Hi everyone!
We're back from the NACE Experience! 2011 Conference held in Reno, Nevada and super excited to share our experiences with you. Since we're launching our BRAND NEW Tampa Bay NACE Blog, we thought this would be the perfect time and place!
Our goal is to make our chapter's blog THE PLACE to go for both local and national NACE news, idea sharing, current event news and just about anything we can find that might help spread the word about our amazingly wonderful, awesomely fantastic chapter members!
So, if you have news you'd like to share, a back you'd like to pat or a high-five you'd like to send virtually LET US KNOW by clicking here, so we can post it here for our chapter and the whole world to read!
To get this party started, read below to see what two of your chapter board members have to say about their recent trip to Reno for the NACE Experience! 2011 Conference...
Andrea McMahon, Secretary & Owner of Paper Presence
NACE Experience! 2011 in Reno/Tahoe was my second NACE conference, and I am so happy I made the decision to attend. I am a huge fan of education and of sharing ideas and skills with others, and what better place to do so than surrounded by hundreds of your peers from different industries like caterers and florists to entertainment companies to décor suppliers? In the 4 days I was in Reno/Tahoe, I was engulfed in the excitement and anticipation of what was in store, and I knew from the moment the opening speaker took the stage, we were in for a real treat. Chef Jeff was unbelievable. His story of success is such an inspiration, and he helped me remember than we can do anything we set our hearts to. We just have to believe in ourselves and Never. Give. Up. He lit a fire in everyone that prepared us to be open and ready for what the coming week had in store. I attended a seminar about sales that taught me the importance of emotion in a business deal. I attended another seminar where the hands-on creative process fueled my love of teamwork. Looking back, even the 45 minute charter bus ride up (and down) the never ending, winding road to Virginia City was worth every nauseating minute. I strengthened personal friendships, created new professional relationships, and left Reno/Tahoe a little sad to be saying goodbye, but grateful for what I was taking home with me…a greater appreciation for what NACE is all about: Education. Networking. Resources for success. I am counting down the days until NACE Experience! 2012 in New Orleans (and stocking up on beads, of course). – I hope to see you there! ~ Andrea


Vicky Anglo, Event Professional & Owner of Anglo Couture
I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend the NACE conference this year. I already feel that I have been an engaged and active member of our NACE chapter, but going to conference was an eye-opening experience. This trip gave me the opportunity to meet and network with NACE members from all over the nation. I now know and understand the purpose of our organization, and why it is so beneficial to be a member. I learned about all of the other markets and trends, and most importantly I was able to learn how to share this information and help our own Tampa bay NACE members benefit from their membership. The educational sessions and seminars were priceless. I had the opportunity to learn how to close the sale, identify my client, meet leading runway producers and even some "de-stress" techniques. The opening speaker, Chef Jeff, truly touched my soul and motivated me so deeply that his message will always stay with me. His story compelled me not only professionally, but also personally. The conference was a wonderful experience, and I can't wait to apply everything to my everyday work week and life! xoxo - Vicky

To see more pictures from NACE Experience! 2011 in Reno/Tahoe, head on over to our Facebook Group page!
Stay tuned for more Tampa Bay NACE blog posts, and remember to send us your news, too!
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