{"id":720,"date":"2014-04-14T20:32:51","date_gmt":"2014-04-14T20:32:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theswitch.us\/blog\/?p=720"},"modified":"2014-04-14T22:13:14","modified_gmt":"2014-04-14T22:13:14","slug":"celebrating-st-louis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/celebrating-st-louis\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating St. Louis"},"content":{"rendered":"<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/ @font-face \t{font-family:Arial; \tpanose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"Courier New\"; \tpanose-1:2 7 3 9 2 2 5 2 4 4; \tmso-font-charset:0; \tmso-generic-font-family:auto; \tmso-font-pitch:variable; \tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face \t{font-family:\"\uff2d\uff33 \u660e\u671d\"; \tpanose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; \tmso-font-charset:128; \tmso-generic-font-family:roman; \tmso-font-format:other; \tmso-font-pitch:fixed; 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\tfont-family:Symbol;} ol \t{margin-bottom:0in;} ul \t{margin-bottom:0in;}\n--><\/style>\n<address class=\"MsoNormal\">This year our hometown, St. Louis, is celebrating its 250th Birthday.\u00a0 Switch\u2019s President John Nickel reflects on what has made this\u00a0 city so treasured, and why we have much to look forward to in the years to come.<\/address>\n<address class=\"MsoNormal\">\u00a0<\/address>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">St. Louis is in the middle of its 250<sup>th<\/sup> birthday year.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>This monumental event has caused me to reflect several times on what a 250<sup>th<\/sup> celebration should mean.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>What is the reason and importance of celebrating? Should the events be a look back at the history of the \u201cGateway to the West\u201d or should they be a look forward? Although reflection on our past is important, and a key to understanding who we are and how we got here (literally), I\u2019m more interested in using our 250-year foundation as a strong starting point for the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">What is the future of St. Louis?<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>What will the<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"> next<\/i> 50 years bring?<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>How can STL250 create a vision for the future of the region?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I\u2019ve lived in St. Louis for almost 62 years and remember quite well the last major \u201cbirthday\u201d this city celebrated in 1964.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>I attended several bicentennial events with my mother and father. I remember learning about the founding of St. Louis, the history of the city and our leaders.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>The memories that have really stuck with me are of all the change that was happening at the time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">In 1964, if memory (and Google) serves me correctly, I remember the excitement over the new St. Louis flag, which celebrates the significance of the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The Arch was going up, the riverfront was being redeveloped, the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\">new<\/i> Busch Memorial Stadium was leading an updated downtown, jet airplanes were coming to Lambert Airport, the McDonnell Planetarium had opened its doors the year before and we were celebrating the anniversary of the rebirth of Shaw\u2019s Garden and the futuristic Climatron.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>The city was actively using its history to push itself forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">In my career, I\u2019ve worked on quite a few landmark events \u2013 celebrations such as the 50<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of Lindbergh\u2019s flight, the 100<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of the St. Louis Cardinals, the reopening of Eads Bridge, numerous VP parades and fairs, the 2009 All-Star Game and the Girl Scouts\u2019 100<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary jamboree. But, it was a happenstance meeting with a St. Louis City official several years ago that helped me realize the importance of thinking big.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">I once went to visit with this prominent official about a not-for-profit event that needed funding. After I made my presentation he said, \u201cI can\u2019t believe you are here asking me to help with such a small amount.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>He went on to say \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be interested in merely keeping something alive, you should be interested in growth, new ideas and charting the path for the future. You\u2019re not thinking big enough to get your audience interested and engaged.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>I walked out of his office with a new vision \u2013 and a new enthusiasm for making things happen.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>I challenged myself to dream big. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">To attract the attention of your constituents, you need to dare to dream big.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">When St. Louisans dream big, amazing things can happen:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">It is \u201cdreaming big\u201d that has led to landmark developments in our city area.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>The redevelopment of the St. Louis riverfront and Busch Memorial Stadium started as big dreams that have led to decades of growth opportunities in St. Louis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">It is \u201cdreaming big\u201d that brought a few CEOs together in the \u201970s with the objective of creating the biggest Fourth of July celebration in the country, now known as Fair St. Louis.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019m sure it was a daunting task for those charged with pulling it off, but through collaboration along with corporate and community support, the dream was realized and is now celebrating its own 33<sup>rd<\/sup> birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraph\" style=\"text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">It is \u201cdreaming big\u201d that brings the NCAA events to St. Louis time and time again. It brought the NFL\u2019s Los Angeles Rams to St. Louis.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Most recently \u201cdreaming big\u201d brought us Ball Park Village, which will lead the next generation of development in the city of St. Louis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">When you think about events for your organization or your corporation, dare to dream big.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Don\u2019t merely walk in the footsteps of those who preceded you \u2013 use those footsteps to set your path to help move you forward. Create partnerships and relationships with those who can bring vision to your life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">At Switch, we live at the crossroads of ideas and actions.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>If you can dream it, we can build it \u2013 something we\u2019ve done for many clients.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst\" style=\"text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\">We\u2019ve created events and hosted tens of thousands for the Olympics in Atlanta and Salt Lake City.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\">We produce events for more than 40,000 attendees at the Georgia Dome for a major insurance company and have been doing so for more than 17 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\">We were honored to create and manage the Commissioner\u2019s events for the 2009 All-Star game and were selected as the vendor. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle\" style=\"text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2;\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"><span style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\">\u00b7<span style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;\">We have engaged literally millions of consumers at events small and large on behalf of our clients during our more than 30-year history of mobile marketing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial;\">Liberate not only your brand, but also liberate your thinking. Let\u2019s dare to \u201cdream big\u201d together.\u00a0 Contact Switch President John Nickel at <a href=\"mailto:johnn@theswitch.us\">johnn@theswitch.us.<\/a><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This year our hometown, St. Louis, is celebrating its 250th Birthday.  Switch\u2019s President John Nickel reflects on what has made this  city so treasured, and why we have much to look forward to in the years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":721,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,6,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-experiential","category-featured-home"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Celebrating St. Louis - sw:tch blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/switch.us\/blog\/celebrating-st-louis\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Celebrating St. Louis - sw:tch blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This year our hometown, St. Louis, is celebrating its 250th Birthday. 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