GET BACK TO BUSINESS!

by Ginia Lucas President, Phoenix Chapter

October already! And here we are full blown going in to the busy season. I posted on my Facebook a week or so ago that I just love the end of summer; schools opening back up, homecomings, wedding season, the holiday season, wedding season again and prom season. All gearing up for the Arizona event industry's busy season. Phones started ringing again,and the bell on the door ushered in more business.

Our event clients suddenly realize after the long hot summer that  'Oops, my event is right around the corner and I haven't planned anything.' That's where NACE professionals step in and create their clients dream events quickly and efficiently.

Remember to refer other members, and if you need help finding services for your last minute clients, contact a board member. We can get you in touch with the right venue or vendor for your client.

Yes, it's that crazy time of year again, and none of us in the event industry will be able to see our families again until next summer as the work load piles up. So clean off your desks and sharpen your pencils, because here it comes, and it's time to GET BACK TO BUSINESS!

 Upselling & Unique Selling Strategies

August's NACE Meeting helped attendees get a leg up on the competition and honed our sales skills.  

 Robert Adam, Director of Catering gave us some hints on what has worked for him at Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort.  He talked about Upselling and alternate sales tactics. Troy Batt, Associate Director of Group Sales at the Arizona Grand Resort, shared his sales techniques and strategies that have helped him excel in this challenging economy. 

Menu: Baby Arugula Salad with Warm Goat Cheese Button, Marinated Fingerling Potatoes and a Citrus Vinaigrette; Raspberry Sorbet Intermezzo, King Salmon in a Crisp Potato Crust, Lemon Shallot Dill Sauce, Tomato Fondue & Julienne Vegetables; and a variety of Petit Sweets.

 Many thanks to our meeting sponsors: Host Venue – Stacey Turner, Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort, DJ – Ray Grace, Ray the DJ, Centerpieces & Linen – Jan Theodore, Fabulous Floral Design, and Dessert – Barbara Gardner, Let Them Eat Cake.  

AWARDS

After a long hiatus, your Phoenix NACE Board of Directors is reinstating our awards program. We will be awarding monthly award for the following categories:

Caterer ; Event Professional ; Spirit of NACE Member

At the 2010 Event Elements Competition, we will have the annual awards given out which will be chosen from the monthly award winners.

Wouldn't you like to have Caterer of the Year on your wall? or Event Professional of the Year? My favorite of the three awards is Spirit of NACE award, which goes to the member who volunteers time and energy to NACE and exemplifies the best that NACE has to offer.

The rules are easy; 1.You must be a member 2. You need to provide a service/venue or volunteer for NACE

Simple hunh? Volunteering is easy too. The Board of Directors elections are coming up in October, or you can help with any of our committees. Contact a board member for more information. Board members can be found at www.phoenixnace.com

Winners for the month of August are:

Caterer of the Month: Stacey Turner; Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort

Event Professional of the Month: Barbara Grace; Ray the DJ

Spirit of NACE; Ragan Grossman; A Perfect Gift Bag

DINEAROUND 2009

The 2009 Annual Dinearound at Tempe Marketplace was the place to be on Tuesday the 22nd! Our educational portion of the meeting was to learn new Americana cuisines and get in a little networking.

This year we had rounds of appetizers at three different restaurants followed by dessert at the fourth.

We started out the meeting at Dave and Busters who brought out some great appetizer trays of sliders, hot wings and boneless hotwings, mini quesadillas, mini pesto pizzas and cheesesteak eggrolls.

Our second stop was Maria Maria's who served southwestern soft machaca tacos and warm crisp tortilla  chips with a selection of salsas.

Most of us were already full, but we paraded on to Lucille's BBQ where we were served some downhome southern food: deep fried okra and pickles. We were pleasantly surprised at how delicious these unusual tidbits were.

The Keg completed our culinary journey, with a variety of desserts and specialty coffees. Apple crumble, to die for chocolate torte cake, light and creamy creme brulee and carrot cake were just a few of the offerings.

Because we were constantly moving, we all got to meet new members and guests and got to do some fun and relaxed networking.

Upcoming Meetings

Don't miss the great meetings we have planned for the rest of 2009!

October 20th; Phoenix Country Club- Annual Food and Wine Pairing. The Food and Wine Pairing is always one of best attended events, and this year it will be hosted at the newly renovated Phoenix Country Club at 7th St and Thomas. We have the honor of being one of the first events to come in after the renovation, and we are eager to see how PCC has updated it's look. Robert Roth, DOC promises an event not to be missed!

November 17th Arizona Grand Resort - Chef's Experience! Jessica Sprouse, our Vice President, has brought a little of the NACE Experience! Conference back to Phoenix for our November meeting. Styled after the conference Chef's Experience!, the chef's will show us how they prepare some of their favorite dishes which will then be on the menu for the evening. Exciting and Interactive, we recommend that you bring your chef's and GM's too.

December 15th, XONA Resort Scottsdale- Annual  Holiday JAM! JAM! stands for Joint Alliance Mixer and we will be joined by ISES and ABC for a relaxed interorganizational mixer and holiday gift boutique. Fill in your gift giving while sampling XONA's delightful cuisine and migling with friends throughout the industry.

2010 promises more great educational and networking events, and we look forward to having you there!

ARAMARK at ASU Tempe Campus (www.aramark.com) is looking for a Catering Sales Coordinator. The position is Full-time, Monday through Friday. Benefits are provided. Please contact Jim Emmons at emmons-jim@aramark.com if you are interested in learning more about the position.

Anthem Golf & Country Club (www.anthemclubaz.com) is seeking a Private Events Assistant. Accepting resumes only; please email resumes to anthemreservations@gmail.com.

Creations in Cuisine Catering (www.creationsincuisine.com) is seeking experienced Banquet Captains, Executive Sous Chef, Garde Manager Chef, Wait Staff, Bartenders, Cooks & Warehouse Assistants/Drivers. Please submit resume and experience to: accounting@creationsincuisine.com.

Y-Knot Party & Rentals is taking applications for this position through 9/15/10 in person only.  They are currently searching for a Sales/Setup person.  Preferred skills include basic computer skills, phone etiquette, banquet setup, and some design skills.  1127 W. Main ST, Mesa, AZ 85201 480-967-4495 talk to Ginia Lucas.