Slow Food Nations

CONCEPT & STRATEGY DESIGN, FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT, CREATIVE SOLUTIONS, EXPERIENTIAL & SPONSORSHIP ACTIVATIONS, EVENT PRODUCTION, OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, CONFERENCE MANAGEMENT, CORPORATE PARTIES, ENTERTAINMENT AND TALENT ACQUISITION.

“Slow Food partnered with Symbiotic for three years to produce our flagship US festival, Slow Food Nations. Their team is professional, reliable and creative. We enlisted their help to plan the festival, define concepts, create custom structures, manage operations and implement security and safety – and they exceeded expectations every time! When we encountered unplanned issues like Colorado weather, they were right there with us to make sure things continued to run smoothly. We truly appreciate their positivity, integrity and good nature. We couldn’t imagine hosting this festival without them, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Symbiotic team!”

– Krista Roberts, Executive Director

We believe there is a symbiotic relationship between events and non-profits. Our vested interest in supporting social and environmental causes is exemplified in our work with Slow Food USA.  Slow Food USA found a new home in Denver at the iconic Larimer Square and a new partner in Symbiotic.  

We were there to help guide Slow Food from the concept phase, providing strategy and  feasibility assessments ensuring that the model this nonprofit was about to take on, a concept from Slow Food Italy, can work in Denver. With our guidance and a cooperative of the minds, Slow Food Denver flourished over the years, making it one of the most respected food culture events nationwide.  

Challenge: One project we were tasked with on this event really highlights our creativity and logistical oversight, one that we feel goes above and beyond standard event services: Slow Food came to us with a desire to make the Slow Food Denver Farmer’s Market a one of a kind experience with custom facades throughout the grounds.  With 100 farmers market booths, several kitchen counters and countless food and beverage booths we had to get creative with the design and budget. 

Solution: Our Operations Director, Joel Gustafson, researched and ran a feasibility report to purchase a sawmill, then gathered a team on his property (where the recent High Park Fires left burnt beetle killed Ponderosa Pine), and began harvesting the pine. After harvesting, Joel turned the wood into beautiful, repurposed live-edge custom facade pieces.  This not only provided the material for the project, but helped with fire mitigation in our beloved Colorado Rocky Mountains. Our Creative Designer and Carpenter, John Motley, took those pieces and designed the fully walled custom booths and built out for each activation, immediately putting Slow Food Denver on the map as a unique food event!