Arlene Pecora’s Corporate Event Tips Thursday, Dec 24 2009 

Employee appreciation is a huge factor of running a business. Corporate events can be thrown as business meetings or to show appreciation for your employees and staff. A corporate event meeting can be enjoyable and informative if the proper etiquette is followed. Here are a few helpful hints to creating a great, non confrontational business meeting.

First you must select a theme for your event or decide on how formal it will be. Let guests know in advance how the dress code will be used. This way guests will arrive as necessary.

Invite the correct people to this event. If you have too many people or not enough, the meeting might not work the way it is supposed to. Invite the right mix of employees, employers and other staff.

Corporate Event Tips

Arlene Pecora Presents Sand Ceremony: How To! Tuesday, Dec 22 2009 

Arlene Pecora and Signature Grand are dedicated to helping the South Florida community with their bridal planning needs. Their tip of the month is: Unity Sand Ceremony!

Unity Sand Ceremony has quickly moved up the bridal ladder and landed right on top of the ceremony list. Because of the fact that you can add other people such as children and other relatives into this ceremony, it has become a tradition in the bridal community.

Unity Sand Ceremony
For many couples who choose the beach as the backdrop for the exchanging of their vows, a unity sand ceremony provides a unique and memorable way to commemorate their love and loyalty. Instead of the traditional merging of flames in a unity candle, the couple symbolically joins their lives with the blending of sand.

Unity sand ceremonies are typically short in length, lasting only a couple of minutes, but are long on meaning. During the ceremony, the bride and groom each have separate containers holding different colors of sand, and then pour their sand into a shared unity vase where the grains are forever intermingled. The container with the combined sand is then kept as a keepsake of the couple’s love, loyalty, and devotion.

History of the Sand Ceremony
Although it’s been practiced for hundreds of years in other nations, unity sand ceremonies have just recently increased in popularity in the United States. Although there’s some debate as to which culture first began the ritual, the Native Americans and the Hawaiians have both used it as a symbol of spiritual love for decades.

Signature Grand

Signature Grand Hosts NSU’s Celebration of Excellence Monday, Dec 21 2009 

Event: NSU’s Celebration of Excellence

Where: Signature Grand in Davie, Florida

When: January 21st

Time: 6pm-9pm

This program will honor Presidents Community award recipient and NSU’s distinguished alumni. Reception begins at 6pm and dinner will follow shortly after.

Nova Southeastern University, a private, not-for-profit institution, offers a diverse array of innovative academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels, complementing on-campus educational opportunities and resources with accessible distance learning programs, and fostering intellectual inquiry, leadership, and commitment to community through engagement of students and faculty members in a dynamic, life-long learning environment.

Signature Grand

PMI South Florida PDD 2010 at Signature Grand Friday, Dec 18 2009 

Event: PDD 2010

Type: Class/Course

Date: 5.14.2010

Where: Signature Grand in Davie, FL

Specializing in Project Management and Six Sigma training and consulting, Key Performance is accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) as a registered Global Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.).

Providing distance learning certification courses, instructor-led open enrollment classes and corporate/onsite training, Key Performance delivers solutions to fit your requirements. Their team of expert trainers and consultants can help your company reach excellence in project management and in quality standards.

You can save time and money by letting Key Performance bring the classroom to you! Classes can be delivered on-site at your location and can be customized to fit your specific company needs.

PDD 2010

Facebook Features Arlene Pecora Wednesday, Dec 16 2009 

Arlene Pecora, co-founder of Signature Grand, is known as an active member in her community as well as a savvy business woman. Her list of community service activities are virtually endless and are not limited to:

  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Women in Distress
  • FAU
  • Community Foundation of Broward
  • United Way
  • And more!

Arlene Pecora’s new Facebook gives detailed information on Ms. Pecora as well as frequent updates on Signature Grand’s upcoming events.

Arlene Pecora’s Facebook blurb:

An alumnus of Nova Southeastern University, Mrs. Pecora has taken part in dozens of charitable volunteer activities, serving on dozens of different boards and committees over the years. Below is a summary of some of her philanthropic endeavors:

United Way of Broward County: Mrs. Pecora is one of only 100 contributing members of The Tocqueville Society, Broward County’s United Way chapter. Founded in 1984, The Tocqueville Society is dedicated to improving the quality of life in neighboring communities through altruistic efforts. Mrs. Pecora also participated in the United Way Mayor’s Gala, helping to raise more than $500,000 for non-profit community programs. In 2006, she was named one of the local United Way’s Outstanding Volunteers.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County: This organization was launched to help provide safe, productive activities for the area’s youth. Arlene Pecora donated her time and resources to help set up The Cattleman’s Club, a fundraiser designed to educate and entertain local children with ranching activities.

