Hello Everyone!

Happy Spring to you!
We hope you have enjoyed your Easter holiday, Spring break and a budding event-season!

It was wonderful see so many of your smiling faces last month at A la Carte Pavilion for our 1st join MPI / NACE meeting - Drinks on the Mini links!  The event was a huge success with over 140 attendees, vendors, tons of prizes, great food and of course... networking between the 2 organizations.  We hope to host this event annually and truly value our relationship with MPI and thank so many members for participating and engaging in this event with us!

This month's meeting proved to be a huge success as well!  Hosted at Isla Del Sol Yacht Club in St Pete, members participated in a fun and interactive SPEED NETWORKING event.  Thank you to Robbie Allender and our entire programs team for pulling off such a beneficial meeting!

...Also this month, one of our BIGGEST member values... the opening and announcement of our annual Experience! NACE National convention scholarships!  We are offering MORE scholarships that ever this year!  4 FULL Scholarships to the conference PLUS hotel stay!!!

As the chapter grows and our fundraising efforts grow, so does your benefit as a member.  We encourage you to check out the scholarship application, and if you have not already applied - GO FOR IT!

The NACE Experience! National Convention is an amazing opportunity to engage, learn and grow with the industry.  This year the event is being hosted in NEW ORLEANS!  Check out information on the National website: www.nace.net and be sure to **** GET YOUR APPLICATION **** in by May 31st for your chance to join us this year.

Best wishes to you, your businesses and families.
We hope to see you at the Children's Home event next month!  See below for details!

Kim Baker

 Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 11:00am to 1:00pm at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre

Enjoy a fun lunch “Under the Big Top” celebrating the 120^th Anniversary of The Children’s Home.  Join 400 of Tampa Bay’s most prominent citizens as we recognize those who support this beloved charity that helps 12,000 children annually.  Richard Gonzmart will be receiving the 2012 Helen Alaya Davis Award.  This milestone event is being produced by the Tampa Bay Chapter of NACE.  

CLICK THE IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Are you Social Media savvy?  Do you want to use Social Media to win prizes?  We'll be engaging our Social Media outlets during our montly chapter meetings, and if YOU participate YOU could be our next winner!

It's as easy as...

1) Check-in on Twitter during registration by letting everyone know you're representing TBNACE.

2) Tweet LIVE during the meeting with pics, exciting events from the meeting, or educational topics covered.

3) Make sure you mention @TBNACE so you show up on our timeline!

One person at random will be chosen from our Twitter mentions to win a raffle prize! Yay!  

It's that simple.

During the February meeting, the winners of the Tampa Bay NACE 2011 Chapter Member Awards were announced, and we want to give well-deserved CONGRATULATIONS to our winners!

Member of the Year: Diana Tamayo

Primary Member of the Year: Sandy Rule

Event Professional of the Year: Cindy Dervech

Program of the Year: Floral Design

Venue of the Year: Westshore Bay Club

Committee Chair of the Year: Samantha Valentin

NACE Rising Star 2011: Alan Skipper

Once again, congratulations to each of our winners!

Zoë Gallina was raised in the event industry with parents who flourish in floral design and décor.  Their highly coveted successes are only rivaled by their daughter, Zoë, now at the helm of Botanica International Design & Décor Studio as Creative Director.

 Recently awarded the Event Solutions Magazine “2011 Rising Star of the Year,” Zoë is a member of the Grace Ormonde Platinum List and is a WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Award™ recipient. She has been featured in Brides Florida Magazine, Style Me Pretty and on TheKnot.com.

 Zoë has trained with some of the most reputable event planners and designers and is professionally trained by the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants. She has also been affiliated with Tampa Bay’s leading event industry and charitable organizations including the National Association of Catering Executives, Meeting Planners International and The Junior League of Tampa Bay.

 With extensive experience in floral design and décor, Zoë attributes her success and knowledge of the industry and all that it entails to the love and support of her family.  Her skills have taken her across the country and even to Canada for event production where her clients fall in love with her kind demeanor, unrelenting creativity, and passion for all things beautiful.

Zoë was born in Rutherglan, Scotland and moved to the United States with her family at a young age. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Advertising at The University of North Florida and currently resides in south Tampa with her husband where she loves peonies, non-fat chai lattes and Jo Malone Perfume.