Dear Fellow Members and Industry Colleagues,

I welcome you to the first newsletter of the new year, and what has all the makings of another incredible year of programs, networking and community service for all of us in and around the catering industry here in the Greater Atlanta area.

We have bitten off a lot for the year ahead, not the least of which is our Nace Gives Back 2010: Gala Fundraiser.   It's coming up quick in June, and Event Chair Jennifer McDonnell will reveal some exciting details in this month's edition.

The Allies 2010--the annual awards event that pairs NACE and ISES--is now being chaired by Oscar Riddle and will be held at the brand new Loew's Hotel.   Mark your calendar for Sunday, April 11th.  It will be quite the special occasion.

Last, but not least, is the next program, which is always the most anticipated, best attended and most memorable event of our year--Event Design Trends and Cake Competition.  Our hallmark industry competition and program on Tuesday, February 2nd will be another winner!  

Also this year, we're going to be unveiling a new look and feel for our NACE website, and it will coincide with an evolution of our member and industry communications strategy empowered with social  media tools that make sense for us.   We will also be revealing a brand new quarterly digital publication to spotlight members, go behind the scenes at NACE related events and reveal tips and trends to help us all be the best that we can be.

As your new President, you probably recognize that I am certainly not new to NACE,  nor am I new to the board, having served the past few years as Treasurer, and previously in my life, in this very same position, President.

I would like to thank all of the members who have made the commitment to volunteer as new or returning members of our 2010 Board.

President, Walter Nemeth, Director of Catering, The Georgian Terrace Hotel

Immediate Past President, Steven Eisenstein

Treasurer, Lori Goldblatt

Vice President, Secretary, Karen McGaha

Vice President, Membership, Janice Blackmon

Assistant Membership Director, Helen Taffet

Program Committee Co-Chairs Dee Lane Eades and Cate Morris

Hospitality Chair, Kim Crowder

Communications and Marketing Chair, Michael Shoer

Webmaster, Ted Crowder

Chapter Historian, Cathy Pennington

Nace Gives Back Chair, Jennifer McDonnell

There are two positions yet to be filled.  The first is Community Service chair which we are close to filling, and the second is the First Vice President Education, which will remain unfilled until a qualified candidate emerges.  We are requring this person be a CPCE (Certified Professional Catering Executive) and has completed a minumum of one year as a committee chair.    While the responsibilities of this position--which include coordinating our involvement in national conferences and chapter liason with the CPCE chair--are being handled, the person in this position performs the duties of the chapter president should I be absent or otherwise unable to carry out my responsibilities.

I am very proud to say that our chapter is strong, in members and in finances as we begin the new year.   Our current membership roster is 210, and our goal is to increase this to 225 before the second quarter of this year.   If you know of a colleague who should be a member and isn't, or even if you know of someone in a new job, please contact our membership committee and pass the contact along.

Let's all work together to make this our best year yet, and show what hospitality is all about!

Walt Nemeth

President, Greater Atlanta Chapter of NACE

Director of Catering & Events, The Georgian Terrace Hotel

wnemeth@thegeorgianterrace.com

This calendar of upcoming programs is posted for your planning purposes, and is subject to change.  Please always refer to the meeting page for each monthly program here on this site for the latest information and registration links.

 

Selected Tweets from members who follow @NACEATL on Twitter.

atlantabridal New Atlanta Wedding Pro:Lovelee Affairs, LLC. Check out: http://bit.ly/781uZ4 5:20 PM Jan 8th from Ping.fm

lillywhiteevent On average June is the most popular month for weddings followed by August and May 1:08 PM Jan 8th from web

This year, it's high time we take the lead in educating our members on best practices to help build your career and your business using the latest tools of the dramatically changing web.

Cara is just a tease of what is to come, as we do a facelift to this trusty old web site.   You've probably already noticed the push towards social media as a tool to communicate directly, urgently and instantly on behalf of the chapter.   If you have not opted to follow us @NACEATL you should do so.   We will be using this primarily to send bulletins, important reminders and "breaking" news about programs.   

Our web site and the e-mail will continue to be our primary communication, and you are about to see a transformation as we upgrade features and functionality, streamline navigation and integrate more business building ideas and tools to help our members stay in touch, market their services and benefit from being a member of NACE.

