GEL-in in NYC

GEL 2007
Good Experience Live

We are back from another great GEL Conference. With very cool Day 1 sessions, we explored unique "experiences" designed to make us think, smell, taste, touch and explore.  My Day 1 started with a great view into Mark Hurst's new book (and philosophy) on Bit Literacy. It was a helpful look into how we should all manage the daily bits we receive every day -- and be forewarned, Mark expects there's more "bits" to come!  My afternoon session was a great tour led by Rachel Schechtman of Cube Ventures. Rachel took us on a tour of unique specialty shops and retail environments -- all of whom had a great story to tell. Starting with Moore Brothers Wine Company, David Moore passionately shattered our mainstream ideas about what makes a "good wine."  Selling only, hand-made artisan wines from Europe, Moore Brothers is extraordinary in the wine selection they offer; the protective quality they have about the wines (and the wine makers themselves), and the environment they create to sell these wines.

Next, we travelled to Le Labo where Fabrice Penot spoke about their vision and passion for their creation of exquisite fragrances that are fresh, unique and distinguish themselves from the rest. Compounded for you upon order, their select fragrances in simple bottles make their product stand alone.

Alessi was our next stop where our group enjoyed coffee service and the unique, art-like product lines for eating and drinking. The retail experience here is bright, fun and yet, almost museum-like with their artful products on display.

Lastly, our tour ended at the store every traveller needs to know about, Flight 001 ("Flight One"). Brad John and John Sencion walked us through how Flight 001 was born. Their passion for equipping every traveller with the perfect essentials to travel comfortably was really appealing to me. With an in flight instructional video playing behind them, Brad and John showed what it meant to create a rich branded retail concept From the consistency of the products, signage, travel iconography, and vocabulary Flight 001 uses throughout your shopping experience makes you feel part of the "jet set" where travel can be glamorous, fun and hassle-free again.

Day 2 - The Line Up

GEL 2007 had a varied line up of presenters who all shared deep insight and details about what makes "good experience." The history and background of each presenter painted great stories around their passions, what drives them, and what made them successful. Success was all relative too. Was it the "perfect" product, was it the iteration or lifecylce of their product? Was it the concept created for customers to experience and enjoy? Was it the creation of music that made you laugh or made you cry?

The best way I can describe GEL is that it is food for the brain. It is unlike any other conference where people come together open to experience and explore all things large and small with the quest to create "good experiences" in any line of work you do.

Check out our Flickr slideshow to view the day's events.

Comments

[David Moore]

Thank you so much for the kind comments!