Chicago Meet-up

Originally Posted by ld111134

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pants optional.

What kind of meet-up is this exactly?

No kidding... if it's going to be a conversation about soccer, I may have to reconsider.

Originally Posted by ChicagoRon

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No kidding... if it's going to be a conversation about soccer, I may have to reconsider.

Et tu, Ron?

Gentlemen,

I'm leaning towards holding the event on Thursday, September 24th (with Thursday, October 1st as a back-up date).

Between SF and AAAC, we may have close to 20 attendees, if not more.

I'm waiting to hear back from the W City Center Hotel (on Adams in the Loop), the 316 Club (near the Board of Trade) and Bin 36 (on Dearborn in River North, next to the House of Blues).

One of our bretheren has spoken to Paul Grangaard, the CEO of Allen Edmonds, who might be interested in joining us. He might want to do a trunk show, but I want to gauge interest before making any kind of commitments (i.e. to we simply want to commiserate amongst ourselves or have Paul and his colleagues talk about their goods).

Look forward to receiving your input.

LD

P.S. The earlier that you can commit the better so I can get a handle on headcount.

Someone also suggested inviting photographers from Chicago Social to cover our event.

Originally Posted by chorse123

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What kind of meet-up is this exactly?

One where kilts are acceptable. You do sell kilts, don't you Jamison?

1. if pants are optional, I am not coming
2. I am not that interested in a trunk show
3. both those dates work for me

I am thinking that we could ask the Allen Edmonds guys to come down to mix and mingle but not to do a full-on "dog and pony" show - this is our first get-together and I'd rather that we get to know each other than all listen to vendor....others should speak up if they feel differently...

Originally Posted by ld111134

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I am thinking that we could ask the Allen Edmonds guys to come down to mix and mingle but not to do a full-on "dog and pony" show - this is our first get-together and I'd rather that we get to know each other than all listen to vendor....others should speak up if they feel differently...
I agree. I'd like a relaxed atmosphere. Maybe it can pick up intensity once we're more familiar with one another. Wow, that sounded sort of lame. ;p P.S. The 24th would be best for me.

I should be able to attend.

Originally Posted by Francisco D'Anconia

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I should be able to attend.

Molto bene!

That would be awesome if the AE CEO attended.

Gentlemen,

I received a message from Paul Grangaard, the CEO of Allen Edmonds and he is very enthusiastic about our event, and both September 24th and October 1st work for him. He mentioned that he'll bring his best shoe expert and also suggested inviting Skip Horween, who owns and operates the Horween cordovan tannery (located in Bucktown), and I asked Paul to reach out to Skip. Paul agreed that he will be there to mix, mingle and answer questions (especially about AE's new fall line-up), so this won't be a full-on trunk show.

Bin 36 (near the House of Blues and Marina Towers) will be sending me a menu later today - their representative told me this morning that they have a $1,000 mimimum to secure a private room.

I am waiting to hear about some other venues. While Paul generously offered to open up his Michigan Avenue store for an initial cocktail hour and then moving to another location, I would prefer to hold the entire event at a single venue with drinks and appetizers.

Cheers,
LD

Damn! This is going to turn out to be a full blown event!!! pretty cool! I certainly hope I'll be able to attend...

You better be there, PandArts. We need your stylin' and profilin'.