CiAgenci

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The Startup

Birmingham’s Tech Entrepreneur, Michael Hanson delivers the perfect mix of classic and edgy in today’s work attire.

The look offers him a modern update on the modern button down and slacks. The style is accompanied by a leather Prada backpack to carry all of Michael’s essentials. 

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Dope tech style

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Lunch is Served

   Today, the Ci team had the opportunity to serve by participating in Lunch is Served, a unique experience to help the men at the Shepura Men’s Center.

   The Shepura Men’s Center is a ministry of the Jimmie Hale Mission in Downtown Birmingham. Since 1944 the Jimmie Hale has been a place of refuge and shelter to those in need. In addition to the Downtown homeless shelter for men, the Jimmie Hale also includes a shelter for women and children (Jessie’s Place), recovery programs, learning centers and thrift stores.

   Our experience today was rewarding. The men at the shelter greeted us with smiles, warm handshakes and thank you’s. It may sound cliché, but we left feeling blessed. In just 30 minutes, we were able to show some love to others and lend a helping hand. 

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REVIVE A CITY

     One experience.  One community.  One event can spark a change.  We were witness to that this past week at REVIVE, a revitalization initiative launched by REV Birmingham.  Pop-up shops, from doughnuts to dancing, took over a once decrepit downtown avenue.  A lighting of the Lyric, a once segregated theatre that was brought back to life 50 years forward.

   These and other seemingly simple accomplishments to some, were in fact, incredibly historical for a city known as a hotbed of civil unrest and a profuse division of economic demographics.  It wasn't just about diversity.  It wasn't just about economic development.  It wasn't declaring we've moved past the past.  It was a effort to promote what could be.  A great effort that took people from all backgrounds to accomplish.  There's just something about seeing hundreds, if not thousands, of the diverse population of Birmingham cheering the Lyric Theatre light up.  You get the goosebumps.  You feel the energy.  You want what everybody hopes for in that moment.  And that hope is different for each person, yet it's somehow the same.

*Ci was fortunate to be asked to provide the technology and social promotion for REVIVE, a 5 week initiative to promote different district in Birmingham.

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It's No Secret

           There was quite a buzz surrounding this year’s Secret Stages, a music discovery festival in Birmingham’s Historic Loft District. When the festival organizers mentioned using our iPad rental services, we were excited about the opportunity. Our office is full of music lovers and this project was right up our alley. Underground, unknown and local talent would be right here in our backyard for two days. Plus, this was a chance to provide a client with event technology solutions. We were able to supply Secret Stages with iPads tracking attendance and revenue live at the venues.  Now the staff could worry less about their point of sale needs and more about giving attendees what they came for – “Quality, emerging artists to Downtown Birmingham.” Festival goers were not disappointed. The Secret Stages staff did a stellar job of bringing talent and great music into our Magic City. 

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Guzzlin’ & Gamblin’

        Ok, so the title sounds like something out of a 70’s western TV episode, but in reality the Farris Brother’s latest trade show in Jackson, Mississippi was an event we won’t soon forget.  Ci had the privilege of providing Farris Brothers, a hunting/ fishing distributor with CINCH, our point-of-sale system for wholesale distribution.  During the show, vendors used our system to take orders from dealers in a quick and efficient manner that allowed Farris Brothers to quickly fulfill PO’s post-show.  The real magic though, happens when the show “ends” each night of the 3-day bonanza.  As soon as we finished our first day of work, Ci’s staff was ushered in the next room to eat dinner with the rest of the vendors.  Let us rephrase.  By dinner, we mean feast complete with roasted pigs on spits, barbecue galore, and more choices of drink than most bars.  Once the staff had eaten their fill, the lights dimmed and out came the dealers, as in casino dealers.  That’s right, every game imaginable was available to play, with fake money of course.  Conclusion, these guys know how to work and play.  A big thanks goes out to Farris Brothers for their trust in us as well as a giant thanks to all our staff who worked tirelessly to deliver another successful show.