Arlene Pecora

Arlene Pecora’s Bridal Advice for the South Florida Community Tuesday, Dec 15 2009 

Arlene Pecora, co-founder of the Signature Grand in Davie, has been quite active in the bridal world for the past several year. Hosting the Bridal and Quince show several times a year, Ms. Pecora has decided to share her bridal knowledge with the world in the hopes that brides and grooms will enjoy the planning of their wedding!

One of Ms. Pecora’s biggest bridal points is to allow children to your wedding and plan fun activities for them! Just because they are young doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the celebration!

Arlene Pecora and Signature Grand have already planned the 2010 Bridal and Quince show. Scheduled for January 26th, 2010, this event promises to inspire brides, grooms and event planners!

Arlene Pecora

Arlene Pecora Contributes to FAU Monday, Dec 14 2009 

Arlene Pecora, co-founder of the prestigious Signature Grand, is also known for her involvement in the South Florida community. Her list of charities include:

  • United Way
  • Boys & Girls Clubs
  • Women in Distress
  • Balance Magazine
  • FAU
  • And more!

As an active member of FAU’s Broward County President’s Community Council, Arlene Pecora has helped raise awareness of FAU’s local branches, encourage interactivity among staff and students, and raise the quality of education offered at the Broward County campuses.

History of FAU: (Source)

On a bright October day in 1964, Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th President of the United States, squinted into the South Florida sun and, in his famous Texas drawl, declared Florida Atlantic University officially open.

For a sitting U.S. chief executive to officiate the dedication of a new regional university was most unusual – but, then, FAU was no ordinary institution of higher learning. From its very inception, FAU was envisioned as the first of a new breed of American universities that would quite deliberately throw off the ivy-covered trappings of the tradition-bound world of academe and invent new and better ways of making higher education available to those who sought it.

Indeed, in his dedication remarks, President Johnson said that America had entered an era “when education is no longer only for the sons of the rich, but for all who can qualify.” Speaking on an outdoor stage before a crowd of 15,000, he called for “a new revolution in education” and said that a fully educated American public could vastly enrich life over the next 50 years.

Seated onstage behind the President as he spoke was an array of Florida’s top political VIPs, including Governor Farris Bryant, U.S. Senators Spessard Holland and George Smathers, U.S. Congressmen Claude Pepper and Paul Rogers, and a banker named Thomas F. Fleming, Jr., who, more than anybody else, was responsible for bringing America’s newest public university to Boca Raton.
From Airbase to Campus

In the beginning, there was an airbase – the Boca Raton Army Air Field, to be exact. This facility, one of the few radar training schools operated by the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War Two, opened in October 1942 in the sleepy coastal resort town of Boca Raton. The base, which eventually covered more than 5,800 acres, did its part to help win the war, teaching the relatively new art of radar operation to thousands of airmen, including those who were aboard the Enola Gay on its fateful run to Hiroshima in 1945. By the 1950s, however, the base had outlived its usefulness; the radar training school it once housed had moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, and weeds grew tall around the landing strips that once saw a steady stream of arriving and departing B-17 and B-29 bombers. The war was over, and America was facing new challenges, including the imminent coming of age of the first wave of Baby Boomers. Members of the most economically privileged generation in U.S. history, they were going to seek higher education in record numbers, and Florida’s colleges and universities were in no way prepared for the onslaught.

In 1955, the Florida Legislature authorized creation of a new public university to serve the populous southeast region of the state. The new university would be the fifth in the State University System, joining the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida State University and Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, and the University of South Florida in Tampa. Community leaders in Broward and Palm Beach counties stepped forward to suggest possible sites, none with more enthusiasm than Boca Raton’s Tom Fleming, who made a convincing case for converting the vacated airbase to this exciting new use.

Fleming was a true visionary who recognized the many benefits a state university had to offer Boca Raton. The son of a prominent Fort Lauderdale attorney and bank president, he had arrived in Boca Raton in 1941 to help manage the 4,000-acre Butts Farm, which was owned by the family of his wife, Myrtle, and he often referred to himself as “a bean farmer.” His educational credentials included a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, where he had been a member of the prestigious Blue Key leadership honorary society, and an MBA from Harvard.

Tom Fleming was successful at everything he did, and everywhere he went he made influential friends. By the time he was heading up the drive to establish the new state university in Boca Raton – under the rallying cry of “Boca U. in ’62” – he had many friends in Tallahassee and Washington who would prove to be powerful allies.

