HONOLULU – The Honolulu chapter of the National
Association of Catering Executives (NACE) joined the
nationwide gala celebrating the association’s 50th
anniversary by hosting a fundraiser on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 to support
the community and visitor and hospitality industry during this
challenging time.
Across the country, more than 40 chapters hosted parties on the same
date to celebrate the founding of NACE. The association was founded on
June 3, 1958 in New York City and was originally named the Banquet
Managers Guild. Since then, NACE has grown to nearly 4,000 members and
remains the oldest and largest professional association dedicated to
all aspects of the catering industry.
“Due to the rise in popularity of celebrity chefs, and
television programming that features food, design, events and weddings,
the catering and events industry is seeing a rise in esteem across the
country,” said Dianna K. Shitanishi,
CPCE, CMP, Honolulu Chapter President and owner of Hawaii
Weddings and Events. “As a result, NACE continues
to grow and there is no better way to showcase excellence in catering
and event design than by holding a nationwide gala that demonstrates
the talents of NACE members.”
In Honolulu, the NACE Chapter hosted their fundraising event at the Luana
Hills Country Club, nestled between Mount Olomana and the
towering Ko'olau mountains with unparalleled natural beauty. A portion
of the ticket sales from this "green inspired" celebration and
fundraiser were donated to Aloha Airline Employees in care of The
Lokahi Giving Project as well as partnering with Aloha
Harvest by collecting canned goods to feed Hawaii’s
hungry.
Mary
& Kelly with A Perfect Day helped to collect canned goods for the needy.
Susan O'Donnell & Dave Miyamoto from the Oahu Wedding Association lended a hand in the production of this event.
Art Kalahiki & Friends provided great music during dinner.
Tannya Joaquin with The Lokahi Giving Project
told the audience about the need for help among Aloha Airlines
employees, who recently lost their jobs when the airline shut down in
March 2008.
Co-host Jim Leahey poses with two Aloha Airlines employees and Chris Chun, executive director of Aloha Harvest.
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