Happy 50^th Anniversary NACE, the National Association of Catering Executives. Experience! 2008: The Future of Catering and Event Design National Educational conference, spotlights the latest trends, techniques and opportunities in the catering and special events industries. Robert Allen and Holli Ehrlich are on location at Experience! 2008 in Philadelphia, PA offering you insider access highlighting the speakers, events & creative cuisine that took place during this exciting program.

Get ready to be entertained and learn from some of the best professionals including: past President of NACE Jerry Edwards, former White House Chef Walter Scheib, winner of the Fantasy Table Top Design contest Travis-Lee Moore, winner of the Foundation of NACE college scholarship Jenny Durham, Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge wedding & event consultant Tracey Kumer-Moore, The Glazier Group Director of Catering Cheryl Kahn Brocco, Entertainment Specialists and Founders of Sight & Sound Events Pat & Jodi Harris. Celebrity Event Planner Mindy Weiss, featured keynote speaker at the NACE Wedding Luncheon, engaged the audience with the hottest trends in weddings. The Culinary Experience! session featuring local catering and restaurant chefs was a fascinating presentation moderated by Brian Freedman food & wine writer. We networked and are delighted to introduce you to health and wellness consultant Sherry Grander, wedding marketing expert Andy Ebon, Bruce Vassar of The Wedding Guys and Twin City Bridal Association, and DJ Dr. Drax President of the American Disc Jockey Association where its members are quality entertainment professionals. Check out the ADJA and a must-see video titled TheTruth about iPod Weddings. Visit the websites below and find out more about these dedicated and talented professionals when planning your special event.

The mission of NACE is “To provide catering and event professionals superior education, networking and resources to enhance career success and deliver excellence to clients.” Broaden your knowledge about décor, food and entertainment while listening to some of the industry’s best in this informative podcast.

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NACE website

Here are the links in alphabetical order.

American Disc Jockey Association
Andy Ebon’s blog The Wedding Police
Andy Ebon’s website for professionals
Brian Freedman’s website
Godiva Chocolatier website
IceCaters website
Karen Pecora’s website
Mindy Weiss website
Sight and Sound Events website
Steve Wernick’s website
Stirrings website
The 4Ever Group
The Glazier Group
Tim Sudall’s website
Travis-Lee Moore
Twin City Bridal Association
Walter Scheib website
Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge website

Books available here

Walter Sheib’s book here

Mindy Weiss books here

Check out these WPN podcasts

MTM Special Edition Getting Married in Philadelphia features Daniel Briones, NACE National President and Director of Catering, Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia CLICK HERE

Meet the Masters with Mindy Weiss Listen HERE

Wedding Workout with Sherry Granader Listen HERE

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Thanks for making us the most popular wedding podcast network on iTunes with the the most wedding podcasts in the top 100.

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Recently voted “Best New Wedding Resource” by a survey of brides.

Wedding Podcast Network has the largest, most comprehensive selection of wedding planning podcasts.  We are wedding talk radio at its best.  Proud to be the number one resource for wedding planning podcasts.

We love your feedback.  Send us an email or call our listener hot line 800.882.1259.

Another great wedding planning podcast from Wedding Podcast Network

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Often imitated but never, ever duplicated.  The wedding planning podcast with integrity.

Where: New York Showroom Classic Party Rentals where “Every Event is a Big Event”

Friend and colleague Nancy Swiezy invited us to a special industry event and we want you to be part of the excitement and get inspired with information from pros that have a pulse in the party business. Robert Allen, Executive Producer, takes us behind the scenes at the Classic Party Rentals NYC launch party with top chefs, caterers, & floral décor and event designers. With more than 25 years of experience, Classic Party Rentals is the nation’s leading full service event rental company.

Good-bye cookie cutter décor. Michael Miner, VP Marketing Classic Party Rentals, talks about his philosophy in the world of events and what brides have available to make their occasion great. Then Robert spoke with leading entertaining expert David Tutera. David tells us about his Enchanted Garden table – its color, texture, personality. David says a wedding has to tell a story with the elements of your wedding. Listen and learn about eclectic looks and David’s favorite color trend.

Tess Casey of Aisling Studio’s, designed three tables at the event, and talks about the fabrics, color palette and details that feature different themes, unusual elements, and accent ideas. Do you want an element of surprise? Are you trying to be a little green? PLUS Insider Scoop: Tess specializes in camera-ready flowers and works closely with Creative and Art Directors for film and television. She recently worked on the wedding scenes in the Sex and the City movie. She designed the wedding bouquet for Carrie. What flowers did she use? Want to find out the designer of the gown SJP wore? What should a couple know when starting their search for a floral designer? Tess gives her expert advice.

What’s the new white? Ed Libby, award winning event designer, presented two tables. The Bling table has sparkle! He has designed for celebrity clients including Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Robert DeNiro, Usher, and Diddy. Ed’s best advice: Marry a couples’ design fantasy with professional expertise so it’s a fun process.

Food is an element of décor and something to talk about. Chefs created culinary delights enjoyed by invited guests. Since founding Thomas Preti Caterers, Inc. over 20 years ago, Chef Thomas Preti has orchestrated thousands of events. Local, organic food is becoming part of the menu today. Current wedding trends in food are discussed with Kelven Book of Canard Inc. Recognizable foods with a twist are starting to be prepared to make it more special, surprising and appetizing. Signature cocktails are here to stay. Interactive food at weddings and social events is a winner. Olivier Cheng created a tasting plate of savory and sweet fois gras, a naked salmon station, and a liquid nitrogen station – cool idea! Are people harder to impress today? Does Olivier welcome the creative challenge? Are you thinking of a cocktail reception only? Olivier tells us that food can evolve at a party.

We end the podcast with Roberta Karsch of Resource One Inc., a custom designed table linen rental company. Learn about unusual objects that were used to bring the element of the unexpected to the party.

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Listen to the podcast

Here are the links from the show:

Classic Party Rental website
David Tutera’s website
Ed Libby & Company website
Tess Casey Aisling Flowers website
Thomas Preti’s website
Canard Inc. website
Resource One’s website
Olivier Chang’s website
Flower Power Foundation website

Check out the blog scene on WPN Links page

Find great resources in The Marketplace

To subscribe to our podcasts click here
Thanks for making us the most popular wedding podcast network on iTunes with the the most wedding podcasts in the top 100.

Subscribe in iTunes right here

Recently voted “Best New Wedding Resource” by a survey of brides.

Wedding Podcast Network has the largest, most comprehensive selection of wedding planning podcasts. We are wedding talk radio at its best. Proud to be the number one resource for wedding planning podcasts.

We love your feedback. Send us an email or call our listener hot line 800.882.1259.

Another great wedding planning podcast from Wedding Podcast Network

Thanks for listening.

Often imitated but never, ever duplicated. The wedding planning podcast with integrity.