The Maiden Edition of INDUSTRY MIXER – A Study in Fusion

The maiden edition of Industry Mixer unfolded as more than just another networking event; it was a live study in fusion, a multidisciplinary experiment that merged hospitality, creativity, and strategy. Hosted in collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe Lagos, the evening explored the subtle art of connection, collaboration, and cultural chemistry within Nigeria’s creative and corporate industries.

What began as a simple idea to decode how collaboration actually works evolved into a layered observation of truth, energy, and leadership. At its core, Industry Mixer served as a test run for multidisciplinary fusion—where food, fashion, design, media, and hospitality converged to reflect the dynamic new face of Nigeria’s creative economy.

The Brand Manager of Hard Rock Cafe Lagos led a vibrant cocktail competition that introduced a fresh wave of next-generation mixology professionals who blended quality, creativity, and speed into one seamless experience. The energy of the contest echoed the broader theme of the night: collaboration as performance and fusion as practice.

Moderator Abiola Lepe, a theatre artist and hospitality professional, demonstrated her range and adaptability, proving that versatility itself is a language of collaboration. Alongside her, moderator and PR director Shola Bamidele balanced managing public relations strategy with anchoring the evening’s conversations, embodying the event’s central message that true leadership begins in service.

The panel discussion that followed became a masterclass in insight and experience. Tokunbo Koiki, founder of Tokunbo’s Kitchen, emphasized the importance of understanding one’s niche, audience, and location—the foundation of a sustainable creative identity. Chef Tolu Eros, founder of ILÉ Eros Lagos, spoke on self-awareness as a brand strategy, urging creatives to define their audience, remain consistent, and value their craft appropriately. Culinary consultant and event curator Chef Gibbs reminded participants that no one becomes a superstar alone, stressing that industries thrive on collaboration, not competition.

Berg Baboyan, Culinary Director at Hard Rock Cafe Lagos, underscored the underrated value of local spices and drew parallels between flavor and human worth, calling attention to the often-overlooked people and elements that make systems flourish. Dhiren Pawar, Operations Manager at Hard Rock Cafe Lagos and known for his operational mastery, revealed the secret to merging creative industries through structure—emphasizing execution, adaptability, and understanding the business behind art.

Morenike George-Taylor, founder of The Lagos Food Bank Initiative, concluded the discussion with a resonant truth: “In the end, food unites us all.” Her question, “What next?” set the stage for the future of Industry Mixer.

In response, Chef Gibbs announced that the next phase of the Industry Mixer model will take place in partnership with the Africa Fashion Designers Awards (AFDA) on November 16. This upcoming edition will further test the fusion concept by integrating fashion, design, identity, creativity, and hospitality into a single immersive cultural experience.

Ultimately, Industry Mixer was more than an event—it was a social experiment exploring how genuine connection works within the creative world. Fusion, it turns out, is not just a theme; it is the new way of working and the driving force behind a truly productive ecosystem.