GREATER PORTLAND OREGON CHAPTER ANNOUNCES THAT NACE HAS BECOME THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR CATERING AND EVENTS

For Immediate Release

Contact: David Harrison

Harrison Communications

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david@harrisoncommunications.net

GREATER PORTLAND OREGON CHAPTER ANNOUNCES THAT NACE HAS BECOME THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR CATERING AND EVENTS; CITES GROWING INDUSTRY THAT IS CREATING JOBS AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

More Than Half of NACE Members Nationally Are Looking for Workers; Many Say That Catering and Events is a Viable Second Career

PORTLAND, OR -- The Portland Oregon Chapter of NACE, formerly the National Association of Catering Executives, announced today that the association 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.

Everyone who plays a role in catering and events is invited to join NACE, which provide networking, education, professional certification and access to the latest trends and best practices in the industry. To celebrate the new name, NACE is offering a new membership discount of $100. For information about how to join, contact your chapter, NACEPortland@gmail.com or visit www.nace.net.

We’re thrilled with the change in branding; “catering and events” are one industry. Said Board President, Misty Damico, adding: “our monthly programs and networking events have always included event pros from around the industry, not just caterers. This branding is right in line with the way we’ve been operating all along –as a family of professionals”

In a recent survey conducted by NACE, 50 percent of 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, 45 percent of NACE members said that their work in catering and events is a second career. And, of those, 70 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.

Among the careers in catering and events that people are reporting, 60 percent of respondents did not work in another field or industry before entering the catering and events business while 45 percent said they did work in a differently field previously.

The majority, 68 percent of people that go into catering and events, do so because they are choosing to follow a personal dream of their own. Additionally, 56 percent of participants of the survey feel that it is difficult to join this field as a full time career without years of experience and training.

NACE members approved the change to its new name at its Experience! Conference in New Orleans this week, said Bonnie Fedcock, CAE, NACE’s executive director. Pending additional legal and administrative filings, the name will be legally changed by January 1, 2013.

“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 events 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.