Any CAC Brides?

cincy2011

Is anyone else planning their wedding at the Contemporary Arts Center (downtown Cincy)?  We have been having a tough time getting in touch with the new events director.  Just wondering if anyone else has talked to the new guy or if they've been able to talk to anyone there for the past month or so?  TIA!

chitowngreen

Sorry that you're having trouble. I am getting married there next April. I haven't actually emailed the new events director, although I did run into him in person at the CAC and he was very friendly and helpful. I wonder if they are all just really busy with it being "wedding season." 

KEJohnson04

I had my wedding there on July 10th! Are you trying to get a hold of Joe Penno (sp?); he is the event coordinator. If so...try both phone and email. He just started his position toward the end of June and he's trying to pick up the pieces that the interim guy left him (that guy was horrible). Yes...he is really busy right now, but make it known that your question is very important and that you would appreciate a response ASAP. Joe is VERY nice and he is willing to do whatever it takes to exceed your expectations. He's really great! Keep trying and good luck!

cincy2011

Thanks chitown, I hope that's the case.  I talked with the facility director over 2 months ago and he said the new event director would email me by early July.  Since I've been calling and trying to get in touch with someone, only the facility director will call me back (we've played phone tag) and I never heard from the event director.  I was more worried that the new event director never came onboard or was gone already and we'd have to wait for them to find another replacement.  So I'm glad to hear this person does exist...LOL.  Maybe I'll call the main CAC number and ask for the event director instead of calling the facility director's direct line.  Thanks!

KEJohnson04

Oh...and feel free to contact me with any other questions. I check this board pretty much daily

brownd9

One of my best friends works there for the events/PR and I know they are SUPER busy right now. Keep trying I am sure you will get through.

cincy2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_ohio-cincinnati_cac-brides?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:108Discussion:bac020ac-5013-45aa-a7c1-3d3c446d91ecPost:e104e0dc-f7d6-49b8-8f40-bb2fe40ace33">Re: Any CAC Brides?</a>:
[QUOTE]I had my wedding there on July 10th! Are you trying to get a hold of Joe Penno (sp?); he is the event coordinator. If so...try both phone and email. He just started his position toward the end of June and he's trying to pick up the pieces that the interim guy left him (that guy was horrible). Yes...he is really busy right now, but make it known that your question is very important and that you would appreciate a response ASAP. Joe is VERY nice and he is willing to do whatever it takes to exceed your expectations. He's really great! Keep trying and good luck!
Posted by KEJohnson04[/QUOTE]

Congrats and thanks so much for this info!  YES, the guy's name is Joe that I've been waiting to talk to.  The facility director is Dave, I think.  I don't have Joe's email or direct line, if you could PM them to me that would be perfect.  Thanks again - I feel so much better now!!   When you PM, I would also love to hear all about your experience at the CAC - any tips you can share, etc. are welcome!

cincy2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_ohio-cincinnati_cac-brides?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:108Discussion:bac020ac-5013-45aa-a7c1-3d3c446d91ecPost:d6d1bd60-cfbe-4fbe-84e1-4ade0ad20e54">Re: Any CAC Brides?</a>:
[QUOTE]One of my best friends works there for the events/PR and I know they are SUPER busy right now. Keep trying I am sure you will get through.
Posted by brownd9[/QUOTE]

Thanks - I think I was just getting a little paranoid b/c the time is flying by and even though we're not getting married until next June, I want this venue piece wrapped up ASAP.  <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />

KEJohnson04

My biggest Tip is DON'T talk to Dave... he does not care about how your wedding goes...he just wants to make money. Talk to Joe...he is really passionate about what he does! I don't have his contact info off the top of my head but you can get it by contacting the front desk of the CAC. 

Suggestions...

1) Have a bar in the elevator...it was a HUGE hit!

2) Hire a lighting company...we used Vincent and I highly recommend them! Also, the monogram on the dance floor was a really nice touch....makes the concrete look special!

3)Have fun with the cocktail hour in the Unmuseum... we took ALL of our pictures before the ceremony so we could join our guests at the cocktail hour. It was SOOO worth it! We had a blast and got all of our mingling done so we could dance during the entire reception.

4) Hire a security guy for the vestibule (front door). We hired one through the CAC and it was like $150 for the entire night. Well worth the peace of mind.

5) Ask Joe for a copy of the room floor plan. It was nice to play around with the layout of everything.

6) No matter what they say...they cannot hold more than 150 people. We had 120 and I don't know where we would have put any more tables and still been able to have a dance floor (keep in mind our reception was on the main level...Kaplan Hall).

Hope this helps... let me know if you have any more questions!