Phil Fisher

Columbia College / Johnson and Wales University

As Professor of Event Management at Columbia College Chicago, for over a decade Fisher developed curriculum and instructed courses on Event Management, including individual motivation and entrepreneurship in Undergraduate Studies for five-years and further developed curriculum and instructed Event Management courses in Continuing Education Studies for an additional six-years.  Fisher motivated students with captivating first-hand accounts of real-life entertainment industry stories, developed the curriculum and all study and homework materials and hands-on training, including; event logistics, planning, marketing and promotions, sponsorship development, union labor, event staffing, management and volunteers, stage plots and event layouts, concession design, food & beverage operations, transportation, performance and production schedules, planning for different types of events and promotions, concerts & festivals, community, sports and corporate events, non-profit fundraisers, developing creative planning techniques and contingency plans, negotiating contracts with talent and vendors, production budgeting and break even point analysis, developing an integrated approach from marketing to point of sale, aspects of recorded music business including royalties, insurance and minimizing risk, production efficiency and striving for flawless event productions, facilities and production variations in different types of venues including theaters, arenas, stadiums, indoor and outdoor events, and more.

Fisher’s unique style of teaching also engaged Columbia College students in out-of-classroom experiences including actual live events and entertainment venues, e.g., Taste of Chicago, Arie Crown Theater, and University of Illinois Pavilion.  Fisher served as role model and mentor to Johnson and Wales University Entertainment Management student-interns, providing them with hands-on experience in live event work on the Tom Joyner Morning Show Fantastic Voyage.  This major production took place on-board the Carnival Cruise Ship Conquest and required the installation of eight entertainment rooms with production equipment elements including, staging, sound, lighting, band gear, and video, as well as a live pool-deck music concert performance, featuring Robin Thicke and Nelly.

Accolades For Professor Fisher’s work

* Recognized by Columbia College as “University’s Highest Rated Class in Continuing Education Studies Program.”

* Recognized by student evaluations as “The Best Professor” they ever had.

* Many of Professor Fisher’s students have contacted him for additional support and with expressions of gratitude having graduated to successful careers in marketing, arts and culture, corporate events, sports marketing, and entertainment industries.

* The Office of the Chief of Police-Chicago Police Department awarded Fisher a letter of recognition, naming him “Best In The Business”.  The Chicago Police Department has since adopted and deployed Fisher’s crowd engineering management systems as a paradigm for all large-scale outdoor events produced in the City of Chicago.

* Fisher’s crowd engineering system was deployed at the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series-Win, City of Chicago Celebration Parade Rally, which was reported by the Chicago Tribune to have over 5-million attendees, the largest human gathering in U.S. history.

Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events and Cultural Affairs

On behalf of Mayor Harold Washington and his diverse community-focused initiative, Fisher developed the first Chicago Neighborhood Festival Program, a community-grant program now in its fourth decade, for the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, a division of the Chicago Cultural Affairs Department.  Fisher was responsible for grant application review for hundreds of community organization applicants entering the grant program annually and was responsible for the evaluation, approval, development and implementation of as many as 200 community events per year, including Fisher’s authoring of a manual on “How to Produce Your Own Neighborhood Festival” for the City of Chicago, followed by conducting seminars and hands-on instruction, providing technical support and the coordination of City support services to community festival organizers.

The Chicago Neighborhood Festival Program served as a cornerstone to Mayor Washington’s mission to bring together the many diverse cultural communities of Chicago.  Fisher’s work in the development of the Chicago Neighborhood Festival Program empowered each community throughout the entire City to create and invite the world to an event conceptualized, culturally-themed, for, with and in their own communities, produced by each community’s own leaders and organizers and featuring their unique form of talent and entertainment.  Now more than 400 unique neighborhood festivals take place in Chicago each year, showcasing the City’s ethnic customs, music and food.  Examples include: Chicago’s first ever Pan-American music festival; Fiestas Puertorriqueñas, Chicago’s largest Puerto Rican Community event; Chinatown Summer Fair; Rhythm & Blues Festival; Festa Italiana; Taste of Greektown; Polish Festival; Irish Festival; African Festival of the Arts; and many more.

City of Miami Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

Fisher developed and implemented Heart of Our Parks, a first time program to produce 21 summer community festivals occurring within a three-month period and the first cultural arts neighborhood festival series for the City of Miami Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.  His work involved the structuring and implementation, training and guidance of the staff of the City of Miami’s Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the Neighborhood Enhancement Team, along with the coordination of the staffs of the Police Department, Public Works and Fire Departments.

Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

Fisher developed and managed Haitian Cultural Heritage Month for Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.  This month-long series of events involved over 50 community-based cultural events throughout the entire County, including Fisher’s support and guidance of dozens of non-profit organizations and community organizers.

Chicago Board of Education

As consultant to the Chicago Board of Education, Fisher managed the program elements of The Power of Parents, a parental involvement conference developed to bring parents, teachers and experts together to explore the importance of parental involvement in enhancing student achievement, with a goal to provide parents a forum to gain information and be inspired by speakers, panelists and other parents as well as share ideas and resources on the best educational opportunities and environments for our families.

NFL / Super Bowl Host Committee

Fisher developed an educational conference and outreach event sponsored by the National Football League, Super Bowl Host Committee, Florida Regional Minority Business Council, and South Florida Sports Film and Entertainment Committee for MBE, WBE & DBE (minority, women and disadvantaged owned businesses), structured to attract and educate small business owners on how to certify and do business with the NFL and Super Bowl.

Chicago Park District

As consultant to the Chicago Park District, Fisher developed and instituted a landmark system which for the first time authorized producers of permitted events and sports activities to provide Corporate Sponsorship Advertising and Brand Exposure on any of the 7,300 acres of Chicago Park District property, including all of the City’s 552 parks and 33 beaches.  The institution of this corporate sponsorship system continues to generate millions of dollars for the events, producers, and the Chicago Park District, thereby making possible the implementation of thousands of additional events and sports activities annually.

City of Miami Parks & Recreation / Foundation Of Community Assistance & Leadership

Fisher developed and implemented Fashion 101, an educational program to allow Foundation Of Community Assistance & Leadership youth, registered at City of Miami Parks & Recreation facilities, the chance to explore career opportunities and gain vocational skills with a behind the scenes look at the fashion and beauty industry, learn event management aspects to organize a culminating fashion show event entitled Teen Runway Showcase to highlight what they have learned.

South Florida Sports, Film & Entertainment Committee

Fisher served as Vice President of Business Development – South Florida Sports, Film & Entertainment Committee and Conference Director to develop, produce and speak at the national Sports, Film & Entertainment Conference focused on Entertainment Industry Business.  Serving as an educational program to entertainment industry students and a conduit for industry stakeholders to engage in collaborative effort initiatives, the annual conference brought together entertainment-industry professionals, talent, representatives of City and County Offices of Film & Television, Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, local elected officials, and students.

US Department of Education / National Council of Negro Women

Sponsored by the US Department of Education and National Council of Negro Women, Fisher Organized a workshop for the Foundation of Community Assistance & Leadership – Readership Leadership Academy designed to provide literacy instructional systems and tools to teachers and other instructors from the community to improve methods of teaching students to read.

The Children’s Trust / Foundation Of Community Assistance & Leadership

Sponsored by The Children’s Trust, Fisher developed and implemented for the Foundation of Community Assistance & Leadership – Finishing Fundamentals, an educational program designed to teach students the elements of etiquette that help to develop respect for self and others, confidence in any situation and personal pride.  Program elements included: Image, Goal Setting, Social Introductions, Conversation Skills, Dress To Impress, Personal Care, Dining Etiquette, Conflict Resolution, Budget & Time Management.

Sports, Film & Entertainment Committee

Fisher developed and implemented REEL OPPORTUNITIES, an educational program designed to allow students to explore career opportunities through a behind the scenes look at the film and television industry, focusing on the art, business, and science of filmmaking, with the aim to provide participants with a viable career alternative, including a focus on the most essential and practical aspects of commercial motion picture production, such as script preparation, cinematography, lighting, sound recording, directing, acting, and music.  Students participated in a filmmaking experience, red-carpet experience and film screening of their production with invited family, friends and community.  Students also obtained a demo at the end of the program showcasing their work and educational experience.

Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summit Action Network

Fisher Produced “Get Your Money Right” Hip-Hop Summit for Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, featuring New York Times’ best-selling author on personal finance, Suze Orman.  This program was an educational summit with a student audience and Hip-Hop panelists who shared valuable information on basic finances and how to avoid the pitfalls of making difficult decisions.  Topics like understanding FICO credit scores, asset and wealth management, auto financing, home ownership and entrepreneurship were explored and young people took away with them a Hip-Hop Summit Action Network booklet explaining the tools of financial planning, as well as Suze Orman’s best-seller The Money Book For The Young, Fabulous, And Broke.

World Literacy Crusade – Girl Power Mentoring Program

Fisher developed, structured, staffed and implemented a first-time, ongoing program for the World Literacy Crusade – Girl Power Mentoring Program for the recruitment, screening, and operational system of volunteer women to serve as role model mentors to at-risk inner-city, socially or economically challenged girls in Miami, Florida.  Selected girls are often post detention clients or students on suspension from school.  This program provides the opportunity for girls and their families to become empowered through developing healthy and nourishing relationships with a female mentor who provides her with additional support, council, friendship, reinforcement and serves as a constructive example.

