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The Equity Alliance
The Challenge
The Equity Alliance faced a significant capacity challenge just weeks before their highly anticipated Black on Buchanan Juneteenth Celebration. Due to the urgent and critical demands of the 2026 Tennessee redistricting, their internal team needed to pivot their full attention toward vital voter mobilization efforts.
With only a two-to-three-week turnaround time, they required immediate, expert assistance to manage a sprawling Vendor Marketplace. Coordinating over 50 vendors, sponsors, and community organizations in North Nashville demanded a dedicated logistical focus that their overextended team simply could not spare.
The Sync Solution
Sync Production Group immediately stepped in to relieve the pressure, leveraging our core expertise in Venue and Vendor Management. We assigned a dedicated project manager to act as the central hub, synchronizing all moving parts for the expansive marketplace. By taking over all direct communications with the participating organizations, we allowed The Equity Alliance to focus entirely on their civic mission without sacrificing the quality of their event.
Our team expertly navigated the accelerated timeline by taking immediate ownership of the site layout. We meticulously built the vendor map, conducted comprehensive venue walkthroughs in North Nashville, and served as the primary point of contact for all marketplace participants.
Furthermore, we utilized our Logistics Management capabilities to create a seamless operational schedule for the day of the event. Our project manager remained on-site throughout the celebration, ensuring that every vendor was guided, placed, and fully supported from load-in to strike.
The Results
- Successfully coordinated and mapped out a thriving Vendor Marketplace featuring over 50 vendors, sponsors, and community organizations within a strict two-to-three-week window.
- Provided comprehensive on-site management in North Nashville, ensuring a smooth, stress-free execution phase that required zero oversight from the client.
- Freed up The Equity Alliance’s internal team, allowing them to dedicate their bandwidth entirely to critical voter mobilization during the 2026 Tennessee redistricting.
- Delivered a flawless vendor and attendee experience that beautifully upheld the cultural and community significance of the Black on Buchanan celebration.
Don’t let unexpected capacity challenges or tight turnarounds compromise your organization’s broader goals. Contact Sync Production Group today to ensure your next event is flawlessly executed from concept to completion.
5 Event Planning Myths To Avoid
Have you ever tried to gather a group of 8+ friends for a trip? You start a group chat, try to coordinate schedules and coordinate reservations for activities and dinners that can accommodate a large group.
Now imagine doing it for your business? The stress that comes with planning an event becomes heightened once you realize you’re responsible for raising funds, covering expenses, coordinating with venues and finding suppliers. Not to mention reporting back to your superiors on how the event can generate revenue, engage clients and promote your brand.
As professional project managers with years of experience producing corporate and live entertainment events, we’ve witnessed firsthand the misconceptions that often surround our industry. If you’re looking to host an event for your business, here are some myths and insights to help navigate the intricacies of event planning with clarity and confidence.
Myth #1: “Live Events Are Expensive Luxuries”
Contrary to popular belief, live events are not solely reserved for Fortune 500 companies, special occasions or extravagant international trips. While lavish corporate conferences certainly exist, live events encompass a broad spectrum of gatherings, ranging from intimate workshops, off-site meetings, employee trainings, even community service initiatives. What truly defines a successful live event is its ability to engage and connect attendees, regardless of scale or budget. You’d be surprised what you can accomplish with a $1,000 – $10,000 budget.
Myth #2: “Technology Will Replace the Need for Live Events”
In an era dominated by virtual communication and digital experiences, some may argue that the need for live events is diminishing. Companies like Meta (aka Facebook) have made massive investments into immersive virtual experiences. However, nothing can replace the power of face-to-face interaction and the tangible experiences that live events offer. As humans, we need this connection to thrive in our personal and professional lives. While technology undoubtedly enhances event planning and execution, it serves as a complement rather than a substitute for the unique atmosphere and personal connections fostered by live gatherings.
Myth #3: “Event Planning Is Easy”
While event planning can be incredibly rewarding, it is far from glamorous and stress-free. Behind every successful event lies meticulous planning, countless hours of coordination, and the ability to navigate unforeseen challenges with grace under pressure. From managing tight deadlines to troubleshooting logistical issues on the day of the event, event planners must possess a diverse skill set and unwavering dedication to ensure seamless execution.
