The New York and New Jersey chapters of the National Association for Catering & Events (NACE), along with the Banquet Event Strategic Task Force (BEST Task Force), held an in-person gathering in August, their first since the start of the pandemic. VERSA Rooftop and Restaurant in NYC served as the venue for 25 mask-wearing attendees, who met to discuss the efforts of the Live Events Coalition and the BEST Task Force’s efforts in government to pass legislation to open events back up safely, and to secure funding to avoid future closures. Speakers included Arthur Backal, CEO of Backal Hospitality Group and State of the Art Enterprises; B. Allan Kurtz, managing director of Gotham Hall; and Mike Warren, director of catering of CPS Events. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were passed throughout the evening, as conversations about the future of the industry were shared.
