Annual Holiday Mixer Event: A Valued Tradition

In December, Scott Stevens, chapter corporate liaison, was interviewed as the annual Holiday Mixer event coordinator. The Holiday Mixer was held at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue, Nebraska. After the event, Stevens shared his thoughts, commenting that each year he's reminded why the chapter's Holiday Mixer is one of his favorite events. After running this event for four years, it has become more than a social gathering-it's a valued tradition that brings together members from government, industry, academia and the military in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

December is a busy time for everyone, so creating space to reconnect, reflect on the year and highlight a shared commitment to technology in education and the community is especially important. Stevens went on to comment about his favorite parts of the Mixer: (1) Awarding the annual chapter STEM grants to local teachers and seeing their genuine excitement when they're recognized; and (2) The strong sense of community the event creates-the Holiday Mixer is one of the few times when titles and work roles fall away, and everyone is simply there to connect. Everything about this event is meaningful and rewarding. When Stevens was asked whether he could foresee any changes to improve the event, he noted that the chapter is always looking for thoughtful ways to evolve the Holiday Mixer while preserving what makes it special. Continued emphasis on welcoming first-time attendees, such as brief, informal introductions or facilitated connections, can help new members feel included and engaged. Expanding outreach to encourage participation from local military leadership, alongside industry and government partners, would further strengthen the event by reinforcing mission-driven relationships across our community. Stevens has served on the chapter's education committee, charged with selecting the winning STEM grant packages. Stevens elaborated that the process is thoughtful, collaborative, and it is rewarding to know the chapter is directly investing in local teachers, students and programs that help strengthen the future workforce across Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa. In parting, Stevens pointed out what makes the chapter successful is its strong partnership among members, industry, military and government. He added that when chapters invest in education and people, the impact can extend far beyond individual communities.

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