Our Work
Arena Partners has been privileged to work with the most respected names in the business, sports, nonprofit, academic, and public sectors. Here is a sampling of our work experience.
Build it.
We drove a strategic effort to establish a technology & innovation campus in Chicago, partnering with Mayors Richard Daley & Rahm Emanuel, top universities, and civic institutions, resulting in the creation of UI LABS and the Digital Manufacturing & Cybersecurity Institute (MxD), which was launched in 2014 with more than $320 million in support from the Department of Defense, leading corporations, and universities.
Go for the gold.
During a three-year effort to bring the Olympics Games back to the United States, our team was responsible for the delivery of all major milestones in a $100 million+ campaign involving thousands of volunteers, staff, vendors and VIPs. In addition to overseeing the content and design of the 300-page bid submission, we Produced the United States’ Olympic Bid final presentation in Copenhagen, Denmark, including President Obama, the First Lady, and Oprah Winfrey. Responsibilities included full event production and creative, in addition to coordination with the USOC, Team USA athletes, and City, State & National Officials to promote the interests of the United States and showcase key attributes of the Bid to the International Olympic Committee.
“There isn’t a group out there that John couldn’t unite and lead. During the Olympic Bid he served as the hub, pulling together elite athletes, volunteers, vendors and top business and political leaders from across the globe. He has the skill, finesse and charisma necessary to work effectively with the most complex organizations.” - Patrick G. Ryan, CEO, Chicago 2016
Dream it.
It all begins with an idea. In this case, how do we reinvent the way the world’s most trusted non-profit brand connects with its donor community and reach new audiences? The answer: create an epic food & music festival, inspired by the vision of the organization’s founder, Danny Thomas, and his dream for curing childhood cancer and grow it to become one of the top-grossing annual events for the organizations nationally.
“John was critical to driving the event concept, strategy and execution of St. Jude Dream Chicago. Arena Partners helped us think big with events that delivered unique guest experiences and high-performing event results.” - Peter Bower, Area Executive Director, ALSAC-St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Rise up.
When challenged with developing a strategy to increase winter visitation to the City of Chicago, we decided to lean into the biggest perceived detractor and “embrace the cold” with an outdoor celebration of the holidays. The live, televised mega-event landed Chicago on multiple top-ten lists of holiday destinations, attracting 3.5 million TV viewers across 45+ markets, generating 2.3 billion media impressions globally for the City and event sponsors, and driving $40 million in economic impact, including double digit increases in hotel demand and rates.
“Arena’s innovative thinking and attention to detail are nothing short of remarkable. They quickly comprehend complex issues, take on the burden as though it is their own, and come up with unique and innovative solutions to drive results. Throughout planning, preparation and execution, they keep their eyes on every detail while never losing site of the goal.” - Don Welsh, CEO, Choose Chicago
