More than 260 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) leaders, creatives, executives, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and community builders gathered at Rideback Ranch in Historic Filipinotown for the inaugural Across the Industry event on May 31, 2026. Hosted by Augie Max Vargas and Narumi Inatsugu and presented by The Vargas Company and Rumiville Inc., the gathering brought together professionals from film, television, streaming, technology, music, business, culture, philanthropy, and public service during AANHPI Heritage Month.
Unlike traditional industry events, Across the Industry was intentionally designed without panels, awards, fundraising, red carpets, or extensive programming. Instead, the focus was on creating space for authentic connection among professionals whose paths do not often intersect despite working within the same entertainment ecosystem. Members and leadership from major entertainment guilds, academies, unions, cultural organizations, community groups, and civic leadership circles attended, creating a rare opportunity for cross-sector relationship-building.
"The idea was to bring together the absolute best Above-The-Line and Below-The-Line AANHPI entertainment professionals working across television and film," said Augie Max Vargas, founder of The Vargas Company and co-host of the event. "A common thread I heard all night was a feeling of joyful emotion where attendees felt inspired and, more importantly, part of a community that is larger and stronger than many people realize."
Narumi Inatsugu, CEO of Rumiville Inc. and co-host, added, "What happened in that room was bigger than networking. It was a reminder that community is one of the most powerful forces in our industry. When people from different generations, disciplines, and backgrounds come together with a shared sense of purpose, new ideas emerge, new relationships are formed, and the future becomes a little more connected."
Attendees represented a broad cross-section of the entertainment industry, including professionals connected to major guilds, academies, production companies, studios, networks, cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and public service organizations. The event featured professional headshot activations, curated brand participation, community experiences, and opportunities for attendees to build new relationships across industries that rarely gather together in the same room.
The success of the inaugural gathering has already sparked conversations about future editions of Across the Industry and the continued development of the platform as an annual opportunity to strengthen community, collaboration, and connection across the AANHPI entertainment community and beyond. For business and technology leaders, the event underscores the growing importance of intentional community-building in an increasingly fragmented media landscape. By fostering cross-disciplinary connections, such gatherings can lead to new collaborations, diverse storytelling, and innovative projects that reflect the full spectrum of AANHPI experiences. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, initiatives like Across the Industry demonstrate how targeted networking events can create lasting impact by bridging gaps between creative talent, executives, and technologists.
