Come for the Scandal. Stay for the Room: Reimagining Professional Connection
A curated gathering where accomplished professionals connect through conversation, expertise-sharing, and a Regency-inspired mystery evening.
Come for the Scandal. Stay for the Room.
What happens when accomplished people stop networking long enough to actually talk?
That question became the starting point for The Curated Room, a small gathering I am creating for established professionals who spend much of their lives leading, advising, teaching, building, solving problems, and supporting others.
Traditional professional events often give us only a few minutes together. We exchange names, titles, business cards, and perhaps a LinkedIn connection before moving on to the next conversation.
I wanted to create something different.
The Curated Room is designed around the belief that some of our most valuable professional relationships begin when people have enough time to move beyond introductions.
The inaugural gathering will take place October 31–November 1, 2026, in a historic, fully staffed mansion setting approximately one hour from Champaign, Illinois.
The guest list is intentionally small and brings together established professionals from different industries and areas of expertise. Rather than filling every hour with presentations, the experience will include selected expertise-sharing, meaningful conversation, time to enjoy the property, hospitality, and opportunities for relationships to develop naturally.
And then there is the scandal.
Saturday evening will transform into A Regency Evening, featuring an interactive Regency-inspired mystery experience filled with society intrigue, secrets, colorful characters, and playful drama.
Think elegant, period-inspired fun rather than anything dark or graphic.
Guests will receive character information in advance and step into an evening designed to create laughter, conversation, and the kind of shared experience that makes it much easier to get to know one another.
Because sometimes play is one of the fastest ways to get accomplished adults out of their professional roles and into genuine connection.
By Sunday morning, my hope is that guests leave with more than photographs or business cards.
I want them to leave having met someone they would not otherwise have encountered. Learned something useful from another profession. Had a conversation they want to continue. Rested. Laughed. And remembered what it feels like to be in a room that was intentionally curated rather than simply filled.
The Curated Room
October 31–November 1, 2026
Central Illinois
Limited overnight and Saturday-evening-only participation options.
Overnight Shared Experience
Private Overnight Experience
A Regency Evening — Saturday Only
Space is intentionally limited.
Learn more / request your place:
