
Written by Lance Panton, Communications Committee
This June, DFW NACE members and future members gathered at The Village Dallas for a one-of-a-kind scavenger hunt experience: Adventure Village. Built around the theme “It Takes a Village,” the event highlighted the collaborative spirit of the events industry. From curated cocktails to playful competition, the evening offered a fresh and immersive take on connection, creativity, and camaraderie.
Designed by Idea Fountain, Inc., the evening featured five unique venue stops around The Village, each paired with chef-crafted bites, themed drinks, and interactive activities that brought out the fun in all of us. Attendees were grouped into randomized teams to spark new connections and break out of their usual circles. As teams rotated between stops, they earned points for participation and creativity, culminating in a winning team who scored a set of Rangers tickets—one for each teammate!
Each stop offered a different flavor of fun: At La Mina, guests created Affirmations of Hope luminary bags to support local cancer survivors. Over Under Sports Bar served as the playground for Major League Team Building challenges, mixing relay games with cocktails on the patio. Sandy Pickle brought the energy with a Pickle-Inspired Cocktail Competition judged by NACE board members. High Dive VIP Lounge added a Vegas twist with roaming blackjack tables and lounge vibes, while The Drey Hotel closed the night with a tea infusion station at Anise.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors who helped bring Adventure Village to life! The Village Dallas provided the perfect immersive backdrop for an unforgettable evening. The Drey Hotel wowed guests with their generous hospitality and elevated culinary experiences. Idea Fountain, Inc. delivered vision, creativity, and seamless execution to make this event shine. Great Music and Games set the tone with great music all evening long. Patrick Schaefer Creative beautifully captured the joy and vibrance of the night through photography. And Quest Events elevated the atmosphere with their continued support and stunning rental contributions.
In addition to the evening’s festivities, we were thrilled to welcome several new members: Alison Harik, Jess Olabarriet, and Rhoda Brimerry. We also celebrated milestone anniversaries for longstanding members who continue to shape the heartbeat of our chapter: Kevin Brant (36 years), Wendy Timson of Shag Carpet (19 years), Larry Goldstein of Catering by Larry (17 years), Eddy Panesso of Idea Fountain, Inc. (11 years), Vanessa Alston of BBJ La Tavola (3 years), Pablo Figueroa of Apricus Venue (2 years), Morgan Foreman of Quest Events (2 years), and Elizabeth Mendez of Aloft Dallas Downtown (1 year).
We also raffled off some amazing prizes, including a $100 Mi Cocina gift card, two bottles of wine, and a private tour and tasting for four at Silver Star Distillery. Congratulations to our lucky winners!
This event was a joyful reminder of why we do what we do. Adventure Village showcased the best of our DFW NACE community—talent, teamwork, and heart.
View the full photo gallery here.
Don’t miss our next monthly event: the DFW NACE July Happy Hour at Truluck’s Dallas on Wednesday, July 9 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Register now.
Thank you for being a vital part of our community—we’ll see you soon!