By VENUS LEE and ARELIS HERNANDEZ
The UNITY News Online

From the moment you entered, you felt like royalty.

The Alhambra Palace, hidden amongst a series of warehouses in the heart of the West Loop community, featured classic Moorish décor with modern inspiration. The façade of the Moroccan castle greeted partygoers who were in for a night of camaraderie and cocktails.

Inside, elaborate crystal chandeliers dimly lit the seven intimate alcoves intricately decorated with oriental rugs that covered the floor. Draping tapestries, marble accents, mosaic tiles, hand-carved sculptures and exquisite furniture lined the walls of the multi-level venue.

The air was filled with bustling conversation, bumping music and the aromas of exotic North African cuisine—a feast for the senses.

“Definitely the place they picked is beautiful,” said Sharon Miranda, a Central Florida news anchor.

She was one of the hundreds of people that convened on the 24,000-square foot venue for the FedEx-sponsored “Fiesta to the Chicago Beat.”

“It’s festive, loud, colorful and fun. It’s got a typical Latino flare,” said Deborah Dugan, a veteran journalist who is the station manager for the city of Phoenix.

Seasoned reporters weren’t the only ones enjoying the scene; their young protégés also attended the festivities.

“I love salsa music, the atmosphere (and) just being around so many minorities,” said Dayelin Roman, a graduate student at Syracuse University.

Although the National Association of Hispanic Journalists hosted the event, people from all four UNITY member groups attended. People intermingled, greeting old friends and engaging new ones.

“This is where you build your best friend you’ll keep in touch with,” Roman said.

Teclo Garcia, a former journalist who oversaw an internship at The Arizona Republic last year and recently left the industry for a government position, was a prime example.

“I always enjoy catching up with friends,” he said. “We talk about the events, the industry, etc.”

But it’s not all about the fraternizing. People said they understood the impact that sharing drinks with other journalists can have on their careers.

“These are absolutely vital to anybody who is trying to network or move,” Garcia said. “It’s a must. If you don’t go, you set yourself back. They [social events] really help you connect and get to know people. You never know when you will come across a potential employer.”

Although the party wasn’t an official networking event, some people enjoyed the informal setting as a stress-free environment.

“This party atmosphere is most relaxing and when they [recruiters] are most willing to talk,” said Roman, who will soon be looking for a job. “At the career fair, everyone is so nervous and uptight. But here, people are relaxed, informal and ready to talk about anything.”

However, her classmate C.J. Lin was not as fond of the party scene.

“I thought this was more of a networking thing like the reception last night [at the Field Museum], but it’s a little different environment,” Lin said. “It’s more like a club scene. The noise makes it kind of hard to hear.”

Nevertheless, the palace had its charms, Miranda said. She made a dent on the dance floor grooving to an eclectic mix of Latin tracks and mainstream hits ranging from rock to hip-hop.

“You know the band is good when the dance floor is full,” Miranda said.

Meanwhile, some attendees grabbed video game controllers and battled on plasma screens for a Madden match.

The lively bar, bar tables and lounge area provided much-needed relaxation with plush settees and soft leather sofas. Stairs bordered by an illuminated waterfall lead to the second-level balcony seating lined with dining tables and providing a bird’s eye view of the action below.

Northwestern student Cristina Gimbel said the party, which lasted until 2 a.m., was a blast, but it was missing one thing.

“We have a live band (and) good music,” she said. “But maybe we need more food. I didn’t eat dinner.”

topic: UNITY Convention
tags: NAHJ

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