Newsletter
April 2015 Volume 5 Issue 1

Spring into Spring with ZenGenius!
At last, spring has finally arrived!  We couldn't be happier to see green, and spring bulbs popping up through the soil.  Although this winter has challenged many of us, we are happy to report that we've had a very successful first quarter.  We started out the year with new clients, new projects and long-time friends requesting our services with new retail and event concepts.  As always, we are so very thankful to the wonderful people that we get to work with each day, that allow us to do what we love.

In addition to new and exciting projects, we joined the wonderful community of artists at 400 West Rich in the Franklinton Arts District in Columbus, Ohio. We've also been nominated for an International Special Events Society WOW! Award, which has us all on the edge of our seats with anticipation. Stay tuned, and follow-us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates!
This Issue's Headliners
Zen Spotlight
Congratulations to Greg Galvin from our talented Columbus team for being selected for our Zen Spotlight!   
Learn more.
GlobalShop 2015     
For 23 years, GlobalShop has been the must see annual trade-show event for the retail design and merchandising industry.
Learn more.
ISES WOW! Nomination  
ZenGenius is beyond honored to be nominated for an ISES WOW! Award for a recent special event.
Learn more.
Also in this Issue: New ZenGenius Studio, We Love Earth Day, Word Spotlight, 10th Annual IRDC Iron Merchant and ShakeDown with Joe Baer.

ZenSpotlight
Zen Spotlight
Greg Galvin is a talented Visual Merchandiser that has been with us since December of 2014.  We are so fortunate to have him on our team!

My inspiration: 
I find inspiration through art, architecture, fashion, nature and other creative individuals.   

My favorite part about working with ZG:
Is the diversity of projects and the amazing opportunities to work with so many creative minds.  Everyday is something new.     
   
A favorite project/experience: 
Being involved with the Louis Vuitton projects, and being able to assist with their intricate windows displays.         

A random fun fact about me:

Most people don't know that I used to live in a funeral home.  We moved out when I was about 6 or 7, but I still remember it well.   
A Special Congratulations to Phuong Nguyen
Congratulations to Phuong Nguyen, for being offered a permanent Graphic Design position within the Visual Merchandising department at Victoria's Secret!  We are so very happy for you and appreciate all of the hard work and passion you have put into your work for our clients.  We are always thrilled when we introduce fresh talent to a client and they love them as much as we do.  Phuong, we wish you continued success.  All the best from your friends at ZenGenius!
GlobalShop GlobalShop 2015
We're all about that selfie!  Each year, GlobalShop brings us a first-hand look into the new, now and next of retail design and visual merchandising, and this year one of our favorite collections was the Selfie Mannequin Collection by Greneker.  We continue to be amazed by the evolution of mannequins, and this collection really knocked our socks off.  This collection not only featured the ever-popular selfie pose, but it also featured incredible details and shading.



Another big idea at GlobalShop was the continued integration of digital technology within the retail space.  One of our favorites was the interactive merchandising system by PERCH, which provides information and imagery to the customer upon picking-up a product.  You may have seen this system at the very unique retail concept in New York City called Story.























Another concept, by NanoLumens, incorporates digital interactive imagery into fixtures, signage and more.  NanoLumens also created the stunning entrance tunnel to GlobalShop, which left us all saying, WOW.  This stuff is just too-cool-for-school! Click the image below to check-out a video:

ISESWOW ISES WOW! Award Nomination
International Special Events Society

We are beyond honored to be nominated for an International Special Events Society (ISES) WOW! Award, and we're so excited to share it with you. The ISES WOW! Awards celebrates and honors the talents and contributions of ISES members in the special events industry, and provides statewide recognition for each of its members.  We would like to give a special shout-out to our Events Director, Cassandra Darling, for her spectacular vision and work on this project.  Keep your fingers crossed, and check-out one of the events that won us the nomination!



ISES Ohio WOW Award Graphic via ISES Website
NEW ZenGenius Studio
Thanks to our amazing clients, we continue to outgrow our production and storage studio, so we recently moved to the incredible collaborative studios at 400 West Rich, located in the Franklinton Arts District in Columbus, Ohio.  This charming, industrial building opened in 1910 as a manufacturing facility best known for manufacturing the first refrigerated water drinking fountain and dehumidifier.  400 West Rich is now a home to 97 art and design studios, including Art Party Columbus, OSU STEAM Factory, Open Hand Leathergoods, and many talented artists, including our own Nikos Rutkowski.  Although our main office remains the same, we are thrilled to be part of this growing community of amazing talent.

We Love Earth Day
As an eco-conscious company, each year we make it a priority to celebrate Earth Day by doing various earth-friendly tasks, such as picking up garbage and removing debris from the landscaping around our neighborhood.  Although this is a small task, it's important, and we take great pride in ensuring that our earth remains green.

This year, we are showing additional love for Earth Day by supporting The Columbus Tree Fund, headed by our friend Michael Bova.  Due to the declining tree canopy in Columbus, the Columbus Tree Fund is hoping to plant 10,000 new trees between April 18th-25th, doubling their previous year contributions.  To donate or volunteer your time, please click HERE!

Celebrate Earth Day on April 22!

Earth Day Clean Up 2014,  ZenGenius Co Founders:  Joe Baer and Paul Cook.
Word Spotlight
Outriggers: are decorative or functional elements mounted to a wall at right angles in order to define, separate and frame categories of merchandise presented on shelves or display fixtures.  Outriggers often include signs that call out categories of merchandise for easy navigation.

Via: SilentSelling by Judy Bell and Kate Ternus 
2015 Iron Merchant at IRDC
International Retail Design Conference
The International Retail Design Conference (IRDC), held in beautiful Austin, Texas, will be here before you know it.  This year marks the 10th anniversary of the infamous Iron Merchant Challenge, and it's going to be a smash-hit this year!  Get your creative juices flowing now - surprises, tricks and turns are in your future!  Watch a video from previous years, here:

Video by Richard Cadan
ShakeDown
ShakeDown, a circus-themed burlesque variety show created by Sommer Renaldo and presented at the Garden Theater in Columbus, Ohio, featured none other than our own Mr. Joe Baer as the Narrator, "Hobo Joe."  The show, which was partially funded with a grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, was a huge success, with two SOLD OUT performances on March 21, 2015.  In its second year, this year's proceeds were donated to The Short North Stage, the group responsible for managing and restoring this historic theater.  We are thrilled to be part of something that directly benefits the community in which we reside, as one of our primary goals as a business is to give-back to the community.  Retail is also theater, and has often been inspired by the magic and drama of the theatrical world.  And, on top of that, we got to see Joe in a burlesque show!  Let's be honest, it doesn't get any better than that, folks.


?Andrew Brown, Filtered Perspective Photography.  Makeup support by Sara King. Shakedown 2015
Fun Spring D.I.Y. Projects
Bottle Garden    
A unique, up-cycled indoor herb garden has never been easier with this bottle D.I.Y. 
Learn more
Clay Wind Charm   
Create a one-of-a-kind wind charm set out of air dry clay and cotton string
from your local craft store.
Learn more
Balloon Centerpiece     
Spruce-up your Summer Birthday and Graduation parties with a simple balloon centerpiece.
Learn more
Source: Design Sponge
Ohio & Industry Events
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44 E Prescott St, Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.220.9040