Welcome to Chicago!Our Proposal for GCUC 2014Presented August 2, 2013

Our Team & Responsibilities

We’re proud to introduce the Global Coworking Unconference Conference (GCUC) to the Second City, that’s second to none.

Chicago’s collaborative work scene is growing to meet the need of this city’s booming entrepreneurial landscape. In 2012, 197 new start-ups entered our city’s entrepreneurial scene, and the momentum’s only building. BuiltIn Chicago reports that Chicago births a new tech start-up, every 44 hours.

Hosting the Unconference is a natural �t, and would be enthusiastically supported by a committee of local ambassadors working side-by-side. Because different work requires different needs, unique spaces are popping up all over our fair city. For that reason we’ve gathered a well-connected group of collaborators, to represent the diverse community we serve.

Your Chicago GCUC Committee will provide access to spaces across the city, established relationships with local vendors, connection to Chicago media, event planning and volunteer recruitment experience, and connection to Chicago-area innovators, in�uencers, mentors, and other gosh-darn nice people who are happy to help.

In the proposal that follows, we’re proud to introduce your Chicago committee members, the spaces we represent, and the strategic partners GCUC can lean on to make the 2014 Unconference the best, yet.

With creativity and passion,

Your Chicago GCUC Committee

* http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/built-in-chicago-releases-the-2012-…

Our Team & Responsbilities

Benjamin Dyett Grind

Benjamin was a mild-mannered lawyer who woke up one day and, together with some partners, decided, Hey, let’s change the future of work. So, along with his friends, Stuart and Karina, and Co:, Cool Hunting, Behance, Magic + Might and Breakfast, he created Grind, a platform for working in a whole new way, outside the system. Built for free-range humans who carry their of�ces in their backpacks, Grind is the antidote to everything you knew about work. It’s dedicated to taking all of the frustrations of the old work experience and pulverizing them to a dust so �ne it actually oils the wheels of the machine. Throughout his career, Benjamin has founded, funded, operated and advised successful start-ups. He has long experience in real estate and corporate law, has represented �nancial institutions and prominent businesspeople, owned his own consulting �rm, and has always been at the epicenter of where business and imagination meet.

GCUC Committee Duties City of Chicago relations, Committee Guidance, Local PR

Through Benjamin’s personal network and industry connections, Grind’s relationship with Chicago in�uencers and the power of Co: Collective, the GCUC Chicago Committee has a channel to folks that can make the Unconference Conference a hot topic for Chicago.

Sam Rosen Desktime & One Design Company

As founder of Desktime, The Coop & One Design Company Sam’s established a well-respected reputation as an entrepreneur and design a�cionado. Born and raised in the Windy City, this Chicagoan balances most of his time running Desktime, an online software for managing and sharing coworking spaces, and One Design Company, a design & development �rm dedicating to making the web a better place. The idea for Desktime came about after Sam opened The Coop, one of Chicago’s premier coworking spots and soon learned there wasn’t the right tool out there to operate it—he’d have to build it. When he’s not working, Sam likes spending time at making art with The Post Family, taking walks with his dog Eli and eating delicious food around the globe.

GCUC Committee DutiesCity Relations, Industry Outreach, Venue Selection, Local PR

Sam has honed authentic relationships with Chicago’s start-up scene, and is happy to leverage these connections to assist industry and city relations. Sam can also support local PR efforts, tapping into his friends at the Tribune, Crain’s, Technori, Chicago Reader, Sun-times and other prominent outlets.

Benjamin Dyett Grind

Benjamin was a mild-mannered lawyer who woke up one day and, together with some partners, decided, Hey, let’s change the future of work. So, along with his friends, Stuart and Karina, and Co:, Cool Hunting, Behance, Magic + Might and Breakfast, he created Grind, a platform for working in a whole new way, outside the system. Built for free-range humans who carry their of�ces in their backpacks, Grind is the antidote to everything you knew about work. It’s dedicated to taking all of the frustrations of the old work experience and pulverizing them to a dust so �ne it actually oils the wheels of the machine. Throughout his career, Benjamin has founded, funded, operated and advised successful start-ups. He has long experience in real estate and corporate law, has represented �nancial institutions and prominent businesspeople, owned his own consulting �rm, and has always been at the epicenter of where business and imagination meet.