Myth #4: “Live Events Are Unsustainable and Environmentally Harmful”
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the environmental impact of live events. While it’s true that large-scale productions can generate significant waste, many event planners are actively incorporating sustainable practices into their operations. From reducing single-use plastics to sourcing locally-produced goods, there are numerous ways to minimize the environmental footprint of live events and promote eco-friendly practices within the industry. Instead of going straight to Amazon to buy all your supplies and materials, look for ways you can incorporate local business and environments into your productions.
Myth #5: “Success Is Measured Solely by Attendance Numbers”
While attendance numbers certainly play a role in evaluating the success of an event, they only tell part of the story. True success lies in the quality of the attendee experience, the achievement of organizational objectives, and the lasting impact generated by the event. By focusing on metrics such as attendee satisfaction, engagement levels, and post-event feedback, event planners can gain valuable insights and refine their strategies for future events.
At Sync Production Group, we help clients avoid the trap of thinking live events are too expensive or that technology can replace their value. Remember, event planning isn’t a walk in the park – and hiring a 3rd party event planner can help ensure a seamless production. To learn more about how our seasoned project managers can assist with your next event, simply submit an event request here or visit our website at syncproductiongroup.com
How Much Does An Event Planner Cost?
Pricing for professional event & meeting planners often varies on a case-by-case basis. Factors that can determine the costs include experience, required services, length of planning, hourly labor rates and the scale of the event. The short answer is that it truly depends on the scenario. On average, companies should expect to spend anywhere from $5,000 – $50,000 for event management services. If you’re looking for support in planning your event, hiring a 3rd party management service is a great option. If you’re looking for support in planning your event, hiring a 3rd party management service is a great option.
We get it, why would you trust an important annual conference or employee celebration to an external agency? As seasoned event planners with over 20+ years of combined experience orchestrating successful corporate and live entertainment events, We’ve witnessed firsthand the transformational impact live events can have on turning attendees into loyal customers. Here are 4 reasons why investing in such expertise is crucial for the success of your next event:
Diverse Perspective Across Industries: Bringing in a professional that has a wealth of experience planning events for a diverse range of clients translates to fresh perspectives and innovative ideas tailored to your specific needs.
Cost-Efficiency Through Vendor Relationships: While it’s true that hiring an event planner incurs an expense on your event budget, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment. Third-party agencies often have the insight and established relationships with vendors and suppliers, allowing them to negotiate favorable rates on your behalf. From venue selection to catering services and audio-visual equipment, they can identify cost-saving measures that ultimately lead to a more budget-friendly event without compromising on quality.
Time-Saving Solutions: Business owners, especially those with smaller teams, are already stretched for time. Individuals often underestimate the attention to detail and countless hours of coordination needed to execute a successful event. By outsourcing the management responsibilities to a 3rd party agency, you free up valuable time that can be redirected towards your core business operations.
Mitigation of Risks and Contingency Planning: No event is immune from unforeseen circumstances, despite how much planning is done. Having an experienced event management team by your side can help risk mitigation and contingency planning, ensuring smooth execution regardless of external factors.
At Sync Production Group we work directly with clients to synchronize the planning and production elements throughout the entire event lifecycle, acting as an extension of their team. We conduct consultation sessions to determine their needs and build a custom scope of work based on our pricing model.
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Our custom service packages help clients save time, money, energy and focus on larger objectives while we handle the event details. Our commitment to communication, collaboration, and consistency ensures every detail aligns with your vision.
Have an event you need assistance with? Simply fill out out our service form to receive a free one (1) hour consultation to learn how Sync Production Group can help!
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How We Got Here? The Story of Sync Production Group.
Sync Production Group is the third iteration of businesses started by our founders, Melvin Powell & Saleem Sabree. It’s not every day you become best friends and business partners with your freshman year roommate but such is the case for our founders. They met in 2009 at Temple University, sharing a dorm room in North Philadelphia after coming from Maryland and Massachusetts respectively. Despite coming from different backgrounds, they quickly connected over their love for music. During their college years they were part of a collective, So Far Ent., a promotional company that threw parties and student events around campus. In 2012 while working for Temple’s radio station, Saleem organized his first block party. That same year they organized a second block party on Melvin’s block.
