The Houston Chapter of NACE celebrated the holiday cheer and awards at the Houstonian Hotel on December 13, 2011. Only NACE Members may be nominated or submit nominations.  Votes were cast in person at the November meeting.  Congratulations to all of the nominees and award recipients.

"The Kudos Award"  Vera Cantrell, Party Cloths

"The Can't Live Without You"  Greg Dugat, Prestigious Event Rentals

"The Synergy Award" was awarded to  MDI Video, Elegant Beginnings and Bright Star Productions for the Foreman wedding

"The Networker of the Year Award" Krystal Peay, Elegant Beginnings

"The Hopkins Cougar Advocate Award" Adam Rineer, CPCE, CMP, Westin Galleria

"The Rising Star Award" Cherie Fontenot, Petroleum Club of Houston

"The Spirit of NACE Award" Carita Felbermayr, Bow Tie Servers

There were two recipients of "The Baumann/Reinheardt Award".  The winners were Jill Vidal, Elegant Beginnings and Jeremie Millwee, CPCE, Petroleum Club of Houston

To view all of the images from this event on our website click or to view them on Facebook 

Special thanks to our participating sponsors listed below:

The Houstonian Club and Spa - Venue 

The Perfect Touch - Linens 

Over The Top Linens - Linens 

Prestigious Event Rentals - Street Lamps 

D. Jones Photography - Photos 

Elegant Beginnings - Chairs 

MDI Video - Awards Presentations 

Brandit Bandits - Awards Creation

A Finer Event – Bowls for Family Style Service

Darryl & Co. - Centerpieces

Tech Ave - Specialty Drape 

Bright Star Productions - Ambiance and Outdoor Lighting

Impressive Events - Emcee and Music Provider 

E & J Gallo – Wines

Chateau Ste. Michelle – Champagne

Java Pura Roasters – After Dinner Coffee Drinks

Bellaire High School Madrigal Choir - Dinner Entertainment

One of our board member's events is featured in the current issue of Catering Magazine.  Kathryn Creech, CMP of Enjoy Events created this amazing event at the House of Blues Houston for Mike and Carol's wedding. This event also won an award at the NACE National Conference this summer in Reno as the 2010 Best Wedding Event of the Year with a budget of $25k-$75k. 

Congratulations to our newest Houston Chapter members that recently received their CPCE.

Adam Rineer, CMP, CPCE with the Westin Galleria & Westin Oaks Hotels 

Nancy Oka, CPCE of The Woodlands Waterway Marriott

NACE encourages the professional development of caterers and event planners through voluntary participation in its certification program. Achievement of the Certified Professional Catering Executive (CPCE) designation demonstrates expertise in catering and events and is earned by taking a comprehensive examination that covers the core competencies of the industry:

• Accounting
• Beverage Management
• Catering Services
• Contracts and Agreements
• Event Management
• Food Production
• Human Resources
• Sales and Marketing

Several NACE Houston members and students volunteered their time recently to help feed and entertain the families at the Ronald McDonald House Houston on Tuesday, November 29. This was the second time this year we worked with this amazing facility and we look forward to future opportunities to support this Houston resource for families of children with critical illness. One family in attendance was far from home in LIma, Peru with their son, Andres, and were extremely grateful. 

Besides providing, cooking and feeding the children and their families, we also brought in a DJ to entertain the guests with music, dance lessons and a few rounds of "Simon Says" and the limbo. Interactive opportunities were also available such as the cupcake building station and pre-made gingerbread houses with materials for them to decorate and personalize.

To view all of the images from this project click HERE

Donations provided by:

Teresa Westberry & Desiree Tapping, Omni Houston Galleria - Chicken and Ice Tea
Claudia de Velasco, A Day to Remember - Cupcakes for the children to decorate
Carita Felbermayr, Bow Tie Servers - Pasta and the Sauce.
Sheena Baba, G.E.T. Enterprises - Serving trays
Jason Fajkus, DJU Productions - DJ/Entertainment
Alex Rasmussen, Rasmussen Resource Management - Gingerbread House Centerpieces
Misty Daisy Schneider, Doubletree Suites by Hilton Galleria - Cookies for dessert
David Jones, D Jones Photography - Photography