A Letter from the President
President’s Letter
Dear ICA Colleagues:
There is no denying that we are in the midst of difficult times. Each day I can’t help but keep the saying “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger,” In the forefront of my thoughts…and my actions. After a year of training, I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro this past January. [private]During my training, I walked miles and miles, climbed stadium stairs and got to the gym each morning for more pain and suffering. While self-inflicted, this conditioning allowed me to successfully reach the summit.
During each of the seven days it took for me to do that, I learned that each step is important to getting to the top. Six months later, the mountain is still teaching me to take each day one step at a time as we fight to survive this economy. It’s worth it to reach the top. It’s worth it for the business I love. The ICA Board of Directors is in the middle of a struggle as well. As one can imagine, as our members suffer so does the ICA. But timing is everything and there could never be a more perfect combination of talent and dedication than there is right now on the Board, as well as all of the other committee members, to guide our organization to success. I want to thank them now for everything they do. This team has successfully launched the ICA’s latest educational endeavor – the Regional Education Days (RED). Sarasota and Denver were hugely successful but it took a lot of sacrifice in time, money and hard work from many members to make them so. We are gearing up now for Los Angeles and Chicago REDs, great programs as well.
The REDs are a huge resource for you. They are inexpensive and regional. Take advantage of one near you. To be able to spend a day getting up close and personal with some of the most successful caterers in the world is priceless. Come and I promise you will learn some key survival skills from them. So as we and our businesses stand here at the base
of our own Kilimanjaros, it’s time to summon courage to put one foot in front of another in the name of exploring new markets and products and making your core business even stronger. The ICA is here to help and support you in every way possible and I wish each of you much success.
Kendall Collier, CSEP
Magic Moments Catering and Event Facilities
We welcome your comments, ideas and suggestions. Call or e-mail:
International Caterers Association
91 Timberlane Drive, Williamsville, NY 14221
Tel: 877.422.4221 (877.ICA.ICA1) | Fax: 888.210.4634 | www.icacater.org
Christine Emerson, Executive Director
877.422.4221 | e-mail: zzz {at} icacater(.)org
Liese Gardner, Director of Communications
323.930.9320 | e-mail: liese {at} reachmecca(.)com
D.C. Satellite Office
1200 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.
2009 board of directors
President
Kendall Collier CSEP
Kendall.Collier {at} Flinthill(.)com
President Elect
Mary Crafts
marycrafts {at} culinarycrafts(.)com
Secretary/Treasurer
Membership Committee Chair
Jennifer Delaye
jdelaye {at} thejdkgroup(.)com
First Vice President
Communications Chair
Yves Levesque
ylevesque {at} dansereautraiteur(.)com
Second Vice President
Pauline Parry
pauline {at} goodgraciousevents(.)com
Immediate Past President
Tim Lundy CSEP
tim {at} distinctiveevents(.)com
directors
Kimberley Jones CPCE CEC
CaterArts Chair
kjones {at} sullivan(.)edu
Meryl Snow
REDs Chair
meryl {at} feastivitiescatering(.)com
Tom Preti
Vendor Committee Chair
tpreti {at} thomaspreti(.)com
Rick Kerzner
Learning Journeys Chair
rick {at} emilyscater(.)com
Olive Chase
olive {at} thecasualgourmet(.)com
Richard Chenoweth
richard {at} scrantons(.)com
Pat Christofolo
patc {at} santabarbaracatering(.)com
President’s Council Representative
Frank Puleo
frankpuleo7 {at} aol(.)com
honorary directors
Jack Milan, Education Committee Chair
jack {at} differenttastes(.)com
Joy Wallace
joywallace {at} ajoywallace(.)com
Joann Roth Oseary
joann {at} sitk(.)com
Susan Lacz
susan {at} ridgewells(.)com
Copyright 2009. The CommuniCater is produced and published six times a year by the International Caterers Association Educational Foundation and is distributed to members of the ICA as an educational tool. The ICA does not claim to be engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. Any and all contents printed herein may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without written permission from the ICA or the International Caterers Association Educational Foundation[/private]
Posted in August 2009, CommuniCater | Tagged: Presidents letter —