As part of our 10th anniversary issue, we asked some of the editors to reflect on their time at BizBash, and share some of their memorable moments and favorite events.
Chad Kaydo, Editor in Chief
On Staff Since: June 2000
Memorable Moments: “Too many to count, but I do remember thinking that watching Sting play from about 15 feet away at a Harper’s Bazaar party in 2002 did not make for a bad evening. And don’t tell anyone, but some of the A-list actors (Meryl Streep!) at the American Film Institute’s Salute to Mike Nichols (one of my favorite directors) in L.A. last year had me pretty giddy, too. And I’ll probably always remember talking my way into the Marc Jacobs party on September 10, 2001, and marveling over Robert Isabell’s masterful use of scale and simple elements to make a grand, chic party, just hours before the whole world changed.”
Favorite Events to Cover: “I loved going to Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards when Laura Aviva dreamed up elaborate, transporting parties—and American Express gave her the budget to make them possible. The size and ambition of the Robin Hood Foundation gala is always fun to check out. Doing the circuit of White House Correspondents’ Dinner parties is a great way to see D.C. friends and sources. But my favorites are always the parties that make you stop and say, ‘I’ve never seen that before,’ and you can’t wait to tell readers about it.”
Best Perk: “The gift bags are nice, but I’m most grateful for the chance to meet so many immensely talented people, and getting to hear how they do their jobs. The same goes for the editors, writers, and photographers who have contributed over the years.”
Courtney Thompson, News Editor
On Staff Since: May 2006
First Event Covered: “The Pink Panther premiere after-party produced by Chris Bennaroch at Cipriani 42nd Street. Not a bad way to kick off my tenure.”
Memorable Moment: “The number of people that turned out for the Sex and the City film premiere at Radio City in 2008 was certainly memorable. The city’s beloved franchise had been reincarnated, and the result was pure mayhem—in a good way.”
Favorite Event to Cover: “It’s a tie between the Whitney Museum’s fall gala and spring Art Party. Both events involve lots of thoroughly inventive decor, the best producers, cultivated guest lists, and a great DJ.” (More on the fall gala is on page 174.)
Toughest Assignment: “Launching the National Venue Guide back in 2006 was a huge challenge in that we had to create content for 15 cities, and we started with writers in only two of them.”
Alesandra Dubin, West Coast Editor
On Staff Since: October 2003
First Event Covered: “The New York launch of a new bottle for Finlandia vodka, produced by the Strategic Group. I remember there was an ice bar and live ice carving—I was fresh from journalism school, and it seemed like the coolest thing ever.”
Memorable Moment: “Getting flashed by a bicycling stranger while waiting for an intern in front of the Frick Collection’s young fellows gala in New York. But here’s a different kind of memorable: Covering the Virgin Galactic space ship launch in the Mojave desert in 2009. Dangerously high winds caused light fixtures to sway violently and the tent to creak, and I remember thinking to myself, ‘There are two sitting governors in this tent—if it comes down, high-quality help will surely come right away.’ After I boarded the media shuttle—and officials called for an evacuation—the tent was reduced to rubble by the winds.”
Favorite Event to Cover: “Emmys (Entertainment Tonight’s party feels so luxe and lively), Grammys (the live-music experience of the year, with inspiring staging), and Coachella (consistent reinvention and smart marketing ideas year after year).”
Toughest Story: “Usually, it’s the Oscars. By the time the big weekend rolls around it’s been a long award season with very little sleep, and there are so many coverage-worthy events going on at once.”
Jenny Berg, Chicago Bureau Chief
On Staff Since: March 2008
First Event Covered: “Common Threads’ World Festival, a walk-around tasting for chef Art Smith’s charity. ”
Favorite Event to Cover: “I have many, of course, but the Lyric’s Fantasy of the Opera and the Joffrey’s Couture and Cocktails are high on the list. Parkways Foundation’s Galapalooza has a surreal, and very special, feel. It takes place in Grant Park the night before tin for Lollapalooza. One of the Lolla acts puts on an intimate performance while guests listen from lounges—quite a different scene from the muddy situation during the actual festival.”
Toughest Story: “Trying to get the scoop on election night in Grant Park in 2008. All the vendors were sworn to secrecy, so the next morning I had to blindly reach out to companies hoping that a.) they had participated and b.) they could provide details. I think I sent a port-a-potty company an inquiry hoping for a lead. Finally, I got Rita Gutekanst from Limelight on the phone and found out that her team had done the catering. I also spoke to Bob Mertzlufft from Heffernan Morgan, who had handled decor. Both people went so far beyond the basics in their emails to me describing the night, and really got into the emotions of the evening, the camaraderie amidst the vendors, and the personal joy they felt. It was so moving to read these testimonies.”
Anna Sekula, Senior Editor
On Staff Since: April 2004
First Event Covered: “Calvin Klein Eternity Moment fragrance launch at the rooftop of the Hotel Gansevoort.”
Favorite Design Moment: “Floor-to-ceiling walls made from plastic wrap at Smart Car’s launch for Sideways, a Smart Art Project during the 2008 New York International Auto Show.”
Proudest Achievement: “Not a personal one, but a group effort: Getting the videos off the ground and putting together pieces on Target’s Party for Good and others.” (She’s modest, but Anna has played a huge role in our video work.)
Toughest Story: “The New York City Wine & Food Festival in 2010. It wasn’t because the event itself isn’t interesting—it is—however, with so many different magazines, blogs, and reporters covering the various chefs, events, and other components, I wanted to find a unique angle that would speak to how successful the festival has become. So I talked to the sponsors, who have a hand in creating the different festivities, and from that learned just how invested they are in the event.”
