The Question of the Month: Why Join NACE?

As we are in the midst of our spring membership campaign, I thought that this would be an appropriate question to address. The answer is so individualistic; I have made amazing connections with event professionals, both locally and nationally. I have both given and received business referrals from fellow NACE members, have become involved in community outreach with Project Angel Heart , and have begun mentoring a student in the hospitality industry.

Our membership committee recently created a flyer answering this question with local members.  I wanted to ask some of my colleagues the same question.

“NACE is a great place to connect and learn more about catering and events,” says Amanda Michalek, hospitality and fundraising committee member for the Denver chapter.  “It is a great group and well worth it!”

Greg Casella, NACE president, answered, “ Right now if you are in business you can’t afford not to be a member of NACE. For the small price of membership I get to network with other professionals and get education at the same time that keeps me at the top of my game. With business changing constantly the best way to stay connected with what is happening in our industry is through NACE."

One of our newest members, David Gaston of Gaston Photography, responded, “The big names of the industry support NACE. I, too, want to be a big name in Denver, so NACE is where I need to be."

Kate Kovalick, vice president of the Reno – Tahoe chapter, answered, “There is no other organization in the world that brings together such a high caliber of professionals in the industry that are so dedicated to their trade.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.  I will see you all at our next meeting on Tuesday, April 13^th at The Hilton Garden Inn – Denver Tech Center.

Have a great week!

 

April	Ayers	Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Denver
Dana	DeCesari	The Sheraton Denver Downtown
David	Gaston	Gaston Photography
Jennifer	Frangella	The Knot
Michael	Lambert	Allwell Rents
Jennifer	Luebbers	Denver Country Club
Rachel	Pantalion	Westin Tabor Center
Christy	Scrivner	Kitchen Table
Melissa	Severson	The Fort
Marcus	Tipton	Water 2 Wine - Greenwood Village
Amy	Vogt	Omni Interlocken Resort
Tracey	Wright	Starkey Productions, Inc./Pro Entertainment

Other Members in the News:

Rebecca Frye (previously at The Curtis Hotel) is now a catering manager at Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center

Welcome Dana DeCesari who is taking over Kevin McNally's NACE membership, from the Sheraton Denver.

Welcome Tracey Wright who is replacing Adriane Hodder from Starkey Productions.  Congrats to Adriane & Kevin Hodder on their new baby girl, Addison and upcoming move to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Jennifer Luebbers is our very first Young Professional member!  This is a great opportunity for Young Professionals (ages 20-25) to become a NACE member for only $195.00!  Contact anyone from the membership committee on this new membership level!

That's right, the 2010 Spring Membership Campaign is here! 

 If you haven't heard, here are the details for the spring campaign:
Theme: Put a little spring in your step with NACE!
Dates: March 22-May 21, 2010
Discount: $100 off membership and $25 gift certificate to the NACE Store.  $295.00 special!!
Restrictions: Valid for new members only (or members who have been lapsed for a year or more).  Membership is for the next full calendar year and renews based on your personal "join" date. 

You cannot afford to miss out on this opportunity to join!

Discount is not valid with any other discounts being offered by NACE. Young professionals and students are not eligible to receive this discount.

PLEASE NOTE: A membership renewal campaign is not in effect for this campaign special.
Online Discount Code: SPR10 (Code is REQUIRED to receive discount online)

Questions?  I am happy to answer any questions about membership.

Monica Cheeks, Co-Chair Membership

Monica Cheeks, LES, CMP, Director of Catering & Convention Services 

As Director of Catering and Convention Services for the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, Monica is responsible for producing and managing more than $17 million in food, beverage and miscellaneous hotel revenue annually. She oversees a team of twenty, responsible for all aspects of selling and servicing local catering events and convention groups through meeting planning, design and execution of successful parties, events and conventions. 

Monica began her career in hotel service when she joined Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in 1982 at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe as a Bus Attendant, and has since held a variety of food service and catering positions at four Hyatt hotels: Hyatt Wilshire, Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, Hyatt Regency Orange County and currently at Hyatt Regency Denver. Monica participates on the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce Board. An active member in the National Association of Catering Executives, she currently holds the position of Membership Chair and is the past President for the newly formed Denver chapter. Monica is an avid skier, enjoys the outdoors, scuba diving, arts, culture, cooking and traveling. She attended the University of Denver and is a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. She and her husband Rowland reside in Castle Rock, Colorado with their two dogs, Kobe & Jordan.