On Thursday, the Columbus Young Professionals hosted their “Disco Night Social.” As with their previous events, the attendance was stellar. The conversation was superb. As one speaks with President Derek Grosso, you comprehend how much happiness his organization provides him. The members are not members. They are his extended family.
While Grosso is exemplary, Martini Park, the event’s venue, requires reinvention (and possibly an intervention). If they would decrease their prices… If they would shelve their arrogant veneer, they would become Easton’s premiere playground. Twelve dollar martinis in their location will not succeed.
Showing posts with label Derek Grosso. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Derek Grosso. Show all posts
Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Miracles, Spectacle Satiate Lodge Bar
It has been said that dogs resemble their owners. While this expression can either be dismissed or derogatory, it is accurate when one compares the personalities of a pooch and their purchaser. Aggressive individuals own aggressive dogs. Energetic individuals own energetic dogs. Introverted individuals own introverted dogs. Outgoing individuals own outgoing dogs.
Upon my arrival for Dogs on the Deck, Lodge Bar was buzzing. The crowd wasn’t the obligatorily late collection of most charity endeavors. This was an assortment determined to enjoy every moment of a charming event and it’s picturesque weather. What had been an afternoon of precipitation predictions turned into a sun soaked and stellar early evening.
If only my focus were as stellar… Instead of focusing on instantaneous coverage (which was already made difficult by a temperamental phone), I enjoyed a half dozen scattered conversations within twenty minutes of entering the venue. Assistant General Manager Trevor Day may be an exemplary exchange. He may be one of the most articulate and relatable people this website covers… However, twittering was the objective… I have to learn to shut up and concentrate…
Since I’m not shutting up now… I know I’ve discussed various venue employees and their personalities… It is appropriate that I extend similar courtesy to the Columbus Young Professionals, an ensemble with triple the eclectic characters… From post graduate geniuses to ordinary workers… From city pillars to consultants, the Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) possesses enough personality for a three-volume set…
Melanie, an engaging and insightful accountant, is the organization’s Social Chair (appropriate enough as this was Greek week). She may not champion the organization, that responsibility is President Derek Grosso and Vice-President Kristin Mele’s… However, Melanie solidifies the entire organization…
An organization can possess the greatest management and promotions, but if they don’t have sustained inspiration, they will not succeed. Melanie, who spent twenty minutes talking with me, before returning to the table to continue and greet new members, is this organization’s person… Derek and Kristin are important… However, Melanie is imperative…
Whereas Melanie is an unheralded force, Erica is simply forceful. She is engaging. She is insightful. She is a grand conversation. However, Erica prefers certainty over pensive reflection and her actions exhibit this… As I stand talking with another CYP member Nick, Erica and Amy (her friend) walk past. Erica stops for a moment and engages Nick in conversation, where upon she discovers that Nick is single. Her friend Amy is also single.
Instantly, Erica pronounces the pair a match and says they should go out. The fact that either might object for any number of reasons is irrelevant. Erica has made a decision. She has reinforced her decision. She has stated her decision emphatically. Amy and Nick should go out because Erica knows them both. (I don’t think this is how dating is supposed to work, but I think argument would be useless).
Since I’ve mentioned two female members of the organization, I should mention a pair of male members CYP Athletics Chair Dan Brown and Garrick, one of the first people I ever met at a CYP sponsored event… Neither strikes one as persons who would feel comfortable addressing two thousand people on a weekly basis… Instead, they epitomize the inclusion of this organization… Consultants, White Collar workers, Blue Collar workers, teachers… Anyone, not withstanding their personality or social standing can join…
While Crown Princess Kadi is not a CYP member, I couldn’t conclude this section about characters without mentioning her… Wearing a chaotic multi-colored silk top and scrumptious jeans, Kadi arrived with a friend and Bristol, her ferocious Yorkshire terrier… Now, Kadi is unique and normally a pooch only adds to one’s individuality… However, Bristol was the perfect personality compliment… He enhanced Kadi.
