Unplugged’s central idea was to show people around them that there are so many more opportunities around if you look up and disconnect once in a while. Taking a break from social media allows you to meet and interact with people, instead of being focused on technology. The founder came up with the idea when he was at Le Moyne College and saw 15 out of 20 students walking by him on their phones. Students were bumping into each other, walking into doors, and focusing too much on their phones instead of looking up when they are walking around. The first initial approach was to use social media as a platform to get people to hear about our mission. The first post that was put up had a challenge for the world. Jon said for every like and share he gets from that post, he would take 5 minutes of his phone. After 24 short hours, the post went viral and the attention it got from social media and other people in his network was staggering. People loved the idea and people wanted to be a part of it! They went to work made a logo, completed the website, and started the marketing. Unfortunately 10 days after the inception, he got a notice that his father passed away. Three weeks after he came back, he knew he had to pay tribute somehow. The first event gained attention and had 45 people attend. They planned it all in 3.5 weeks and had an outstanding amount of support from local businesses who helped donate. Due to the loss, he came up with the idea of supporting suicide awareness, this is where the proceeds go to, along with Retinitis Pigemntosa an eye disease that affects his family. Like any movement, it takes great volunteers and people willing to help. After the initial post, we received multiple messages from people looking to join. The core team is compiled of extremely talented people: Michelle Thompson is our VP of Finance, Nicholas Standford is the VP of Business Development, and Andrea Capodagli is the VP of Community Relations. This team has been there since the start and they all play an integral part in growing the success of UnpluggedCNY. It is our mission to be a conduit for local businesses. We want to have the businesses come to our events and share their business ideas/messages. We have so many great businesses out there having an event for them to come and meet new networks will illuminate that to other community members