JT Provides Event Management, Media Relations and Graphic Design Services to Support Fifth Annual Richard J. Daley Urban Forum at the University of Illinois at Chicago

Keynote Address Delivered by Vice President Joe Biden

 In 2005, JT was retained by the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to develop and coordinate two major events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Richard J. Daley’s first inauguration as mayor. Daley had cited the establishment of UIC as his biggest accomplishment as Mayor. These anniversary events benefited the Richard J. and Eleanor Daley Archive at UIC, related academic programs and student scholarships.

JT has worked with UIC to plan the subsequent annual Richard J. Daley Urban Forum events, “Globalizing Cities: Chicago and the World” (2006), “Building the Future City” (2007), “Five Billion Urban Dwellers” (2008), and “Global Economic Recovery: Cities Lead the Way” (2009).

Inaugural Events

In 2005, JT collaborated with UIC and the Daley family to develop “The Richard J. Daley Urban Forum: Learning from the Legacy” and “The Richard J. Daley 50th Anniversary Gala.” JT handled all logistics for both events. For the academic symposium attended by 600 students, professors, civic and community leaders, and elected officials, we developed a Web site to facilitate online registration and managed onsite check-in, audio-visual requirements, catering and room set-up. JT also served as UIC’s liaison, coordinating logistical needs and travel arrangements for speakers, including former Vice President Walter Mondale, former Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, columnist Bob Novak, Mayor Richard M. Daley, and other local and national figures.

For the Richard J. Daley 50th Anniversary Gala, JT identified unique and memorable venues to accommodate the 1,000 guests. A cocktail event was held in the lobby of City Hall, where Mayor Richard J. Daley spent the majority of his career. This was the first time the lobby had been used in this manner. Following cocktails, guests walked or boarded trolleys to Block 37, where they enjoyed dinner under specially erected tents, just across the street from the Richard J. Daley Plaza. A special part of the gala was a keynote address delivered by Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA).

JT also coordinated media relations for each event. For both the symposium and gala, we worked closely with Chicago’s ABC and CBS affiliates to produce special documentaries about Richard J. Daley that aired during primetime. JT arranged for UIC representatives, symposium speakers and members of the Daley family to be interviewed on almost every Chicago television and radio station. The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and the New York Times all heavily covered the 50th Anniversary events.

As a result of our efforts, the gala and the symposium were sold out events. Both events increased awareness about UIC, Richard J. Daley and his accomplishments, and raised more than $1 million for UIC.

Annual Forums

In 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, JT again worked with UIC to plan the subsequent Richard J. Daley Urban Forums. Our scope of work for these events included strategic counsel; audience development; marketing and media relations; digital strategies, including Webcasting and live blogging; speaker recruitment and travel coordination; onsite event logistics; and materials development and branding.

In 2009, JT worked closely with the office of the Vice President of the United States and U.S. Secret Service to coordinate logistics to support Vice President Joe Biden’s keynote address.

Additionally, JT has secured coverage on every major Chicago-area print and broadcast outlet for each Forum.