experiences for their clients.

This summer, the NACE Experience returns in an entirely new way!

See an exciting opening session presented by leaders across our industry; sample the Culinary Experience, the Design Experience and a powerfully motivating closing session. Participate in three days worth of breakout sessions that will address all of your individual career and business concerns-and answer questions you didn't even know you had!

An Experience! ^TM You Don't Want to Miss!

2010 Format Provides Greater Value.

This year, NACE has redesigned the Experience! conference format to provide you greater value in a schedule that respects your travel and budget:

The entire conference will require one less hotel night

Experience will end on Wednesday, July 28 at noon

Register for NACE Experience!