Girl Power – It Takes A Village Mentoring Conference – Featuring Lisa Nichols

In support of Fisher’s work in developing the World Literacy Crusade / Girl Power – Mentoring Program, Fisher sought the support of a dynamic International motivational speaker and powerful advocate of personal empowerment, Lisa Nichols, Co-Author, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” and Star of “The Secret.”  Fisher then produced the Girl Power – It Takes A Village Mentoring conference, attended by inner-city at-risk girls from the Girl Power Organization that featured a highly sought after emotionally moving no-holds-barred Keynote Presentation by Lisa Nichols.  Nichols presentation was delivered with powerful intensity as she connected through her candid conversational style with the girls delivering a message of teen self-development.  Nichols’ initiatives have impacted the lives of over 200,000 teens, prevented nearly 4,000 teen suicides, supported 2,500 dropouts in returning to school, and have helped thousands reunite with families.

Girl Power – It Takes A Village Conference – Featuring Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Fisher developed an approach to reach at-risk inner-city girls with a message of “Show Respect Get Respect” and solicited the help of actor, musician, director, producer, writer, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theodore Huxtable on the long-running NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, to deliver the keynote address to an audience of 1,200 Girl Power girls.  Fisher developed and produced the Girl Power – It Takes A Village Annual Conference with a focus on promoting positive behavior, self-esteem, improved social skills, and to create positive change in themselves and their communities.  Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s delivery of Fisher’s “Show Respect Get Respect” message was spectacular and was followed by a “What Not To Wear Fashion Show” model-cast by performed by the Girl Power girls.

Renewable Energy Applications to Conserve Humanity Innovation Centers

As Chairman and CEO of REACH Innovation Centers (Renewable Energy Applications to Conserve Humanity – Innovation Centers) Fisher leads the REACH team and all REACH Solutions including; Academic Collaboration, Sustainability Education, Smart Microgrid Campus Initiative, Smart Cities Technology, Energy, Technology Advancement, Government Relations, Technology Diplomacy, and more.

REACH Campus Sustainability Initiative

The mission of the REACH Campus Sustainability Initiative is to reduce global warming, using college and university campuses as the key sustainability and educational platform, in tandem with projects to advance and integrate renewable energy technology.  REACH partners with qualified academic institutions as catalysts for renewable energy system research, testing, training, and societal education, incorporating education of staff, faculty, students, local businesses and community residents of the importance of sustainable business and personal practices.  REACH envisions university communities that are environmentally conscious and reflect sustainability in their work, educational activity, behavior, and the key products and services used.  REACH aims to transition universities to sustainable, energy independent campuses that serve as a paradigm for communities worldwide. We believe this mission is integral to the purity, productivity and very survival of our globe for today and tomorrow.  College and university campuses must lead the charge for the preservation of our global resources because they are responsible for presenting themselves as leaders in their communities and across the globe, and because it is in these institutions that professionals are molded into leaders.

From managing conferences and course design to connecting with global student sustainability organizations and local businesses and governments, REACH partners to create a foundation that ensures that students, faculty, and staff are empowered as lifelong stewards of sustainability.  REACH will work with each campus to apply innovative approaches to ambitious sustainability goals that span all areas within the university, including physical operations and resources, planning and governance, research and education, and campus and public engagement.  The goal is to implement a Strategic Sustainability Plan that will be well integrated into decision-making, and the daily life of the campus community.

We bring Technology Integration that consists of diverse components ranging from Wastewater Treatment, and Energy Management Technology Systems, to Automated Facility Intelligence Monitoring, Microgrid Technology, and more. Microgrid Technology solutions are a paradigm of distributed operation of electric power systems, sustainable energy independence and enhancement of power system economics, resilience and reliability.  REACH and its project development team identify available renewable energy resources, and deploy energy efficient Microgrid, renewable energy technologies that seamlessly shift partner campuses toward energy independence, storage, and reliance; peak load reduction; elimination of blackouts; and favorable long-term ROI.  These critical components allow your campus to transition into a sustainable future.

REACH Institute for Sustainability Education (RISE)

The mission of the RISE Sustainability Initiative is to reduce global warming, using college and university campuses as the key sustainability and educational platform, integrating a Strategic Sustainability Plan, Event Management, and Academic Collaborations.  REACH works with institutions of higher learning to design curriculum, including lectures, workshops, courses, degree programs, clubs, working groups and social media programs.  REACH lecturers are world-class leaders in sustainability education.

RISE Solar PV Installation Certificate Program

The RISE Solar PV training is designed to teach individuals how to physically install solar panels, modules, and components.  Students will be constructing an actual array on a roof deck rack and installing the balance of components, including inverters, charge controllers, and battery banks for grid-tied and off-grid systems.  This hands-on solar training course will provide students with the skills required to work for an installer, or themselves work toward becoming a Solar Contractor.  In addition, students will be prequalified to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) PV Installation Professional Exam.

The PV training consists of a 40-hour (one week) class with the measurable objective to train technically minded students to pass the NABCEP entry-level exam after completing the class.  The main objective is to have students receive the knowledge to become PV technicians or themselves train others with sufficient new understanding to safely and efficiently build, operate, and maintain PV systems in their communities.  The course will focus on the key competencies addressed in the NABCEP Entry level PV exam.  Passing the NABCEP Entry Level Exam is a way for candidates to demonstrate that they have achieved a basic knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation and operation of grid-tied and stand-alone PV systems in North America.  This achievement demonstrates that the participant has passed an industry-designed, NABCEP-issued exam.

RISE Fiber Optic Technology Installation Certificate Program

RISE offers Fiber Optics Training Courses to provide fiber optic professional certifications for electrical industry professionals and IBEW members.

The introductory 3-day fiber optic tech course is designed for anyone interested in becoming a Certified Fiber Optic Technician.  This Fiber Optic Training combines theory and 85% hands-on activities to prepare the student to take the CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) test that is sanctioned by the FOA (Fiber Optics Association) and given and graded the final class day.  Students will learn how to identify fiber types, recognize various connectors used in fiber installation; and install, terminate, splice, and properly test installed fiber cable to existing standards.  This program explores the history and future of fiber optics and fiber optics capabilities, and basic testing and troubleshooting.  Course registration includes a one-year membership to the Fiber Optics Association.

Program Overview – Courses will be selected from those approved by the Fiber Optic Association (FOA).  The FOA is the international professional society for the field of fiber optics chartered to promote professionalism in fiber optics through education, certification and standards.  FOA certifications are fully recognized by the US Department of Labor.  The FOA Certified Fiber Optics Technician (CFOT®) is the certification obtained by most fiber optic technicians and is recognized as the standard in the field.  It is based on the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) deemed necessary by the FOA for all technicians involved in the installation of fiber optic networks and is recommended as an entry point for anyone involved in the design or management of fiber optic communications systems.  The FOA also offers Certified Fiber Optic Specialist certifications (CFOS) in three categories: Skills-based, Applications-based, and Fiber Optic Network Design. Many of the specialist certification courses require the CFOT® as a prerequisite.

The basic CFOT® course is three (3) days in length and the specialist skills and applications courses are two (2) days in length. This allows RISE to provide one (1) basic CFOT® course along with one (1) selected specialist course within the course of a standard five (5) day workweek session (ex: CFOT® + CFOS/Splicing).  Each student will have the following options: enroll in the basic CFOT® course only, enroll in both the basic CFOT® and specialist courses for the five-day period, or enroll in the specialist course only (if the prerequisites have been satisfied in a previous session).  Certification exams will be taken on the last day of each class, thus providing the benefit of each student to earn one or more FOA certifications within each session.  RISE will offer special sessions of two (2) specialist level certifications, including one skill course and one application course (ex: CFOS/Outside Plant Installation + CFOS/FTTx) to increase the breadth of earned fiber optics certification and continue to provide more opportunities for specialization in the field. 

Landmark Sponsorship Program Development

As consultant to the Chicago Park District, Phil Fisher developed and instituted a landmark system which for the first time authorized producers of permitted events and sports activities to provide Corporate Sponsorship Advertising and Brand Exposure on any of the 7,300 acres of Chicago Park District property, including all of the City’s 552 parks and 33 beaches.  The institution of this corporate sponsorship system continues to generate millions of dollars for the events, producers, and the Chicago Park District, thereby making possible the implementation of thousands of additional events and sports activities annually.

Allstate Awards / WGN Superstation / 100 Black Men of America

Fisher served as Executive Producer for the creation, development and production of the Allstate Awards, a WGN Superstation network television special and international broadcast.  The Allstate Awards was filmed live at the Chicago Navy Pier Ballroom and supported by the 100 Black Men of America organization as a formal dinner event with live musical entertainment.

