Quantcast
Be Original Americas panel event
People & Parties
Be Original Americas panel event
May 2, 2019 | Minneapolis
Be Original Americas panel event

Members and guests of Be Original Americas, an organization committed to informing, educating and influencing manufacturers, design professionals and consumers on the economic, ethical and environmental value of authentic design, gathered in Minneapolis on May 2nd to discuss the impact of the Midwest on design. 

Moderated by Business of Home editor in chief (and Chicago native) Kaitlin Petersen, the panel included John Christakos, co-founder of Blu DotBill Baxley, managing director at Gensler; Greg Benson, CEO of Loll Designs; and Jackson Schwartz, co-founder of Hennepin Made. They explored how, from Eames to Saarinen, the Midwest’s integral role in design heritage and industrial innovation keeps them at the center of authentic design creation.

Seventy attendees gathered from member firms such as Roam Interiors, Gensler and Rapson, employees from big-box retailers like Room & Board and Target, and designers from firms like Perkins+Will and Leo A. Daly. 

“The Be Original Americas have garnered great crowds, stimulating conversation and tremendous support,” said Be Original Americas co-founder Beth Dickstein. “The Minneapolis panel was one of the best! It resonated with the movement and brought great local flavor and support.”

Images by Grace Vo.

Greg Benson, CEO of Loll Designs; Jackson Schwartz, co-founder of Hennepin Made; Kaitlin Petersen, editor in chief of Business of Home; John Christakos, CEO and co-founder of Blu Dot, and Bill Baxley, managing director at Gensler
Greg Benson, CEO of Loll Designs; Jackson Schwartz, co-founder of Hennepin Made; Kaitlin Petersen, editor in chief of Business of Home; John Christakos, CEO and co-founder of Blu Dot, and Bill Baxley, managing director at Gensler
Greg Benson, CEO of Loll Designs; Jackson Schwartz, co-founder of Hennepin Made; Kaitlin Petersen, editor in chief of Business of Home; John Christakos, CEO and co-founder of Blu Dot, and Bill Baxley, managing director at Gensler
Original versus copy
Original versus copy
Original versus copy
The stage is set.
The stage is set.
The stage is set.
The discussion was held in Hennepin Made's factory.
The discussion was held in Hennepin Made's factory.
The discussion was held in Hennepin Made's factory.
A full house
A full house
A full house
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos, and Kaitlin Petersen.
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos, and Kaitlin Petersen.
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos, and Kaitlin Petersen.
An enraptured crowd.
An enraptured crowd.
An enraptured crowd.
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos, and Kaitlin Petersen.
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos, and Kaitlin Petersen.
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos, and Kaitlin Petersen.
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley
Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos
Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos
Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley and John Christakos
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley and John Christakos
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley and John Christakos
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and Bill Baxley
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and Bill Baxley
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and Bill Baxley
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and Bill Baxley
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and Bill Baxley
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and Bill Baxley
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
An enraptured crowd
An enraptured crowd
An enraptured crowd
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson, Bill Baxley, John Christakos and Kaitlin Petersen
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and Bill Baxley
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and Bill Baxley
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and Bill Baxley
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and John Christakos
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and John Christakos
Jackson Schwartz, Greg Benson and John Christakos
Be Original Americas merch on sale
Be Original Americas merch on sale
Be Original Americas merch on sale
The Be Original Americas mission
The Be Original Americas mission
The Be Original Americas mission
Join Be Original Americas at www.beoriginalamericas.com.
Join Be Original Americas at www.beoriginalamericas.com.
Join Be Original Americas at www.beoriginalamericas.com.