I loved planning and designing our November NACE meeting at the PNC Club in Durham! If you aren’t familiar with NACE, it is the National Association of Catering and Events. I am a member of the Triangle Chapter and it is truly one of the best decisions I have made in my business. Not only have I made so many wonderful friends and participated in some amazing networking opportunities, but I have met so many professionals that have uplighted and inspired me. If you are an event professional in the Triangle or Triad of NC and are interested in possibly joining NACE, please reach out to me! I would love to answer any questions you may have and or have you join us at a meeting to see what we are all about.
Back to our November meeting! Not only was it our National Election Night, but it was also our NACE election night for our new board. Pair that with our ballpark location and our Americana theme was born.
We kicked off our mingling with some fun sips and bites feautring a red, white and blue cocktail, Southern pimento cheese bites, and Maryland style crab cakes. And how FUN are these cocktail napkins? Swoozie’s for the win.
No need to check your phone for the latest election coverage — we had TVs dialed into CNN for the most up to date news.
Stephanie at Floral Dimensions is simply brilliant. She took our theme and created these fun and unique floral designs.
We couldn’t host a part at the ballpark without serving up some popcorn! We served up classic butter popcorn along with Durham’s Mad Popper popcorn in blue (blueberry) and red (cherry).
After some mingling, our two NACE presidential candidates gave speeches sharing why they would be a great leader for our board and chapter before members went to the poles — well pole — to vote.
Bull City Hospitality created such a fun menu for our meeting! The menu was a fusion of iconic American bites and ballpark staples. At our hot dog station, we served four kinds of dogs: the Old Faithful (classic fixin’s), Chicago style, Carolina Style (my fav), and Western style. Next stop was our slider station. We featured everyhing from a Carolina BBQ sandwich to a Hawaiin Chicken sammie to an All American beef slider to a Portland portabella sub. Last but certainly not least, a decadent dessert station featuring New York State of Mind cheesecakes and Slice Pie Company’s State Fair Blue Ribbon Apple Pie.
Meet our new 2017 NACE Board! I am so excited to be Special Events Co-Chair with my friend, Erin McLean. We can’t wait to start planning the annual gala and fundraiser!
Planning + Design: Leigh Pearce Events | Photography: Walters & Walters | Venue: PNC Triangle Club at Durham Bulls Athletic Park | Catering: Bull City Hospitality | Floral Design: Floral Dimensions at Academy Court | Rentals: American Party Rentals | Pies: Slice Pie Company | Popcorn: Mad Popper