Comcast Sponsorship of Taste of Chicago

As consultant to Comcast Corporation, the largest broadcasting conglomerate and cable television company in the world, Fisher served as lead corporate representative of Comcast in their title sponsorship of “Taste of Chicago”, the largest food festival in the U.S.  Fisher was responsible for providing all corporate exposure, promotions, live-event planning and production of the Comcast Village, scheduling and production of the Comcast Entertainment Stage, the installation of Comcast Cable throughout the entire Taste of Chicago event site, partner channel sponsorships (ESPN, Food Network, HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc.), on-site Chicago sports team celebrity appearance promotional events by the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, and more.

BET Television Network

Fisher served as Producer for “This Joint Is Jumpin” A BET Televised Concert Production that aired as two television broadcasts, on both BET and BETJ network channels, as a televised music concert event, as well as a documentary special.  The program explored the colorful history of the Historic Lyric Theatre, which opened in Overtown, Miami in 1913, and the importance of such a theatre to the development of Black music, entertainment, arts and culture.  The program also explored the history of the community of Overtown, in Miami, Florida, and how this town was known as “Little Broadway”, it’s heritage, and the importance to Black musicians and entertainers and the role it played historically and still plays in the further development of a culture.  “This Joint Is Jumpin” featured interviews with George Duke and Kirk Whalum, the featured performing artists and others, as well as Student Performers providing their view of the importance of performing at this historic venue and sharing the stage with the evening’s headliners.

Chicago Bears NFL Super Bowl Win

Fisher managed the producing of “Bears Plaza” which overtook the Chicago Daily Center Building Plaza for the public viewing of the 1986 NFL Super Bowl XX match-up between the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots.  The game, played at the New Orleans Superdome, was aired live at “Bears Plaza” on a huge 40’ Diamond Vision digital video monitor with bleacher seat public viewing.  This Super Bowl event was a first-time Super Bowl Game match for the Chicago Bears and was heavily attended by tens of thousands of fans.  The Super Bowl Championship-win by the Chicago Bears was an exhilarating celebration of epic proportion.  Upon the Bears return to Chicago, and with little planning time, Fisher managed the City of Chicago-produced celebration parade and rally for the now World Champion Chicago Bears, which was also held at “Bears Plaza.”

LATE Ride

For 23-years Fisher managed the L.A.T.E. Ride, an annual 25-mile all-night cycling fundraising event with up to 10,000 participants annually, benefiting Friends of the Parks’ work to support, preserve, protect and improve Chicago’s 552 neighborhood parks, children’s playgrounds and 33 beaches.  The L.A.T.E. Ride has grown to become a Chicago tourism icon with a reputation as one of the most unusual and popular big city bike rides in the country.  The 25-mile ride started with 350 riders in 1989.  The Chicago Tribune called it “one of the most biorhythmically disturbing fundraisers ever mapped out.”  The event now annually attracts participants from throughout Chicagoland, the Midwest and beyond.

MLK Reclaim The Dream Candlelight Memorial Service & Gospel Concert

An initiative of the Martin Luther King Jr. Economic Development Corporation (MLKEDC), Reclaim the Dream is a campaign to revitalize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Miami, Florida and to recognize the life work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  On behalf of MLKEDC, Fisher, for more than a decade, developed and produced the annual MLK Reclaim The Dream Candlelight Memorial Service & Gospel Concert event each year.  The free outdoor event was held on MKK Jr. Blvd. in the blighted Liberty City, Miami community on April 4^th, the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and attended by up to 10,000 people annually.  The program begin with a symbolic Unity March led by the Miami City Mayor, City and County Commissioners and Community Leaders, followed with remarks by elected officials and community leaders and a keynote address by a Nationally recognized Civil Rights leader.   Fisher selected Clergy from multiple religious communities including; Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and more to deliver an audience-participatory Candlelight Reflection Prayer prior to the event-culminating with a Featured National Gospel Musical Performance.  This event inspired community peace, and reduction in violent crime, initiated community clean-ups, the launching of a community garden and farmers market, streetlight upgrades, curb and street upgrades and other infrastructure improvements, business facade program, community economic development and much more.

No Crime Day

Fisher developed and produced an annual outdoor festival entitled “No Crime Day” on behalf of the Black On Black Love organization whose mission is to “replace Black-On-Black Crime” with “Black-On-Black Love” within the Chicago inner-city communities.  The annual free outdoor festival was held in Chicago’s Washington Park and featured Nationally acclaimed musical talent performances all delivered with an anti-violence, motivational, no-crime message of hope and peace, along with keynote address presentations by prominent former Chicago-gang leaders.  Attended by scores of thousands of people, the message was well received by the entire community and resulted in a reduction in violent crime and sustained a day of ‘No Crime” including a cease-fire truce between local rival gangs.

Bud Billiken Parade & Festival

Attracting over one million attendees annually, Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade is the largest African American event of its kind in the country.  Serving as Producer, Fisher created, produced and managed the largest ever After Parade Concert/Festival in the 88-year history of the Bud Billiken Parade.  This event required a tremendous amount of logistics, design layout and coordination while overseeing the operations, national talent and managing coordination of multiple agencies including: City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events; Park District; Police; Fire; Transit Authority; Streets & Sanitation; Chicago Defender News Paper and Charities; Cox/Power 92 Radio; Anheuser Bush; PepsiCo; and other sponsors.

Taste of Chicago

For over 20-years Fisher was instrumental in managing multiple elements of the Taste of Chicago and has served as consultant for numerous corporate sponsors, media partners and restaurateurs.  Taste of Chicago is produced by the Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events and is America’s largest free-admission and music extravaganza.  Now in its 37^th year, the Taste of Chicago annual event has attracted as many as 3.6 million visitors from all over the world who flock to Chicago to enjoy dishes from nearly 100 restaurants, top-notch entertainment on multiple stages, cooking demonstrations and special attractions.

Taste of Philadelphia

Fisher conceptualized, developed and produced the first Taste of Philadelphia for the City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office, after having served in numerous management positions for over 20-years for the production of Taste of Chicago, the Nation’s largest free food festival, produced by the Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events.  Under Fisher’s leadership the inaugural Taste of Philadelphia boasted an attendance of 50,000 people for a first-time event and garnered top five-star restaurateurs from Philadelphia’s finest eateries and restaurant association.

Projects and Events

• BET Event Productions
• National Council of Negro Women
• South Florida’s Sports, Film & Entertainment Committee
• Allstate Awards / 100 Black Men of America
• Essence Awards
• National Black MBA Association Conference
• Unity Day – Chicago
• Luster Black Heritage Performance
• Black On Black Love – No Crime Day – Chicago
• UNCF Telethon Super Viewing Party Concert
• Nikko Hotel Chicago Grand Opening
• Sheraton Chicago Hotel Ground Breaking & Subsequent Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
• McDonalds’ 25,000^th Store Grand Opening
• Chicago Blues Festival
• Chicago Gospel Festival
• Chicago Jazz Festival
• Nike Bomb City Awards – New York
• Miller Sound Express Concert Tour
• Kool City Jam Concert Series
• R.J. Reynolds – House of Blues Concert – Orlando
• HBO – House of Blues Concert – Chicago
• Absolut Jams Talent Search – Philadelphia
• Bud Billiken Parade Festival
• Jazz & Heritage Festival
• L.A.T.E. Ride, 25 mile, all night fundraiser with 10,000 bicyclists – Chicago
• Sports Film & Entertainment Conference – Miami
• Heart of Our Parks Music Series – City of Miami
• MLK Reclaim The Dream Candlelight Memorial Service – Miami
• Soup Joumou Unity Day – City of Miami Haitian Bicentennial Signature Event
• A Table of Brotherhood Covenant – City of Miami MLK Birthday Celebration Event
• Billboard Latin Music Conference & Awards Official After Party Concert – Miami
• An Evening with Don King and The Tycoon – Showtime Live Boxing Broadcast – Miami
• Jammin’ To The White House – MTV VMA Weekend Concert, featuring The Black Eyed Peas
• Democratic National Committee Florida Early Voting Concert Events – Miami & Ft. Lauderdale
• US Army Recruiting Promotions at And 1 Game Tour – United Center and Taste of Chicago Events
• Ebony Black Family Reunion Tour
• Russell Simmons’ Hip Hop Summit on Financial Empowerment featuring Suze Orman
• Fashion 101 & Teen Runway Showcase Educational Program – City of Miami Parks / FOCAL
• “REEL” Opportunities – Film Educational Program
• Chef Creole Seasoned Kitchen – TV Pilot
• Senator Hillary Clinton Fundraiser – Miami
• NFL Super Bowl Host Committee – Conference on Doing Business with the NFL & Super Bowl XLI
• “This Joint Is Jumpin” – A BET Televised Concert Production
• Christmas Glory – TV Special
• World Literacy Crusade “Girl Power Annual It Takes A Village Conference”
• President of the United States Arrival Logistics for the National Democratic Convention
• Chicago Bulls Game Halftime Promotion Events
• Chicago Football Classic
• Chicago Bears Super Bowl Game Win Celebration
• Chicago Bulls Championship Win Celebrations 
  

NFL / Super Bowl Host Committee

Fisher developed an educational conference and outreach event sponsored by the National Football League, Super Bowl Host Committee, Florida Regional Minority Business Council, and South Florida Sports Film and Entertainment Committee for MBE, WBE & DBE (minority, women and disadvantaged owned businesses), structured to attract and educate small business owners on how to certify and do business with the NFL and Super Bowl.

