When event professionals throw a party, expect nothing less than pure enchantment. This Event Fresh Showcase was hosted in Seattle December 3, 2024. It was the third rendition, co-curated by Alex Martin (Synchronicity Events), Jake Taylor (Functions + Gatherings), and myself (Sadie from DIWAS Photography). Together with our vendor team, we transformed the historic venue Washington Hall into a testament of what happens when we intentionally center diversity, inclusion, and community in the events industry. Dreamy.
Subtly embedded in the intention of this showcase was “secret magic” theme with little bits +bobs of sweet alchemy as a brilliant team of event vendors came together to celebrate our communities, our clients, our networks and intentionality. We prioritized Women, BIPOC, immigrant + queer owned businesses, alongside allied + justice-minded accomplices who consistently demonstrate their commitment to modeling the world we want to live in… all while showcasing the the collective wares, gifts, and magic to attendees. When the world feels hard, being intentional about who we’re connecting with is key. Focusing on joy + humanity in the process? It’s 100% a vibe.
The main floor buzzed with delicious energy as guests wandered through a carefully crafted experience. Madres Kitchen, crafted a signature cocktail that perfectly complemented their innovative cuisine, while Party on the Rocks/Toast and Taste kept their creative seasonal mocktails flowing alongside perfect appetizers. Street Treats delighted everyone with their from-scratch ice cream cones, and perfectly balanced seasonal cookies and bars- the salted brown butter crispies may be a true love.
The space itself was transformed through intentional, organic beauty. Analog Floral, brought nature indoors with rentable living plant installations, while Nadira Design created elegant tiered floral arrangements that took our breath away. CORT Party Rentals provided luxurious velvet-draped linens + lounge seating for intimate conversations, all enhanced by Bellevue Lighting‘s thoughtful illumination.
In one corner, Reckless Abandon Tarot offered personal readings that left guests spellbound. Across the way, Becky of Bivins Events, crafted sweeping whimsical floral installations that perfectly framed Jake’s, wedding/event planner of Functions + Gatherings, magical fortune-telling and affirmation station. Near the entrance of the Hall, Alex of Synchronicity Events created an interactive community art project/mandala using tumbled rocks, crystals, dried flowers, and moss – a tangible reminder that our individual contributions create collective magic…. noting imperfection + impermanence is reflected in our humanity, in our community. And the unspoken metaphor that it can be beautiful while also a little messy and tedious in the clean up… but hey, we event pros have got your back – many hands make light work!
The balcony level pulsed with energy + art all night long: DJ Gumbeaux of Magnolia Rhapsody kept the vibes high, The Craft Lab station invited hands-on creativity with ornaments to take away, Sweet Art Cotton Candy turned sugar into the sweetest edible art. The Elite Collective showcased cutting-edge video technology providing our sizzle reel sharing the energy and magic while also collecting highlight reels of our vendors, Yossi Face Art’s glitter bar added sparkle to every smile and in some cases some pretty hard-core glitter tattoos to some tough necks, all while Hannah of Dress Up Boxcreated an unforgettable photo booth experience with the MOST: hand-made custom backdrops, excellent props while dancing every minute to the the sweet beats provided. This human shows us all what it looks like to have a great time.
The stage came alive with performances that captivated our guests. TYMIRA‘s mesmerizing roller skating duo bringing showing us a new way to get down to Beyonce. Rebecca + bandmate of Todo Es Jazz’s elegant musical partnership showing that you can have a large latin band, AND there’s magic in a simple, soulful duo. Emcee Sasha Summer Cousineau’s magnetic presence articulated the evenings program, keeping all posted on the flow and highlighted each of our vendors throughout the night. And then, Splinter Dance Company’s show-stopping, interactive disco finale inspired laughter, connection, movement and joy. (Side-note: the heart-song for us was the dance-mom’s to the Splinter Dance Company gals came to celebrate, too! The sweetest.)
Behind the scenes, Lucas of LD Techniques provided flawless audio, ensuring the mic + sound traveled well, Amy of Word Picture Ink delivered stunning graphic design + social media supports, and Posh Pet Sitter demonstrated their unique solution + services for including furry family members in events. None of this would have been possible without our generous hosts, 206 Zulu, who opened Washington Hall‘s historic doors for our gathering.
But beyond the stunning displays and performances, the true magic emerged in the connections formed. Watching our industry friends, creative collaborators, and cherished clients discover each other reminded us why we do this work. It’s about building a stronger, more inclusive events community in Seattle – one meaningful connection at a time.
As we step into 2025, we’re reminded that the only way forward is together. By actively engaging in our collective community, we create the future we envision. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who pushed to make this evening a resounding success – vendors, partners, and especially our guests. It was restorative. It was connective. It was collaborative. It was joyful.
It was a space that we needed to create + show up in for all of the right reasons. . . and from an event professional perspective, it was a fantastic way to close out the year. Now, will we opt to do another one in the last month of the year in 2025? Quite unlikely – because it was a PUSH… but, I have deep, deep gratitude for everyone that pushed with their hearts and souls to make it a success, including our guests.
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