STARS, STRIPES & SAVOR: A Patriotic Celebration of Community, Flavor & Connection
Written by Christina MacMeeken, DFW NACE Communications Committee
Summer was in full swing as DFW NACE members gathered at Knotting Hill Place for our July meeting, STARS, STRIPES & SAVOR. More than just a luncheon, the afternoon celebrated the relationships, creativity, and collaboration that make our local events industry so special.
Guests arrived dressed in festive patriotic summer attire and were welcomed with lawn games, networking, handcrafted cocktails, and the smooth sounds of live saxophonist Marquise Jones of Marquise Productions. The beautiful setting at Knotting Hill Place provided the perfect backdrop for an afternoon centered around great conversation, incredible food, and meaningful connections.
A Culinary Journey Around the World
This month's progressive luncheon invited attendees on a flavor-filled adventure inspired by America's love of gathering around great food. From the comforting classics of the American South to the bold flavors of Korea and the tropical tastes of Hawaii before returning home once again, each station showcased one of the five essential flavor profiles—sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.
Naborly Provisions created a memorable culinary experience that encouraged guests to mingle, explore, and connect as they made their way through each globally inspired station.
Adding another interactive layer to the afternoon, The Event Lounge invited attendees to build their own custom seasoning blends, creating personalized keepsakes to take home while celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship that defines our industry.
Friendly Competition Takes the Stage
Instead of a traditional educational program, this month's event featured a lively game of Family Feud hosted by DFW NACE Director of Membership, Sir J.
Each table became its own team as members put their event industry knowledge to the test with questions like:
What song is requested at almost every event?
What is the most common dietary restriction?
Name something photographers wish guests would not do.
The room quickly filled with laughter, friendly debate, and plenty of competitive spirit as teams raced to come up with the most popular answers. Bragging rights—and $10 Total Wine gift cards for the winning team—made the competition even sweeter.
Beautiful Details Around Every Corner
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the event design itself. The traditional red, white, and blue palette was elevated into an elegant, sophisticated celebration of summer through thoughtful floral design, polished tabletop styling, and beautifully coordinated décor.
From the welcoming registration experience to each carefully designed tablescape, every detail reflected the incredible talent of our local event professionals and showcased just how impactful collaboration can be.
Thank You to Our Incredible Sponsors
Events like STARS, STRIPES & SAVOR are only possible because of the generosity and creativity of our amazing sponsor team. Thank you to:
Knotting Hill Place for hosting us in their beautiful venue.
Naborly Provisions for an unforgettable progressive culinary experience.
Colada for keeping everyone's glasses full throughout the event.
Marquise Pro for setting the perfect atmosphere with live saxophone performances.
Sir J The DJ for bringing energy to the afternoon while hosting Family Feud.
Shamica & Co. for the fun lawn games.
The Event Lounge for the interactive custom bbq seasoning experience.
Boujie Bloom for the stunning florals, backdrops, and patriotic-inspired décor.
AM Linen Rental for the elegant tabletop linens.
Boutique Ink for awesome window decal with our event theme and sponsor logos.
Legacy Audio Visual Services for providing AV.
DFW Elite Capture for documenting all of the memorable moments from the day.
Congratulations to Our Raffle Winners
A huge thank you to our generous raffle donors for helping close out the afternoon with some incredible prizes.
Times Ten Cellars generously donated a case of their refreshing 2024 Sonoma Time Rosé—perfect for summer entertaining.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science donated two General Admission tickets to their highly anticipated A Night at the Museum Gala, a prize valued at $1,000.
The Village Beach Club donated a VIP Cabana Experience complete with eight admissions and a complimentary bottle, valued at $1,500.
Thank you to each of these organizations for supporting our chapter and helping make this month's meeting even more memorable.
Until Next Time
One of the greatest strengths of DFW NACE has always been the relationships built around the table. STARS, STRIPES & SAVOR was a wonderful reminder that when talented event professionals come together, incredible things happen—not only for our clients, but for one another.
Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and contributed to another fantastic chapter meeting. We can't wait to see you at our next DFW NACE event!
View the photo gallery HERE.