Membership

NACE Membership Benefits

When you join NACE, you immediately become part of an extended family, there to help you with all your business and career needs. You immediately have a long list of member benefits at your fingertips—most only a mouse click or phone call away. From more than 40 local chapter meetings across the country to the premiere industry annual conference, from exclusive professional certification to monthly news and trends reports, you gain access to valuable tools and resources designed to move you to exactly where you want to go.

Outstanding Networking Opportunities: Let NACE help you build your professional network. National conferences and seminars, local chapter events, member directories, leadership training – these and more offer our members the chance to network with colleagues, experts, and professionals from their own and related industries.

Relevant Educational Services: You have the chance to attend national and local NACE seminars, often offered through local NACE chapters, and all designed to ensure you stay up to date with what’s going on in your industry.

More than 40 Chapters Nationwide: Your local NACE chapter gives you the chance to learn, share and grow with colleagues close to home. Chapter involvement offers peer-to-peer idea sharing, opportunities to build professional relationships, and the chance to hear the latest industry news—in addition to giving you access to nationally known speakers and high quality educational programs tailored to your interests and locale.

“Experience! 2008—The Future of Catering and Event Design”: The finest national showcase of industry trends in catering and event design! Each summer, nationally recognized speakers and catering and event professionals bring the year’s innovations in menu planning, food preparation, entertainment, event planning and décor to the NACE conference. It’s your opportunity to learn new skills, meet and network with colleagues, build your career, and gain the experience you need to advance in your profession.

Certified Professional Catering Executive Certification: Available to all hospitality professionals, the CPCE certification is the best in its class and members achieving this certification are consistently recognized as the best in the industry. Course materials, research and tests are kept on the industry’s cutting edge, so candidates are assured of receiving the most critical, up-to-date information available. As of May 2007, NACE has contracted with the University of Central Florida to revise this program. The newly-revised certification program will be based on seven core content areas, which will reflect practitioner competencies required in the industry, as well as strategic elements for the future. Details on the launch of this new program will be added to the website as they become available.

Online Membership Directory: Looking for colleagues in your state? Interested in partnering with compatible businesses? Hunting up old friends you met at that last NACE seminar? Search for members by chapter, state, or type of business using the on-line NACE Membership Directory.

Consumer Directory: Reach more potential customers through the Consumer Directory, a web service allowing consumers to search on-line for caterers, florists, photographers, venues and other event suppliers. Only NACE members can list their services here.

NACE e-News Network: Don’t miss an event! Stay up-to-date on the latest NACE events and news with our regular monthly e-news, featuring educational opportunities and industry news and events.

NACE Trends Report: NACE conducts member surveys to analyze industry trends and hot topics that help you stay ahead of the curve in your business. New NACE Trends Reports are sent to all members electronically on a regular basis.

Leadership Summits: Getting involved with NACE on any level can result in a big pay off. Chapter Presidents and other local NACE volunteer leaders are eligible to attend NACE Leadership Summits, annual training and educational sessions with the NACE Board of Directors.

Awards program: Be recognized among your peers! The NACE Awards Program honors the outstanding achievements and contributions, as well as the vision and inspiration, of our members at an annual gala and in industry publications.

The Catering Research Institute: The NACE Foundation, created in 1985, funds the NACE Catering Research Institute at the Conrad N. Hilton College at the University of Houston. CRI conducts research and offers a comprehensive curriculum for those wishing to pursue careers in catering, event and convention services. Educational opportunities include student/faculty scholarships, mentoring, and curricula enhancement.

Career Opportunities: through the NACE job board (powered by Brainhunter), post your resume or find your next position to advance your career. 

The NACE Advantage Program: companies with special business offers to NACE members are listed here. Companies such as Staples, DHL Shipping, and Amazon.com have some excellent values.

From student to business owner, company employee to affiliate, NACE offers a membership category that fits exactly where you are in your career.

Memberships are inclusive of a national membership and one local chapter membership.

Primary Members:
These members are currently employed directors or managers of catering or convention services, off-premise caterers, event managers, or any position involving event sales, menu planning, event management and personnel supervision. Also eligible for this category are general managers, owners, food and beverage directors, banquet managers or the equivalent. Professors and teachers of accredited, college-level courses relating to any of these topics may also join. Primary members may vote in Chapter and national NACE elections, hold any office and serve on committees. Primary members will be assigned to a chapter in their geographic area or, if no chapter exists in their location, the member will be considered a member-at-large.

Affiliate Members:
This category is open to suppliers and vendors who provide catering and hospitality products and services to catering professionals. Affiliate members may vote in Chapter and national NACE elections, hold some offices and serve on committees. Primary members will be assigned to a chapter in their geographic area or, if no chapter exists in their location, the member will be considered a member-at-large.

Corporate Members:
This category provides involvement at the Chapter level for national and/or regional supplier and vendor companies via the participation of local national representatives. This membership is open to suppliers and vendors who provide catering and hospitality products and services only to catering professionals.  A minimum of four individuals is required to open a corporate membership. Corporate entities such as hotel chains are not eligible under this category.

Membership in Additional Chapters:
Members may add additional chapters to their memberships for an additional fee.

Student Members:
Full-time junior or senior college students majoring in food and beverage are eligible for this category. Student membership is limited to one year only. Proof of college status is required.

Honorary Members:
Honorary Membership is bestowed on an individual in recognition of lifetime achievement in the catering field.

Provisional Members:
These membership privileges are applicable to a member’s successor at work in situations where an employer has paid annual membership dues for an employee who subsequently leaves. Provisional membership is valid for six months or the original member’s expiration date, whichever comes first. Please contact NACE Headquarters to request a provisional member change.

NACE Membership Dues Structure

First Year Primary and Affiliate Dues...................................................................................................$395
(includes one-time initiation fee of $50)

Second Chapter Member Annual Dues...................................................................................................$50
(add more chapter(s) to your membership, in addition to annual membership dues)

Corporate Member Annual Dues (minimum of 4 individuals required)

Primary Corporate Member..............................................................................................$500
(includes membership in one local chapter)

Additional Corporate Members, each...................................................................................................$225
(includes membership in one local chapter)

Student Member Annual Dues....................................................................................................$70

(must be full-time student, junior or senior level, in a hospitality program)

Duff Goldman, Owner, Charm City Cakes and star of “Ace of Cakes” on the Food Network.

See your own star rise! Join now and share your passion for catering, design, events, and excellence.

Click here to join!

 

Dues updated 12/21/07

NACE Columbus Chapter
P.O. Box 102
Dublin, Ohio 43017