Peace out 2009, and peace in 2010!
2009 is over? Wow, what a year!
Industry veterans traditionally say there is an event “season” for nose-to-the-grindstone six-events-at-once work, and then there is an “off-season” for rest and organization. Well, that never happened in 2009, at least not at Event Architects. This happened…
We started 2009 with a bang. With only a few weeks of prep time, we headed to DC in January to plan and execute one of the most profound events of the year (perhaps century)—the Presidential Inauguration of our hometown hero, Barack Obama. We orchestrated Gospel Breakfasts, Bipartisan Dinners, top-notch entertainment acts (from Carole King to Bon Jovi), flipped venues, cued dances at the Commander-In-Chief Ball, transported a 1,000+ pound cheesecake from Chicago to DC, and maneuvered through the masses and barricades along Pennsylvania Avenue during the Swearing-In Ceremony and Parade. Breathe. That happened.
President Obama and Mrs. Obama share a dance at the Commander-In-Chief Ball.
Oh yeah, that happened while another team was wrapping up a corporate conference for about 1,000 people in Chicago. That happened.
Somewhere around April and May, people started disappearing around the office. They were in Paris, Berlin, London! These cities were part of a five-city tour we produced for the World of Athens (Athens, Greece not Athens, Georgia). A few weeks later, our comrades were stateside in New York and then finally back in Chicago around June… just when the rest of us started leaving for Rome and Barcelona. Oh, the irony! That happened.
The World of Athens interactive globe kicked-off its roadshow tour in London.
Every week during the first half of 2009, we hopped in and out of weekly planning huddles until we boarded chartered flights to Europe in June to produce a two-week Mediterranean cruise for 2,000 travelers to 8 cities/5 countries. Yup. That happened. We have great snapshots too!
We chartered the Norwegian Gem to travel to 8 Mediterranean cities for a two-week incentive travel trip.
Fresh off the boat, we started tightening up final logistics and sponsorship details for the Season Premiere of the Rachael Ray Show in August. The Wrigleyville Block Party, appropriately titled “Rachael’s Big Block Party”, invited the neighborhood and a few local celebs (Rick Bayless, Art Smith and Jenny McCarthy). We received a Gala Award nomination for this party. That happened.
"Rachael's Big Block Party" took place in the heart of Wrigleyville, complete with a Ferris wheel!
Ciao, ciao, summer. Hello fall, aka “proposal season,” as I like to call it. In between churning out proposals and presentations for our corporate clients’ 2010 (and beyond) projects, we produced a few events for some of our favorite clients, such as the Red Hot Gala benefiting The Primo Center for Women and Children and the Chicago Children’s Museum.
A lovely news item came our way in November when our CCO Gabrielle Martinez was named one of Crain’s “40 Under 40” of 2009. That was such a big deal, and we’re so proud of her! That happened.
Winter snuck up right after Thanksgiving along with some of our favorite chic winter events, including Children Memorial Hospital’s “Topping Off” Ceremony and BCG’s Annual Holiday Party. Each cozy fete featured warm delicious ciders, cocoas and delights fit for an intimate holiday party at your home.
And suddenly, it’s the New Year. We’re fixing finishing touches on our brand spanking new office space and ready to start 2010 on a great foot. Cheers to another great year!