As adorable as Bristol was, the unrivaled superstar of the evening was Derby, an eight-week-old spotted miniature dachshund. Lying across her owner’s arms, eyes half closed, Derby seemed intimidated by the crush of people and pooches around her. It was this innocence, this shyness of her features that set her apart. Other dogs seemingly wanted the spotlight. Derby simply wanted a pat on the head…
From mammoth and miniature to playful and relaxed to sassy and silent, there were dozens of dogs who merited attention this evening. CYP President Derek Grosso’s dog barked as others passed, several owners carried their dogs on their shoulders, and others sat with theirs, as they sipped happy hour pitchers… The panorama was expressive and exemplary… Man and woman’s finest friend with their premiere pastime…
Every table and chair of the pit and the railing was occupied… For every four people at a table, two dogs were present… I would estimate that upon the evening’s conclusion, almost four hundred people and two hundred pooches had enjoyed the unique event…
As Dogs on the Deck started elapsing, I encountered DJ Legend and DJ Steve Chase, both of whom were arriving for the evening… Standing inside the patio entranceway, our conversation included the Gossip Awards, Callahan’s, Lodge Bar, several other venues, this website and our personal lives (like any of the three of us have time for one of those)…
As one can imagine, I have met fifty or sixty nightlife and venue notables since this website commenced… What separates those who consistently make the coverage from those who do not is their professionalism… Legend and Chase are both magnificent mixers… However, this alone didn’t earn my respect… It is their professionalism… Their absolute professionalism that make them worth covering…
When Chase, Legend, and I’s conversation concluded, I stared toward the deck where a dozen owners and dogs remained, still drinking and talking under the darkening sky. Obviously, this evening was a success. The Capital Humane Society received money. Dogs and their owners were fortunate enough to enjoy an unpredictably enjoyable day.
However, the success exceeds this. The success was a tribute to a pair of superb entities, Lodge Bar and the Columbus Young Professionals. On Thursday, they presented every facet I assumed they would. Yet, the visual was still incomprehensible. There may be better-managed organizations in this city than those captained by Pat West, Day, and Jen Bunny (Lodge Bar) and Gross, Mele, and Melanie (CYP), but one must strain to locate them.
As I stood on the patio, observing the final owner and dog’s departure, I reflected upon the visual of the proceeding three hours. Within the scenery, one could have viewed reasonable justification for that quote about dogs and owners. They could have also viewed obvious justification for another canine axiom… Dogs are miracles with paws.
Upon my arrival for Dogs on the Deck, Lodge Bar was buzzing. The crowd wasn’t the obligatorily late collection of most charity endeavors. This was an assortment determined to enjoy every moment of a charming event and it’s picturesque weather. What had been an afternoon of precipitation predictions turned into a sun soaked and stellar early evening.
If only my focus were as stellar… Instead of focusing on instantaneous coverage (which was already made difficult by a temperamental phone), I enjoyed a half dozen scattered conversations within twenty minutes of entering the venue. Assistant General Manager Trevor Day may be an exemplary exchange. He may be one of the most articulate and relatable people this website covers… However, twittering was the objective… I have to learn to shut up and concentrate…
Since I’m not shutting up now… I know I’ve discussed various venue employees and their personalities… It is appropriate that I extend similar courtesy to the Columbus Young Professionals, an ensemble with triple the eclectic characters… From post graduate geniuses to ordinary workers… From city pillars to consultants, the Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) possesses enough personality for a three-volume set…
Melanie, an engaging and insightful accountant, is the organization’s Social Chair (appropriate enough as this was Greek week). She may not champion the organization, that responsibility is President Derek Grosso and Vice-President Kristin Mele’s… However, Melanie solidifies the entire organization…
An organization can possess the greatest management and promotions, but if they don’t have sustained inspiration, they will not succeed. Melanie, who spent twenty minutes talking with me, before returning to the table to continue and greet new members, is this organization’s person… Derek and Kristin are important… However, Melanie is imperative…
Whereas Melanie is an unheralded force, Erica is simply forceful. She is engaging. She is insightful. She is a grand conversation. However, Erica prefers certainty over pensive reflection and her actions exhibit this… As I stand talking with another CYP member Nick, Erica and Amy (her friend) walk past. Erica stops for a moment and engages Nick in conversation, where upon she discovers that Nick is single. Her friend Amy is also single.
