2015/2016 Election Candidates
Presidential Candidates
Mike Robins
Candidate Statement
My name is Mike Robins and I am running for President of the Greater Detroit
Chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE). I have
been a Detroit NACE member since April 2012 and have served on its Board as
Treasurer since January 2013. If elected President, I hope to “pay it forward”
and share the tremendous benefits I have derived from NACE with the entire
chapter and the Board. Respectfully, I ask you to consider my qualifications as
you cast your vote.
I am the owner of ShutterBooth, Michigan’s original photo booth company, which offers a wide range of
photographic services for special events. Since 2008, ShutterBooth has successfully hosted more than 6000 events
and captured more than 1,000,000 memories for our clients. In that time, we have set up in the Metro area’s most
elegant ballrooms as well as in people’s garages and basements. We go anywhere an event will take us and thrive
on the variety. In the process, I have collaborated with hundreds of event professionals and have learned
something new every week. Most often, I have learned to respect the importance of every role in making an event
a success. Everyone is important. Any failure becomes everyone’s failure.
As an entrepreneur, I must consistently juggle the needs of clients, employees, venues and fellow vendors, while
also working to maintain a profit. Based on my experience as Treasurer, I feel that a successful NACE President
must function similarly. How can we best serve our membership, while still properly weighing the individual needs
of different professionals in different roles in different size organizations, all on a budget?
If elected President, I aim to achieve four major goals:
1. Let’s continue the tradition of fun, creative networking events. Most members join NACE to create not
only strategic business relationships, but also long lasting friendships. I will work with the V.P. of
Programs to create unique, memorable networking experiences that cater to member needs and that
respond quickly to member input.
2. Let’s widen the focus of monthly programs to include content on a variety of event types. Of course,
weddings will always remain a prominent focus, but also the latest trends for corporate events and
international/multicultural affairs, including the impact of technology and guest interactivity.
3. Let’s more consistently highlight the “business” of the events industry and provide (at least) two practical
take-aways from each meeting that members may immediately apply to their business.
4. Let’s increase chapter membership. I will work with the V.P. of Membership to pursue and welcome all
interested event professionals.
Originally from Chicago, I earned a B.A. in Cinema and Photography from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
and a M.B.A. from the Keller Graduate School of Management. Before joining the events industry, I worked
as both a professional filmmaker and IT consultant for 15 years. My wife Sara and I live in Ann Arbor with our two
children. It would be an honor to serve as the next Detroit NACE President.
2015/2016 Election Candidates
Vice President of Membership Candidates
Kate Montgomery
Candidate Statement
Why did I join NACE? When I joined NACE - Detroit 4 years ago, I had no idea
what I was getting myself into.
My first NACE meeting just so happened to be at my club - Skyline Club! I was
only about a month into my new position at the club, and I saw that a NACE
meeting was scheduled later that month. I had asked my boss about this
organization, and he had said, "Trust me, you'll want to make sure that
everything is 100% PERFECT that day!" Of course, he was right...But what I
didn't expect was to love the meeting and members so much that I have been to
almost every meeting since!
NACE - Detroit has given me outstanding networking opportunities, relevant
education and professional event members. I've been to 3 NACE Experience Conferences, where I have met peers
from all over the country. I received my CPCE certification in 2012, and continue to urge others to apply for their
certification.
My goal as your VP of Member Relations for 2015-16 is to give each and every member more event professionals
to network with and learn from. By building this empire in Detroit, we will be at FULL POWER when Detroit is fully
rebuilt to where it once was!
2015/2016 Election Candidates
Vice President of Programs Candidates
Rachael Love
Candidate Statement
Since joining NACE last year, I have been active on the board as the Co-Chair for
Programs. I have always known that I wanted to be involved with the board and
helping our chapter grow. Throughout the past year I have assisted our current VP of
Programs, Michelle Halloran, on multiple events. Michelle has been a great mentor
and I have learned so much from assisting her with our programs. In addition to being
a Co-Chair for Programs, I have also taken the lead on the communications aspect of
our Chapter. I am currently responsible for the design and execution of all of our email
newsletters. Shadowing Michelle and coordinating our program details through our
newsletters has prepared me to take my next step within our chapter as VP of
Programs.
I currently hold the position of Catering Sales Manager for the Henry, Autograph
Collection Hotel in Dearborn. I have been working in the hospitality industry
professionally for over five years with experience ranging from hotels, restaurants,
event venues, and I’ve also spent some time in the sports entertainment industry. Prior to graduating from Central
Michigan University, I was heavily involved in planning events and local fundraising opportunities. I served as the
Social Events Chair and Annual Fundraising Chair for Phi Sigma Sigma’s Delta Iota Chapter. With a major in
Communication and a minor in Leadership studies, I bring a dynamic approach to communicating and listening to
what our members have to say and making those thoughts come to life. Most importantly, I LOVE planning and
organizing events. The execution of planning events is my passion! Seeing an event really come to life after all of
the planning and hard work is something most people do not get to experience in their lifetime. We are fortunate
to work in an industry where bringing joy and happiness to people every day is our job!
As VP of Programs I would like to see NACE grow as a chapter as well as within the community. I plan to have NACE
become even more involved with metro Detroit’s community outreach through stimulating programs that will
assist with the rebuilding of the city. Teaming up with other local groups such as ISES, MPI and other local
organizations for combined programs and events will enable us to capitalize on furthering our networking reach.
Focusing on having fun and team building is a must for all future programs. I am excited to see what 2015 and
2016 have in store for our chapter. My Experience and passion for the hospitality industry makes me the best
candidate for this position.
2015/2016 Election Candidates
Secretary
Kristian Miller
Candidate Statement
I am currently an active member on the Board of NACE with an emphasis on
Events & Programs as a Program Co-Chair. I started my membership in spring
2012 and had an immediate interest in becoming a leader in the hospitality and
events industry. Through NACE, I have gained quality leadership skills which have
helped me grow within the field of customer service, managing events and dining
needs. I am very grateful to NACE for the POWER of NETWORKING and allowing
people to get to know me personally and to help with my professional growth.
Becoming a member of NACE (Board) was the very best decision I made to help
me with excelling in the hospitality / customer service industry. I have had the
opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to education and excellence along
with keeping a strong, diligent work ethic.
I truly want to continue these processes throughout the coming years with NACE but I would like to move into a
different direction. I believe I would be a great selection for the position of Secretary of the Board. As it takes
great detail to be a part of the Programs Team, it will also flourish into a great asset as Secretary. I have been
active with all NACE meetings, fully engaged allowing me to become a positive voice for NACE. I will continue
these efforts while also allowing focus behind the scenes with the fine detail. I am very much affiliated with the
current Board Members of NACE which will allow for a smooth transition. My current profession mandates
organization and attention to detail and I’m very focused on these attributes. I will apply these skills to the
position of Secretary allowing for accuracy and support to the other positions of the Board. I believe teamwork is
vital to any organization and will I will exemplify this within the position being a helpful aid at all times possible. As
Secretary of the Board I will be available and “in the know” on specific information pertaining to the organization
and the Board.
My vision for the future of NACE as Secretary of the Board is to continue collaborating with influential minds to
showcase exemplary events and dining experiences. It is my hope to keep a clear and concise record of all
objectives stated by the Board to help us move into a positive, uplifting direction. This is done by continuing
education, supporting each other and giving interest all around. I would like to make sure everyone receives a
chance to be heard since great minds think alike and can do so much more when it’s put out into the playing field.
Our connections feed off each other which make us unstoppable.