On January 18, 1957, Fleming stood before the Board of Control, which was the body that governed public universities in Florida at that time, and presented his proposal. When one member objected that the 400 feet of beachfront property owned by the city was insufficient to accommodate large groups of collegians, another member replied: “We want to educate them, not give them a bath.” By meeting’s end, the Board had unanimously endorsed Fleming’s idea, disappointing proponents of the other proposed sites.

Next came complex negotiations in Washington to get the federal government to lift use restrictions off the land. Ultimately, the Civil Aeronautics Administration agreed to permit the state to build the university on 1,000 acres of the former airbase, reserving another 200 acres for airport use. Boca Raton Municipal Airport was built on a 200-acre site adjoining the campus and remains in active use to this day.

In 1960, the State Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Education, gave final approval to the Boca Raton site. The new university’s opening date was set for September 1964.
“Open the Door in ‘64”

Just one hitch remained: while the state had approved building a new university in Boca Raton, it had provided no funding for planning, architectural design or construction. When Broward Culpepper, chairman of the Board of Control, announced that the local community would have to raise $100,000, Fleming swung into action once again, establishing an Endowment Corporation that solicited contributions from the public under the slogan “Open the Door in ‘64.”

The first donation came from Fleming himself, who pledged one percent of three years’ worth of the pre-tax earnings of the First Bank and Trust Company of Boca Raton, which he headed. The Endowment Corporation raised close to $300,000 in start-up funding for the university, and it is still in service today under the name of the FAU Foundation.

Next came the question of what to name the new university. There was no lack of ideas from official quarters or the public. Names generated through a contest run by the Fort Lauderdale News included Palm State, Peninsula University, Gulfstream University, Kennedy University of Florida, Bryant State (to honor Governor Farris Bryant, a Fleming friend who was an early supporter of the Boca site), Sunshine State and A-Okay University (a reference to a catch-phrase used in the 1960s by American astronauts). The Board of Control resolved the question by adopting the name Florida Atlantic University in 1962, two years before the scheduled opening.

Tom Fleming made a critically important discovery during his long, successful campaign to bring FAU into existence: He realized that state support of all of higher education in Florida was woefully inadequate. In order to remedy this, he became chairman of “Citizens for Florida’s Future,” a committee of the state Chamber of Commerce that sought voter approval of a $75 million bond issue to expand and improve Florida’s junior colleges and universities.]

The bond issue passed in the November 1963 election, and President John F. Kennedy praised Fleming by name for this outstanding accomplishment during a speech that month in Tampa. It was the last speech Kennedy made before his tragic trip to Texas. A letter inviting him to take part in the planned dedication of FAU the following year was mailed on the very day he was assassinated in Dallas.

By the time FAU was ready to open in the fall of 1964, Lyndon Johnson was President, and he was campaigning hard against Republican candidate Barry Goldwater. Fleming, who was managing Johnson’s Florida campaign, made him an offer he couldn’t refuse: He asked him to make the keynote address at the ceremony that would mark the opening of Florida’s newest public university. And that is why the President of the United States was on hand when Florida Atlantic University was dedicated.

Arlene Pecora Presented with Weizmann Award Friday, Dec 11 2009 

Located in Rehovot Israel, The Weizmann Institute is a world leading multidisciplinary research institution.  Known for its wide-ranging exploration of the sciences and technology, the Institute gathers together 2,500 scientists, technicians and research students devoted to adventuring into the unknown. In their labs, located in a landscaped campus environment, they share a vision: To better understand nature and our place within it. Inquisitiveness is their predominant trait. It is this curiosity that propelled Homo sapiens up the slope of evolution. It is this driving curiosity that sees man — and woman — through their greatest discoveries. It is the force which pushed earliest civilization to develop agriculture, to learn the hows of constructing shelter, to create the written word, to harness electricity to the wagon of industry and commerce, to contemplate far-off galaxies, to find the cure for disease, to form new materials, and to decipher the genetic code stamped on all living things, be they plant or animal. The desire to continue in this forward stride is the force behind every Institute scientist’s efforts to penetrate realms formerly incomprehensible to humankind.

The Weizmann Institute of Science was proud to present Arlene Pecora with the Outstanding Women Honorees award. Ms. Pecora, along with 3 other wonderful women, was acknowledged with this award.