Instantly, Erica pronounces the pair a match and says they should go out. The fact that either might object for any number of reasons is irrelevant. Erica has made a decision. She has reinforced her decision. She has stated her decision emphatically. Amy and Nick should go out because Erica knows them both. (I don’t think this is how dating is supposed to work, but I think argument would be useless).
Since I’ve mentioned two female members of the organization, I should mention a pair of male members CYP Athletics Chair Dan Brown and Garrick, one of the first people I ever met at a CYP sponsored event… Neither strikes one as persons who would feel comfortable addressing two thousand people on a weekly basis… Instead, they epitomize the inclusion of this organization… Consultants, White Collar workers, Blue Collar workers, teachers… Anyone, not withstanding their personality or social standing can join…
While Crown Princess Kadi is not a CYP member, I couldn’t conclude this section about characters without mentioning her… Wearing a chaotic multi-colored silk top and scrumptious jeans, Kadi arrived with a friend and Bristol, her ferocious Yorkshire terrier… Now, Kadi is unique and normally a pooch only adds to one’s individuality… However, Bristol was the perfect personality compliment… He enhanced Kadi.
As adorable as Bristol was, the unrivaled superstar of the evening was Derby, an eight-week-old spotted miniature dachshund. Lying across her owner’s arms, eyes half closed, Derby seemed intimidated by the crush of people and pooches around her. It was this innocence, this shyness of her features that set her apart. Other dogs seemingly wanted the spotlight. Derby simply wanted a pat on the head…
From mammoth and miniature to playful and relaxed to sassy and silent, there were dozens of dogs who merited attention this evening. CYP President Derek Grosso’s dog barked as others passed, several owners carried their dogs on their shoulders, and others sat with theirs, as they sipped happy hour pitchers… The panorama was expressive and exemplary… Man and woman’s finest friend with their premiere pastime…
Every table and chair of the pit and the railing was occupied… For every four people at a table, two dogs were present… I would estimate that upon the evening’s conclusion, almost four hundred people and two hundred pooches had enjoyed the unique event…
As Dogs on the Deck started elapsing, I encountered DJ Legend and DJ Steve Chase, both of whom were arriving for the evening… Standing inside the patio entranceway, our conversation included the Gossip Awards, Callahan’s, Lodge Bar, several other venues, this website and our personal lives (like any of the three of us have time for one of those)…
As one can imagine, I have met fifty or sixty nightlife and venue notables since this website commenced… What separates those who consistently make the coverage from those who do not is their professionalism… Legend and Chase are both magnificent mixers… However, this alone didn’t earn my respect… It is their professionalism… Their absolute professionalism that make them worth covering…
When Chase, Legend, and I’s conversation concluded, I stared toward the deck where a dozen owners and dogs remained, still drinking and talking under the darkening sky. Obviously, this evening was a success. The Capital Humane Society received money. Dogs and their owners were fortunate enough to enjoy an unpredictably enjoyable day.
However, the success exceeds this. The success was a tribute to a pair of superb entities, Lodge Bar and the Columbus Young Professionals. On Thursday, they presented every facet I assumed they would. Yet, the visual was still incomprehensible. There may be better-managed organizations in this city than those captained by Pat West, Day, and Jen Bunny (Lodge Bar) and Gross, Mele, and Melanie (CYP), but one must strain to locate them.
