About High-Minded Events

From the age of 14, Phil Cooper began honing his service skills by working in local restaurants and retail shops in his small hometown of Frankenmuth, MI—a charming “Little Bavaria” known for its German hospitality. His teenage self was drawn to the world of theatre, where he could express both his outgoing personality in performances and his creative side through scenic design and construction.

After graduating from Northern Michigan University, Phil moved to Cape Cod, MA where he built on his hospitality experience at an upscale country inn. Three years later, he accepted a position at the renowned Four Season Hotel Chicago, where he sharpened his skills to meet the demands of the finest hotel company in the world. Phil quickly became enamored with the opulent weddings and events that cycled through—so much so, that he pivoted to working in special events.

A special fondness for the design process led him to focus specifically on event design, where he combined theatricality and hospitality to work for the nation’s top event houses designing for some of the most notable companies, families, and organizations in Chicago. Phil’s designs have been featured in Town and Country Magazine, Modern Luxury Magazine, and on Windy City Live.

Phil soon noted that most events tend to focus on alcohol as part of the overall guest experience, leaving virtually no options for non-drinkers like himself. When the adult use of recreational cannabis became legal in the state of Illinois, he saw an opportunity to finally introduce cannabis to the event world as an alternative to alcohol. By combining an elevated, approachable guest experience with cannabis education and responsible dosing, Phil hopes to de-stigmatize this plant for good—and throw fabulous events while doing so!