Florida Regional Minority Business Council

Fisher developed, produced, presented, and moderated a seminar session annually on The Business of Entertainment at the Florida Regional Minority Business Council – Business Expo Conference.  This annual conference was sponsored and attended by many Fortune 500 Companies.  The Florida Regional Minority Business Council works to Certify, Develop, Connect, and Advocate Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) to build relationships among corporations and government agencies with MBEs to foster business development and expansion.  The Florida Regional Minority Business Council, via its one-on-one supplier diversity matching-making, is responsible for over $9 Billion Dollars in minority business contracts annually.  Fisher also managed the conference Expo Hall logistics and business matching-making one-on-one sessions.

NFL / Super Bowl Host Committee

Fisher developed an educational conference and outreach event sponsored by the National Football League, Super Bowl Host Committee, Florida Regional Minority Business Council, and South Florida Sports Film and Entertainment Committee for MBE, WBE & DBE (minority, women and disadvantaged owned businesses), structured to attract and educate small business owners on how to certify and do business with the NFL and Super Bowl.

Chicago Park District – Corporate Sponsorship System

As consultant to the Chicago Park District, Fisher developed and instituted a landmark system which for the first time authorized producers of permitted events and sports activities to provide Corporate Sponsorship Advertising and Brand Exposure on any of the 7,300 acres of Chicago Park District property, including all of the City’s 552 parks and 33 beaches.  The institution of this corporate sponsorship system continues to generate millions of dollars for the events, producers, and the Chicago Park District, thereby making possible the implementation of thousands of additional events and sports activities annually.

Chicago Park District – Minority Business Participation

Fisher served as consulting to the President of Chicago Park District in the quantifying and reporting on MBE/WBE/DBE (Minority Owned Business Enterprise, Woman Owned Business Enterprise, Disadvantaged Owned Business Enterprise) participation in Chicago Park District program contracts with a goal of achieving the City of Chicago ordinance mandated contract participation percentages.

National Black MBA Association Conference

Fisher provided valuable support in the producing of the entertainment elements of the National Black MBA Association Conference.  The annual conference focused on the recognition of the achievements of MBA graduates and the further development of essential relationship building within the national organization, as well as supporting corporate America MBA professional executive employment placement with Fortune 500 companies.

Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association Conference

Fisher produced entertainment components of the Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association Conferences, which were held in San Juan, Puerto Rico and St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and focused on challenges and synergies within the Entertainment Law Industry as well as striving for lawyers to work closely together to achieve new standards and practices within the legal aspects of entertainment industry.

Minority Inclusion In IATSE & IBEW Unions

Following the 1983 election to Office of Mayor by Mayor Harold Washington, the first black Mayor of the City of Chicago, Fisher found many disparities within the Chicago Union Brotherhood during his tenure in the administration of Mayor Washington.  For the first time in Chicago history, minority and female producers developed and managed Chicago’s major events, including the creation of Chicago Signature Events – Chicago Blues Festival and Chicago Gospel Festival and others.  With the new Mayor’s increased emphasis on diversity throughout Chicago’s workforce, the entertainment product within Chicago’s major City-produced concerts and festival became more colorful, including legendary musical performers in various music genres.  In official capacity of the Mayor’s administration, Fisher repeatedly challenged the International Association of Theatrical Stagehand Employees (IATSE) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local unions to include minority employees when scheduling crews to work at Chicago’s major event productions.  These unions controlled all of the Stagehand and Electrical work and most often held exclusive contracts with Chicago’s Theaters, Arenas, Exposition Center and Expo Hall, Hotels and major Park District venues.  After numerous attempts to diversify the look of the crews on stage and increase opportunities for minority Stagehands, Fisher reached a compromise with the Union Brotherhood Leadership to begin to include and train qualified non-union minority Stagehands to enter an apprenticeship program with a track to become Journeyman Union Hall Members of the IATSE and IBEW Unions.  Today, four decades later, as a result of Fisher’s work, the make-up of the Unions is greatly diversified, including Heads of Department posts and other top positions throughout Chicago’s most prominent union venues.

As a member of an entertainment tourism development team, Fisher created, launched and managed the first Cancun Jazz Festival; the Acapulco Music Festival; the St. Croix Jazz In Paradise Music Festival; and the HBO televised event, Sinbad’s Soul Music Festivals in Jamaica, Aruba, and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.  These mega signature tourism events were the first of their kind and the largest in the history of each destination, including 7,000 to 20,000 traveling tourists.  Each mega-music festival event scheduled and maintained a seemingly endless 40 to 50 events over a five-day period.  Fisher’s work in the Caribbean resulted in over $145 million dollars in economic impact.  Many of these originally created signature-events still exist today and remain as a staple for the tourist destinations with continued substantial revenue generation annually to the local economy which has resulted in Hundreds of Millions of US Dollars in annual residual tourism positively affecting local economies and tourism related businesses.

Tourism Clients Include

City of Chicago Office of Cultural Affairs & Mayor’s Office of Special Events; Illinois Office of Tourism; City of Miami Mayor’s Office of Special Events; City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office; Miami Dade County Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and Department Parks & Recreation, U.S. Virgin Islands Office of the Governor, Office of Tourism, and Department of Agriculture; Cancun Hotel Association; Jamaica Tourist Board; Aruba Tourism Bureau; Rio Tour; Office of the Mayor Rio de Janeiro; City of Miramar Department of Cultural Affairs, and City Manager’s Office; City of Opa-Locka City Manager’s Office; Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau; Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Miami Beach Office of Tourism; and more.

City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events & Cultural Affairs

Serving for the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events & Cultural Affairs, Fisher developed and managed many areas of Taste of Chicago – the nation’s largest food festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago Gospel Festival, Viva Chicago, Venetian Night Boat Parade, July 4^th Fireworks, the City’s Celebrations for NFL, NBA and MLB Winning Championships for Chicago Bears – Super Bowl Win, Chicago Bulls – Championship Wins, Chicago Cubs – World Series Win, and more.

Chicago Air & Water Show

As consultant to the Chicago Park District, Fisher served as Producer of the Chicago Air & Water Show, one of the nation’s largest shows of its kind, attracting over 2.5 million people.  The show featured spectacular performances by military and civilian in-air and in-water demonstration teams, including the Blue Angels and Thunder Birds fighter jets.

City of Philadelphia Welcome America Summer Events

Serving as a consultant to the City of Philadelphia’s Welcome America Program, Fisher developed and produced 43 major events in a three-week summer series, including the City’s 4^th of July Independence Day Celebration which included a children’s parade, festival, concert and fireworks show.  Attendance topped three million people and required the coordination of all City Departments of Police, Fire, Parks, Emergency Management, Public Works, and more.

LATE Ride

For 23-years Fisher managed the LATE Ride, an annual 25-mile all-night cycling fundraising event with up to 10,000 participants annually, benefiting Friends of the Parks’ work to support, preserve, protect and improve Chicago’s 552 neighborhood parks, children’s playgrounds and 33 beaches.  The LATE Ride, Chicago’s largest cycling event, has grown to become a Chicago tourism icon with a reputation as one of the most unusual and popular big city bike rides in the country.  The 25-mile ride started with 350 riders in 1989.  The Chicago Tribune called it “one of the most bio-rhythmically disturbing fundraisers ever mapped out.”  The event now annually attracts participants from throughout Chicagoland, the Midwest and beyond.

Bud Billiken Parade & Festival

Attracting over one million attendees annually, Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade is the largest African American event of its kind in the country.  Serving as Producer, Fisher created, produced and managed the largest ever After Parade Concert/Festival in the 88-year history of the Bud Billiken Parade.  This event required a tremendous amount of logistics, design layout and coordination while overseeing the operations, national talent and managing coordination of multiple agencies including: City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events; Park District; Police; Fire; Transit Authority; Streets & Sanitation; Chicago Defender News Paper and Charities; Cox/Power 92 Radio; Anheuser Bush; PepsiCo; and other sponsors.

Taste of Chicago

For over 20-years Fisher was instrumental in managing multiple elements of the Taste of Chicago and has served as consultant for numerous corporate sponsors, media partners and restaurateurs.  Taste of Chicago is produced by the Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events and is America’s largest free-admission and music extravaganza.  Now in its 37^th year, the Taste of Chicago annual event has attracted as many as 3.6 million visitors from all over the world who flock to Chicago to enjoy dishes from nearly 100 restaurants, top-notch entertainment on multiple stages, cooking demonstrations and special attractions.

Taste of Philadelphia

Fisher conceptualized, developed and produced the first Taste of Philadelphia for the City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office, after having served in numerous management positions for over 20-years for the production of Taste of Chicago, the Nation’s largest free food festival, produced by the Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events.  Under Fisher’s leadership the inaugural Taste of Philadelphia boasted an attendance of 50,000 people for a first-time event and garnered top five-star restaurateurs from Philadelphia’s finest eateries and restaurant association.

