AIA - KC Pillars 2008-09: January 2009

Real planning for the December session began at the Levee following the November session. Our group had exchanged emails for some weeks prior, each of us submitting ideas for speakers and locations and also trying to find a day to meet. When we met at the Levee, we took the best ideas and put them into a rough schedule.

From the beginning, we planned on visiting the Don Bosco Center. We knew about the redevelopment project and we knew there were some artists in the neighborhood. After a few phone calls we found that all of the players in Columbus Park know one another. Getting a list of contacts was easy, making contact and getting a commitment was not.

By a week before the event, we had confirmed lunch at Garozzo’s, a video presentation and discussion at the Don Bosco Center, a developer presentation for the afternoon and an artist/developer to wrap it up. On the Friday before, we were missing a presenter or event for the middle of afternoon!

In desperation, we wrote to our developer presenters looking for more ideas. Kite Singleton suggested Joe Egan with the KC EDC. By chance, Joe picked up his phone on Friday afternoon and we had a full schedule.

I was nervous the day of the event. Would Garozzo’s remember that our group was coming for lunch and would they remember our budget? Would all of the folks we confirmed show up? How would we fill the time if one of our presenters flaked?

Much credit (big up, even!) goes to Jason for visiting with Phong at Pho KC and to Matt for setting up the Don Bosco visit. Thanks to Myron for letting use the awesome HOK conference room. We can’t take credit for the schedule. The November planners set precedent with the different events in different locations.

- Andy Huber – PILLARS 0809