07/01/2025
You may have heard that just concluded a 10-day pop-up near South Street Seaport, “Mystery at the Grooms,” an immersive imagination experience that, by simply booking a free time slot online, allowed thousands to walk through beautifully staged rooms, interact with actors dressed in Hermès, and leave thinking, “Wow, I love Hermès.” No gift shop. No hard sell. Just connection, curiosity, and a story you feel compelled to share.
I share this now because whether you’re a brand, a civic leader, a corporation, or a nonprofit, genuine experiences build trust and open doors. They create the kind of buzz that can’t be bought because people share what moves them, both in-person and online.
was created to fill a void—a void in positive news coverage, a void in civic engagement, a void in everyday people understanding who their public officials are, and a void in idea-sharing across levels of government. I believe public-private partnerships thrive when grounded in experiences that feel real and joyful.
That’s why we launched during , bringing 30 public officials to the runway in designs from their districts, creating a moment that connected local businesses, neighbors, and leaders across party lines. It reminded us that policy challenges often need creativity, collaboration, and a bit of fun to move forward.
At the end of the day, the two oldest forms of connection still lead: storytelling and art. Whether on a runway, in a pop-up, or around a table, they bring people together—and that’s how change begins, one shared experience at a time.