About Us
NACE (National Association for Catering and Events) is where hospitality pros level up. As the first and only national nonprofit for caterers, planners, and event creatives, NACE connects you to the education, certification, and community you need to stand out and grow your career.
Our Mission
“To be the premier resource and community for catering and event professionals.”
Our Philly Chapter Vibe
We’re all about showing up—for our industry and for each other. At NACE Philly, we give our time, talent, and heart to help our members thrive. Our “Members FIRST” mindset means we keep it real, keep it inclusive, and keep pushing the industry forward—together.
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NACE History
Where It All Began — And Where We’re Headed
Before hashtags, hashtags. Before Pinterest weddings, real pros were already building the future of events.
1950s: The Birth of Catering as a Career
It started in NYC. Iconic hotels like the Waldorf Astoria began hiring sales pros solely to focus on catering—something revolutionary at the time. Before long, the Waldorf became the breeding ground for the first generation of catering legends.
1958: The First Industry Crew Assembles
To gain more respect for their roles and strengthen their business circles, hotel catering directors created the Banquet Managers Guild—a small but mighty network, born in New York, built on collaboration and community.
1960: The Philly Spark
Joe Haney brought the Guild spirit to Philly, where Vincent DeFinis (yes, a future Philly icon) became the 12th member. Spoiler: Philly would soon change the game.
1964: We Go National
Traveling to NYC regularly wasn’t cutting it. So DeFinis launched the Philly Chapter, officially turning the Guild into a national movement. New chapters soon popped up in D.C., Boston, Miami, Chicago, and beyond.
1965: The Education Era Begins
First seminar? Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. Just 32 pros showed up—but it was the start of something huge. By the next year, the Waldorf hosted 50 attendees. And just like that, the annual NACE Experience Conference was born.
1980: New Name, Bigger Vision
As roles evolved beyond hotels and into off-premise and boutique catering, the Guild became the National Association of Catering Executives—hello, NACE.
1985: A 1K-Member Milestone
NACE surpassed 1,000 members and launched the NACE Foundation, turning education into a cornerstone.
1986–1994: Pro Certification Arrives
From “Certified Catering Executive” to “Certified Professional in Catering and Events,” NACE created a respected credential that helped pros stand out and move up.
2004–2005: Philly Takes the Crown
NACE Philly won back-to-back Chapter of the Year (100+ Members) awards, proving we’re more than history—we’re hustle.
2008: The National Spotlight
NACE’s 50th anniversary conference was held right here in Philly at the Loews Hotel. 700+ members, one epic celebration.
2010: Going Digital
naceuniversity.org launched, bringing education online and making it easier than ever to level up.
2012: We Expand to Events
We became the National Association for Catering and Events—because this industry is about so much more than food.
💡 What This Means for You
From a handful of hotel pros to a nationwide network of creators, producers, visionaries, and doers—NACE has always been ahead of the curve. If you're looking for community, mentorship, growth, and inspiration, you're exactly where you belong.