After graduation the two went their separate ways to pursue their professional careers. Melvin spent 5 years working for a division of Comcast/NBC Universal as a corporate partnerships manager at the Wells Fargo Center and as a marketing manager for The Liacouras Center at Temple University. Saleem returned to Boston and held multiple positions including a role with the Boston Convention Center.
During Temple’s homecoming in 2016 the two reconnected and decided to launch their second business, 91REPUBLIC, alongside a 3rd partner and fellow Temple Alumni. The focus of the business was to support independent artists and the group held numerous events such as concerts, listening sessions and nightlife events in Philadelphia. In 2017 they launched the All Love Block Party, a free music festival that featured Asher Roth, Chuck Inglish, Michael Christmas, DJ Aktive and more. The All Love Block Party quickly became a staple in the city during the summer, growing each year in 2018 and 2019.
When the 2020 global pandemic hit, our founders came together for a 3rd time to create the Sync Production Group. Despite the unfavorable outlook of the live event industry, the two knew they had the skills and expertise to capitalize on the return of in-person experiences. In 2021 they began consulting corporate clients, gaining valuable experience hosting an association retreat in Texas and a mortgage brokers conference in New Mexico while Philadelphia was still under COVID19 restrictions. Once those restrictions were lifted in the city in June 2021, the two quickly organized in order to bring back the All Love Block Party in August 2021.
At the start of 2022 while both founders continued to work on growing the business, they came to a crossroads in regards to the All Love Block Party. Do they continue to grow and scale this individual event or could they make something more impactful? Understanding there was a need in the market to support black and brown event organizers, Black Soul Summer was born. They worked alongside their initial co-founding members, Christian “TAMEARTZ” Rodriguez and Nashirah Felder, to produce their inaugural four (4) free music festivals in the summer of 2022 including the 5th Annual All Love Block Party.
After completing their inaugural music festival series, our founders still found there was a need in the market to support black & brown event organizers in the digital space. In 2023 they launched the Black Soul Summer e-commerce platform as a way to offer additional services to this target market. The customized platform offers organizers direct assistance in building landing pages, selling tickets and accessing resources to produce unique event experiences. The beta launch of the platform saw over 50 event organizers host 145 events, sell over 15,000 tickets and generate $60,000 in Gross Revenue in its first year.
At their core, our founders are professional special event project managers with over 20+ years of combined experience planning and producing events. Throughout their careers they have a proven track record of being able to create unique experiences that turn attendees into loyal customers.
If you have an event that you’d like to work with Sync Production Group on, please complete this brief survey.
Upon completion a member of our team will follow up to schedule a FREE consultation!
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Black Soul Summer – Two Temple Alumni Bring ‘belonging’ to the Community
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Saleem “Taaj” Sabree and Melvin Powell met as roommates at Temple University 13 years ago. Despite being total strangers, they instantly formed a bond that led not just to a friendship but a full-blown business partnership. Most importantly, that partnership was based on a mutual goal of creating a more inclusive space in and for the Philadelphia community. They attribute much of their success to that “Temple spirit.”
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http://syncproductiongroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/headerbss.jpg” title_text=”headerbss” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]It’s not every day that you bond instantly with your roommate freshman year at college, and it’s certainly not every day that you become best friends and end up creating multiple projects with them over a decade later. However, that’s exactly what happened between Melvin Powell, STH ’13, and Saleem “Taaj” Sarbe, KLN ’13, who’ve not only started two production groups together but created a brand spawning multiple feel-good events and festivals that are now ubiquitously known within the Philadelphia community.
