IABA First Quarter Recap
Dear IABA Members,
What an exciting 4 months we have had as an Association.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to the business hosts and hostesses of these meetings for their great hospitality and wonderful cuisine and to the member guest speakers for contributing by sharing about their business opportunities and another big thank you to the individuals and businesses that gave so generously for our door prizes.
January was our annual meeting and it was hosted by June and Clyde Spero at their winery at 3316 W. 64th Ave. Annual report was given and the new Board of Directors was introduced.
February member meeting was held at Rossi’s Catering at 4980 Kipling St. Hosts were Marlys and Bill Rossi. Member guest speakers were Kathleen Drake, Financial Advisor and Stephanie Paoli, Medical Esthetician. Fields of Lavender Day Spa. There was a unanimous vote by the members in attendance to charge, from that point forward, $5.00 pp for attendance at the meetings to help defer the cost of the food for our hosts.
March member meeting was held at Capelli Floral at 11 E. Louisiana Ave. Hosts Denise and John Capelli. Our guest member speakers were Giovana Carriero-Contreras of Cesco Linquistic Services and Equity Acceleration Group, Carl Lundell and Gary Licata, Mortgage Consultants.
April was the first annual Business EXPO and a great one it was! It was very well attended and we couldn't have asked for a better event. A huge thank you to the 3 Chair Committee Members and Board of Directors that worked so hard to make it the success it was. Pam Vecchiarelli, Janet Lombardi, and Kathleen Drake and the Board, Christi Grebenc, Melody Brunetti, Bill Lucatuorto, Sandra Reagle, Maria Vitale, and Mary Dye. For everyone that participated, you made it so very special and we thank you, thank you thank you. Thank You to Standard Restaurant Supply and Phil Wakham and staff for hosting all of us. The musicians: Russ Canino and The Four Amici Band are so awesome and we are so privileged to have them as members. What talent!!! Caterers: Patsy’s Restaurant, Vincenza’s Italian Bakery, Rossi’s Catering, and Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli. WOW, was that great food or what!!!! Wine: Spero Winery and Cocetti Wines. In all ways the palette was delighted!!! Our Booth Vendors were: Great Occassions Event Center, Crystal Clear Marketing, Antoinette's Pasta & Sauce Co. Send Out Cards, Shear Productions, Energistic Systems, Learning Like Crazy & Gesco Linquistic Services, Travel To Go, Fields of Lavendar, All things Italian, Source One Staffing, Mile Hi Market Place, The Creative Expressions Center, Lombardi Realty and the Avanti Team, D'Zine, Equity Acceleration Group Inc., Yannacito & Associates, Photo Elements and Source One Staffing. Every vendor and our hosts graciously gave fabulous door prizes throughout the night and the Grand Door Prize was a beautiful 4' X 5' Italian landscape picture donated by Mary Dye of D'Zine and the lucky winner was Frank Giuliano. Thank you for your kind comments and kuddo's about the EXPO. There is lot's of interest for participation in 2010 so we will look forward to next year's EXPO with great anticipation. As a Board we have had our hands full in 2009.
We have a new directory that came out. It turned out great. We would like to thank member Dominic LoSassso with Tyler Dominic Creative graphic design for coordinating the advertisers for the directory, member Tish Ganz and Publication Design, Inc. for the fine printing and Cherie Monteferrante for typesetting, design and layout. We did a total revamp of the directory and changed the format to members only based on the member vote. Everyone that attended the EXPO received their directories and advantage card information. You are welcome to pick your directories and information up at the May 20th member meeting. We will have extra's for sale for $10.00 at the next meeting if anyone is interested in another copy.
It was necessary to increase the dues this year to $60.00. We are in the process of the prorating and you will be invoiced. All membership dues will be due every year on February 1st.
We established the Advantage Card and we received support from member businesses. Cards were printed as well as the list of participating businesses for all members. You will receive that with your directory and window cling decal. Thanks to Bill and Christi.
We updated and reworked the membership application; thanks Christi. We updated the web site with a new fresh look; thank you Cherie Monteferrante.
Giuseppe Leone and Maria Vitale had to step down as a Board members and the Board voted in Kathleen Drake and Gary Licata. We are pleased to announce that they have filled the positions. Maria will continue to help as a vital person on the Membership Committee. We are looking for committee members to help plan the annual family picnic and member guest Christmas Party. Please contact us if you are interested. You are among over 200 professionals at this time. Wonderful events are planned for the balance of the year so please refer to the calendar for current information.
Philanthropy is new to the IABA and we ask if you have any Charitable Foundations that you are aware of that are in need of help, please submit any suggestions to Mary Dye.
Any questions you may have feel free to contact any board member, we are proud to serve you. Sincerely, Board of Directors, Mary Lombardi-Dye President, Christi Grebenc, Sandra Reagle, Melody Brunetti, Bill Lucatuorto, Gary Licata, and Kathleen Drake.