| EVENT REPORT 10.27.09 5:13 PM |
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After Management Change, Gen Art's Fresh Faces in Fashion Keeps Signature Elements—Minus the Cocktails
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 | Gen Art's Fresh Faces in Fashion show in Chicago
Photo: Billy Rood Photography |
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Part of Chicago's Fashion Focus, Gen Art's Fresh Faces in Fashion event comprises a runway presentation that showcases the work of emerging designers and an after-party that typically calls out the events' sponsors with branded elements such as custom lounges and bars. This year's Saturday-night happening, which began in Millennium Park and wrapped up with an after-party at Enclave, differed from its previous iterations in a few notable ways. But according to event manager Marcia Callaghan, those changes had everything to do with the economic climate and nothing to do with Gen Art's recent merger with Rock Media.
Callaghan worked with lead producer Lauren Hurley to organize the event. Both planners started working with Gen Art prior to its afiliation with Rock Media, and "the merger didn't affect us at all," when it came to organizing this year's fashion event, Callaghan said. "Fresh Faces has been around for seven years, and it's still standard [Gen Art] event programming. Right now, the [Gen Art and Rock Media outlets on] the coasts are still adjusting to the merger; but in this market, Rock Media has never had any offices. So as far as Lauren and I go, management just kind of let us do our thing while [the two organizations] get used to working with each other in other markets.'"
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Gen Art, Smartwater, MoroccanOil, Fashion Focus 2009, Absolut Vodka |
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| NEWS 09.08.09 11:04 AM |
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Fall Preview: What Chicago Event Pros Are Working on This Season
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With the unofficial end of summer behind us (that would be Labor Day), event professionals are looking to the fall—a traditionally busy time—to see how the economic recovery will help the industry rebound from what has so far been a pretty slow year. We asked a group of local planners and vendors what they have in the works for the coming months. Here are some highlights.
"It's encouraging that we are seeing more people planning for the future, and getting excited about it. In addition to more short-term projects, we're also working on several events that will take place in 2010. People are starting to plan for the holidays. Some businesses did so little celebrating throughout the year that they're wanting to do something merry and bright for the holidays. We're currently seeing requests for more conservative and traditional styles and themes, but presented with a festive flair."
—Deborah Borsum, president, Meetinghouse Companies Inc.
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Gen Art, Chicago History Museum, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Children's Memorial Hospital, Fall Preview 2009 |
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| NEWS 06.23.09 1:00 PM |
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Facing Severe Sponsorship Drop, Gen Art Brings Back Benefit to Raise Funds
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 | Acura's display at the 2009 Gen Art Film Festival in New York
Photo: Alice and Chris for BizBash |
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FROM NEW YORK
Gen Art, the frequent event host that matches up emerging creative talent with corporate sponsors, has seen a 70 percent drop in sponsorship dollars from 2008 to 2009. So after relying on money from marketers to fund both its for-profit event production company and its nonprofit wing during most of its 15-year history, Gen Art has made drastic cutbacks and will put on its first benefit in nearly 10 years this week in New York.
"If the recession had hit three months later, it would have been a completely different story," said Gen Art C.E.O. and founder Ian Gerard, thinking back to last October, "but because it all happened before the 2009 fiscal year came, everyone drastically cut back their marketing budgets from the start."
Those cutbacks affected ongoing initiatives with Gen Art. Despite having yearlong deals in the works, official partners such as Acura, American Express, and Citibank all pulled back. "We're still working with all of those companies," Gerard said. "It's just been at such a reduced amount. It's more event-by-event versus an annual deal across all of our events or a large number of them."
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Gen Art, Citibank, Acura, American Express |
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| NEWS 02.05.09 5:30 PM |
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Despite a Few No-Shows, Robust Slate of Grammy Events to Blanket L.A.
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 | Will.i.am kicking off the "Worlds on Fire" exhibition
Photo: Kevin Parry |
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FROM LOS ANGELES
Despite some notable high-profile absences, there are still plenty of contenders for guests' time on the Grammy week calendar this year—including some newcomers to the scene.
On Monday, Will.i.am and Gen Art kicked off the week with the opening night of the "Worlds on Fire" artist exhibition downtown. Portraits honored 2009 nominees such as Al Green, Beck, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, Madonna, M.I.A, Nas, Nine Inch Nails, Paul McCartney, and Radiohead. Jacob’s Creek supplied beverages, and guests browsed a silent auction. Proceeds benefited the Black Eyed Peas’ Peapod Foundation and other local charities for L.A. youth. The exhibit runs through Sunday at the Pacific Electric Lofts.
