The Chapter has partnered with regional restaurant and entertainment group José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup and premier lifestyle luxury magazine DC Magazine to launch and co-host the "ThinkFood Discussion Table Networking Series". ThinkFoodGroup is nationally known due to celebrity chef José Andrés and his popular, local restaurants Jaleo, Oyamel, Cafe Atlantico, minibar by josé andrés, and Zaytinya, and the celebrated, L.A. destination, The Bazaar by José Andrés. DC Magazine is the premier luxury lifestyle magazine in the DC Metro area that excels in capturing the urbane metropolitan lifestyle. The magazine is part of the Modern Luxury publishing family, which has over 30 publications in 13 major markets.

The ThinkFood Discussion Table Networking Series sponsored by ThinkFoodGroup and DC Magazine is a new innovation for the AMA- DC marketing community. Equal parts networking and thought-provoking discussion, the ThinkFood Discussion Table Networking Series invites AMA-DC members and area marketers to take part in a conversation with industry leaders and marketing peers.

"The DC chapter of the American Marketing Association is very excited about this innovative networking series which will provide the regional marketing community with intimate access to some of the most well respected and high profile business leaders in our nation’s capital", says Brendan Hurley, incoming AMA-DC President. "The simple fact that two influential brands like ThinkFoodGroup and DC Magazine are willing to partner with AMA-DC on the launch of this program is a testament to its potential."

The ThinkFood Discussion Table Networking Series will be a place to meet and discuss hot marketing topics with industry trendsetters in an intimate and upscale dining atmosphere. The AMA-DC identified these key partners to launch this new creative series not only because of their reputation, but due to their successful and strategic marketing campaigns and community leadership. ThinkFoodGroup is known for its award-winning cuisine and marketing savvy in the hospitality segment, while DC Magazine demonstrates editorial excellence and masterful event marketing. The magazine’s advertisers depend on the publication not only for its circulation and access to the right demographics, but also for its skillful and well-attended events that create a living connection to their brands.

The creative series will launch on Tuesday, July 28 when celebrity chef, José Andrés himself, will lead a conversation about hospitality marketing. José, a master marketer himself, is not only a restaurateur — but the host of a hit PBS culinary show, Made in Spain, author of several cookbooks, and a culinary innovator in the hotel market with a partnership with SLS Hotels, part of the Starwood Luxury Collection. He will begin the conversation with his own experiences of growing his brand in the hospitality segment.  
 
The events will rotate monthly to a different ThinkFoodGroup location, and will always be held on the last Tuesday of the month.  For more information, visit www.amadc.org/events.

About ThinkFoodGroup
ThinkFoodGroup, founded by culinary innovator José Andrés and his longtime business partner Rob Wilder, is the talented team behind Washington’s favorite restaurants: Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel and Café Atlantico and minibar by José Andrés. ThinkFoodGroup also oversees all of José's creative endeavors including television programming, cookbooks, concept consulting and restaurant projects. ThinkFoodGroup produces José's PBS hit culinary show, Made in Spain, along with the series' companion cookbook and soundtrack CD. ThinkFoodGroup also manages José's partnership with SLS Hotels, part of the Starwood Luxury Collection, and the highly-celebrated restaurant The Bazaar by José Andrés at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills.  www.thinkfoodgroup.com

About DC Magazine
Modern Luxury Media, the award-winning publishers of regional lifestyle magazines, is the premier luxury lifestyle publisher in the United States. With more than 30 publications in 13 major markets, including DC, Modern Luxury excels in capturing the urbane metropolitan lifestyle. Whether it's a special feature on the chicest trends in design, cutting-edge fashion spreads, an in-depth review of the city's hot spots or a revealing celebrity profile, our magazines consistently engage the affluent reader.  www.modernluxury.com

The 2008 M Awards Dinner and 6th AMA-DC Chapter Anniversary Celebration took place on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at the Marriott at Metro Center in Washington, DC.

It was an exciting evening as we honored DC's most successful marketers and recognized the campaigns, programs and innovative ideas they created. The M Awards recognizes much more than creativity, it honors results!

The M Awards recognizes marketers and successful campaigns that demonstrate solid strategy, brilliant innovation, and positive return on investment. Top DC area marketers who meet or surpass their business objectives will receive recognition. Award categories include best marketing in the areas of corporate identity, campaigns, direct marketing, marketing research, collateral, promotions, public relations, investor relations, advertising and multimedia and computer-based marketing. The top entry receives the Marketer of the Year award and the DC Chapter honors the Member of the Year.

The 2008 AMA-DC Hall of Fame Award was presented to Catherine Meloy, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Washington. Each year, AMA-DC presents the Hall of Fame Award to a leader who inspires others in the local marketing community, and has made distinguished and consistent contributions to the marketing profession. In 2003, Ms. Meloy was selected by the Goodwill Board of Trustees as a proven business leader who can dramatically extend the reach of the disabled and disadvantaged population.  Prior to joining Goodwill of Greater Washington, Ms. Meloy had a successful 20 year career in the radio industry.  In 2000, she received the Greater Washington Board of Trade's "Leader of the Year Award" and in 2001 she was honored by Washingtonian Magazine as "Washingtonian of the Year."

Stay tuned for details about the 7th Annual M Awards in 2009!

The DC Chapter of the American Marketing Association has won the Excellence Award for Leadership for 2006-2007, which recognizes demonstrated leadership ability, sound chapter management processes, and chapter financial health, including budgeting, reporting and performance.

Sponsored by the Professional Chapters Council of the AMA, the CEA program recognizes and rewards excellence in chapter leadership and operations. The award will be recognized at the AMA’s Annual Leadership Summit.

The AMA consists of 51 chapters throughout the country and the CEA program recognizes select chapters at eight distinct award levels. AMA-DC has previously garnered the Overall Excellence Award in 1999 and the Best in Class Award in 2001.