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Brett S. Traylor Creative Direction & Design

KCG UnConvention

Brett led this project during his 17-year tenure as Thinkso’s founder and executive creative director.

We named, branded, and designed an annual signature client event for KCG. A premium, 3‑day affair marrying leading-edge trading topics with a location and theme that changed every year. ​“UnConvention,” or ​“UnCon” was born and quickly became the industry’s must-attend event. Over 4 years, we designed full runs-of-show for Washington D.C., New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Montréal.

A seated presenter speaks to a group of attendees in front of a wall painted with a large KCG Un-convention event logo.

We elevated a semi-regular appreciation event to an industry leading, multi-venue, multi-day, signature experience that featured world class thinkers, talent, and original content.

Jillian Reid, VP Marketing & Communications, KCG

Montréal, 2017

UnConvention 2017 was set in Montréal, a city that fuses alternative ideas and unfamiliar customs to yield surprising results.

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Invitation to the 2017 KCG "Uncon" client event in Montreal with the headline, "An event par excellence."
Invitation to the 2017 KCG "Uncon" client event in Montreal with the headline, "Long live la différence."
Invitation to the 2017 KCG "Uncon" client event in Montreal with the headline, "That unconventional je ne sais quoi."
Thinkso.com_Alt-Text_Tracker Thinkso.com_Alt-Text_Tracker 100% 10 The 2017 KCG Uncon event homepage with the headline "That unconventional je ne sais quoi." and information about the event. The 2017 KCG Uncon cevent homepage with the headline "That unconventional je ne sais quoi." and information about the event. ; Cell C151 The 2017 KCG Uncon event homepage with the headline "That unconventional je ne sais quoi." and information about the event.
The 2017 KCG Uncon client event app with the logo, introduction, menu, and map of Montreal displayed on four smartphones.
2017 KCG Uncon client event attendees pick up their badges from the reception table.
Close up of the 2017 KCG Uncon client event credentials and schedule care on lanyards.
Attendees enjoying drinks near the bar during a cocktail reception at the 2017 KCG Uncon client event.
A speaker addresses attendees during an evening reception in front the neon sign logo for 2017 KCG Uncon client event.
Attendees seated for dinner at the 2017 KCG Uncon client event in a room decorated with event banners.
A close up of illustrated drink coasters and reception dinner menus for the 2017 KCG Uncon client event.
The illustrated cover of La Metropole, the 2017 KCG Uncon client event guidebook.
An artist painting and lettering a piece of white canvas to be cut and made into tote bags for the 2017 KCG Uncon event.
A collage of giveaway items for the 2017 KCG Uncon client event, including a tote bag, notebook, and Echo Dot smart speaker.
Attendees pay rapt attention to a presentation at the 2017 KCG Uncon client event.
Thinkso.com_Alt-Text_Tracker Thinkso.com_Alt-Text_Tracker 100% 10 An overhead illustrated display at the 2017 KCG Uncon client event that reads "The gathering du jour is right this way." An overhead illustrated display at the 2017 KCG Uncon client event that reads "The gathering du jour is right this way."; Cell C16An overhead illustrated display at the 2017 KCG Uncon client event that reads "The gathering du jour is right this way."
Three attendees on a break at the 2017 KCG Uncon client event in front of windows decorated with the event logo,
A bartender and cocktail menu sign at the 2017 KCG Uncon client event. A pair of acrobats perform in the background.
A place setting with a knife, fork, plate, and illustrated menu cards for a dinner at the 2017 KCG Uncon client event.
A single presenter at podium in front of a large neon sign logo for the 2017 KCG Uncon client event in Montreal.
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The neon crest we created became the signature graphic of the event. Blending old with new, we repurposed it in multiple forms, including a digital animation, window decals, and an actual light-up sign.

Philadelphia, 2016

UnCon 2016 was set in Philadelphia, home to one of our most accomplished Founding Fathers, Ben Franklin and his particular brand of ​“revolutionary thinking.”

