April 2025: Behind the Scenes of the Industry Roundup: A Night of Real Talk & Real Connections
On Thursday, April 17, 2025, The Chic Network in collaboration with The National Society of Black Wedding & Event Professionals (NSBWEP) hosted Industry Roundup: The Inside Scoop on the Events & Wedding Industry—an unforgettable evening designed to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to thrive in the ever-evolving events space.
Held at the elegant Mason Dallas, the evening brought together a dynamic group of Black event professionals for a bold, transparent, and insightful conversation on the wins, the setbacks, and the real stories behind the industry we all love.
🎥: Harmland Visions LLC
What Went Down:
Guests enjoyed a seated dinner, vibrant networking, and a no-fluff panel discussion where nothing was off limits. Laughter, note-taking, and head-nods filled the room as our panelists shared everything from emerging trends to behind-the-scenes mishaps.
Some of the hot topics covered included:
Consumer Buying Behavior in 2025: What clients are really looking for in social, wedding, and corporate events.
The Entrepreneurial Journey: Unfiltered stories about burnout, pricing strategies, and surviving the slow seasons.
Event Day Bloopers: A few unforgettable “you-had-to-be-there” moments that reminded us that mistakes are just part of the story.
What’s Working and What’s Not: Real talk on marketing, client experience, and the tools that are changing the game.
Meet Our Incredible Panelists:
We were proud to feature an all-star lineup of industry experts who kept it all the way real:
Chris Harmon – Harmland Visions LLC
Bree Clarke – The Plant Project
Jewel Odeyemi – Touch of Jewel Events and Designs
Nicole Johnson – Nicole Smedley Event Designs
Teshorn Jackson – Teshorn Jackson Photography
These leaders shared personal insights, strategies for sustainability, and the power of building authentic client and community relationships.
The Vibe, The Village, The Vision
The evening was more than a networking event—it was a reminder of the strength and brilliance within our community. Attendees walked away with more than business cards—they left with encouragement, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
We’re beyond grateful to our partners and sponsors who made this evening one to remember:
Thank You to Our Event Sponsors & Vendors:
Venue: The Mason Dallas, Kyle Hennigan
Videography & DJ/AV: Harmland Weddings
Catering/Bar: Creative Cuisine, Tara Bauer
Design & Décor: D. Benton Flora & Boulevard Events
Desserts: Uncle Willie’s Pies
Event Coordination: Santoria’s Events
And a special thank you to our photographers:
Be sure to check out our full photo gallery below and relive the magic!
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
This is just the beginning. Follow us on Instagram at @chicnetwork and @nsbwep to stay in the loop on upcoming events, educational moments, and community spotlights.
If you missed this one, don’t worry—we’ll see you at the next!
