Did you know that the San Ramon Valley Conference Center is nestled within Mt. Diablo and the Iron Horse Regional Trail? This allows event attendees to experience team-building opportunities without having to leave the property. The Iron Horse Regional Trail is 32 miles long and runs between Concord and Pleasanton. San Ramon Valley Conference Center also features an outdoor sports court which can be utilized for basketball or volleyball. Indoors you will find a fitness center as well as a recreational lounge which features pool and ping-pong. Check out more about San Ramon Valley Conference Center and discover how this venue would be the perfect setting for your meetings in California.

Let’s kick this week off with a ride on the welcome wagon. Today we welcome Shannon Martin to the Sodexo Conferencing team. She is the newest member of San Ramon Valley Conference Center where she is a Senior Sales Associate. To get to know Shannon a little bit better, we asked her about her background in conference planning and her career highlights so far.

How did you get started in the conference coordinating industry?

I started working at a winery in Sonoma my senior year of college.  After I graduated I stayed at the winery and moved my way up to become the Tour and Group Coordinator.

How long have you been coordinating Conferences?

I’ve been involved in the events industry for 10 years.

What is your favorite part about working at San Ramon Valley?

My favorite part about working at the conference center is the team atmosphere amongst the employees and working with our awesome clients.

Congratulations Shannon on joining the team. Send an email to Shannon to welcome her to the family or to contact her regarding your next event at the San Ramon Valley Conference Center.

Rachel Schaffner has been with San Ramon Valley Conference Center for almost two and a half years. Today we highlight her experience and what is her most memorable event.

How did you get started in the industry?

I started in the hospitality industry in college.  I was in the process of receiving my degree in hotel and restaurant management when I received my first job at a front desk of a conference center.  After working closely with the Event Coordinator, I knew that I was drawn to event planning.  I moved to New York City after college and received my first job at a Law Firm working as a Conference Coordinator for the attorneys.  After four years in the city that never sleeps, I moved back to California to find myself at the San Ramon Valley Conference Center.    

 

How long have you been coordinating Conferences?

6 years

 

What is your favorite part about working at San Ramon Valley?

My favorite part of working at SRVCC would be my amazing coworkers and collaborating with clients to coordinate creative events that put a smile on the attendees’ faces. 

What has been your favorite event you have planned, and why? I think one of my favorites events here at SRVCC would have been a 50^th birthday party I had the honor of planning.  It was a unique event for us here at the Conference Center as we are normally planning corporate events as opposed to social. The theme of the party was to roast the birthday boy.  We had a sit down dinner for 100 guests, DJ, dance floor, and stage.  This was a fun event to plan because it was something out of the ordinary than what we do here at the San Ramon Valley Conference Center.

At San Ramon Valley Conference Center, we want to ensure that your meeting is a success and your stay is a pleasure.  We're always striving to provide the next level of comfort and an experience that welcomes you back.  As part of these efforts, we recently upgraded our lodging amenities, which also included converting all of our lodging rooms into smoke free environments. While the lodging rooms are smoke free environments, there are designated smoking areas throughout the property.  It's one of many ways we're making each of our guests the center of our attention.

To continue our chef spotlight today we will feature the Executive Chef from San Ramon Valley Conference Center, Isedro “Sid” Cawaling  

Q: How did you get started as a chef?

I was undecided with my career path but was always fascinated with the kitchen at a young age.  I enrolled in the culinary program offered at Cabrillo Community College and that’s where my dream of being a chef took off.  

Q: Describe your first job:

My first job  was a delivery driver for Johnson’s Stationers in Watsonville.  I drove around town delivering office supplies to local businesses around town.  At age 16 I thought it was the best job ever!  

Q: When you are not at work, what is a go-to meal to cook at home?

I enjoy cooking meals that I grew up with… a comfort pot of chicken and pork adobo with steamed rice!    

Q: Tell me more about your background. Where did you study to become a chef?

After earning a degree in Food Service Technology I continued on to attend The New England Culinary Institute in Vermont.     

Q: As the Executive Chef at San Ramon Valley Conference Center, you must have a favorite recipe. 

Korean Style Chicken Wings!  With this recipe, I like to add minced garlic, minced ginger, and sesame oil to the hoisin sauce just before tossing the chicken and baking them in the oven.

Chef Cawaling is the creative mind behind the menu selection and recipe creation at the San Ramon Valley Conference Center. To learn more about Chef Cawaling check out his profile.

Healthy eating options just became easier for conference attendees at the San Ramon Valley Conference Center. August kicked off the newest Sodexo Program, Mindful!.

So what exactly is Mindful! and how does it benefit guests during lunch?

“With Mindful! we are encouraging guests to take a proactive approach to their health. This strategy focuses on the achievements and benefits guests’ experiences in the short term. Such as improved energy, concentration, stamina and performance. Long Terms goals include changing behaviors that lead to improved health and a more balanced lifestyle”

The Mindful! Program has such a wide variety that the novice to the experienced health nuts can enjoy healthier choices that will enrich their life styles.

Just a glimpse of the selections now available at the San Ramon Valley Conference Center.

 

Stay up to date on the latest menu selection and upcoming events by liking the San Ramon Valley Conference Center Facebook.