(Michael Barkin, sales team founder of Trunk Club, will speak at EDPA’s Engage conference in Chicago)
The Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) has announced the return of its mid-year Engage conference, a new program that debuted to great success last year and will return to the legendary University Club in downtown Chicago on June 27.
Join in the conversation with keynote speakers David Hernandez and Tereasa Surratt, husband and wife advertising executives at global agency Ogilvy by day, and innkeepers of the historic Camp Wandawega in their “spare time.”
Learn how their experience building brands helped them transform a dilapidated, forgotten resort into a globally acclaimed boutique get-away. As a side hustle, they transformed a decrepit, forgotten lakeside resort into a boutique getaway recognized by Travel & Leisure as one of the “Greatest Hotels in the World.”
At Ogilvy, Hernandez is executive creative director with a focus on digital innovation, Surratt serves as executive director of design for the agency’s experiential discipline dedicated to creating immersive brand experiences through interior design, architecture and art.
Over the years, Hernandez and Surratt (pictured right) have been honored to serve brands as diverse as Kohler, Nike, Dove, Patagonia, Flor, Caldrea and Mrs. Meyer’s. They’ve been recognized by just about every industry award show and publication including Cannes Lions, One Show, Effies, D&AD, and Clios. Surratt was also recognized as an Advertising Age “Woman to Watch.”
Surratt also contributes to numerous lifestyle magazines including Country Living, Midwest Living, Parents, and Sweet Paul. Hernandez is a former board member of Landmarks Illinois and a current board member for The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. They spend their weekdays in Chicago with their daughter Charlie and dog Frankie, in a house designed by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects. On weekends, they cross the state line into Wisconsin to tend to Camp Wandawega.
Michael Barkin, sales team founder of breakout startup Trunk Club, will take the audience through an example of how they disrupted an entire industry. At the center of it, Barkin’s presentation speaks to how customer experience and employee experience were broken inside of a very large and crowded industry. By taking a full step back to assess what was wrong and then taking action in addressing and solving each element, a completely new form of retail evolved.Today the topic of “disruption” seems to be a talking point at every industry conference, but what does it take to actually pull it off? This session tells the story of how Trunk Club approached an old school industry, how their approach played out, and what lessons can be applied to the conference, tradeshow and live branded event space.
Other upcoming EDPA Events:
Las Vegas Golf Classic
Join the EDPA Las Vegas Chapter, working in conjunction with the EDPA Foundation, for the 17th annual Las Vegas Education Scholarship Golf Classic on Thursday, June 6, at Bear’s Best Golf Club, 11111 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas. Shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. Clinic check-in for non-golfers at 10 a.m. The event will include golf; goodie bag, door prizes, raffle prizes throughout the event, breakfast prior to the 7:30 a.m. shotgun start and awards luncheon immediately following the tournament. Non-golfers are welcome to attend the luncheon and participate in the festivities. Back again is their popular 90-minute session with one of the Bear’s Best Golf Pros. Learn th
e basics while networking and enjoying the feeling of the game without committing to 18 holes. For more info or to register, email Rebecca Thompson, rebeccat@stevense3.com or Mike Sunseri, msunseri@dslgroup.com.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium tour
Join the EDPA Southeast Chapter for a tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 13. Experience the signature features of the stadium including stops at locker rooms, the field, Window to the City, Skybridges and 100 Yard Club. Tour cost is $20 per person. Lunch to immediately follow tour at Molly B’s (cost for lunch not included, pay individually). For more info, email sbraun@nthdegree.com.
Founded in 1954, The Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) is recognized internationally and serves thousands of professional members representing more than 300 corporations across 18 countries. Each year, the EDPA drives industry education programs and professional networking events through our regional chapters. They also bring together members and thought-leaders from around the world to ACCESS, the only industry association meeting and event of its kind. ACCESS provides a platform for prospective EDPA members and members alike to share and engage in programs and play at a professional conference unlike any other. For more info, visit www.EDPA.com.