GCUC Committee Duties City of Chicago relations, Committee Guidance, Local PR

Through Benjamin’s personal network and industry connections, Grind’s relationship with Chicago in�uencers and the power of Co: Collective, the GCUC Chicago Committee has a channel to folks that can make the Unconference Conference a hot topic for Chicago.

Sam Rosen Desktime & One Design Company

As founder of Desktime, The Coop & One Design Company Sam’s established a well-respected reputation as an entrepreneur and design a�cionado. Born and raised in the Windy City, this Chicagoan balances most of his time running Desktime, an online software for managing and sharing coworking spaces, and One Design Company, a design & development �rm dedicating to making the web a better place. The idea for Desktime came about after Sam opened The Coop, one of Chicago’s premier coworking spots and soon learned there wasn’t the right tool out there to operate it—he’d have to build it. When he’s not working, Sam likes spending time at making art with The Post Family, taking walks with his dog Eli and eating delicious food around the globe.

GCUC Committee DutiesCity Relations, Industry Outreach, Venue Selection, Local PR

Sam has honed authentic relationships with Chicago’s start-up scene, and is happy to leverage these connections to assist industry and city relations. Sam can also support local PR efforts, tapping into his friends at the Tribune, Crain’s, Technori, Chicago Reader, Sun-times and other prominent outlets.

Julia EvansGrind

Julia wasn’t looking for a new job when she stumbled upon Grind, but she took a leap to join free-range humans changing the future of work. Matching her experience in community relations and events with her passion for entrepreneurs, Julia now fosters collaboration as Grind’s Chicago Community Manager. Before breaking out of the system, Julia �exed her community building muscle at Whole Foods Market. Prior to her return to Chicago, she worked as an Account Executive for Freight Train Creative, in Milwaukee, WI. Julia’s notable event experience includes producing Milwaukee’s Summer Soulstice, a high-energy, free local music fest and Tomato Romp! the nation’s �rst rotten tomato �ght and bloody mary contest - inspired by tomato antics of Bunol, Spain.

GCUC Committee DutiesVendor & caterer relations, local meeting management, local promotion

With years of event planning under her belt, plus a penchant for good eats, Julia is a great �t to vet and manage catering and vendor relationships.

Ashley AspirantiNextSpace

Ashley began her career as a (nomadic) freelance copywriter creating content for the web while bouncing from coffee shops to coworking spots. Prior to teaming up with NextSpace in 2013 Ashley ran The Coop, Chicago’s �rst bona�de coworking space. She also worked closely with Sam Rosen and Desktime to help create management software for shared spaces from the ground up. In addition to running NextSpace's �rst ever shared work-space outside of California (aka NextSpace River North) she also supports and helps coordinate the Coworking Wiki Project. Having attended GCUC, and participated with Desktime at the sponsorship level, the past two years Ashley feels con�dent that she can help rock GCUC here in Chicago.

GCUC Committee DutiesVolunteer Recruitment, local meeting management, local promotion

Ashely is especially well connected to other coworking spaces in Chicago and can effectively build and invigorate a strong volunteer base for 2014.

Ashley AspirantiNextSpace

Ashley began her career as a (nomadic) freelance copywriter creating content for the web while bouncing from coffee shops to coworking spots. Prior to teaming up with NextSpace in 2013 Ashley ran The Coop, Chicago’s �rst bona�de coworking space. She also worked closely with Sam Rosen and Desktime to help create management software for shared spaces from the ground up. In addition to running NextSpace's �rst ever shared work-space outside of California (aka NextSpace River North) she also supports and helps coordinate the Coworking Wiki Project. Having attended GCUC, and participated with Desktime at the sponsorship level, the past two years Ashley feels con�dent that she can help rock GCUC here in Chicago.

