by: Angela Barden, DFW NACE Communications Committee

This May, our DFW NACE community gathered for a refreshing and inspiring spring event: Brunch & Bloom at the beautiful Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Surrounded by nature in full bloom, attendees enjoyed an afternoon filled with education, connection, and celebration.

We were honored to welcome Julie Roth Novack, CEO and Co-Founder of PartySlate, as our featured speaker. Julie shared actionable insights during her talk, “5 Simple Ways to Streamline Your Business Using AI,” providing practical tools and strategies to help industry professionals harness the power of technology in their businesses. Her session was both informative and energizing—thank you, Julie, for joining us and generously sharing your time and expertise.

In addition to the main event, the Arboretum graciously hosted our Board Meeting and New Member Orientation earlier in the day. These sessions provided the perfect space for deeper connection, onboarding, and goal-setting as we look ahead to the rest of the year. 

A highlight of the day was a Kendra Scott Pop-Up Shop, where attendees were able to shop for a cause during cocktail hour. A portion of the proceeds benefited the Cowtown Warriors, DFW NACE’s 2025 fundraising beneficiary. Tim Hatcher & Bezan Morris, president & treasurer of Cowtown Warriors, presented more info about the organization and its mission, further solidifying the need to give back to such a great cause and adding heart to a beautiful afternoon.

Our deepest appreciation goes out to the many incredible sponsors and contributors who helped bring Brunch & Bloom to life:

• Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden – Thank you for providing such a stunning venue and hosting key moments of the day.
• Wolfgang Puck Catering – Your delicious brunch and top-tier beverage service made the day memorable. Lauren, your team nailed it!
• Best Mix Events – Thank you for your AV and DJ sponsorship, keeping our program running smoothly and our guests engaged.
• JPC Invites – We appreciate your beautifully crafted stationery and signage that elevated the visual details. Calva, your willingness to show up for us time after time is truly appreciated!
• Hey There Dahlia – Your floral centerpieces brought elegance and charm to every table. We’re so excited to have Faith Nabors as a new member!
• Big D Party Rentals – Special thanks to Pete, Emily, and the team for sponsoring our rentals and consistently supporting NACE events.
• Paige Marie Photography – We look forward to seeing the event captured through your lens as our May photo sponsor.
• Tru by Hilton Dallas Market Center – Thank you for providing accommodations for our guest speaker.
• Magnify Coffee Catering – Your coffee service kept our guests alert and delighted throughout the event. DFW NACE truly appreciated your continued partnership Kelly & Matthew!
• Makerz Home – Your live painting and take home portraits added a unique, artistic flair to our networking session.
• Reneegency – Thank you for capturing live video content and preserving these special moments.
• PartySlate – Once again, thank you to Julie for your incredible presentation and generous contribution to our chapter.

We were also excited to announce this year’s DFW NACE scholarship recipients for the 2025 NACE Experience Conference! Congratulations to Thomas James (The Village Dallas), Christina MacMeeken (MacMeekens Photography), and Tammy Loving (Gnivol Events, LLC). These outstanding members were selected based on their ongoing contributions to the DFW NACE chapter and their commitment to excellence in the catering and events industry. We’re proud to support their continued growth and professional development!

This month’s event was a beautiful reminder of the power of collaboration and the innovation shaping our industry. We’re so grateful to everyone who attended and helped make Brunch & Bloom a success.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event on June 4th for our Adventure Village at The Village Dallas from 6 PM to 9 PM! It’s going to be an evening full of fun, friendly competition, and connection—you won’t want to miss it!

Register Here to reserve your spot!

Thank you for being a valued part of the NACE Dallas/Fort Worth community—we’ll see you soon!

Written by Kathryn Krieger, DFW NACE Communications Committee

On the evening of Monday, April 7, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM, I ventured out to a just-secluded-enough, picturesque farmstead in Fort Worth to join the wonderful community of DFW NACE for a rural evening in elegance. Hosted at the beautiful Timberview Farmstead, it was the perfect spring welcome—with bunnies, goats, and a touch of simpler times.

The Setting: Timberview Farmstead

The venue provided an enchanting backdrop. Our evening began under a stunning Amish-built pavilion, followed by a hayride tour across the scenic grounds.

During the ride, guests got to know the farm’s story while soaking in its natural beauty. Afterward, happy hour commenced with tunes from Alliance Entertainment Group, a runway photo booth by DFW 360 Photo Booths, and yard games from Enchanting Events & Design.

The Barn Crawl

Guests were grouped by colored bandanas and guided on a multi-stop experience through the farm. Here’s how the crawl unfolded:

Stop 1 – Goats

I was greeted with the mouthwatering aroma of Vestals Catering, serving curated bites detailed on signage by JPC Invites. I even fed a bottle to a baby goat—what a joyful start!

Stop 2 – Bunnies

Dozens of soft, friendly bunnies awaited us. The team shared sweet stories about their personalities, and a baby bunny (just weeks old) made a star appearance.

Stop 3 – Greenhouse & Aquaponics Farm

We explored the greenhouse and learned about the farm’s sustainable ecosystem, where fish help nourish the plants that feed us.

Culinary Highlights

Each barn stop featured divine bites from Vestals Catering, perfectly paired with signature cocktails crafted from Silver Star Spirits and rosé from Sonoma Time Wine.

Fireside Reflections

To close the evening, we gathered on elegant lounge seating from Bright Event Rentals for a heartfelt fireside chat with Jordan Swim, Owner of Vestals Catering. He eloquently shared the vision and journey of Timberview Farmstead—highlighting the importance of whole foods, meaningful community, and authentic hospitality.

Huge thanks to BEYOND for sponsoring the film coverage and to The MacMeekens for capturing incredible stills. View all of the event coverage here.

Thank you to all our sponsors and attendees who made this unforgettable spring night possible!