As I stood on the patio, observing the final owner and dog’s departure, I reflected upon the visual of the proceeding three hours. Within the scenery, one could have viewed reasonable justification for that quote about dogs and owners. They could have also viewed obvious justification for another canine axiom… Dogs are miracles with paws.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
CYP, Charities Host Spectacular Evening
Theoretically, young professional organizations are power enclaves. A city’s influential post-college generation unites. And through lavish events, they ascend their profile, while raising charitable donations…
On Saturday, Columbus Young Professionals hosted “A Date 2 Remember.” The marquee fundraiser coupled an impressive date package auction with charity, fashion, food, liquor, and networking. From the balcony to the Vault’s entrance, Columbus’ working princes and princesses showcased altruistic hearts and exquisite fashion senses (trust me when I say there were more than a few cocktail bunnies present)…
While the event served as another reminder that Columbus Young Professionals is the sub-forty year old organization in the city, the real stars of the evening were A Kid Again and Junior Achievers of Central Ohio… Both of which are wonderful organizations that we were thrilled we could support…
As of this typing, no official totals have been released, however, sources tell me that almost $20,000 was raised this evening. That unofficial total would trump the collection from the first annual “Date 2 Remember.” Despite the staggering economy, this evening spoke to the true depth of our city’s generosity…
“A Date 2 Remember,” while a magnificent evening for two charities, was certainly far from flawless; making the fact that so much was raised even more impressive. The fashion part of the evening was ultimately non-existent… Why have the people wearing the donated clothes? Why not have a separate show so the clothes don’t get lost, which the unfortunately did under this format… Also, why not spotlight local designers, which there are an abundance of in this city… I counted three different people wearing clothes from Macy’s… If I want to see people wearing clothes from Macy’s I will turn on my television…
In addition to the fashion, the overall presentation of the date package auction was questionable… The masters of ceremonies were awful… Their comments and jokes were insipid and their almost constant begging for dollars after the bidding had clearly died was ridiculous… $800 on one package, in this economy, is good money… Stop asking people for money incessantly like you are trying to get them to watch your dog while you’re on vacation… The music was also tacky… At times, I thought someone was just throwing in what ever CD they found lying around backstage… And playing the music over the bidding? Seriously?
The worst aspect of the evening was the separation of dates from packages… Apparently, under the rules of the evening, you could bid on the package and ditch the person or accept the person with the package… Why even have people attached to the packages? The format essentially reduced them to needless props, so why were they there? Why not, and this would be much more sensible, merely auction off date packages for two people… You would raise the same amount of money, possibly even more money from people who may not have bid, because they were confused as to the concept…
Now, I know what you are thinking… I just spent the last three paragraphs dissecting the event, how could I possibly be of the opinion that this was a great evening… Allow me to say two things about that… This was a great evening. Columbus Young Professionals intermixed a lot of great people and they raised a bucket full of money for two amazing charities…. I applaud them…
I also deeply respect and admire Derek Grosso and Kristin Mele, the first couple of Columbus Young Professionals… I have spoken with both of them… They are amazing people and their organization is outstanding… However, this website has a responsibility… We cannot sacrifice our the fundamental premise of journalism, to report that which we see, because of personal relationships… If someone chooses to terminate a personal relationship based on a website post, I will feel that loss… With that said, I hope that professionalism is universal… I sincerely respect everyone who has made Gossip CBUS a success in the first two months… I hope they continue reading and they realize that reality is our only objective…
On Saturday, Columbus Young Professionals hosted “A Date 2 Remember.” The marquee fundraiser coupled an impressive date package auction with charity, fashion, food, liquor, and networking. From the balcony to the Vault’s entrance, Columbus’ working princes and princesses showcased altruistic hearts and exquisite fashion senses (trust me when I say there were more than a few cocktail bunnies present)…
While the event served as another reminder that Columbus Young Professionals is the sub-forty year old organization in the city, the real stars of the evening were A Kid Again and Junior Achievers of Central Ohio… Both of which are wonderful organizations that we were thrilled we could support…
As of this typing, no official totals have been released, however, sources tell me that almost $20,000 was raised this evening. That unofficial total would trump the collection from the first annual “Date 2 Remember.” Despite the staggering economy, this evening spoke to the true depth of our city’s generosity…
“A Date 2 Remember,” while a magnificent evening for two charities, was certainly far from flawless; making the fact that so much was raised even more impressive. The fashion part of the evening was ultimately non-existent… Why have the people wearing the donated clothes? Why not have a separate show so the clothes don’t get lost, which the unfortunately did under this format… Also, why not spotlight local designers, which there are an abundance of in this city… I counted three different people wearing clothes from Macy’s… If I want to see people wearing clothes from Macy’s I will turn on my television…
In addition to the fashion, the overall presentation of the date package auction was questionable… The masters of ceremonies were awful… Their comments and jokes were insipid and their almost constant begging for dollars after the bidding had clearly died was ridiculous… $800 on one package, in this economy, is good money… Stop asking people for money incessantly like you are trying to get them to watch your dog while you’re on vacation… The music was also tacky… At times, I thought someone was just throwing in what ever CD they found lying around backstage… And playing the music over the bidding? Seriously?