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Grammys, Recording Academy, Award Season, Gift Suites, Gen Art, In Touch Weekly, Asics, Jacob's Creek, Rhino, Peapod Foundation, Nu-Soul Magazine, Lite Brite, Universal Motown Republic Group, Island Def Jam, Los Angeles Magazine, L.A. Works, MTV Games, Rock Band |
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| BEST OF 2008 11.24.08 8:00 AM |
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New Ideas for Step-and-Repeats, Activities, and Entertainment
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 | Cry-Baby's kitschy cake ladies
Photo: Alison Whittington for BizBash |
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Cry-Baby, John Waters, Coachella, Anthem Magazine, Target, Converse, MTV Movie Awards, Inter-Pacific Bar Association, Gen Art, Nokia |
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| EVENT REPORT 10.06.08 11:00 AM |
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Sponsors Get Top Billing at Gen Art's Fresh Faces Show
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 | Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion
Photo: Courtesy of Gen Art Chicago |
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At Wednesday night's Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion, a runway show presented by T-Mobile and BlackBerry showcased the work of six local fashion designers. While working on the event, Gen Art Chicago staffers Carolyn Pelissero, Lauren Hurley, and Marcia Callaghan said that they devoted most of their planning time to securing national sponsors.
And throughout the cocktail reception, fashion show, and after-party, there was no question about who those sponsors were. Just outside the entrance to a tent spanning Millennium Park's Chase Promenade, Fall Out Boy bassist and Fresh Faces host Pete Wentz conducted interviews and posed for photos in front of a step-and-repeat splashed with T-Mobile and BlackBerry logos.
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Gen Art, T-Mobile, BlackBerry, Pete Wentz, Axe, Lancôme, Botox |
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| WHO'S DOING WHAT 09.08.08 9:00 AM |
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Pelissero Joins Gen Art
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 | | Carolyn Pelissero |
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Carolyn Pelissero began her position as the regional marketing/business development director for Gen Art Chicago on August 20. She spent a year as marketing manager at Chicago magazine, where she worked on added-value proposals, sponsorships, and events.
In her newly created position at Gen Art, Pelissero will be responsible for marketing initiatives for events including the Fresh Faces in Fashion showcases and Shop Chicago. She will also work on building local and national relationships with sponsors, media, and members of the arts and entertainment organization.
—Lourdes Branch
RELATED TOPICS
Gen Art, Chicago Magazine |
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| MY FAVORITE VENDORS 09.04.08 5:49 PM |
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Gen Art Likes BBJ Linen
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 | | Lauren K. Hurley |
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Lauren K. Hurley has been the event producer for Gen Art Chicago since August, and she spent four years as marketing and events manager of Screen Magazine. Hurley is responsible for producing 40 regional events throughout the year. She is currently working on the October 1 Fresh Faces in Fashion, and an October 4 shopping event, which will both take place inside the tent at Millennium Park.
Audiovisual Production: "Sound Investment Ltd. makes our job so easy. We have complete trust in them and a loyal relationship because we know that we will be taken care of with no problems, and they are flexible with our needs."
Catering: "One of the things I really like about Food for Thought is that they use unique ingredients and creative cuisine presentations. Their creative flourishes and modern tastes are amazing and leave an impact on your guests. We’re using Blue Plate Catering for Fresh Faces. They are an industry staple. They’re a quality caterer with a wonderful reputation and when you use them, you know your event will be a success. Another caterer that is on my radar is Greg Christian Catering. He positions himself as a conscious caterer and uses clean, environment-friendly ingredients and eco-practices."
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Gen Art |
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| TOP 100 EVENTS 07.07.08 10:00 AM |
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Chicago's Top Fashion Industry Events 2008
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 | Macy's Glamorama
Photo: Courtesy of Macy's East Media Relations |
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1. Fashion Focus Chicago
Michelle Tan, Lara Miller, and Orlando Espinoza were just a few of the 100 local designers featured in last year’s October style showcase, presented by the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs. Designed to promote Chicago’s burgeoning fashion scene, the weeklong event features runway shows, shopping tours, seminars, and fashion installations. More than 35,000 people came out for the 2007 activities, which saw high-profile runway events in Millennium Park, while smaller events took place in a variety of venues across the city. Fashion Focus 2008 will be held in October.
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Chicago's Top 100 Events, City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Rush University Medical Center, Children's Memorial Hospital, Boys & Girls Clubs, McCormick Foundation, Service Club of Chicago, Fashion Group International, Art Institute of Chicago, Costume Council of the Chicago Historical Society, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, CS Magazine, Nordstrom, Macy's, Gen Art |
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