Visual created by ZenGenius co Founder: Paul Cook
"Welcome to the WONDERful World of ZenGenius!"
Exclaimed the Patina V mannequin generously provided on loan from
Victorias Secret. She stood proudly chic-ly dressed in a halter top created from
locally produced Wonder Bread Bags by ZG Co founder, Paul Cook. The lovely
model accessorized herself for the evening with the signature "little toasts" ZenGenius
used to invite guests to the event.
The Invite was co-created with LabelBrandGraphics.com and the ZG Team!
Little toasts were hand glued and delivered with 95% crumb free success.
Envelopes were hand addressed by the HandwritingDiva.com
On January 23, 2009 ZenGenius celebrated their 10th anniversary
with a little toast at the Wexner Center for the Arts- Black Box.
This is an amazing venue tucked into the Wexner and as you can tell from the name
this is a great space to transform for any event.
The ZenGenius team created an atmosphere that was welcoming, energizing and showcased both the Event Design talent but also the Visual Merchandising strength that makes this a unique and innovative company. The Wex team worked hard to help set the evening an layered the venue with perfect lighting. The mood was set and pre-determined a special night.
Sherri Gelden from the Wexner Center welcomed ZenGenius and introduced Joe Baer for the special toast at 7:30. With glasses raised the crowd listened on the verge of every word:
"Thank you Sherri and the Wexner Center- the adorable Elaine, Claudia, Andy, Jack, Jeff, Chris and the whole team at the Wex. It's an honor to celebrate in an institution that wholeheartedly embraces creativity and the arts. To share an evening with Andy Warhol is unbelievable and we hope he is here with us in spirit this evening.
If this were a formal toast and we were in London this evening we might begin the toast by raising our glasses with a "God Save the Queen" (laughter and comments from crowd) but we are here in the USA and this is also the ending of a historic week so it's also appropriate to raise our glass to include the head of state, President Obama. May each of our individual actions help to make his words a reality as we usher in a new era. This is also a new era for us at ZenGenius. Tonight we toast the past. The accomplishments, daily lessons and victories we have earned. Tonight we toast the present. This moment that brings all of us together tonight to celebrate and live. Tonight we toast the future. A future that allows each of us to use our talent and gifts to bring more peace, beauty, harmony and visual inspiration to benefit all.
This is a toast of thanks. Thank you to each of you. Thank you Paul. Thank you to my family. Thank you Mom. And thank you to all of the inbeleivably talented people that reek of individuality and creativity and make up the incredible team at ZenGenius! Thank you ZenGenius! Cheers!"
The champagne poured from the champagne bar and guests were invited to embellish their flute with a classic sugar cube, strawberry, orange quarter, pommagranite seeds or a stick of cholcolate. Trays of an assortment of mini toast hors d'ouvres were passed and the buffet featured a modern crudite display, a gourmet cheese board and a tasting wall with spoons featuring different delights.
Event Source lit up the evening by supplying great lounge furniture with remote control LED cubes and an LED dj booth where Rainer Zeihm kept the evening hopping with a hip bollywood influence that ignited the diverse crowd of clients, friends, family and ZG gurus. Event Source provided beautiful black candelabras lit with frosted LED votives, great custom linens and ghost chairs to set the stage at the Black Box.
Another key element to the beautiful look were the flowers created by Tracy Elzy and Kim Downs from ZenGenius. Beautiful arrangements adorned the bars and the chic arrangements were added to ZG logo toasters to reinforce the "toast" theme.
Custom Linens from Event Source and toaster florals by Tracy Elzy and Kim Downs from ZenGenius
Live Technologies gifted a lazer cut "ZG" that was featured behind the bar on an Event Source bookcase and also as guests entered by the Wonder Bread lady. Thank you Bonz! Amanda! Rusty! and Sean!!!! You rock!
LazerCut Foam letter from Live Tech. White Bookcase from Event Source
Modern Champagne flutes from Lasting Impressions. Color phasing LEDs from ZenGenius
Design: Matthew Buccilla and Michael Bova, ZenGenius
Lasting Impressions also provided an amazing new line of lounge furniture for events as well as our favorite flute! Lasting also provided a plate that delighted the guests....a plate that has a spot for your glass to sit while you eat. Love it!!!
Lounge Furniture now available from Lasting Impressions.
One final exciting element that added to the pace of the evening was the first annual ZenGenius Iron Merchant Challenge. Six ZG gurus competed to create a display using a mannequin with limited time, limited resources using a special ingredient: a little toast! Guests were then invited to vote on their favorite.
Brain Duran and Barbara Joy led team one creating "Ginger Toast"
Heather Glass Oakes and Joe Lamother led team two and their creation "The Toast Genie"
and the third team of Jen Graven and Angela Siciliano created "Lil' Red Garbage Hood"
The race was close and it came down to a difference of just two votes! Team three Jen Graven and Angela Siciliano were victorious. They proudly sported tiaras, sashes and sceptors! Congratulations!!!!
Iron Merchant Contenders:
Team One- Brian Duran, Barbara Joy "Ginger Toast"
Team Two- Heather Glass Oaks, Joe Lamothe "Ten Years of Wishes!" The Toast Genie!
Team Three- Jen Graven and Jen Siciliano "Lil' Red Garbage Hood"
"Ginger Toast" Brian Duran and Barbara Joy
"The Toast Genie" Heather Glass Oakes and Joe Lamothe
After the champagne poured for a bit and guests were giggling we introduced a hot dog cart with chic little hot dogs and gourmet toppings like mango chutney and spicy ketchup to help balance the alcohol. Our vegetarian friends were also delighted to find out that veggie dogs were included for them as well. Consideration of every guest...another ZenGenius value.
Cameron Mitchell did an amazing job with both the food and the service. The staff was observant and the guests commented on the great service. The Wexner Center bartenders were on top of the night keeping the glasses full and the energy hopping!
Thank you for joining us...for a little toast!
The pictures are rolling in. So stay tuned to see if your mug made it to any of the shots.
First, Thank you to the incredible photography of Ray Lavoie. He captured many beautiful faces and wonderful moments. How does he make everyone look so damn good? If you need a professional photographer or great event photographer. Ray is your man.
Follow this link:
http://raylavoie.com/zengenius_2009/
Mitch Lambert wrote:
Little Red Garbage Hood was looking over the evening from the balcony, with her “first place” smirk on her face and commanding respect from her two runner-ups.
The glow of the ZG logo was like a full moon against a darkened sky and it sparkled in her eyes. The heavy bass of the music pounding deep into her mind thinking ”..not even Andy Warhol can steal my attitude!” However, the night did not belong to her, as she had so conceived, but to an entrepreneur of ten years. So, she scoffed her head and conceded the floor to the “real” celebrity as he took the microphone.
Mr. Zen Genius proceeded to thank his many artist for their contribution to ZG. Smiles and laughter were abound with his “God save the Queen…” statement. A toast for all with raised glasses was the conclusion of his admiration for his friends and family. The tribute was filled with hugs, smiles and champagne that left an everlasting impression. Still, Little red Garbage Hood, with all her self-center narcissism , would not turn her head to acknowledge the evening of Zen Genius. (What a Bitch!)
"Lil' Red Garbage Hood" created by Jen Graven and Angela Siciliano official
winners of the 1st Annual 2009 ZG Iron Merchant Competition!
