The National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) is the first, non-profit, national organization for caterers, event planners, and event professionals. NACE provides education, certification, and a network of resources for members in all segments of the hospitality industry.
The mission of NACE is “To be the premier resource and community for catering and event professionals."
The Philadelphia/S. Jersey/Delaware Chapter Vision - To be Stewards to our members “The giving of our time, our talent, and our treasure” and to make sure that we are continuing to keep our “Members FIRST” in all of our actions. NACE paves a clear career path for catering and event professionals that directly affects the way they do business and sets them apart as a professional in the hospitality industry.
NACE History
Early 1950's
Several hotels began to hire sales managers specifically to sell catering. Initially, most of these individuals reported to the sales and marketing department, but as the potential for business increased, several of the hotels established a separate catering department. The Waldorf Astoria in New York City was one of the first to create such a department, and following their lead, other hotels did too. As more hotels in New York added catering departments, they recruited from the Waldorf Astoria for directors of catering to run their departments. In fact, probably the first 15 to 18 DOCs in New York were employed originally at the Waldorf Astoria.
1958
Hotel directors decided they needed to form an organization to retain as much business as they could amongst themselves, as well as promote good fellowship and relations. They also felt their positions were not being recognized on the same level as the directors of sales and marketing and wanted to promote their positions through an association. The Banquet Managers Guild was formed. For two years the Banquet Managers Guild existed only in New York City.
1960
Joe Haney, who had previously worked at the Waldorf Astoria, left to be general manager of the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia. He encouraged his catering manager, Vincent DeFinis, to join the Banquet Managers Guild in New York. Vincent went to see Clyde Harris, president of the Guild at that time. He saw the potential for the association and joined the guild as member number twelve.
1964
Traveling to New York on a regular basis was difficult for Mr. DeFinis, so he began forming a Philadelphia chapter. He accomplished this, thus making the Banquet Managers Guild a national association. The Guild continued to expand and chapters were soon added in Atlantic City, Washington D.C., Boston, St. Louis, Miami, Chicago and Atlanta.
1965
The Guild’s first seminar was held at the Bellevue-Stratford hotel in Philadelphia with 32 attendees. This was followed the next year with 50 people in attendance in the Wedgewood room of the Waldorf Astoria. From this beginning, the NACE conference grew into the annual, cutting edge industry event we know today.
1980
The Guild changed its name to the National Association of Catering Executives to reflect better the trends in industry job titles and the increase in off-premise caterers.
1985
The Association reached more than 1,000 members and strengthened its focus on education by forming the NACE Foundation.
1986
The Certified Catering Executive designation was created and the first certification exam was administered.
1994
The Certified Catering Executive designation name changed to Certified Professional Catering Executive. The Catering Research Institute at the University of Houston was founded.
2004
The Philadelphia Chapter wins first “Chapter of the Year – Over 100 Members” award.
2005
Chapter wins “Chapter of the Year – Over 100 Members” award again!
2008
Philadelphia is the host site for the National Educational Conference which commemorates NACE’s 50th anniversary. Over 700 members attend the conference held at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel.
July, 2012
Delegates unanimously voted for a name change, making NACE the National Association for Catering and Events.
2016
Chapter wins “Program of the Year – Over 100 Members” award.