A Full Heart: Reflecting on the 2025 NACE Conference in Milwaukee

Bold, Colorful, Cinematic Wedding Photographers in Dallas-Fort Worth

After a whirlwind few days at the NACE National Conference in Milwaukee, I’m heading home with a full heart, an inspired mind, and roughly 5 million phone photos with some of my favorite industry “friendors” that I’ll cherish forever.

It’s hard to capture everything this week held, but I wanted to take a moment to reflect—both for myself and to extend my gratitude to the local and national NACE communities who made this experience possible. As a scholarship recipient, I’m deeply aware of how meaningful it is to be supported and invested in. I don’t take that lightly.

From the very first night, this NACE Conference in Milwaukee delivered. The opening reception at the Harley-Davidson Museum set the tone perfectly—vibrant, creative, and full of energy. It was clear from the start that this conference was designed to inspire and connect us, and it absolutely did both.

One of the most memorable sessions for me came early on. Hearing keynote speaker Lei Wang speak about her courage while summiting Mount Everest empowered me to bring that same courage to my business; scaling to new heights, overcoming fear and saying YES to our biggest dreams. Her story of summiting the highest peaks on every single continents including Kilimanjaro, Denali, The South Pole, and Everest wasn’t just about achievement—it was about mindset, persistence, and moving forward even when the next step feels impossible. As someone constantly navigating new terrain in both the creative and business sides of what I do, that message landed with impact.

Later in the week, I had the chance to hear Troy Adams speak for the second time. I met him at a Dallas event last year where he spoke on time management, and his “less ghosts, more groupies” this NACE conference in Milwaukee was equally as impactful. His insight into building genuine, lasting client and team relationships reminded me of what matters most in the work we do.

Of course, no NACE conference is complete without a little fun, and the social events did not disappoint. Riding the Edelweiss down the river to the Discovery World party was one of those only-at-conference moments. It was unexpected, a little wild, and the perfect way to connect with new faces (and see the city from a different angle).

But perhaps my favorite moment of all came at the Awards Gala at the Pritzlaff Building. Watching so many of my fellow DFW chapter members be honored for their contributions made me incredibly proud to be part of this community. The excellence, creativity, and generosity I see in my peers every day was fully on display—and it lit a fire under me to continue growing and contributing in meaningful ways.

Congratulations to the Dallas Chapter Award Winners

Chapter Fundraising Event of the Year | Director of Fundraising, Beth Albright’s vision for the Clash of The Greeks helped raise money for TACA, The Arts Community Alliance.
Chapter Program of the Year
Emerging Member of the Year | Shamica Sweat, CWEP

There was also a quieter moment I’ll never forget—meeting my cousin for coffee one morning before the conference kicked off. It was an unexpected personal surprise that grounded me in the midst of a very full, very fast-paced week. That balance of professional inspiration and personal connection is something our business is rooted deeply in.

To be honest, I left this NACE Conference in Milwaukee feeling like a sponge at max capacity—in the best way. There’s so much to process, implement, and reflect on in the days ahead, but I’m already feeling charged to bring new energy into my business and to pursue future leadership opportunities within NACE.

Thank you to the national board, the scholarship committee, the planning team, and everyone behind the scenes who brought this event to life. And thank you to my local DFW chapter for continuing to be a source of community and support. I’m so grateful to be part of this organization—and even more excited for what’s ahead.