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Founder Shannon Downey shares her eventful story...
Green Exchange is pleased to welcome
Pivotal Production, a full service event design and production company, as the latest addition to the Green Exchange community. Recently, founder Shannon Downey sat down with our editorial team to shed some light on the more pivotal points in her career and how she is greening the Chicago party scene.
Green Exchange (GX): Let’s take this back to the beginning. How did Pivotal Production come into being?
Shannon Downey (SD): I founded the company two years ago just after I got back from a six month trip around the world. After an eye-opening experience like that, I just knew I couldn’t go back to a 9 to 5 job in order to work toward fulfilling someone else’s dreams. The time had come to find a way to pursue my own passions. I have long been fascinated by the way people celebrate - what they choose to celebrate and the tremendous value inherent in communal celebrations. I am also a huge supporter of the arts and the local arts community and wanted to find a way to tap into local talent and get them the exposure they deserve. I figured the best way to combine these interests was to create an event and production company of my own to help others celebrate in style.
GX: So where does the eco-friendly aspect fit in?
SD: I grew up in an ‘always outdoors’ kind of family so being a responsible steward was just a part of my moral code. When I found my professional passion in the event planning world I knew that I would need to find a way to incorporate my passion for environmental stewardship as well.
When I started out working for other event companies I was dismayed by the amount of waste that was generated. At the end of an event, it was standard practice to see million dollar specialty fabricated sets, beautiful fabrics and perfectly fresh flowers just get dumped into the trash the minute the show was over. That is what really fueled my drive to go out on my own…my need to change how things were done. I feel strongly that as a young business owner I have a responsibility to serve as a role model for a new type of business that is both successful and responsible.
I spent six months researching ways that I could incorporate green practices into my company’s protocol and this resulted in my initial Lean, Mean, and Green list which includes over 100 ways to help ensure more responsible events. I was really just using it as an internal resource and then realized that if I shared my discoveries I could increase the overall impact. The list is now downloadable from the website so that everyone can use it. I have gotten emails from as far away as Thailand from people thanking me and utilizing the list. It’s amazing! The list keeps growing exponentially and a new iteration will be available soon.
At Pivotal it’s not just our events that are green but the company is as well. We are a certified B corporation and we have incorporated eco-conscious and socially responsible approaches into our business practices. I believe that a true triple bottom line is attainable and I want my company to be part of a new business community that espouses the triple bottom line as the only bottom line.
GX: Once you launched Pivotal Production were there any particular hurdles to success that you had to overcome?
SD: As with most businesses that offer green options, there is the perception that these green alternatives are going to be exponentially more expensive than traditional choices. This is just not true, at least in the event industry. We have spent a lot of time partnering with our vendors to develop creative and innovative solutions to potential cost-inflating green choices so that our clients can benefit from an event that is simultaneously fabulous, budget-conscious and environmentally responsible.
I have also found that a lot of people assume that a “green” event will look or feel less dramatic than a traditional event; that somehow the quality of the event will have to be compromised if it is to be green. This is simply not the case with Pivotal. We refuse to sacrifice the artistry of an event so we work hard to find green alternatives that will not negatively affect the desired aesthetic appeal.
GX: So what sets your company apart from its competitors?
SD: Our events!
We pride ourselves on creating and executing exciting, edgy and innovative celebrations. Our first priority with any event is to ensure it is artistically interesting by engaging the local art community and collaborating to create something inspiring and unique for each client. We have developed an outstanding network of entertainers and artists who work with us to create one-of-a-kind, awe-inspiring spectacles, installations, and performances.
Secondly, we analyze all aspects of the event for environmental and social sustainability. We don’t just use organic caterers or set up recycling stations. We look at the materials we use, where they are sourced from, the event’s energy consumption, availability of public transportation to the site – every single element of the entire event is considered.
We also realize that there are people out there who want to plan their own celebrations but are not sure how to make it an eco-friendly event. Pivotal can be brought in to serve as “green consultants” for any event. We will offer smart alternatives and creative ideas to help reduce the footprint and ensure a more sustainable evening while maintaining the desired look and feel of the party.
GX: It sounds like you have accomplished a lot in just two years! What’s next for Pivotal Production?
SD: Well, in the near future we’ll be moving our headquarters to Green Exchange and we’re very excited about that. The concept of community is such an integral part of Pivotal’s passion and approach, so Green Exchange is a perfect fit for us. I am excited to have my business be part of a supportive community populated by green leaders and innovators that will work together to further the green movement.
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