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Saddle Up & Socialize: Boots, Big Ideas, and Good Company with DFW NACE

October 30, 2026

Written by Christina MacMeeken, DFW NACE Communications Committee

Give a room full of event professionals a Western Chic dress code and a reason to get together, and you’ve got a pretty good start to a Wednesday night.

On October 7, DFW NACE gathered at Cullen Yards in Fort Worth for Saddle Up & Socialize, an evening of connection, education, and Texas hospitality. The invitation called for boots, denim, turquoise, and a little flair—and, most importantly, a chance to spend time with the people who understand exactly what goes into making an event happen.

Because when your work revolves around taking care of everyone else, getting to be the guest is a welcome change of pace.

A Little Western Flair, Plenty of Connection

Between event schedules, site visits, inboxes, and all the moving pieces of our industry, it’s easy for “we should catch up soon” to stay just that.

Our October gathering made room for those conversations: reconnecting with someone you’ve worked alongside, finally meeting the person whose name keeps popping up, or getting to know someone beyond their job title.

Cullen Yards provided the Fort Worth setting for the evening, with Bright Event Rentals supplying the pieces that helped turn the space into a place to settle in and socialize. Wolfgang Puck Catering brought everyone together around the food stations, while Magnify Coffee Catering added a mobile coffee bar—because this crowd can certainly appreciate a good coffee.

Live saxophone from Vintage Perspective Entertainment brought another layer to the atmosphere, and Inkredible Sounds supported the evening’s music, AV and photo booth, time to pull up a chair and learn. Lujo Creative's interactive station gave guests another way to participate, adding a playful element to the experience.

And while the rest of us had the opportunity to enjoy it, Christie’s Photographic Solutions documented the people and details that made the evening our own.

Each partner contributed something different. Together, they created space for the part that matters most: people connecting.

You Are the Brand: A Conversation with Renée Dalo

Our featured speaker, Renée Dalo, brought a topic that hits close to home for many wedding and event professionals: letting people see the person behind the business.

Her session, You Are the Brand, explored a familiar challenge. You know your work. You care deeply about your clients. You can manage a hundred details behind the scenes. But showing up online and talking about yourself? Somehow, that can feel like a harder assignment.

Renée’s message centered on the role personal visibility plays in building trust. Before a potential client reaches out, they may already be looking for a sense of who you are, what you value, and what it would feel like to work with you.

The session focused on showing up more confidently, creating content that feels natural, and making the human behind the business a meaningful part of your marketing.

That has particular relevance in our industry. Clients trust us with important gatherings, meaningful milestones, and experiences they have invested in emotionally as well as financially. Our expertise helps them feel secure. Getting to know us helps them feel connected.

There is room for personality in that process—for your perspective, your humor, your values, and the things that make working with you feel like working with you.

Thank you, Renée, for bringing that conversation to our chapter and giving us practical encouragement to become a little more visible.

Good Company, with Good to Give

Our October gathering also launched the DFW NACE Fall Food Drive, benefiting the DeSoto Food Pantry.

Members and guests were invited to bring nonperishable food items, with one raffle ticket offered for every item donated. It was a simple way to add a little extra purpose to the evening: bring something to share, help support local families, and get a chance to take home a pretty wonderful experience.

All food donations benefit the DeSoto Food Pantry, and the collection continues at our November meeting. Consider this your friendly reminder to put a few pantry items next to those business cards before heading out the door.

NACE in the Race: Walking for a Cure

Dressed in pink and leading with purpose, Tammy Loving, our 2026 Director of Community Service and a breast cancer survivor, brought awareness to a cause close to her heart at our October meeting. Tammy is leading NACE IN THE RACE, our team's effort to raise funds and participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Drawing from her own personal P.I.N.K. journey, Tammy encouraged members to join the walk, make a donation, and support the fight against breast cancer. She reminded everyone that even a $10 contribution can make a meaningful difference in supporting those impacted by breast cancer and advancing lifesaving research.

Raffle Prizes Worth Making Plans For

Our raffle donors gave guests three very good reasons to start thinking about a getaway or gathering of their own.

A Fort Worth Staycation from Hilton Fort Worth
Sometimes the best getaway doesn’t require an airport. Hilton Fort Worth contributed a complimentary one-night stay, complete with breakfast for two and valet parking—a chance to slow down and enjoy a little hospitality yourself. Value: $350

Dinner for Six with Chef Doug Brown at Beyond the Box Culinary & Design Center
An evening with your people, a multicourse tasting menu, and expertly paired wines and cocktails? That’s a calendar invitation worth accepting. This contribution offered six guests a culinary experience with Chef Doug Brown at the Beyond the Box Culinary & Design Center. Value: $1,200

A Private Wine Experience from Nice Winery
Nice Winery contributed a seated, private wine class for 10–16 guests, led by one of its knowledgeable wine educators. With wines, charcuterie, and 90–120 minutes to learn and enjoy together, it offered an opportunity to turn “we should get everyone together” into an actual plan. Value: $1,200

Thank you to Hilton Fort Worth, Beyond the Box, Chef Doug Brown, and Nice Winery for these generous contributions and for supporting our chapter.

A Tip of the Hat to Our Event Sponsors
We know how much work lives behind an evening that guests get to simply enjoy. The planning, equipment, preparation, setup, service, and attention all come from people—and we are grateful to the teams who shared their talents with us.

A heartfelt thank-you to:

These businesses helped create an experience for their own industry community. We appreciate that generosity, and we hope you’ll get to know the people behind each one.

Until We Meet Again

To everyone who joined us: thank you for making time to be in the room.

A chapter grows through the people who show up, start a conversation, introduce a friend, share what they know, and make someone else feel welcome. Education and events give us the opportunity. Those small, personal moments are how we build a community.

We’re glad we got to spend this Wednesday with you. Until next time, DFW NACE.

View the photo gallery HERE.