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 The spaces that were supposed to help us grow felt outdated, disconnected, or reserved for people 10+ years into their careers.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?

Rielle Schwartz, Founder

Next Gen Events Collective, LLC

(she/her)

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 ten 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 transcribing 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 has been to 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.

NGEC Event Planning Partner:

Lizzie Stam, Founder

As You Wish Weddings, LLC

(she/her)

Website

I've been planning weddings & events since early 2021 and immediately fell in love with the
whole process.
Meeting people who want to create something fun for their loved ones is truly my love language.
When I met Rielle with Next Gen Events Collective, we hit it off immediately.
She has so much passion in creating an atmosphere for young, like minded people to come
together to be heard and respected.
Respect shouldn’t be pick and choose.
It should be the baseline. A non-negotiable. Woven into every gathering, every space, every conversation.
That’s the kind of energy we both believe in bringing to events. Joy-filled, intentional, and based
on mutual respect.

NGEC Social Media Intern:

Lulu Priede, Senior

DePaul University

(she/her)

Website

My name is Lulu Priede, I am a senior at DePaul University majoring in Film & TV Production, concentrating in Cinematography.
I manage the company social media and craft our company vision into modern and creative media interviews, recap videos, graphic design, oh my!
I joined NGEC because of the casual and passionate environment, and to grow my own network.
I've never been in a space like this and it's changed the way I look at finding my place in the industry. This community is a place for people to pitch their ideas unapologetically and connect with others who want to do the same.
A place like this is rare and exceptionally important for future generations, and I'm thrilled to be a part of NGEC's first steps.
I am very excited to see NGEC get the traction and appreciation it deserves. When you see content of the community connecting with their creative, entrepreneur, learner, and industry pro peers, just know I'm the chick behind the camera!