Comcast Sponsorship of Taste of Chicago

As consultant to Comcast Corporation, the largest broadcasting conglomerate and cable television company in the world, Fisher served as lead corporate representative of Comcast in their title sponsorship of “Taste of Chicago”, the largest food festival in the U.S.  Fisher was responsible for providing all corporate exposure, promotions, live-event planning and production of the Comcast Village, scheduling and production of the Comcast Entertainment Stage, the installation of Comcast Cable throughout the entire Taste of Chicago event site, partner channel sponsorships (ESPN, Food Network, HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc.), on-site Chicago sports team celebrity appearance promotional events by the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, and more…

Caribbean Tourism Organization Conference

Fisher developed and delivered a unique presentation address to all 31 Sovereign Nations that comprise the Caribbean Tourism Organization.  The Minister of Tourism from each Island Nation serves as Ambassador representing their country, and collectively form the leadership of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.  Fisher’s presentation address focused on the use of entertainment as a vehicle for positive economic impact and was designed to serve as a catalyst for a method of achieving increased entertainment-tourism in each island destination.  Mr. Fisher has been involved in creating, managing and producing many successful tourism events resulting in over US $100 Million Dollars of direct economic impact throughout the Caribbean region and Hundreds of Millions of US Dollars in annual residual tourism positively affecting local economies and tourism related businesses.

Tourism Events

Fisher has been involved in creating, developing, managing and producing many successful tourism events, resulting in hundreds of million of dollars in economic development, including the following events:

• Cancun Jazz Festival – Cancun, Mexico
• Jazz In Paradise – St. Croix Jazz Festivals (3 years)
• Shabba Ranks Live In Concert – St. Croix, USVI
• HBO/Sinbad’s Soul Music Festival – Jamaica
• USVI Governor’s Inaugural Celebration Featuring Patty Austin – St. Croix & St. Thomas, USVI
• HBO/Sinbad’s Soul Music Festival – Aruba (2 years)
• Acapulco World Music Festival – Acapulco, Mexico
• Beach Jam Featuring Tito Puente & Tabou Combo – St. Thomas
• PPV/Sinbad’s Soul Music Festival – St. Thomas, USVI
• Soul Beach Music Festival – Miami, Florida
• Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Assoc. Conferences – San Juan, PR & St. Thomas
• Christmas In Paradise Concert Featuring Gerald Lavert & Berres Hammond – St. Thomas
• Welcome America July 4^th Celebration, incl.; Parade, Concert, featuring Lionel Richie & Fireworks Show
• U.S. Open
• World Cup Soccer
• Democratic National Convention
• Taste of Chicago
• Chicago Air & Water Show
• Taste of Philadelphia
• City of Philadelphia’s Celebration of Independence Day – Over 40 Events
• Tom Joyner Morning Show Fantastic Voyage – Cruise
• Tom Joyner Morning Show Family Reunion – Orlando, FL
• Festival At Sea – Cruise
• Radio One – One Love Cruise 
  

What’s Your Boiling Point? – A Keynote Presentation By Fisher

In this presentation address Fisher tells captivating real-life-stories that compel listeners to rethink what one might do when faced with a split second decision that could affect the life or safety of themselves and those involved.  Fisher challenges his audience to understand their individual trigger points and to think in a selfless manner in situations where one might be apt to otherwise become angry or aggressive.  Reflecting on Fisher’s stories, participants can reach a deep inner thought and depart the session with a newfound understanding of their own boiling point and begin to learn how to manage the temperature and relieve the building pressure of a tenuous situation.

Youth Motivation, Mentoring and Gang Outreach

Fisher, along with former gang leaders, provided motivational speaking and mentoring to inner-city at-risk kids and gang members at the Illinois Institute of Technology in a session presented by the Chicago Public Schools.  Chicago has been among the leading cities in the Nation with the highest rates of violent crime and homicides, which has been attributed in part to gang activity.  This session focused on helping youth find a successful pathway to peace between rival gangs and to an alternative to a life-long induction into Chicago’s gangs.

Motivating Columbia College & Johnson and Wales University Students

As Professor of Event Management at Columbia College Chicago, for over a decade Fisher developed curriculum and instructed courses on Event Management, including individual motivation and entrepreneurship in Undergraduate Studies for five-years and further developed curriculum and instructed Event Management courses in Continuing Education Studies for an additional six-years.  Fisher motivated students with captivating first-hand accounts of real-life entertainment industry stories, developed the curriculum and all study and homework materials and hands-on training, including; event logistics, planning, marketing and promotions, sponsorship development, union labor, event staffing, management and volunteers, stage plots and event layouts, concession design, food & beverage operations, transportation, performance and production schedules, planning for different types of events and promotions, concerts & festivals, community, sports and corporate events, non-profit fundraisers, developing creative planning techniques and contingency plans, negotiating contracts with talent and vendors, production budgeting and break even point analysis, developing an integrated approach from marketing to point of sale, aspects of recorded music business including royalties, insurance and minimizing risk, production efficiency and striving for flawless event productions, facilities and production variations in different types of venues including theaters, arenas, stadiums, indoor and outdoor events, and more.

Fisher’s unique style of teaching also engaged Columbia College students in out-of-classroom experiences including actual live events and entertainment venues, e.g., Taste of Chicago, Arie Crown Theater, and University of Illinois Pavilion.  Fisher served as role model and mentor to Johnson and Wales University Entertainment Management student-interns, providing them with hands-on experience in live event work on the Tom Joyner Morning Show Fantastic Voyage.  This major production took place on-board the Carnival Cruise Ship Conquest and required the installation of eight entertainment rooms with production equipment elements including, staging, sound, lighting, band gear, and video, as well as a live pool-deck music concert performance, featuring Robin Thicke and Nelly.

Accolades For Professor Fisher’s work

* Recognized by Columbia College as “University’s Highest Rated Class in Continuing Education Studies Program.”

* Recognized by student evaluations as “The Best Professor” they ever had.

* Many of Professor Fisher’s students have contacted him for additional support and with expressions of gratitude having graduated to successful careers in marketing, arts and culture, corporate events, sports marketing, and entertainment industries.

* The Office of the Chief of Police-Chicago Police Department awarded Fisher a letter of recognition, naming him “Best In The Business”.  The Chicago Police Department has since adopted and deployed Fisher’s crowd engineering management systems as a paradigm for all large-scale outdoor events produced in the City of Chicago.

* Fisher’s crowd engineering system was deployed at the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series-Win, City of Chicago Celebration Parade Rally, which was reported by the Chicago Tribune to have over 5-million attendees, the largest human gathering in U.S. history.

Girl Power Mentoring Conference – Featuring Lisa Nichols

In support of Fisher’s work in developing the World Literacy Crusade / Girl Power – Mentoring Program, Fisher sought the support of a dynamic International motivational speaker and powerful advocate of personal empowerment, Lisa Nichols, Co-Author, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” and Star of “The Secret.”  Fisher then produced the Girl Power – It Takes A Village Mentoring conference, attended by inner-city at-risk girls from the Girl Power Organization that featured a highly sought after emotionally moving no-holds-barred Keynote Presentation by Lisa Nichols.  Nichols presentation was delivered with powerful intensity as she connected through her candid conversational style with the girls delivering a message of teen self-development.  Nichols’ initiatives have impacted the lives of over 200,000 teens, prevented nearly 4,000 teen suicides, supported 2,500 dropouts in returning to school, and have helped thousands reunite with families.

Girl Power – It Takes A Village Conference – Featuring Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Fisher developed an approach to reach at-risk inner-city girls with a message of “Show Respect Get Respect” and solicited the help of actor, musician, director, producer, writer, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theodore Huxtable on the long-running NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, to deliver the keynote address to an audience of 1,200 Girl Power girls.  Fisher developed and produced the Girl Power – It Takes A Village Annual Conference with a focus on promoting positive behavior, self-esteem, improved social skills, and to create positive change in themselves and their communities.  Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s delivery of Fisher’s “Show Respect Get Respect” message was spectacular and was followed by a “What Not To Wear Fashion Show” model-cast by performed by the Girl Power girls.

No Crime Day

Fisher developed and produced an annual outdoor festival entitled “No Crime Day” on behalf of the Black On Black Love organization whose mission is to replace “Black-On-Black Crime” with “Black-On-Black Love” within the Chicago inner-city communities.  The annual free outdoor festival was held in Washington Park on Chicago’s South Side and featured Nationally acclaimed musical talent performances all delivered with an anti-violence, motivational, no-crime message of hope and peace, along with keynote address presentations by prominent former Chicago-gang leaders.  Attended by scores of thousands of people, the motivational message was well received by the entire community and resulted in a reduction in violent crime and sustained a day of ‘No Crime” including a cease-fire truce between local rival gangs. 

Fisher founded and serves as Chairman and CEO of REACH Innovation Centers (Renewable Energy Applications to Conserve Humanity – Innovation Centers).  Fisher leads the REACH team and all REACH Solutions including; Energy, Smart Microgrid Campus Initiative, Academic Collaboration, Sustainability Education, Smart Cities Technology, Technology Advancement, Government Relations, Technology Diplomacy, and more.  Fisher has been widely sought for his insights and expertise in driving economic development and tourism, including work with numerous Island Nation Governments throughout the Caribbean resulting in over $145 Million in economic impact and Hundreds of Millions of US Dollars in annual residual tourism positively affecting local economies and tourism related businesses.  Fisher has consulted and advised government, and participated in Legislative Body and Energy Committee hearings, as well as supported, drafted and passed into law, Bills for Renewable Energy legislation and Feed-in-Tariff.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Grant Award

Fisher supported the application for Federal grant funding, which resulted in the successful awarding of a $3 Million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  In collaboration with the Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), submitted proposal under the USDA High Cost of Energy and Bulk Fuel Program to build a Microgrid application at the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) two campuses in both St. Thomas and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.  The proposal was the highest ranked proposal of 55 project applicants and was successfully awarded $3M for the UVI project from the total of $7M available successful grant awards.

