Next Gen Events Collective

We're not your dad's industry association:

Next Gen Events Collective started with a simple frustration—and a huge dream.
After entering the live events industry, our founder quickly realized that traditional professional networks didn’t reflect the energy, values, or voices of a new generation of event professionals. The spaces that were supposed to help us grow felt outdated, disconnected, or reserved for people 10+ years into their careers.
So instead of trying to fit into a system that wasn’t built for us, we decided to build something new.
Next Gen Events Collective (NGEC) is a peer-powered community for Gen Z and late Millennial professionals in the live events industry—specifically those who are ready to create opportunities, connections, and collaborations on their own terms.
We believe in flipping the traditional networking model on its head.
This isn’t a cold room full of business cards and titles.
It’s a collective built around authenticity, access, and shared ambition.

We’re here to:

-- Connect young professionals who want to grow together
-- Create events and environments that feel energizing, not transactional.
-- Offer a modern alternative to legacy industry associations.
-- Celebrate creativity, collaboration, and the grind of building something real.

Whether you’re an event producer, supplier, freelancer, marketer, or just figuring out where you fit—this is your community. We’re the future of the industry, and we’re not waiting to be invited in. We’re building our own table. Pull up a chair.

Who's Behind

NGEC?

From janitorial sales to experiential magic — meet the founder building the future of networking.

Hi, I’m Rielle — and I fell hard for the live events industry just seven months ago.
Coming from the janitorial and sanitation world (respectfully!), I knew I was meant for more. When I landed in events, it felt like I’d struck gold — a space full of energy, connection, and creativity. Everything clicked.
I’ve always been about people.
I started working in restaurants at 14 and was hooked on the art of connecting. In college, I launched The People Projects — interviewing strangers and turning their stories into essays. I believed then (and still do) that if we truly saw each other, we’d all be a little kinder and get to bask in the kind of world we want to live in.
That same desire fuels NGEC.
At 26, I’m still chasing connection — and building spaces where others can do the same. I saw a gap: young professionals in events are eager to grow, but often outnumbered and misunderstood by industry veterans. So I started this collective. Not to compete — but to build something in addition. Something ours.
This isn’t just a side hustle. It’s my passion project.
I’ve poured my entire heart into NGEC from day one. My goal? Create an approachable, energizing community that lifts up the next generation of event pros — starting right here in Chicago.
And yes, I’ve got the receipts.
At my last company (yep, the one selling vacuums), I earned three promotions in under three years. I built sales systems, mentored teammates, and led workshops focused on both results and mental wellness. I didn’t compete — I collaborated. And we all thrived during that time.
I know how to lead, build, and inspire — and I’m just getting started.
With NGEC, I’m combining creativity, strategy, empathy, and experience into one powerful movement. This isn’t just networking. It’s community-building with purpose.