NACE Becomes the National Association for Catering and Events
Columbia MD: July 18, 2012 – NACE, formerly the National Association of Catering Executives,
announced today that it has become the National Association for Catering and Events, citing an
emerging industry in which catering and event professionals must be trained and knowledgeable in
all aspects of event planning, design and execution.
“Our industry today is made of people who are trained and experienced not only in helping clients
select a menu, but in choosing a venue, creating an environment and setting the stage for a
memorable event that exceeds the client’s expectations,” said Lisa Hopkins, CPCE, CMP, director
of catering and conferences at the Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa in Houston.
In a recent survey conducted by NACE, 51 percent of its members said that their companies have
open positions that they are currently looking to fill. Twenty-one percent said that the workers
they are looking for represent an expansion.
In the survey, 44 percent of NACE members said that their work in catering and events is a second
career. And, of those, 67 percent said that they chose catering and events to follow their passion.
More than 40 percent said that the barriers to entry in establishing a career in catering and events is
low.
NACE member delegates approved the change to its new name at its Experience! Conference in
New Orleans this week, said Bonnie Fedcock, CAE, NACE’s executive director.
“We have members who are caterers, event planners and event professionals,” Fedchock said. “We
needed to better communicate to everyone in our industry that we provide education, networking, a
professional certification and many resources not only to caterers, but also to the many different
kinds of talented professionals who create fantastic events.”
With more than 4,000 members, the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE),
www.nace.net is the oldest and largest professional association dedicated to all aspects of the
catering and event industry. Dedicated to promoting career success for its members and the
professionalism of the industry, NACE offers educational programs, professional certification (CPCE), chapter initiatives, networking opportunities, recognition and awards programs, a job bank, community service projects and the industry’s most prestigious annual conference. In helping its members enhance their business and careers, NACE helps the industry reach its highest potential.
announced today that it has become the National Association for Catering and Events, citing an
emerging industry in which catering and event professionals must be trained and knowledgeable in
all aspects of event planning, design and execution.
“Our industry today is made of people who are trained and experienced not only in helping clients
select a menu, but in choosing a venue, creating an environment and setting the stage for a
memorable event that exceeds the client’s expectations,” said Lisa Hopkins, CPCE, CMP, director
of catering and conferences at the Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa in Houston.
In a recent survey conducted by NACE, 51 percent of its members said that their companies have
open positions that they are currently looking to fill. Twenty-one percent said that the workers
they are looking for represent an expansion.
In the survey, 44 percent of NACE members said that their work in catering and events is a second
career. And, of those, 67 percent said that they chose catering and events to follow their passion.
More than 40 percent said that the barriers to entry in establishing a career in catering and events is
low.
NACE member delegates approved the change to its new name at its Experience! Conference in
New Orleans this week, said Bonnie Fedcock, CAE, NACE’s executive director.
“We have members who are caterers, event planners and event professionals,” Fedchock said. “We
needed to better communicate to everyone in our industry that we provide education, networking, a
professional certification and many resources not only to caterers, but also to the many different
kinds of talented professionals who create fantastic events.”
With more than 4,000 members, the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE),
www.nace.net is the oldest and largest professional association dedicated to all aspects of the
catering and event industry. Dedicated to promoting career success for its members and the
professionalism of the industry, NACE offers educational programs, professional certification (CPCE), chapter initiatives, networking opportunities, recognition and awards programs, a job bank, community service projects and the industry’s most prestigious annual conference. In helping its members enhance their business and careers, NACE helps the industry reach its highest potential.