Another important initiative is marketing and public relations to promote the chapter and to create value for your association with NACE that can be used to help build your individual business.

Here are some examples of Our Chapter in the NEWS:

Atlanta Business Chronicle

WTOC Savannah

WALB Albany, GA

Food Industry Today

Let me know what you think. 

Michael Shoer

Communications and Marketing Chair, Greater Atlanta Chapter of NACE

Sponsor Listings will remain on the web site for 12 months.  Contributing Members and their Companies are entitled to a logo credit linked to their site if we have it (please send your logos to: tc@atlantanace.com).  Non NACE member contributors will be gratefully acknowledged in text. 

* * *

 **December 2009 ~ Rockin' Holiday Party**

 **November 2009 ~ Smoke & Mirrors: Elections & After Parties**

**October 2009 ~ Art of Networking**

Venue

Caterer

Floral Decor: Blossoms Atlanta

Linens:

Photographer:

DJ: Spectrum Entertainment & Events

 **September 2009 ~ Winning Awards (jointly with ISES)**

 

Decor Florals

 

Decor

 

**August 2009 ~ Champagne, Chocolate, and Cheese**

The Venue, Food & Beverage: The Mansion

Photographer: Kimberrly Riggan Photography

 Event Rentals Unlimited

Program Cards by Deco Marj

Chocolates by Schakolad Chocolate Factory

Music by Joe Grandsden and his Jazz Band

**July 2009 ~ Braves Outing**

The Venue: 755 Club at Turner Field

Beverage Sponsor: Absolut Vodka

Appetizers: Menu Inspirations

**June 2009 ~ Floral 101**

The Venue: The Gardens at Kennesaw Mountain

Caterer: Parsley's Catering

 Photographer: Kimberly Riggin Photography

 

 Hors D'oeures: Menu Inspirations

 

**May 2009 ~ Cinco de Mayo**

Venue: Amusement Masters

 Caterer: Sol Catering/Taqueria del Sol

 

 Theme Beverages: The Margarita Man

Rentals: Peachtree Tents & Events

Decor: J. Patrick Designs

Florals: Total Plant and Floral

Linens: Connie Duglin Designs

 Photographer: Beth Seitz Photography

 

**April 2009 ~ Wedding Cakes**

Venue: Caryn's Cakes

Caterer: Endive Catering

Entertainment: Spectrum

 

Decor by: Eventscapes

Linen: Creative Tables 


Tent and Rentals: Tents Unlimited

 Chairs and Tables: Event Rentals Unlimited

**March 2009 ~ CPCE & Industry Trivia Night**

(venue)

(catering)

(entertainment)

  

**February 2009 ~ Event Design Trends**

 

 (Venue and Beverages)

Avenue Catering   (Food)

 

(AV, Lighting and Power)

 (Linens, glassware)

Photography by:

and

* * *

 

Looking for a Catering Manager available at

Doubletree Hotel Atlanta NE/Northlake

This position will be handling both Corporate and Social. Please forward resume’s to Mr. Tony Parrish, Human Resources Director, at the Doubletree Hotel Atlanta Northeast-Northlake.

Catering Sales: position will handle all aspects of meeting and event room sales, particularly catered events, in our facilities. Requires experience with both inside and outside sales functions including generating prospective clients, planning and conducting site inspections, blocking space and drafting proposals and contract, client relationship management. Must have experience with and knowledge of food service operations, menu selection and service standards. College graduate preferred with an emphasis on hospitality management. Must have a minimum two years experience in a sales position in the hospitality field. Computer experience including MS Office Suite.  Professional communication skills, both verbal and written. Submit resume with references and salary requirement.

Flexible shifts will be based on our contracted events. Submit resume/ application with references and salary requirements.  Criminal records background check required. Minimum age 18.  Apply in person, Monday through Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or obtain an application at:  www.cobbgalleria.com  FAX: 770-989-5080; email: HR@cobbgalleria.com ;  Cobb Galleria Centre, Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta 30339

(Located across from Cumberland Mall on Cobb Parkway-Hwy. 41)  EOE.