25th August, 2026

Client: NICO Group & American Chamber of Commerce in Malawi (AMCHAM)

Assignment: Event Coordination, Event Management, Creative Design

Solutions: On 25 August 2026, the American Chamber of Commerce in Malawi (AMCHAM) officially launched its Malawi Chapter, marking an important moment for strengthening commercial relationships between Malawi and the United States. On the same evening, NICO Group hosted a NICO Night cocktail reception in honour of AMCHAM and its stakeholders. Mirage PR was responsible for the event management, coordination and creative execution of both occasions, bringing together formal business proceedings and an elegant networking experience. Through strategic planning, event branding, guest registration and programme coordination, Mirage PR ensured that each event reflected its purpose.

The AMCHAM launch commenced at 5:00 PM with digital guest registration on the events portal, one of the services Mirage PR offers for seamless guest registration and check-in, followed by opening remarks from Ryan Scharar, President of FCA Corp and Vice President of Africap. Rob Scharar, Founder and CEO of FCA Corp and President of Africap, delivered a keynote address tracing the history of NICO, BHL and Africap. The programme also featured the induction of the American Chamber Trustees and remarks from Melania Arreaga, US Chargé d’Affaires, on strengthening US–Malawi commercial ties. Mirage PR coordinated the event environment and programme elements, including the stage presentation, American and Malawian flags, branded arch, photo booth and guest arrival experience, which featured a saxophonist playing subtle tunes. The launch proceedings concluded at 6:40 PM.

Guests then transitioned to the poolside garden at Ryalls Hotel for the NICO Night Cocktail Reception, where Mirage PR’s creative design and event coordination helped establish an elegant and inviting atmosphere. Following the MC’s welcome, Vizenge Kumwenda, NICO Group Managing Director, highlighted the importance of forging meaningful partnerships. From 7:30 PM, guests enjoyed networking, quality food, an open bar and live music featuring a blend of golden classics and local favourites. Branded gift bags were presented to guests as they departed, providing a thoughtful close to the evening. Through careful attention to event branding, entertainment and programme flow, Mirage PR helped create an environment that encouraged connections and reinforced the occasion’s focus on partnership.

Highlights

  • End-to-end event management: Mirage PR coordinated two connected corporate events in one evening, managing programme flow, on-site requirements and the transition from the formal AMCHAM launch to the NICO Night cocktail reception.
  • Creative event branding and design: The AMCHAM launch featured a well-presented stage, American and Malawian flags, a branded arch and a photo booth. At NICO Night, elegant event branding transformed the poolside garden into an inviting networking environment.
  • Seamless guest registration: Mirage PR supported digital registration helping streamline guest arrival and event access.
  • Premium guest experience: A saxophonist welcomed guests at the AMCHAM launch, while a live band at NICO Night delivered a mix of golden oldies, contemporary hits and local music.
  • Strategic programme coordination: Effective coordination helped keep both programmes on track while ensuring requirements and on-site needs were addressed efficiently.
  • Business networking and stakeholder engagement: The two events provided complementary platforms for formal engagement, partnership-building and relationship development among business leaders, stakeholders and invited guests.

Through the AMCHAM Malawi launch and NICO Night, Mirage PR showed its expertise in corporate event management, creative design, event branding and stakeholder engagement in Malawi. Managing two distinct experiences within one evening required strategic coordination, creative execution and attention to detail. By aligning the event environments, programme requirements and guest experiences with the objectives of each occasion, Mirage PR helped deliver a successful international launch of the AMCHAM, a bond between Malawi traders and the United States of America market.