Presented by VMSD and ZenGenius, the first-ever Virtual Iron Merchant Challenge set a new precedent for breaking out of the box.
Emceed by ZenGenius CEO Joe Baer, along with Jen Acevedo, Associate Publisher of VMSD, competitors took to the Zoom stage to compete in a modified version of the classic Iron Merchant Challenge. With a live audience watching from their homes, everyone tuned in with their favorite “quarantini” for a bit of creative competition. The challenge - create a compelling display to honor first responders in just 30 minutes. Launch the video below to see all the action, or scroll down (warning - contains spoilers…) to see the winning display.
Our many thanks to VMSD for co-hosting this incredible interactive event!
Here are a few hot highlights from the very first Virtual Iron Merchant Challenge
THE EMCEE
ZenGenius, Inc. CEO & Co-Founder Joe Baer with a special appearance by Mirror Ball Man…Nope, we’re not telling you who they really are!
THE COMPETITORS
Big thanks to these creative geniuses for participating. We loved seeing how each of you rose to the challenge, influenced your displays with personal stories and even brought your families on to support and inspire your out-of-the-box creations.
GABBY ROSI
Retail Design Executive
BEVAN BLOEMENDAAL
Timberland
DAVID KEPRON
NXTLVL Experience Design
ADRIAN WILSON
Interior Photography
GRAILING KING
LIM College
CHUCK PALMER
ConsumerX Retail
REBEKAH MATHENY
The Ohio State University
MEGAN STONE
The High Road Design Studio
RICHARD CADAN
Richard Cadan Photography
THE CHALLENGE
CREATE A COMPELLING DISPLAY TO HONOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Armed with their Virtual Iron Merchant Challenge boxes and whatever supplies they could find around their homes, competitors had only 30 minutes to create a display honoring first responders.
THE RESULTS
WARNING - SPOILER ALERT
Do not scroll any further unless you wish to see who was named the 2020 Virtual Iron Merchant winner. We know it’s tempting, but check out the video for all the fun!
Congratulations to
Bevan Bloemendaal of Timberland and team for their 2020 Virtual Iron Merchant Challenge win!
His teammates included Sean McCorry, Timberland; Ann Moretuzzo, Timberland; Keith Taylor, Timberland; and Beth Harlor, Bayer.
“ “The art of storytelling and creating lasting impressions is at the foundation of not only the Iron Merchant but also for us in the Design Industry. With minimal resources, materials, time, budget [sound familiar] you are given the opportunity to collaborate with a team, understand strengths, develop a strategy, ideate on a concept and execute in an incredibly scrappy, creative and visually memorable way. Thank you ZenGenius and VMSD/IRDC for making storytellers out of us all!””
Looking to host your own virtual event?
Engage, inspire and excite your team no matter where they are with the ZenGenius Virtual Iron Merchant Challenge. Let us create a one-of-a-kind virtual event for you, complete with supply boxes shipped directly to your team.
To discuss a customized virtual event drop us a line by clicking the button below, or reach us by phone at (614) 220-9040.