Rotary International

Fisher provided the Keynote address for the Rotary International Business Luncheon, providing valuable insights and motivation for local elected officials and key stakeholders of the oil & gas and industrial industries, currently underway with oil and gas expansion of $360B within the Gulf Coast Region.  With 673 power plans, refineries, chemical plants and large industrial facilities in the State of Texas, Fisher’s address served to engage industry stakeholders in opportunities for potential economic development, job training and employment with the adoption and deployment of advanced technologies that reduce operational costs and EPA fines, as well as provide power resilience and reliability, while complying with new industry-wide carbon emissions reduction standards as mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address climate change sustainability measures and energy efficiency.

2014 Great Lakes Symposium on Smart Grid and the New Energy Economy at IIT

Fisher Chaired and moderated the Great Lakes Symposium on Smart Grid and the New Energy Economy – Luncheon Session on The Renewable Energy Academic Collaboration Hub (R.E.A.C.H. Consortium) and, The Emerging Energy Technology Electronic Market (E.E.T.E.M.).  The Luncheon Session included the following panelists: Phil Fisher, Founder, R.E.A.C.H. Consortium, The Honorable Danny K. Davis, Congressman, The Honorable Litesa Wallace, Representative, Illinois House, Lloyd Hyde, Honorary Consul General of Jamaica, Dr. Mohammad Shahidehpour, VP R.E.A.C.H. Consortium & Director, Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation, Thomas A. Rietz, Professor of Finance, University of Iowa, and Michael Garvin, Program Director, E.E.T.E.M.

The Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation hosted the fourth annual Great Lakes Symposium on Smart Grid and the New Energy Economy, September 22-25, 2014 on the Illinois Institute of Technology’s campus in Chicago.  The Symposium featured keynote and plenary sessions, technical presentations, and tutorials by international experts on smart grid applications.  The Symposium was a one-of-a-kind event that breaks new ground in smart grid design and development and showcases smart grid best practices from around the country along with new technologies and ideas that are spurring innovation, growing state economies, reducing emissions and empowering consumers to conserve and save.  Participants had the opportunity to engage thought leaders on key policy questions, identify investment and job creation opportunities, and learn about projects already underway.

2013 Great Lakes Symposium on Smart Grid and the New Energy Economy at IIT

Fisher Chaired and moderated the Great Lakes Symposium on Smart Grid and the New Energy Economy – Plenary Session on the U.S. Virgin Islands Solar PV Initiative.  The Plenary Session included panelists from the University of The Virgin Islands, Senator Craig W. Barshinger, Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, and The Caribbean Renewable Energy Consortium.

The Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation hosted the third annual Great Lakes Symposium on Smart Grid and the New Energy Economy, September 23-25, 2013 on the Illinois Institute of Technology’s campus in Chicago.  The Symposium featured keynote and plenary sessions, technical presentations, and tutorials by international experts on smart grid applications.  The Symposium was a one-of-a-kind event that breaks new ground in smart grid design and development and showcases smart grid best practices from around the country along with new technologies and ideas that are spurring innovation, growing state economies, reducing emissions and empowering consumers to conserve and save.  Participants, including, Smart grid and Microgrid developers, academics, vendors and suppliers, investors, utilities, consultants, technology providers, consumer advocates, and policymakers had the opportunity to engage thought leaders on key policy questions, identify investment and job creation opportunities, and learn about projects already underway.

Renewable Energy Applications to Conserve Humanity Innovation Centers

As Chairman and CEO of REACH Innovation Centers (Renewable Energy Applications to Conserve Humanity – Innovation Centers) Fisher leads the REACH team and all REACH Solutions including; Academic Collaboration, Sustainability Education, Smart Microgrid Campus Initiative, Smart Cities Technology, Energy, Technology Advancement, Government Relations, Technology Diplomacy, and more.

REACH Campus Sustainability Initiative

The mission of the REACH Campus Sustainability Initiative is to reduce global warming, using college and university campuses as the key sustainability and educational platform, in tandem with projects to advance and integrate renewable energy technology.  REACH partners with qualified academic institutions as catalysts for renewable energy system research, testing, training, and societal education, incorporating education of staff, faculty, students, local businesses and community residents of the importance of sustainable business and personal practices.  REACH envisions university communities that are environmentally conscious and reflect sustainability in their work, educational activity, behavior, and the key products and services used.  REACH aims to transition universities to sustainable, energy independent campuses that serve as a paradigm for communities worldwide. We believe this mission is integral to the purity, productivity and very survival of our globe for today and tomorrow.  College and university campuses must lead the charge for the preservation of our global resources because they are responsible for presenting themselves as leaders in their communities and across the globe, and because it is in these institutions that professionals are molded into leaders.

From managing conferences and course design to connecting with global student sustainability organizations and local businesses and governments, REACH partners to create a foundation that ensures that students, faculty, and staff are empowered as lifelong stewards of sustainability.  REACH will work with each campus to apply innovative approaches to ambitious sustainability goals that span all areas within the university, including physical operations and resources, planning and governance, research and education, and campus and public engagement.  The goal is to implement a Strategic Sustainability Plan that will be well integrated into decision-making, and the daily life of the campus community.

We bring Technology Integration that consists of diverse components ranging from Wastewater Treatment, and Energy Management Technology Systems, to Automated Facility Intelligence Monitoring, Microgrid Technology, and more. Microgrid Technology solutions are a paradigm of distributed operation of electric power systems, sustainable energy independence and enhancement of power system economics, resilience and reliability.  REACH and its project development team identify available renewable energy resources, and deploy energy efficient Microgrid, renewable energy technologies that seamlessly shift partner campuses toward energy independence, storage, and reliance; peak load reduction; elimination of blackouts; and favorable long-term ROI.  These critical components allow your campus to transition into a sustainable future.

REACH HBCU Campus Microgrid Initiative

The REACH HBCU Campus Microgrid Initiative works with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to evaluate each campus with the goal of achieving academic collaboration, improved energy efficiency, cost savings, an overall campus sustainability master plan, Smart Microgrid Technology application, and sustainability education programs for each HBCU institution.  REACH has forged key strategic partnerships for unique credit enhancement programs, as well as social and humanitarian project funding grant programs with a mission to serve the financial needs of distressed and marginalized people, who do not likely qualify for conventional financial support in their struggles to lift communities out of devastating need.

REACH is committed to assisting in the world effort in carbon pollution reduction and carbon mitigation solutions. College and university campuses must lead the charge for the preservation of our global resources because they are responsible for presenting themselves as leaders in their communities and across the globe, and because it is in these institutions that professionals are molded into leaders.  REACH works with each institution in a collaborative relationship to benefit students, faculty and community, to establish benchmarks and climate change commitments by providing financial support, an advanced integration of innovative technologies and education to improve each campus community that will position your academic institution as a global leader in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Education! 

REACH Institute for Sustainability Education (RISE)

The mission of the RISE Sustainability Initiative is to reduce global warming, using college and university campuses as the key sustainability and educational platform, integrating a Strategic Sustainability Plan, Event Management, and Academic Collaborations.  REACH works with institutions of higher learning to design curriculum, including lectures, workshops, courses, degree programs, clubs, working groups and social media programs.  REACH lecturers are world-class leaders in sustainability education.

RISE Solar PV Installation Certificate Program

The RISE Solar PV training is designed to teach individuals how to physically install solar panels, modules, and components.  Students will be constructing an actual array on a roof deck rack and installing the balance of components, including inverters, charge controllers, and battery banks for grid-tied and off-grid systems.  This hands-on solar training course will provide students with the skills required to work for an installer, or themselves work toward becoming a Solar Contractor.  In addition, students will be prequalified to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) PV Installation Professional Exam.

The PV training consists of a 40-hour (one week) class with the measurable objective to train technically minded students to pass the NABCEP entry-level exam after completing the class.  The main objective is to have students receive the knowledge to become PV technicians or themselves train others with sufficient new understanding to safely and efficiently build, operate, and maintain PV systems in their communities.  The course will focus on the key competencies addressed in the NABCEP Entry level PV exam.  Passing the NABCEP Entry Level Exam is a way for candidates to demonstrate that they have achieved a basic knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation and operation of grid-tied and stand-alone PV systems in North America.  This achievement demonstrates that the participant has passed an industry-designed, NABCEP-issued exam.

RISE Fiber Optic Technology Installation Certificate Program

RISE offers Fiber Optics Training Courses to provide fiber optic professional certifications for electrical industry professionals and IBEW members.

