Gen Next
Launch Event
Paul Makarechian, Founder and Chairman of Gen Next and CEO and Owner of Makar Properties, and Michael Davidson, CEO of Gen Next, retained FPN to coordinate the launch of Gen Next Seattle. They had talked with business and political leaders in Western Washington who told them Amy Barnes and FPN could connect them with the right people and produce an event in the style of Gen Next.
Together, they compiled an exclusive list of people from the Puget Sound area who would be the right fit to become potential Gen Next members and supporters. They began by establishing relationships with people from this list who most shared the Gen Next enthusiasm on issues of education, the environment, national security and economic growth, and also knew that getting involved in the political arena was the way to shape the future of these issues.
Building on these relationships and the growing enthusiasm about Gen Next Seattle, the June 4, 2008, launch was planned for the inspired venue of Canlis Glass studio and gallery. Special guests included California Gen Next members, gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi and King County Councilmember Regan Dunn. The event was a huge success with guests enjoying the unique glass art produced by J.P. Canlis and informative discussions with their executive and entrepreneur peers. The result was a committed group of inaugural Gen Next Seattle members.
With the ongoing counsel of FPN, Gen Next has continued to build on the momentum of the 2008 launch and currently hosts monthly activities for their Seattle members. Activities range from member forums with industry leaders to entertaining events with an inspired peer network. Gen Next is well on the way to making positive change in the Puget Sound area by finding the best ideas private sector executives and entrepreneurs have to offer and using them to invigorate the public sector.
