DWIGHT POWELL, CEO OF SIZZLE MIAMI TALKS INFERNO DR, AND WILL WILLIAMS INTERVIEW WITH FUNKY DINEVA, "ALWAYS PROTECT AND PUT CUSTOMERS FIRST"

The day after it was announced that Inferno had been cancelled, Powell took to his Facebook page and posted the following message, "Until He Speaks - This Is From All Event Planners & Promoters Doing Right By Our Customers. We all hope that this is corrected to the satisfaction of all affected. Myself included. Please, no event comparisons as we're all negatively affected." In addition to that statement, he posted the following photo.


Shortly thereafter, Powell had gotten word that Will Williams' first initial statement had been released through celebrity blogger B. Scott's, rather than posted on the official Inferno fan page:

"If this is really EXCLUSIVE to B.Scott I would say that the patron have been again, insulted to the very end. I at least expected to see this on the official Inferno Fan Page. Now I'm really pissed - PR please... anyone!"

Will Williams of Inferno

In an interview with Funky Dineva, Williams addressed Powell's criticism of him stating, "In my opinion, it is wholly irresponsible for other promoters to use this unfortunate situation with Inferno DR to drum up business and support for their own events, especially considering that collectively we offer special events and other activities for our small, yet growing community. There are opportunities for all of us to cater to our community and to work together to increase the number of events offered. Honestly, I didn’t expect such from others in my line of business."

Not impressed by Williams answers to the questions that everyone have been asking since the event was cancelled, Powell posted an open letter on his Facebook with his own list of questions:

To this day, I had not publicly commented on this issue but, rather like everyone, suggested that Will say something sooner than later. Word of the cancellation became news on the 28th of August, but unfortunately it took Will more than two days to respond to affected guests either on the island or en route. My insistence, along with dozens of other event planners, was merely suggesting that he address his customers as time was running out.

In Will’s interview, he suggested that I took inappropriate, cheap shots in attempts to enhance my brand of 12 years. Naturally, the comment bothered me quite a bit, especially since that’s not the case. Just yesterday, I spoke with Will through Lonnell Williams and cautioned that they not do the interview unless he could properly answer the questions brought on by so many on the Face Book page of Funky Dineva. Even then I expressed concerns that doing so would further hurt his brand. I have always been a huge supporter of Inferno DR. Given that our demographic is short on similar quality events, in no way do I see Inferno DR as a competitor or find their existence problematic. I am proud that Sizzle provided Inferno DR a huge platform to launch and showcased the brand 6 years at my event. A little known fact is that prior to the first year I, along with my partner Luis, took Will to dinner and taught him everything about our business event planning platform. Will is only one of dozens that I’ve assisted in their quest to offer quality experiences for the LGBT market. So no Will, cheap shots where not taken at you or your brand. I was very disappointed that you would handle your customers in such an irresponsible manner – that’s about it.

While I did have questions of my own that I never shared with anyone, I now find it necessary to pose them here. I found your replies not only insensitive, but also insulted the intelligence of those looking for honest answers. I cautioned you not to do the interview, because I knew that you would not property address the concerns of your customers. As a member of this industry, naturally my questions hit more at home as to why you did not need to do the interview. On that note, these are the question people really want answered.

 1. When was the event cancelled by the hotel? 2. Why were funds still being collected up to the week of the event if the hotel had cancelled the event in their August 2nd email to you? 3. Why were customers not given proper notification prior to the cancellation? 4. Why there weren’t any DR Inferno staff on-site to coordinate the pending inconvenience, given that traditionally you and most on your team are in DR days prior to the event? 5. Why weren't you there to help coordinate the confusion after it started? 6. When was the talent cancelled (most booked talent had other plans for that weekend)? 7. Insurance / Why would you suggest that people protect their trip with additional insurance when booking online if the company (Inferno DR) was already purchasing insurance for them. Why double insurance? 8. Is this type of cancellation covered in you policy? 9. How can we be assured that 150% of payments made will be available next year when 0-100% isn't available today? 10. What happened to the money customers sent in? 11. WHERE IS THE MONEY NOW?

You know what they say, opinions are like assholes, and everyone has one. With all of the patrons, bloggers, and members of the black community emailing, tweeting, and posting all sorts of negative things about Williams, I don't think Powell needed to add to the pile up.