The worst aspect of the evening was the separation of dates from packages… Apparently, under the rules of the evening, you could bid on the package and ditch the person or accept the person with the package… Why even have people attached to the packages? The format essentially reduced them to needless props, so why were they there? Why not, and this would be much more sensible, merely auction off date packages for two people… You would raise the same amount of money, possibly even more money from people who may not have bid, because they were confused as to the concept…
Now, I know what you are thinking… I just spent the last three paragraphs dissecting the event, how could I possibly be of the opinion that this was a great evening… Allow me to say two things about that… This was a great evening. Columbus Young Professionals intermixed a lot of great people and they raised a bucket full of money for two amazing charities…. I applaud them…
I also deeply respect and admire Derek Grosso and Kristin Mele, the first couple of Columbus Young Professionals… I have spoken with both of them… They are amazing people and their organization is outstanding… However, this website has a responsibility… We cannot sacrifice our the fundamental premise of journalism, to report that which we see, because of personal relationships… If someone chooses to terminate a personal relationship based on a website post, I will feel that loss… With that said, I hope that professionalism is universal… I sincerely respect everyone who has made Gossip CBUS a success in the first two months… I hope they continue reading and they realize that reality is our only objective…
Saturday, December 20, 2008
CYP: An Impressive Innovation
Columbus Young Professionals and Gossip Cbus share one common trait… A common trait which is also shared by Google, Microsoft, Walmart, and the United States… Every one was an idea… Regardless of their current dominance, each of these mega corporations began as CYP and GCBUS did… merely an intriguing notion in someone’s mind…
Founded by Derek Grosso in July 2005, the club has grown to include 7,000 members… I attended their Holiday Party at the Franklin Park Conservatory and I will say, without hesitation, I was thoroughly impressed. As Derek and I talked, you really have the sense that he cares not only about his membership, but also about the overall health of networking for young professionals in this city.
The variety of their events (from what I have learned) is also impressive… Columbus Young Professionals will host everything from athletics to networking breakfast to two major events next year… The Date 2 Remember charity date auction and the Barons of Business discussion… Clearly, they are more than the typical and tired stand around, talk, and trade business cards, which makes membership (which is free) well worth anyone’s time…
In terms of networking, I will give Next Gen Dublin (who I previously profiled), a slight edge… Overall, their organization is not as clique driven… This isn’t an assertion that you wont have fun or make friends in Columbus Young Professionals… It is not… CYP is a unique and dynamic organization and I completely recommend that anyone join.
Founded by Derek Grosso in July 2005, the club has grown to include 7,000 members… I attended their Holiday Party at the Franklin Park Conservatory and I will say, without hesitation, I was thoroughly impressed. As Derek and I talked, you really have the sense that he cares not only about his membership, but also about the overall health of networking for young professionals in this city.
The variety of their events (from what I have learned) is also impressive… Columbus Young Professionals will host everything from athletics to networking breakfast to two major events next year… The Date 2 Remember charity date auction and the Barons of Business discussion… Clearly, they are more than the typical and tired stand around, talk, and trade business cards, which makes membership (which is free) well worth anyone’s time…
In terms of networking, I will give Next Gen Dublin (who I previously profiled), a slight edge… Overall, their organization is not as clique driven… This isn’t an assertion that you wont have fun or make friends in Columbus Young Professionals… It is not… CYP is a unique and dynamic organization and I completely recommend that anyone join.
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