PartySlate Midwest Summit 2025 — What We Saw, Heard, and Filmed
There’s a particular kind of buzz that only a room full of planners, florists, caterers, and creative directors can make — equal parts caffeine, curiosity, and genuine joy. That was the vibe at PartySlate Midwest Summit 2025 in Chicago: three days of panels, parties, and real conversation about where weddings and events are headed next. As a Chicago wedding videographer and event videographer, we were there to capture it all — the big ideas, the late-night networking, and the tiny details that become tomorrow’s trends. PartySlate brought an incredible lineup together for education and celebration.
Why the Summit mattered (for planners and for couples)
PartySlate’s Midwest Summit wasn’t just another conference; it was a concentrated snapshot of what the industry will be doing in the coming year. Hundreds of event professionals traveled to Chicago to learn, trade notes, and test new concepts, from maximalist tabletops to tactile linens and fresh approaches to catering and sustainability. For couples, that translates to more creative, personalized wedding days; for planners, it means smarter tools, new vendor relationships, and fresh inspiration to offer clients.
What we were filming (and why it matters)
Our crew focused on capturing three storylines:
Education in action. Panels and fireside chats that unpacked marketing, trend forecasting, and logistics, moments you want on camera because they shape how vendors sell and couples plan.
The networking beat. Parties and reception-style nights (yes, including an epic House of Blues finale) where partnerships form and real work happens away from the stage. Those are the shots that show industry chemistry and the joy behind our work.
Trend visuals. Tabletop installations, cocktail presentations, and floral work that photographers and videographers rely on to show clients what’s possible, the tangible output of the Summit’s conversation about textures, color, and experiential design.
Capturing all three requires thinking like both a documentary filmmaker and a marketing team. We filmed keynote moments for archive and long-form storytelling, while also turning around punchy, social-friendly clips that vendors and designers could use right away.
Key takeaways — fresh, usable ideas we kept on camera
Tactile, maximalist tablescapes are still trending. Expect layered patterns, bold textures, and centerpiece thinking that feels more editorial than traditional. These moments photograph and film beautifully, and they’re a clear “sell” to couples who want a memorable visual statement.
Sustainability is no longer optional. From caterers to rentals, greener choices are part of the conversation, and clients are asking for them. Vendors showing thoughtful sustainability scored points across panels and lounges.
Live content + long-form storytelling = the new baseline. The Summit proved that designers and brands want same-day assets to fuel social, plus cinematic edits to archive the event and pitch future clients. If you’re a planner selling an experience, you need both types of footage.
A few scenes we won’t forget
A sunrise run-through in a ballroom where lighting tests turned into a top-tier hero shot, the kind of visual you re-use in pitch decks for months.
A late-night jam at House of Blues where vendors traded playlists and marketing tips, pure community building that becomes content and connection.
A breakout where caterers talked plating and sustainability, practical talking points that resonate with couples planning intentionally green celebrations.
How planners can use Summit assets (quick wins)
Post a 30–60 second highlights reel on Instagram with tags for speakers and vendors, high engagement and great cross-promotion.
Turn a panel clip into a 60-second Thought Leadership post on LinkedIn to attract corporate and higher-budget clients.
Use cinematic cutaways (lighting, tabletop, stagings) on venue pages and proposal PDFs to help couples imagine the finished day.
Events like the PartySlate Midwest Summit are a reminder: weddings and events are creative businesses built by creative people. As a Chicago wedding videographer and event videographer, being there means more than filming panels, it means gathering the ideas, looks, and relationships that help us tell better stories for our clients. From trend forecasting to late-night conversations, the Summit charged us up and replenished our creative toolkit.
Watch the recap video.