FILO Co-Produces Hope Rocks to Benefit Faith’s Lodge

Earlier this year, FILO was engaged by Faith’s Lodge to be the production partner for the organization’s signature fundraiser, Hope Rocks, and on September 13th months of hard work paid off with an amazing event.

More than 700 people attended and over $100,000 was raised for Faith's Lodge, which provides a place where parents and families facing the serious illness or death of a child can retreat to reflect on the past, renew strength for the present, and build hope for the future (www.faithslodge.org).

Now in its sixth year, Hope Rocks was held at The Depot, Minneapolis, and featured a private BoDeans concert plus a surprise opening performance from A Firm Handshake. Sammy Brown and Reed Redmond sang their song “Clouds” as a tribute to fallen band member Zach Sobiech, who captured the world with his musical message of love before passing away on May 20 from osteosarcoma.

“It was one of the most moving experiences of my life to see so many people come together and support each other and look toward hope in times of ultimate grief,” said FILO’s Lou Bavaro, who co-produced the program with Kevin Weinhandl. “We are all proud to have been a part of it.”

The event also included a silent auction, live auction and other fundraising components that were facilitated by BidPal, an electronic registration and auction system using smartphones.

FILO’s responsibilities included: consulting with Faith’s Lodge on programming and elements; element procurement; producing and managing the audio/visual needs of the full program; producing and managing the sound for the BoDeans and A Firm Handshake; providing a total 10 FILO staffers and additional laborers for the day of event to assist with setup, registration, photo opportunity management, auction management, talent management and/or whatever was deemed necessary.

”The FILO staff was amazing. Their attention to detail and personal service were just icing on the cake,” said Faith’s Lodge Executive Director Kelly McDyre. “It was the professional job they did in the production and arrangements that wowed me and I can’t wait for the next opportunity.”

“By the way, FILO was true to form,” McDyre added. “They were the first ones at the venue that day and the last to leave.”

FILO Heads to Canada

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has launched NBA.com/playball, a new multi-faceted campaign in Canada aimed at increasing youth participation in basketball across the country. The NBA BIG Tour will visit five Canadian cities in September and October, offering BIG Talent and BIG Entertainment in local markets.

On Saturday, September 7th, the NBA BIG Tour made its debut at the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, the capital of the Canadian province. While claiming the largest mall in North America, the West Edmonton Mall played host to the interactive tour which offered a variety of entertainment to mall shoppers.

Fans flooded the mall for a chance to see Patrick Beverly of the Houston Rockets and 7-time NBA Champion and NBA legend Robert Horry. They were also treated to a performance by Buckets Blakes of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. To highlight the programming, mall-goers had a chance to take photos with the NBA Championship Larry O'Brien trophy.

FILO Productions Inc. sent two members of its team to the kickoff event, where they played an integral role in the overall operations and programming for the run of show. FILO’s job duties included: crafting detailed truck packs, arranging trucking logistics, and onsite consulting throughout set-up and strike execution.

The NBA BIG Tour runs through October 19th making stops in Calgary, AB, Vancouver, BC, Toronto, ON, and concluding in Montreal, QC.

FILO returns to the US OPEN

Director Carrie Hagen recently returned from her 11th appearance for FILO at the US OPEN in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., where she helped manage the ATP World Tour Suite for the fifth time.

The ATP formally defined as the Association of Tennis Professionals joined when a handful of the game's leading players met at the US OPEN to discuss the need for a players' association.

Carrie shared duties with longtime suite hostess Shiela Campion, and was responsible for welcoming and serving guests of both the ATP and Proskauer Rose LLP, the law firm that shares the suite.

“It is an amazing experience as I get to dress up every night and interact with some of the most interesting people from all over the world,” Hagen said. “The best part is that each year I see a lot of the same people. It is almost like my own US OPEN family.”

FILO’s engagement with the US OPEN has taken on many forms over the years from the US OPEN SmashZone to the ATP World Tour Booth to Carrie’s current responsibilities with the ATP World Tour suite.

Other responsibilities with the ATP World Tour Suite have included setting up the suite, shipping and receiving logistics and food and beverage selection.

“It’s truly an unique and special event for FILO.” Said Carrie