November Meeting: A Night of Connection, Celebration, and New Beginnings at the Historic Fort Worth Club
Written by Judy Philips, Director of Communications
What a wonderful evening we had on November 5, 2025, at the historic Fort Worth Club. Guests arrived to a lively cocktail hour where they mixed and mingled with one another and with our TCC hospitality students. Thanks to our Sponsor A Student initiative, nine students were able to attend this meeting at no cost, giving them firsthand exposure to our industry’s best.
We had a packed agenda, beginning with a heartfelt message from our 2025 President, Lauren Eck. She reflected on our chapter’s successes this year, celebrating our growth, our community, and the impact our members continue to make. Her message set a thoughtful and grateful tone for the evening. Our President Elect, Chantel Boudreaux, followed with great energy and excitement as she prepared to take the torch and lead us into 2026. Her passion and vision made it clear that our chapter is stepping into another powerful year.
In classic fashion, Chris Harmon popped into the room just in time to watch his tribute film as he completes his service on the board as Past President. It was a heartfelt moment honoring his leadership and dedication to our chapter. The evening continued with the induction ceremony led by Jennifer Burns, where sixteen talented individuals were officially sworn into the 2026 DFW NACE Board of Directors. The room was filled with pride as each new leader stepped forward, representing the strength, heart, and diversity of our chapter.
The night itself was picture perfect, captured beautifully by Tracy and her team at Lightly Photography They even used a fun Spot app that texted guests their “spotted” photos throughout the event, which everyone loved. During cocktail hour, guests had the chance to connect with TCC students, snap fun photos with DFW 360 Booths, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Dinner featured three beautiful courses, including a melt in your mouth short rib crafted by the Fort Worth Club’s outstanding culinary team. Music by Justin Stringfellow with Leforce Entertainment kept the energy warm and inviting throughout the night. Rentals were provided by Bright Event Rentals, stationery by JPC Invites, and decor by Justine’s Flowers, who generously invited guests to take home the stunning floral centerpieces. The A/V was executed flawlessly by Athan’s Audio Visual, creating the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening.
But wait, there was more! Our 2025 Director of Fundraising presented a check to this year’s chosen beneficiary, Cowtown Warriors. Through our collective efforts, we donated $6,500 to assist veterans in need right here in North Texas, a meaningful moment that highlighted the heart behind our chapter and the impact our members strive to make throughout the year.
The evening continued with a thought provoking presentation by our guest speaker, Jess Stewart, strategic business guide, author, and speaker. Jess led an engaging activity that helped attendees identify who their A players are, along with insightful tips on how to coach and develop team members who may need additional support. Her session sparked great conversations and left everyone with practical tools to bring back to their businesses as we head into a new year.
As we wrapped up the night, the room was full of gratitude, connection, and excitement for the year ahead. This meeting reminded us why our community is so special and why DFW NACE continues to thrive through collaboration, service, and shared purpose. We hope to see everyone again at our December Happy Hour on December 3 at Aloft Dallas Downtown from 4-6pm. Come celebrate the season with us, and close out an incredible year together.