Mingle Bells 2025: When AAF and PRSA Come Together, Magic Happens

A Reflection on Community, Connection, and the Power of Collaboration

The holiday season is often synonymous with networking events that feel more obligatory than enjoyable—gatherings where small talk feels forced and genuine connections are rare. But a couple of nights ago, the Inland Empire Chapter of the American Advertising Federation and the PRSA Inland Empire Chapter proved that it doesn't have to be that way.

An Evening of Authentic Connection

For three hours at the Bear Springs Hotel, marketing professionals, creatives, and PR practitioners gathered for Mingle Bells 2025—and what unfolded was a reminder of why our creative community is truly something special. This wasn't about exchanging business cards out of obligation or engaging in superficial conversations. It was about genuine connection, meaningful dialogue, and celebrating the vibrant community we've built together in the Inland Empire.

The festive atmosphere set the perfect tone for the evening. Singer and songwriter Apryle Delmacio provided beautiful background music that enhanced rather than overwhelmed conversations. The ugly sweater contest brought levity and personality (with some truly impressive entries, we might add). But what made the night memorable were the thoughtful conversations happening in every corner of the venue—the kind of discussions that remind us why we chose careers in this industry.

Collaboration in Action

Events like Mingle Bells don't materialize on their own. They require vision, dedication, and people who believe in the power of bringing communities together. We extend our sincere gratitude to C.L. Lopez for helping make this collaboration between AAF and PRSA possible. This partnership exemplifies what happens when professional organizations work together toward a common goal: creating spaces where the Inland Empire's creative minds can connect, collaborate, and thrive.

We were also heartened by the generosity of attendees who contributed to our toy drive, demonstrating that our community's commitment extends beyond professional networking to making a positive impact in the Inland Empire.

The Power of Staying

One of the most gratifying aspects of the evening was seeing so many professionals stay well past the initial networking phase. Those meaningful conversations that happened after 7 PM—when the pressure of "working the room" subsided and authentic dialogue took over—embodied exactly what we hoped to create. This is networking reimagined: less transactional, more transformational.

Looking Ahead

To everyone who showed up, swapped stories and business cards, contributed to our toy drive, and embraced the spirit of the season—thank you. You're the reason events like this succeed. You're the reason our creative community continues to grow stronger.

This is what happens when AAF and PRSA join forces: we create opportunities for the talented professionals in our region to connect in meaningful ways, to collaborate on future projects, and to remember why we love this industry.

Here's to more partnerships, more genuine connections, and more reasons to celebrate what makes the Inland Empire's creative community thrive. We're already looking forward to our next collaboration.