Taaj and Melvin were both freshman-year roommates at 1940 in 2009; both were new to Philadelphia, with Taaj from Boston and Melvin from outside the Baltimore area. The two bonded quickly, enjoying both the city environment and how active the Temple University campus was. They noticed quickly, however, aspects of how students operated after classroom hours. Taaj recalled how, while enjoying the nightlife and party scene off-campus, that it was actually “pretty self-segregated,” as he put it. “You had your typical fraternity parties, black fraternity parties, sports teams would have their own, it was just you know, it wasn’t really that mixed.” They wanted to change that so at only 18, they created So Far Out Entertainment Group. Taaj recalled getting his mixer board controller, and with some experience at Temple’s student-run radio station, WHIP, he started throwing parties with a few friends, including Melvin. They hoped to create a space that would break some of those barriers and allow folks to “just mix a little more freely.”
After a few smaller parties on campus, the two had the idea of going bigger with full-blown block parties. As many Philadelphians know, and as Melvin put it, “it’s just a very Philly thing.” They had their first official block party in 2011, celebrating back to school. Taaj said that even back then, there was an intention to not just throw parties and have fun, but to have “purpose” behind them. Having moved into the local neighborhoods off-campus themselves, Taaj and Melvin said it gave them a better perspective on the relationship between students and the community, and that it was important for them to prove to the neighborhood that the idea could be beneficial for everyone.
“The creativity and entrepreneurship that comes out of Temple students is really next to none.”
After throwing several successful block parties as students, the two graduated in 2013 and went their separate ways for a few years. In 2017, they met back up when they returned for Temple Homecoming, the yearly marquee event that regularly brings Owls back to the nest. They recalled that while they hadn’t seen each other in years, it was as if no time had passed. They quickly agreed they should return to the city where they first met and start a new business together.
The two created the All Love Block Party in 2017, a free block party event with the goal of bringing the community together, empowering Black and Brown project and event curators, and showcasing artists and vendors that didn’t have the resources to be a part of your typical corporate-owned large-scale events. Their first signature event was born, and a major collaborative feature of them: fellow Temple alumni-owned businesses. Melvin fondly remembered Stuff’d Buns in particular, an alumni-owned business that had their first event at their block party. “They got like Best of Philly or something like that two years after our event,” he said proudly.
Collaborating with fellow Temple alumni-owned businesses just “happened naturally,” Melvin said, thanks to the one or two degrees of separation from each other in their Philadelphia network. He explained that it was important to help out fellow alumni and local entrepreneurs, realizing that while many of them had the spirit, they didn’t necessarily have the resources. Taaj added, “the creativity and entrepreneurship that comes out of Temple students is really next to none.”
After a few years building the All Love Block Party event, all future planning was halted because of COVID-19 in 2020. The two spent that year thinking about additional opportunities and created their second production company, Sync Production Group. In 2021, they were able to bring the All Love Block Party back, and given the reception to it, they wanted to keep on building the brand even further. When thinking of what to do next in 2022, the idea for Black Soul Summer really came into focus. It became the overarching identity for their summer events, which included not just the All Love Block Party in July but also events all summer long, including Hip Hop in the Park and a hip-hop and jazz festival with their nonprofit partner, Mill Creek Community Partnerships.
This year, they not only will be focusing on their signature events, but have a slew of new partnered events as well. The All Love Block Party is back for its 6th iteration on Saturday, July 29th, and then Hip Hop in the Park will also be returning, on Saturday, August 12th. Their other partnered events include SPINBECUE, Free Love Fest, Goddess in the Garden and more. You can check out their entire event calendar here.
In addition to their main Black Soul Summer events, the two also do smaller events in between the festivals, for people who may want a more relaxed experience. Through all of those events, however, the theme always remains the same. “It’s a sense of belonging,” Melvin said. “I think that’s one of the things that’s missing right now.”
Taaj and Melvin look back on their Temple days incredibly fondly, adding that they were extremely grateful for their experience both in and out of the classroom. Taaj recalled how there was always something unique about Temple, and that even the students he encountered from other nearby schools knew it and “felt something different too.”
Once an Owl, always an Owl. Thinking back to their days as students, the two also looked back on their favorite dining options on- and off-campus. “I was a Pub Webb guy. All they had back in the day was wings. That’s all you needed,” Taaj said with a laugh. Melvin’s choice? The crepe truck. “There were days I definitely went twice in a day. I would go and get a savory joint and then I would go back and get a Nutella crepe at the end of the day.”
Published Friday, August 5th 2022 by Temple Alumni Association
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