BRNO DAYS IN NEW YORK (1 - 2 October 2012, BOHEMIAN NATIONAL HALL IN MANHATTAN)
The project was designed and implemented for the city of Brno.
SUMMARY OF PROJECT
The complete implementation of a large event of international importance (Event Management and Media Relations). Its goal was to:
1) strengthen the existing relationships of companies/institutions from Brno and the city itself with American business partners and to develop new contacts with potential new investors,
2) show the exceptional cultural and architectural genius loci of the city and to build on the cultural and architectural traditions, illustrated by Villa Tugendhat as a pearl of functionalism entered in UNESCO's list of world heritage sites.
While the first day was dedicated to Villa Tugendhat, on the second day Brno presented its business and science & research potential as part of its business mission.
The event took place under the auspices of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the American embassy in the Czech Republic, the Czech embassy in the USA and the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the Czech General Consulate in New York, the American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic and the Czech Centre New York. Other cooperating subjects included the American Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic, CzechInvest, The South Moravian Centre of Innovation, the Moravian Association of Women Entrepreneurs and Managers, the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Brno, Takeplace and the Wine Fund of the Czech Republic.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNICATION OPPORTUNITIES OR THE RISK THE PROJECT RESOLVED
The project's risk was primarily related to its production. The most difficult aspect for the smooth course of the event itself was the coordination of a large number of partners - participating companies and institutions (more than 30). Plus there was a relatively short time (about 35 days) for the preparation of the entire event. During the tight schedule of the preparation phase it was necessary to count on the fact that, due to the time difference between the Czech Republic and New York (-6 hours), a lot of urgent matters could not be resolved immediately.
DESCRIPTION OF REALISED ACTIVITIES
• coordination of complete preparation of entire event in the Czech Republic (incl. continuing communication with the general partners, other partners and cooperating subjects, with Villa Tugendhat, with the Czech General Consulate in New York, with all the sub-providers (from the graphics studio, catering and musical performances to the transport of the Villa Tugendhat exhibition and the necessary materials to the site of the event and back)
• coordination of preparation of entire event on site in New York two days before the event
• complete production of the event on October 1st and 2nd including the moderating of the first day's social evening
• consulting and coordination of all the editing work related to the production of the various materials and sources of information for the event (a special web site for the event, electronic and printed invitations, a 32-page brochure on the event, a hard-backed programme of the event, roll-ups) including the actual editing work, proof-reading and translation of the submitted texts into English
• medialisation of the event (a Press Kit in Czech and English versions as a detailed summary of information for the media, the preparation of "Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on the Brno Days event in New York", the creation of three press releases - two before the event and one following the event - and their distribution to Czech and foreign media).
SUMMARY OF RESULTS ACHIEVED WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE PROJECT'S EFFECTS WITH REGARD TO BUSINESS, THE COMMERCIAL RESULTS AND CLIENT'S REPUTATION
Event Management:
A total of 120 guests attended the professional seminar on Villa Tugendhat and the related social evening on the first day, ending with the international premiere of the documentary film by Czech Television, A Fate Named Tugendhat. The second day's business mission was attended by 80 guests. The number of visitors for both days, considering it was New York, where dozens of events of this type take place every day, can be considered to be a success according to the head of the Economic Section of the Czech General Consulate in New York.
Medialisation:
The event was reported by press agencies (ČTK New York, PR Newswire - from which several American web sites took the article), dailies (Brněnský deník, Právo), electronic media (Czech Television - Studio 6 /Dobré ráno/, Bloomberg Radio), and local New York media (www.allny.com).
With the successful realisation of this project we confirmed that we are able to implement a high-quality foreign event in such a competitive environment as New York. Brno recognised the quality of our work in a letter of thanks. The representatives of the city particularly praised Crest's very active approach in difficult situations, when it was necessary to coordinate a high number of partners, and the level of hard work shown by all members of the agency's team.
