Beyond the Blackout: Creating Connections for the DC Event Community will be a hybrid in-person and virtual event.

The in-person experience will be held at the stunning Anderson House on Tuesday, September 15th from 3-5pm. We do have a limit of 50 attendees.

The virtual experience will be held simultaneously on Tuesday, September 15th from 3:00-5:00pm, for those who cannot or choose not to attend in person.

Plus - option to add Post Event Matchmaking Service. In the effort to further connections, we will be providing complimentary professional matchmaking to vendors to allow them to set their own in person or virtual coffee dates. Information to follow after the event.

Our why: Black Lives Matter highlighted the significant racial inequities in the world. In response, the DC event industry hosted a series of conversations to educate and create understanding. Beyond the Blackout is an extension of these conversations and will strive to provide an intimate, in-person and hybrid virtual opportunity for diverse and inclusive networking. Our goal is to increase connection and access and go beyond the black square by providing a spotlight of select DMV-based black-owned event industry businesses, and provide networking among BIPOC event businesses with white-owned event businesses in order to further collaborations in the future. Beyond the Blackout is a collaborative event planned by Bright Occasions and LaJoy Plans.

COVID Venue policy

We ask all vendors, staff and guests to wear a mask at all times when indoors, except for the moments they are eating, drinking, or posing for professional photographs.

We will take a forehead temperature reading of everyone at the door, and if it registers 100 or higher we will ask them not to enter.

We will ask everyone to RSVP with their name, email and/or phone number.

We will ask all guests to use our hand sanitizing station upon entry.

We will ask that guests do not attend if:

• They or anyone in their house has experienced a fever, cough or shortness of breath within 2 weeks of the event
• They or anyone in their house has experienced any other COVID symptom such as: severe headache, muscle pain/weakness, diarrhea or vomiting, abdominal pain, respiratory symptoms, rash/skin irritation, unexplained bleeding or bruising
• They have traveled outside of DC to any high-risk city or state or out of the country within 2 weeks of the event
• They have had close contact with anyone who has tested positive for Covid or has experienced any Covid symptoms within 2 weeks of the event
• They are being tested for or have tested positive for Covid within 2 weeks of the event

Beyond the Blackout: Creating Connections for the DC Event Community Hosted by Bright Occasions and LaJoy Plans in partnership with:

• Anderson House @eventsatandersonhouse
• GetPlated Catering @getplateddc
• Rhea Whitney Photography @rheawhitney
• Jenny Baked It @jennybakedit
• Pretty Petals Floral Designs @prettypetalsflorals
• Molecular Food & Cocktails @molecularfoodcocktails
• Lucy Black Entertainment @lucyblackent
• Upper Octaves Productions @upperoctaveproductions
• Yes Event & Decor @yeseventdecor
• PXL Booth @pxlbooth
• Bright Occasions @margobrightoccasions
• LaJoy Plans @belajoyful

Graphic design by LaJoy Plans