16 Kcg Uncon Philly Speaker Posters
Save the date mailing for the 2016 KCG Uncon client event with the headline "Original, independent, revolutionary thinking."
Invite for the 2016 KCG Uncon client event that reads "Scientific revolutions, party politics, and truly refreshing ideas."
Invite for the 2016 KCG Uncon client event with the headline "See you in Philadelphia!" in ornate script.
Close up a gold wax seal of the KCG Uncon client event logo on on a grey envelope.
KCG Uncon 2016 client event banner at the entrance gate of a grand building and courtyard.
Actors portraying revolutionary era historical figures mingle at an outdoor reception at the 2016 KCG Uncon client event.
An invitation to dinner and buttons featuring images of the founding fathers for the 2016 KCG Uncon client event.
Close up of the "Philly Gazette," the newspaper-style guide for the 2016 KCG Uncon client event.
Front and back pages of the "Philly Gazette," the newspaper-style guide for the 2016 KCG Uncon client event.
An open package for a giveaway item at the 2016 KCG Uncon client event with the headline "A great discovery."
Open pages of an attendee giveaway notebook for the 2016 KCG Uncon client event in Philadelphia.
Several illustrated event posters on the wall of the meeting area at the 2016 KCG Uncon client event in Philadelphia.
A presenting speaker gesturing with his left hand in front of a colorful event poster at the 2016 KCG Uncon client event.
An attendee at the 2016 KCG Uncon client event walking over a terrazzo floor with the large event poster floor stickers.
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A decorated rooftop reception area at the 2016 KCG Uncon client event rimmed with event posters.
The Bacon Brothers band performing at the 2016 KCG Uncon client event in Philadelphia.

Posters printed in Philadelphia played a big role in galvanizing early American revolutionaries. We paid homage to this art form (and had a lot of fun) with posters of our own. They promoted and commemorated UnCon’s guest speakers, Franklin quotes, cheese steaks, the Bacon Brothers band (one of the night’s entertainment), and more.

New Orleans, 2015

UnCon 2015 took place in New Orleans, a city famous for being a melting pot and hotbed of innovation with unique culinary and cultural contributions.

Presenter in a large hall in front of a giant conference banner speaking to a group of 2015 KCG Uncon attendees.
2015 KCG Uncon client event registration table with conference banners on the walls.
Close up if two 2015 KCG Uncon client event attendees enjoying a conference reception.
KCG Uncon event wall hanging with words "Seeing blue," other text, and a film still picture of the actress Marlene Dietrich.
2015 KCG Uncon client event dinner menu card in am ornate blue table-top frame.
A large blue flag with the 2015 KCG Uncon client event logo flies outside the conference facilities.
2015 KCG Uncon client event conference entryway; event logos adorn the glass panels of the doors.
A large group of 2015 KCG Uncon client event attendees listen to an event presentation.
A mural on a fabric banner attached to an ion fence with the 2015 KCG Uncon client event logo and title
A set of giveaway items for the 2015 KCG Uncon client event, including an underwater camera housing and map of New Orleans.
2015 KCG Uncon client event attendees parade on a New Orleans street with a Mardi Gras-style puppet figure.
A 2015 KCG Uncon client event banner flies above attendees at a street parade in New Orleans.
2015 KCG Uncon client event attendees parade on a New Orleans street alongside a figure in a Mardi Gras harlequin costume.
Branford Marsalis speaks from the bandstand at a 2015 KCG Uncon client event dinner.
2015 KCG Uncon client event attendees gather after hours at a New Orleans bar.
Custom wall art for the 2015 KCG Uncon client event after hours gathering reads "The Speakeasy, New Orleans, Louisiana."
Branford Marsalis on the bandstand at a 2015 KCG Uncon client event reception with a large conference banner behind him.

Nothing says New Orleans like a speakeasy featuring the jazz of Branford Marsalis. So we worked with KCG’s marketing team to create one.