The introductory 3-day fiber optic tech course is designed for anyone interested in becoming a Certified Fiber Optic Technician.  This Fiber Optic Training combines theory and 85% hands-on activities to prepare the student to take the CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) test that is sanctioned by the FOA (Fiber Optics Association) and given and graded the final class day.  Students will learn how to identify fiber types, recognize various connectors used in fiber installation; and install, terminate, splice, and properly test installed fiber cable to existing standards.  This program explores the history and future of fiber optics and fiber optics capabilities, and basic testing and troubleshooting.  Course registration includes a one-year membership to the Fiber Optics Association.

Program Overview – Courses will be selected from those approved by the Fiber Optic Association (FOA).  The FOA is the international professional society for the field of fiber optics chartered to promote professionalism in fiber optics through education, certification and standards.  FOA certifications are fully recognized by the US Department of Labor.  The FOA Certified Fiber Optics Technician (CFOT®) is the certification obtained by most fiber optic technicians and is recognized as the standard in the field.  It is based on the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) deemed necessary by the FOA for all technicians involved in the installation of fiber optic networks and is recommended as an entry point for anyone involved in the design or management of fiber optic communications systems.  The FOA also offers Certified Fiber Optic Specialist certifications (CFOS) in three categories: Skills-based, Applications-based, and Fiber Optic Network Design. Many of the specialist certification courses require the CFOT® as a prerequisite.

The basic CFOT® course is three (3) days in length and the specialist skills and applications courses are two (2) days in length. This allows RISE to provide one (1) basic CFOT® course along with one (1) selected specialist course within the course of a standard five (5) day workweek session (ex: CFOT® + CFOS/Splicing).  Each student will have the following options: enroll in the basic CFOT® course only, enroll in both the basic CFOT® and specialist courses for the five-day period, or enroll in the specialist course only (if the prerequisites have been satisfied in a previous session).  Certification exams will be taken on the last day of each class, thus providing the benefit of each student to earn one or more FOA certifications within each session.  RISE will offer special sessions of two (2) specialist level certifications, including one skill course and one application course (ex: CFOS/Outside Plant Installation + CFOS/FTTx) to increase the breadth of earned fiber optics certification and continue to provide more opportunities for specialization in the field.

REACH Ambassador Program

The REACH Ambassador Program encourages the promotion its programs with the support of strategic partners appointed as REACH “Ambassadors.” This program fosters the establishment of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) by allowing access to Government and Corporate partners via introduction by the REACH Ambassador.  REACH has established a paradigm for an Ambassadorship Program in the naming of Robert “Kool” Bell as Global Ambassador for Sustainable Energy.  The world-renowned 50-year music industry veteran promotes Sustainable Energy initiatives on behalf of REACH as he travels the world and in ongoing communication with his International network of Government and corporate business relationships.

On January 8, 2015 REACH presented Robert “Kool” Bell with the title of the REACH Global Ambassador for Sustainable Energy.  The presentation ceremony was held at the Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, where REACH was founded and serves as the nucleus that utilizes Earth’s sustainable energy resources in an effort to make our world more pure and more productive.  “REACH Executives, along with officials from the City of Chicago; State of Illinois; Congressman Danny Davis; Congressman Bobby Rush; Illinois Institute of Technology President, John Anderson; Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation Director, Mohammad Shahidehpour and I are honored to applaud Mr. Robert ‘Kool’ Bell for his global celebration of sustainable energy,” said Phil Fisher, Founder, REACH Innovation Centers.

Offices of various levels of Government call upon Fisher and other REACH executives, Nationally and Internationally for consultation on renewable energy motivated legislation, sustainable energy technology, microgrid technology applications, and more.

Invited Speaker for U.S. Virgin Islands Senate Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection

Fisher, along with his Microgrid technology mentor, Dr. Mohammad Shahidehpour, were invited speakers before the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the full Senate Body to deliver key testimony on the viability of creating a Microgrid for the Island of St. John, USVI in order to achieve energy efficiency and energy independent renewable energy power generation for the entire island.  St. John has historically been powered by underwater marine cable from the Island of St. Thomas, USVI via the VI Water and Power Authority’s Diesel fuel generated power plant.

Fisher and Dr. Shahidehpour were asked to return to the USVI to testify before the USVI Legislative Sessions Senate Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, along with Executives from the VI Governor’s Energy Office and VI Water & Power Authority, to explain how our technology resources could be used to develop a 12MW microgrid for the entire Island of St. John, allowing it to be entirely self sustaining via renewable energy applications and no longer reliant on the underwater cable feeding power from the St. Thomas power plant.  Additionally they were also asked to explain how they could provide a solution for the $10.5MM/yr budget shortfall due to streetlight operation and maintenance via a plan to upgrade to Smart City Traffic Signals and Streetlights utilizing solar powered LED streetlight fixtures with battery storage.

Developing Landmark Legislation In Support of Renewable Energy

USVI Legislators sought the advice of Fisher and REACH Executives for a Bill proposing to allow the VI Port Authority and Territorial Hospitals to be granted authorization to produce 15MW of grid independent Renewable Energy power on three Islands.  The proposed Bill passed through the Senate floor and was then signed by the Governor and written into law.

USVI Legislators sought the advice of Fisher and REACH Executives for the development of landmark legislation Feed-in Tariff Act, which was passed into law for the entire USVI territory. 

Fisher has consulted, advised and supported many Government Offices including; City of Chicago Office of Cultural Affairs & Mayor’s Office of Special Events; Illinois Office of Tourism; City of Miami Mayor’s Office of Special Events; Miami Dade County Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs & Parks & Recreation Department; City of Miramar Department of Cultural Affairs & City Manager’s Office; City of Opa-Locka City Manager’s Office; City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office; US Virgin Islands Office of Tourism & Department of Agriculture; and more…

Offices of various levels of Government call upon Fisher and other REACH executives, nationally and internationally for consultation on renewable energy motivated legislation, sustainable energy technology, microgrid technology applications, and more.

Invited Speaker for U.S. Virgin Islands Senate Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection

Fisher, along with his Microgrid technology mentor, Dr. Mohammad Shahidehpour, were invited speakers before the full Senate Legislative Body of the U.S. Virgin Islands to deliver key testimony on the viability of creating a Microgrid for the Island of St. John, USVI in order to achieve energy efficiency and energy independent renewable energy power generation for the entire island.  St. John has historically been powered by underwater marine cable from the Island of St. Thomas, USVI via the VI Water and Power Authority’s Diesel fuel generated power plant.

Fisher and Dr. Mohammad Shahidehpour were asked to return to the USVI to testify before the USVI Legislative Sessions Senate Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, along with Executives from the VI Governor’s Energy Office and VI Water & Power Authority, to explain how technology resources could be used to develop a 12MW Microgrid for the entire Island of St. John, allowing it to be entirely self sustaining via renewable energy applications and no longer reliant on the underwater cable feeding power from the St. Thomas power plant.  Additionally they were also asked to explain how a solution could be provided for a $10.5MM/yr budget shortfall due to streetlight operation and maintenance via a plan to upgrade to Smart City Traffic Signals and Streetlights utilizing solar powered LED streetlight fixtures with battery storage.

Developing Legislation In Support of Renewable Energy

USVI Legislators sought the advice of Fisher and REACH Executives for a Bill proposing to allow the VI Port Authority and Territorial Hospitals to be granted authorization to produce 15MW of grid independent Renewable Energy power on three Islands.  The proposed Bill passed through the Senate floor and was then signed by the Governor and written into law.

USVI Legislators also sought the advice of Fisher and REACH Executives for the development of landmark legislation Feed-in Tariff Act, which was passed into law for the entire USVI territory. 

Caribbean Tourism Organization

Fisher developed and delivered a unique presentation address to all 31 Sovereign Nations that comprise the Caribbean Tourism Organization.  The Minister of Tourism from each Island Nation serves as Ambassador representing their country, and collectively form the leadership of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.  Fisher’s presentation address focused on the use of entertainment as a vehicle for positive economic impact and was designed to serve as a catalyst for a method of achieving increased entertainment-tourism in each island destination.  Mr. Fisher has been involved in creating, managing and producing many successful tourism events resulting in over US $100 Million Dollars of direct economic impact throughout the Caribbean region and Hundreds of Millions of US Dollars in annual residual tourism positively affecting local economies and tourism related businesses.

Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events & Cultural Affairs

In support of the City of Chicago, Fisher developed and managed many areas of Taste of Chicago, the nation’s largest food festival; Chicago Jazz Festival; Chicago Blues Festival; Chicago Gospel Festival; Viva Chicago; Venetian Night Boat Parade; July 4^th Fireworks; the City’s Celebrations for Winning Championships for Chicago Bears – NFL Super Bowl Win, Chicago Bulls – NBA Championship Wins, Chicago Cubs – MLB World Series Win; and more…

Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events Neighborhood Festival Program

On behalf of Mayor Harold Washington and his diverse community-focused initiative, Fisher developed the first Chicago Neighborhood Festival Program, a community-grant program now in its fourth decade, for the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, a division of the Chicago Cultural Affairs Department.  Fisher was responsible for grant application review for hundreds of community organization applicants entering the grant program annually and was responsible for the evaluation, approval, development and implementation of as many as 200 community events per year, including Fisher’s authoring of a manual on “How to Produce Your Own Neighborhood Festival” for the City of Chicago, followed by conducting seminars and hands-on instruction, providing technical support and the coordination of City support services to community festival organizers.

