September Monthly Luncheon - Get BLINK ready - Let's Light Up Covington Together
Thursday, September 17, 2026 (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM) (EDT)
Description
Speaker: Leslie Mooney, Vice President & Executive Director of BLINK
September Luncheon: A Preview of BLINK 2026
Join us for our September luncheon as we welcome Leslie Mooney, Vice President & Executive Director of BLINK, for an exciting preview of BLINK 2026.
Leslie will share a sneak peek at some of the incredible artwork and immersive zones planned for this year's festival, along with an overview of BLINK's remarkable impact on the Cincinnati region—economically, culturally, and internationally.
BLINK continues to set the standard as the largest light-based art festival in the United States and is second only to Vivid Sydney in Australia. The 2024 festival generated an impressive $205 million in direct economic impact, attracted more than 2 million attendees, and earned 67 million print and online media impressions across the U.S. and around the world. Artists and visitors came from a dozen countries and half of the U.S. states, while local attendees spent an average of 2.17 days experiencing the festival.
Don't miss this opportunity to get an insider's look at one of the region's most celebrated events and learn how BLINK continues to transform our community through art, innovation, and economic growth.
Leslie Mooney, Bio:
Leslie Mooney is Vice President and Executive Director of BLINK, the nation’s largest immersive light and art event. Transforming over 30 city blocks across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky with large-scale projection mapping, interactive light sculptures, and world-class street art, BLINK attracts international attention and over a million visitors to the greater Cincinnati region every other year. Previously, Leslie spent twelve years at the helm of one of Cincinnati’s premier community arts organizations, the Clifton Cultural Arts Center (CCAC). Among other accomplishments during her time at CCAC, she spearheaded the capital campaign and construction of the first purpose-built community arts center located in the city of Cincinnati, increased the accessibility of arts education opportunities in the urban core, and tripled CCAC’s revenue, staff size and attendance.
Local artist Chase Melendez will also discuss his BLINK installation
Chase grew up in the Pacific Northwest and currently lives and works in the
Cincinnati, Ohio region. His work is loosely inspired by the aesthetics of early video games, 80’s
and 90’s cartoons, and cinema; pulling influence from those mediums use of color, background
art, and storytelling elements. From there he explores space and interaction with vibrant color
combinations and sharp geometric shapes, creating flat layered compositions that are painted
on various surfaces or brought to life in immersive installations. He received his MFA in studio
art from University of Cincinnati and his BA in studio art from San Diego State University. In
addition to his personal practice he has worked a variety of creative rolls in event production,
film, and theater.
Sponsors
2026 Luncheon Title Sponsor
Monthly Luncheon: Event Sponsor
Monthly Luncheon: Supporting Sponsor
2026 Economic Update Sponsor
2026 Member Anniversary Sponsor
Monthly Luncheon: AV Sponsor
Photography Sponsor
Monthly Luncheon: Nonprofit Spotlight Sponsor
Member Registration Early Bird: $40.00
Future Member Registration Early Bird: $60
Member Registration Week Of: $45
Future Member Registration Week Of: $65
6 E. 5th Street
Covington, KY 41011 United States
Parking is available in the Midtown Parking Garage located at 501 Scott St. Covington, KY. Please present your parking ticket at check in.
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