GCUC Committee DutiesVolunteer Recruitment, local meeting management, local promotion

Ashely is especially well connected to other coworking spaces in Chicago and can effectively build and invigorate a strong volunteer base for 2014.

Jamie RussoEnerspace

Jamie’s background is a mix of start-ups, big 6 consulting and Fortune 500, working in healthcare and consumer packaged goods. Her passion is health and wellness, particularly helping people create a lifestyle that helps them excel at their business endeavors and achieve superior mental and physical wellness. After growing a health services company that became focused on getting employees at large companies engaged in their health, she conceived of the idea to better integrate work and wellness. The ability to self-select a work environment through coworking spaces is an explosive trend and she is shaping the ability to choose an environment that fosters optimal well-being. And, her idea has grown. Enerspace now has locations in Chicago and Palo Alto.

GCUC Committee DutiesVenue & After Party Support, Industry Relations, Committee Guidance

Jamie is particularly connected with Chicago, and knows how to through a great party. Plus, her knowledge of the industry will be exceptionally helpful for all major committee decisions.

Iris KavanaughNextSpace

As Chief Community Of�cer of a multi-city coworking platform, Iris knows a thing or two about what it means to collaborate. Bringing order to the early chaos of Nextspace, she’s turned it into a well-oiled machine that helps entrepreneurs put forth their best work. Instinctively knowing what needs to be done to get organized, Iris has even pioneered a proprietary member management system that has allowed NextSpace to grow into a scalable operation across the country. Now, Iris is the day-to-day leader of Team Nextspace. She ensures that the community and culture trans-lates across spaces, and trains her team to foster deep community connection while balancing the needs of a for-pro�t business.

GCUC Committee DutiesCommittee guidance, Industry Relations

A leader in the coworking scene, Iris devotes a portion of her time connecting with a network of coworking owners and operators - assisting the transference of best practices across the industry.

Heather DiltsGrind

Accidentally �nding a niche for herself in high-end furniture design for the last eight years, Heathyr wasn't looking for a career change. But, when a friend introduced her to Grind, she took a leap and hasn't looked back. Now, as Grind's Chicago Operations Director, Heathyr keeps Grind calm and collected.

GCUC Committee DutiesLocal meeting management, vendor relations, local promotion

Organized, to a fault, an 8-ball enthusiast (yeah, she's a in pool league), Logan Square a�cionado, and devoted cat-mom, Heathyr brings a perfect blend of cool and coordinated to this committee.

Spaces We Represent

NextSpace Coop www.nextspace.us230 W. Superior, 2F, Chicago, IL, 60654

The Coop is Chicago’s veteran coworking space. Now, joining forces with Nextspace, this Chicago institution has gained access to an even bigger, and more well-connected community of coworkers. Nextspace offers freelancers, enterpreneurs and creative professionals the physical and digital infrastructure they need to excel in their profession. With locations in Chicago and the Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Francisco Areas, NextSpace members can be at home with a creative community across the country.

Enerspace www.enerspacecoworking.com1046 West Kinzie Street, Chicago, IL 60642

Enerspace is where the inspired and passionate come to do their work. Members include entrepreneurs, small business owners and freelancers. Enerspace’s motto of “Workspace + Wellness” re�ects its mission to give members a place and the tools they need to optimize their career and well-being. Enerspace locations can be found in Chicago and Palo Alto.

Grind www.grindspaces.com2 N. LaSalle St., 14th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602

Grind is a 22nd century platform that helps talent collaborate in a new way: outside the system. Founded by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, Grind was built for free radicals who would rather work in a community than in a company. Each members-only location provides a high-tech, low-stress experience that eliminates the old frustrations of the of�ce, and replaces them with a

Steven Collins - The Pritzker Group & Chicagoland Entrepreneurial CenterVice President of The Pritzker Group (launchers of the Chicago Entrepreneurial Center) and self-proclaimed “Instigator” of 1871 (Chicago’s proverbial cornerstone for tech start-ups and innovation) Steven is a driving force behind our city’s booming tech scene, and a key in�uencer of infrastructure supporting this growth.

Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) is a non-pro�t organization that supports entrepreneurs on their path to building high-growth, sustainable businesses that serve as platforms for economic development and civic leadership. 1871 is the CEC’s �agship project, and the best example of this organization’s mission at work.

Desktime - www.desktimeapp.comWith connection to over 100 spaces and partners throughout the city, Desktime - founded by Sam Rosen & Partick Grif�n - is a digital catalog for anyone looking to cowork in Chicago. A priceless resource for coworking connection, Desktime offers Chicago and GCUC the ability to connect with the greater coworking community, at large.

1871 - www.1871.comThe story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 isn’t really about the �re. It’s about what happened next: A remarkable moment when the most brilliant engineers, architects and inventors came together to build a new city. Their innovations – born of passion and practical ingenuity – shaped not just Chicago, but the modern world. What started over 140 years ago continues to this day, at 1871 - where Chicago’s digital start-ups get their start. As the “hub” for start-ups in Chicago, and enthusiastically supported by both the public and private sectors, 1871 is a critical partner for Chicago coworking and this GCUC committee.

One Design - www.onedesigncompany.comCommitted to making the web a better place, One Design promises to deliver uncompromising, charismatic websites and web experiences. Serving some of Chicago’s premier hospitality and entertainment icons - such as The Publican, One Off Hospitality, Table Host, Groupon, Threadless, University of Chicago and more - One Design’s network of clients will provide GCUC with connection to Chicago’s most beloved brands.

Panzanzee - www.panzanzee.comPanzanzee is Chicago’s incubator and coworking community for social enterprise. Bringing together social-impact start-ups, this space supports people, discovery, trust and traction for sustainable change. Together, the community at Panzanzee is on a mission to tackle the world’s toughest social challenges, through entrepreneurship. Panzazee will bring GCUC a unique perspective on engaging social entrepreneurs in the coworking world.

Our Partners

Steven Collins - The Pritzker Group & Chicagoland Entrepreneurial CenterVice President of The Pritzker Group (launchers of the Chicago Entrepreneurial Center) and self-proclaimed “Instigator” of 1871 (Chicago’s proverbial cornerstone for tech start-ups and innovation) Steven is a driving force behind our city’s booming tech scene, and a key in�uencer of infrastructure supporting this growth.

Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) is a non-pro�t organization that supports entrepreneurs on their path to building high-growth, sustainable businesses that serve as platforms for economic development and civic leadership. 1871 is the CEC’s �agship project, and the best example of this organization’s mission at work.

Desktime - www.desktimeapp.comWith connection to over 100 spaces and partners throughout the city, Desktime - founded by Sam Rosen & Partick Grif�n - is a digital catalog for anyone looking to cowork in Chicago. A priceless resource for coworking connection, Desktime offers Chicago and GCUC the ability to connect with the greater coworking community, at large.

1871 - www.1871.comThe story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 isn’t really about the �re. It’s about what happened next: A remarkable moment when the most brilliant engineers, architects and inventors came together to build a new city. Their innovations – born of passion and practical ingenuity – shaped not just Chicago, but the modern world. What started over 140 years ago continues to this day, at 1871 - where Chicago’s digital start-ups get their start. As the “hub” for start-ups in Chicago, and enthusiastically supported by both the public and private sectors, 1871 is a critical partner for Chicago coworking and this GCUC committee.

One Design - www.onedesigncompany.comCommitted to making the web a better place, One Design promises to deliver uncompromising, charismatic websites and web experiences. Serving some of Chicago’s premier hospitality and entertainment icons - such as The Publican, One Off Hospitality, Table Host, Groupon, Threadless, University of Chicago and more - One Design’s network of clients will provide GCUC with connection to Chicago’s most beloved brands.

Panzanzee - www.panzanzee.comPanzanzee is Chicago’s incubator and coworking community for social enterprise. Bringing together social-impact start-ups, this space supports people, discovery, trust and traction for sustainable change. Together, the community at Panzanzee is on a mission to tackle the world’s toughest social challenges, through entrepreneurship. Panzazee will bring GCUC a unique perspective on engaging social entrepreneurs in the coworking world.

Thanks!