This program served as a cornerstone to Mayor Washington’s mission to bring together the many diverse cultural communities of Chicago.  Fisher’s work in the development of the Chicago Neighborhood Festival Program empowered each community throughout the entire City to create and invite the world to an event conceptualized, culturally-themed, for, with and in their own communities, produced by each community’s own leaders and organizers and featuring their unique form of talent and entertainment.  Now more than 400 unique neighborhood festivals take place in Chicago each year, showcasing the City’s ethnic customs, music and food.  Examples include: Chicago’s first ever Pan-American music festival; Fiestas Puertorriqueñas, Chicago’s largest Puerto Rican Community event; Chinatown Summer Fair; Rhythm & Blues Festival; Festa Italiana; Taste of Greektown; Polish Festival; Irish Festival; African Festival of the Arts; and many more.

Chicago Park District / Consumer Services / Health Department

Serving as consultant to the Chicago Park District, Fisher developed a health and safety system for managing sanitary practices, designed to provide City Officials a system of registering and credentialing official licensed and certified food and beverage vendors authorized official participation in a designated food court area, also designed by Fisher, for Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade.  Now in its 88^th year, this signature event attracts over one million attendees annually and is the largest African American event of its kind in the country.  Fisher’s work required a coordinated effort between numerous City departments including, Chicago Park District, Consumer Services, Health Department, Police and Fire Departments.

City of Philadelphia

Fisher conceptualized, developed and produced the first Taste of Philadelphia for the City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office, after having served in numerous management positions for over 20-years for the production of Taste of Chicago, the Nation’s largest free food festival, produced by the Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events.  Under Fisher’s leadership the inaugural Taste of Philadelphia boasted an attendance of 50,000 people for a first-time event and garnered top five-star restaurateurs from Philadelphia’s finest eateries and restaurant association.

City of Philadelphia Welcome America Summer Events

Serving as a consultant to the City of Philadelphia’s Welcome America Program, Fisher developed and produced 43 major events in a three-week summer series, including the City’s 4^th of July Independence Day Celebration which included a children’s parade, festival, concert and fireworks show.  Attendance topped three million people and required the coordination of all City Departments of Police, Fire, Parks, Emergency Management, Public Works, and more.

U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture

For over 20-years Fisher has served as consultant to the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture for the producing of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Fair, held annually in St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands.  This fair is the largest cultural event of its kind in the entire Caribbean and attracts tens of thousands of people annually.

City of Miramar Department of Cultural Affairs

Fisher served as special consultant to the City of Miramar’s Director of Cultural Affairs, as well as the Assistant City Manager for the development and programming of a new Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater, Pavilion, Promenade and Corporate Center.

City of Miami Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

Fisher developed and implemented Heart of Our Parks, a first time program to produce 21 summer community festivals occurring within a three-month period and the first cultural arts neighborhood festival series for the City of Miami Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.  His work involved the structuring and implementation, training and guidance of the staff of the City of Miami’s Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the Neighborhood Enhancement Team, along with the coordination of the staffs of the Police Department, Public Works and Fire Departments.

Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

Fisher developed and managed Haitian Cultural Heritage Month for Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.  This month-long series of events involved over 50 community-based cultural events throughout the entire County, including Fisher’s support and guidance of dozens of non-profit organizations and community organizers.

Chicago Board of Education

As consultant to the Chicago Board of Education, Fisher managed the program elements of The Power of Parents, a parental involvement conference developed to bring parents, teachers and experts together to explore the importance of parental involvement in enhancing student achievement, with a goal to provide parents a forum to gain information and be inspired by speakers, panelists and other parents as well as share ideas and resources on the best educational opportunities and environments for our families.

Chicago Park District

As consultant to the Chicago Park District, Fisher developed and instituted a landmark system which for the first time authorized producers of permitted events and sports activities to provide Corporate Sponsorship Advertising and Brand Exposure on any of the 7,300 acres of Chicago Park District property, including all of the City’s 552 parks and 33 beaches.  The institution of this corporate sponsorship system continues to generate millions of dollars for the events, producers, and the Chicago Park District, thereby making possible the implementation of thousands of additional events and sports activities annually.

City of Miami Parks & Recreation

Fisher developed and implemented Fashion 101, an educational program to allow Foundation Of Community Assistance & Leadership youth, registered at City of Miami Parks & Recreation facilities, the chance to explore career opportunities and gain vocational skills with a behind the scenes look at the fashion and beauty industry, learn event management aspects to organize a culminating fashion show event entitled Teen Runway Showcase to highlight what they have learned.

US Department of Education

Sponsored by the US Department of Education and National Council of Negro Women, Fisher Organized a workshop for the Foundation of Community Assistance & Leadership – Readership Leadership Academy designed to provide literacy instructional systems and tools to teachers and other instructors from the community to improve methods of teaching students to read.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Grant Award

Fisher supported the application for Federal grant funding, which resulted in the successful awarding of a $3 Million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  In collaboration with the Robert W. Galvin Center for Electricity Innovation at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), submitted proposal under the USDA High Cost of Energy and Bulk Fuel Program to build a Microgrid application at the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) two campuses in both St. Thomas and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.  The proposal was the highest ranked proposal of 55 project applicants and was successfully awarded $3M for the UVI project from the total of $7M available successful grant awards.

Government Advisory & Consulting

• City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events
• City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
• Chicago Office of Tourism
• Chicago Park District
• City of Chicago Board of Education
• Illinois Office of Tourism
• Illinois Bar Association Entertainment Law Committee
• Governor’s Office of The US Virgin Islands
• US Virgin Islands Office of Tourism
• USVI Department of Agriculture
• Aruba Tourism Authority
• Jamaica Tourist Board
• Governor General’s Office of St. Kitts and Nevis
• Rio Tour
• Office of the Mayor, Rio de Janeiro
• Office of the Mayor, Miami-Dade County
• City of Miami Beach
• Office of the Mayor, City of Miami
• City of Miami Office of Special Events
• City of Miami Parks & Recreation Department
• City of Miami Legal Department
• City of Miami Office of Film & Television
• City of Miami, Haitian Bicentennial Steering Committee
• Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau Film, Fashion and Entertainment Task Force
• Florida Regional Minority Business Council
• Democratic National Committee
• City of Philadelphia
• Illinois Transatlantic Slave Trade Commission
• US Army Recruiting Promotions at And 1 Game Tour – United Center and Taste of Chicago Events 
  

Fisher has managed security and safety operations and disaster relief efforts for many projects in major municipalities in the USA and other countries, including large scale events with over three million attendees, diplomatic visits, including logistics for the President of the United States, often working with U.S. and Foreign Police and Fire Departments, as well as Federal Agents and U.S. Secret Service.  Fisher’s Project Management work has included: Celebrity/VIP & Dignitary Personal Protection; Asset Protection; Security & Safety Operations; Crowd Engineering; Traffic Engineering; and Major Food & Beverage Operations.

Chicago Police Department Recognition

The Office of the Chief of Police-Chicago Police Department awarded Fisher a letter of recognition, naming him “Best In The Business.”  The Chicago Police Department has since adopted and deployed Fisher’s crowd engineering management systems as a paradigm for all large-scale outdoor events produced in the City of Chicago.

Fisher’s crowd engineering system was deployed at the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series-Win, City of Chicago Celebration Parade Rally, which was reported by the Chicago Tribune to have over 5-million attendees, the largest human gathering in U.S. history.

Illinois Bar Association Entertainment Law Committee

Fisher served as a featured lecturer and consultant for the Illinois Bar Association Entertainment Law Committee Conference as an expert producer of outdoor events, focusing on the topic of risk management, crowd engineering, security and safety.

Chicago Police Academy Training and Disaster Relief Service

Fisher has gained a unique scope of experience during work and training at the Chicago Police Training Academy, which also trains FBI, Secret Service and other Federal Agents and Peace Officers Nationally.  Fisher also worked hand-in-hand with the Chicago Fire Department while serving in the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Services, as well as other unique work experiences during multiple Hurricane Relief Duty assignments in Miami, FL and Haiti Earthquake Relief Support.

Risk Management and Law Enforcement Consulting

Fisher has served as Special Consultant in the area of Risk Management, Sensitivity, Race Relations, Crowd Engineering, and Logistics to City Corporation Council, Offices of the Governor, Mayor, City Manager, Health Departments, Regulations & Code Enforcement, Fire Departments, and Police Departments in cities such as Chicago, Miami, Miami Beach, Philadelphia, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Food & Beverage Operation Health & Sanitary Safety

Serving as consultant to the Chicago Park District, Fisher developed a health and safety system for managing sanitary practices, designed to provide City Officials a system of registering and credentialing official licensed and certified food and beverage vendors authorized official participation in a designated food court area, also designed by Fisher, for Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade.  Now in its 88^th year, this signature event attracts over one million attendees annually and is the largest African American event of its kind in the country.  Fisher’s work required a coordinated effort between numerous City departments including, Chicago Park District, Consumer Services, Health Department, Police and Fire Departments.