CHICAGO INNOVATION AWARDS

Luke Tanen named Director of Chicago Innovation Awards

Luke Tanen Named Director of Chicago Innovation Awards

Chicago, IL—Luke Tanen, has been named Director of the Chicago Innovation Awards, the region’s foremost recognition of the most innovative new products and services introduced in the Chicago region.

Since 2007, Tanen has been Director of Event Marketing for Platform One Entertainment, the Chicago-based entertainment industry marketing group well-known for innovative marketing campaigns for music groups from around the world, and for firms wishing to associate their brands with the music industry. While at Platform One, Tanen conceived, developed and managed its Cause Marketing Division.  He produced sold-out charity events that brought together big name bands, sponsors, media, the public, and high profile personalities to raise large amounts of money for his charity partners.

“Luke’s work over the past three years has prepared him perfectly for this important position,” said Thomas D. Kuczmarski, founder with Chicago journalist and foundation executive Dan Miller, of the awards.  “Luke has demonstrated his capacity to manage an enormous number of details and a small army of volunteers, both important elements of the Chicago Innovation Award process.  He recognizes the fun and excitement of putting on a good show.”

The Chicago Innovation Awards, which holds its annual recognition event each October at the Goodman Theatre, was designed from the beginning to be a civic event, recognizing the creative spirit of the region.  Each element of the Innovation Awards process, which unfolds over a seven-month period each year, is free of charge to all involved.  The awards were established in 2002 and have grown steadily each year since.  In 2009 more than 250 organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors were nominated.

In his new position, Tanen will be responsible for managing the process through which the awards are announced and nominations gathered.  He will supervise the judging process, a complex task involving preparation of summaries of each nominee and the impact of the innovation on its field.  He will coordinate the event at the Goodman Theatre, which is attended by more than 800 civic, business, and cultural leaders; and a special recognition event at which every nominee is recognized for their commitment to innovation. 

Tanen is a graduate of Northwestern University and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.  He lives in Chicago.

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