Arlene Pecora

Signature Grand to Host Associated Builders and Contractors – Annual “G.C.” Showcase Friday, Aug 14 2009 

On September 23, 2009 from  4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Signature Grand will be hosting the Associated Builders and Contractors Annual “G.C.” Showcase.
For more information, call Norma Whittier at (954) 984-0075 or visit www.abceastflorida.com

ABC is the nation’s largest free market advocacy organization. More specifically, we are a national construction management association devoted exclusively to promoting and defending the “merit” shop philosophy (competition within the construction industry should be free from any discrimination based on union or non-union affiliations). With over 24,000 members – representing every segment of the construction team – ABC works full time in Washington, DC and through 83 local chapters across the country to foster a business climate in which all firms can work together in harmony.

The Florida East Coast Chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors is the local chapter of a national construction association representing 24,000 construction and construction-related firms in 83 local chapters across the United States. The national association was founded in 1950 in Baltimore, MD by a small group of contractors trying to preserve their rights to operate an open shop.

Founded in 1968, the Florida East Coast Chapter is devoted exclusively to representing the interests of merit shop contractors from Melbourne south including the Florida Keys. From its regional headquarters in Coconut Creek, Florida, the association represents the interests of its members through its national association in Washington, DC, on Capitol Hill, through its full-time lobbyist in Tallahassee and through its involvement with local regulatory agencies. The association provides professional training for supervisors and management personnel and a full program of craft training for the trades.

Although the initial seeds for ABC came from its labor relations activities, the association has developed into a full-service organization that provides education, training, liaison with state and local governments, marketing, networking and community service opportunities. Today ABC Florida East Coast Chapter serves nearly 700 members in all aspects of the construction industry with a wide variety of services. Chapter members can receive advice and assistance in setting up drug-prevention programs, obtain labor relations counsel, receive discounts on insurance, cellular service, Truck Fleets, Construction training, have their unified voices heard at in city, county and state-wide forums and, through volunteer efforts, they can become involved in extensive community service efforts.

ABC Florida East Coast Chapter counts with pride the thousands of hours and dollars donated to the Children’s Harbor,. The chapter has also been active in building homes for the Habitat for Humanity group, in helping rebuild facilities for the Vinceremos Riding Center for handicapped children and giving away hundreds of bicycles to South Florida Children through organizations like Kids in Distress, Boys and Girls Club, Children’s Home Society, and several other organizations.

Chapter members look to the 21st century knowing their association will continuously work for a level playing field for all to compete and to thrive. Nonmember and member firms both enjoy the fruits of the labors of many years of volunteer efforts by ABC members who have donated their time and effort to unselfishly improve our industry.

Building construction is a joint effort. Thousands of general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and associates have united under our banner of free and open competition in the construction industry. We all believe economy, efficiency and quality in construction is the only way America can continue to grow and prosper.

Contractors are offered the most comprehensive array of services available in the construction industry today. Throughout the country, ABC is an effective force in business development, education, labor relations and industry legislation.

Signature Grand

Signature Grand and Arlene Pecore – Advice on Wedding Photography Thursday, Aug 6 2009 

Although some couples choose to hire a professional wedding photographer for their sand ceremony, others opt to save money by using a friend or family member. Keep in mind that outdoor photography has drastically different requirements than taking pictures in an indoor facility. To ensure that your photos effectively capture your magical day, keep the following considerations in mind:

  • Have a written plan. Don’t assume that your designated photographer will know where and when to point and click. Make a list of all of the people, poses, and events you want to immortalize on film. This will help make sure that important guests, like the father of the bride, and significant milestones, like the exchanging of the rings, aren’t absent from your beach wedding album. One idea is to group the shot list by specific event, starting with the rehearsal and continuing through the reception.
  • To prevent the subjects from getting dwarfed by the expansive surroundings, make sure the camera zooms in as close as possible (without blurring). For a majority of the shots, have the photographer stand in front of the sun to minimize the shadows and silhouettes that can detract from the subjects. If you do want a couple of silhouette shots (which can be very romantic), do the opposite.
  • Make sure pictures are taken throughout the course of the day and evening, as different lighting options will afford different photographic opportunities.
  • While you’ll want some formal posed shots of the bride, groom, and wedding party, the laid-back, relaxed nature of a beach wedding also calls for some fun candid shots. Often, it’s the unplanned photos that best capture the spirit of the event.
  • Plan on taking double the amount of photos you would normally. With outdoor beach wedding photography, there are more factors that can potentially compromise the quality of the photos. The more shots you have, the better the chances that you’ll wind up with some terrific images of your sand ceremony!

Signature Grand and Arlene Pecora are dedicated to bringing South Florida bridal resources to all brides and grooms! Visit Signature Grand for more tips on wedding flowers, beach wedding attire, Sand Ceremony and more!

Signature Grand

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