MAY 2009 - CMI SPONOSRS FIRST ANNUAL "ON THE HORIZON: A BREAKFAST SEMINAR FOR ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS" AT THE PRESITGEOUS PRINCETON CLUB, NEW YORK INSPIOR, the marketing firm, will bring together contracting, real estate, and finance experts as a resource for the latest forecasts on economic trends of the region. “On the Horizon” will provide insight, and analysis for decision making in the “recession bunker,” upcoming projects in the region, thoughts on globalization and an overview of the stimulus package. It will also target questions to uncover buyer motivations. The annual seminar gathers some of Forbes Magazine’s Top 50 U.S. A&E Firms such as AECOM, RTKL Associates, Skidmore Owings and Merrill, WSP Cantor Seinuk, Cannon Design, Thornton Tomasetti, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Einhorn Yaffee Prescott and Gensler. Maxinne Leighton, the director of the marketing, business development and public relations effort in the New York and Washington DC offices of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP, moderated the conference. JUNE 2008 - CMI DESIGNS CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS (Corning, NY) blockbuster exhibition, "GLASS OF THE ALCHEMISTS." AUGUST 2007 - CMI COMPLETES INTERIOR SIGNAGE FOR COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY STUDEBAKER BUILDING Crystal McKenzie, Inc. (CMI) provided the design and production of the interior signs for the Columbia UniversityStudebaker building renovation. Skanska Full Spectrum Joint Venture project managers James Nimon and Jude Alibey worked closely with the CMI team lead by CMI's Creative Director Brian Jones to achieve the University's flagship renovation in Manhattanville, NY. Renovation of the Studebaker building is an example of Columbia University's commitment to MWL business enterprise participation in its construction efforts. Construction management for this project is a joint venture between Skanska and Full Spectrum Development of New York, a Harlem-based construction firm. Architectural design for this project is being performed by the Switzer Group, a leading New York City-based business enterprise. CMI LAUNCHES CCFL TRAINING WEB SITE September, 2008 - Corning Center for Learning (CCFL), www.ccfltraining.com a non-profit learning organization received a 200% boost in customers due to the newly revitalized brand and web site developed by brand strategy firm, Crystal McKenzie, Inc. (CMI). While CCFL may not get the instant notoriety of Joe the Plumber, it now stands tall in the learning and training sector, thanks to a newly branded marketing communications program targeted to serving its corporate clients in the health care, manufacturing, and technology sectors. The 60-page site maximizes usability and customer usefulness by explaining Accreditation Programs, Training Courses, and Instructional Design. It also has a robust back end that supports and education portal, allowing users, instructors and client organizations to participate in distance learning modules and create their own web portal relationships with customers and user groups. CCFL training helps maximize business performance through customized classes and learning workshops that train employees to focus on the tactical and specialized functions of within business and to connect corporate strategy to stakeholders. CCFL helps clients to build their businesses with dynamic, effective training. Corning Center for Learning (CCFL) is a leading provider of integrated learning solutions to global companies, strengthening businesses and non-profit organizations since 1961, with industry-leading expertise in training effective management, creating profitable, high quality outsourcing, applying the latest research to raise performance, and carefully targeted, personalized consulting. CCFL has worked with more than 150 clients, including Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, World Kitchen, Berlex Laboratories, Corning Incorporated, and the United Nations Development Programme. CCFL has earned the respect of clients nationwide by providing expertise and innovative programs carefully adapted to each organization's goals, strategies, and culture. CCFL provides personal facilitation, teaching, consultation and custom course development created personally for you at a cost that some firms charge for off-the shelf-courses. CRYSTAL MCKENZIE, INC. (CMI) ABOUT TO UNVEIL THE NEW BUSINESS STRATEGIST FOR THE WEB DEVELOPMENT ARM OF CMI End of One Year CMI Search Committee CMI, a strategic brand identity and communications firm, is about to unveil their New Business Strategist. The new Business Strategist will report to the Chairman and Founder Crystal McKenzie. The Business Strategist will formulate and execute major policies, programs and objectives to promote and ensure the 28-year-old company's success and continued growth. The CMI Search Committee reviewed national and international candidates to find the right executive to execute strategic and tactical operational growth plans for the company, with particular emphasis on the candidate's ability to lead the continued expansion into new products/services and markets. Key issues in the lengthy process were selecting a candidate who could take a leadership role in formulating and articulating the company's vision and mission to achieve maximum efficiency and profit objectives. Top of the list were ongoing strategic/market vision, track record with formulating sound operating business plans and processes, with the charisma necessary to effectively focus and motivate employees were also key considerations. The leading candidate has an extensive track record establishing and maintaining strong relationships with industry peers and major corporate players; and, has a passion for customer service and the experience necessary for ensuring the company's continued growth. The CMI Search Committee expects that the successful candidate will be a high impact, dynamic, and visionary leader, since they are arriving in the new position with a record of achieving results individually and through others; as an intelligent, strategic thinker with broad knowledge and experience in brand positioning. The company will be offering an aggressive compensation and benefits package. APRIL 2007 - CMI COMPLETES JEWISH DAILY FORWARD EXHIBITION DESIGN FOR MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK "The Jewish Daily Forward: Embracing an Immigrant Community," an exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the "Jewish Daily Forward," on exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York from April 22 - November 25, 2007. MAY 2007 - CMI DESIGNS CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS (Corning, NY) blockbuster exhibition, "Botanical Wonders: The Story of the Harvard GLASS FLOWERS." Media Coverage: Glass Flowers Media Coverage: Absolute Arts SEPTEMBER 2006 - CMI COMPLETES "BLACK STYLE NOW" EXHIBITION DESIGN FOR MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK "Black Style Now," an exhibition of African American fashion and hip hop designers' influences on Western culture and global fashion. www.mcny.org Media Coverage: ABC Media Coverage: Washington Post Fabrication by Voll, Inc. JANUARY 2006 - CMI DESIGNS AND PRODUCES "SLAVERY" TRAVELING EXHIBIT To augment the current exhibition "Slavery in New York," the New-York Historical Society commissioned CMI to translate the 8-gallery permanent exhibit into a traveling panel show that premiered at the New York Public Library, Bronx and Staten Island branches. The exhibit was so well received that Federated Stores reproduced it in their flagship Macy's store on 34th Street in New York City, adding components from the permanent exhibition as part of their Black History month initiatives. APRIL 19, 2005 - CMI CONDUCTS ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHIC DESIGN SESSION AT PERKINS EASTMAN, LLC Over 60 Perkins Eastman architectural associates attended a 90-minute educational session on the definition, purpose and value of environmental graphic design as it relates to architectural practice. Topics of discussion included way-finding, graphic design development process and the benefits of using environmental graphic designers in architectural practice. Further discussion centered on branding in the built environment; and, if architecture is a strong enough communication not to require supplemental graphics or way-finding devices vs. bringing in graphic designers in to the master planning process at an earlier stage to positively effect the final results of the built environment. CMI addressed several questions including: working within architectural styles; the design and cost criteria for retrofitting new signage to legacy sign programs; and, branding as it relates to environmental graphic design architectural and public spaces. CMI knows that effective learning links training goals directly to employee performance objectives. We also understand the connection between employee performance and business improvement. CMI Interactive can help - not only with implementation, but also with your strategic plan. Ultimately, CMI can help clients gain a significant competitive advantage - through more highly skilled and more productive employees. Since its founding in 1981, Perkins Eastman has become a leading international architecture, urban design, and interior design firm offering programming, planning, design, strategic planning and consulting, real estate and economic analysis, and program management services. Forging a multifaceted practice around the interests of our principal designers, we have cultivated a diverse portfolio of projects for private- and public-sector clients in the following practice areas: Corporate interiors, Cultural, Education, Healthcare, Hospitality, Housing, Laboratories, Mixed-use, Public sector, Religious, Senior living, Urban design. The firm is united in the belief that innovative design is the result of an understanding of client goals, building type, context, and budget, and the synthesis of these issues by the proven design abilities of principal-level architects. This philosophy allows them to produce award-winning projects and earn the respect of their clients, resulting in many long-term relationships. ATTRACT NEW CLIENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD . . . OR AROUND THE BLOCK CMI is pleased to offer an innovative marketing skill development workshop designed to aid business owners in navigating the often-difficult task of competing in the open marketplace. During marketing skills development sessions, each business owner will develop marketing SWOT Analysis to present in their business. From this hands-on analysis, business owners will develop the short and long-term marketing goals that will help them build on their firm's strengths and mitigate their firm's weaknesses. The course material will focus on these key areas: * Market Positioning * Marketing Capabilities * Marketing Processes * Marketing Strategic Planning After completing the three-day sessions of 2 1/2-hour each-day session, each business owner will have the opportunity to work interactively with a business counselor who will guide him or her through the process of implementing the short and long-term marketing goals for their business. Contact Us February 2005 - UMEZ NAMES CMI AS CREATIVE SERVICES PROVIDER FOR SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone recently named CMI as the creative services provider of choice to its small business customers in need of assistance with business services critical to their success. The Empowerment Zone seeks to revitalize distressed communities by using public funds and tax incentives as catalysts for private investment. UMEZ Applications (Download, Print, Fill Out Form(s) and Return to UMEZ in Person or by Mail) click download 2005 - Crystal Mckenzie receives American Red Cross of Greater New York Pioneer Award 2005 - CMI celebrates 25 years of marketing communications November 2004 - CMI launches proprietary FTP (client extranet) site that allows customers to manage their projects with CMI. November 2004 - CMI develops new web site for Hampton / Hoerter, LLC, a financial fund advisor. October 2004 - CMI engaged to develop name and branding strategy for an emerging communications technology company. September 2004 - United Way-Pfizer annual campaign kicks-off using CMI-designed communications materials. May 2004 - CMI designs Corning Museum of Glass (Corning, NY) blockbuster exhibition, "Beyond Venice: Glass in Venetian Style 1500 - 1750." May 2004 - CMI designs outdoor advertising campaign for Glenn H. Curtiss Museum (Hammondsport, NY); campaign is in its second year. MAY 2002 - CMI DESIGNS CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS (Corning, NY) blockbuster exhibition, "Glass Behind the Iron Curtain: Czech Design, 1948-1978." Media Coverage: National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) Media Coverage: CMOG