The Bash (formerly GigMasters) is an event services booking platform. Its headquarters are in South Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S.GigMasters Finds a New Stage in South Norwalk. Stamfor Advocate Richard Lee, Staff Writer, July 26, 2011 The Bash matches entertainers with planners of weddings, dances, parties, festivals, celebrations, and corporate events."10 Father's Day experiences you have to try". Ashbury Park Press, Kelly-Jane Cotter, June 14, 2015"Simple ways to hire help". Ashbury Park Press, Liz Dennerlein. Aug. 8, 2016
History
GigMasters was founded in 1997 by entrepreneurs Michael Caldwell and Kevin Kinyon who were based near New York. The company launched the first version of its website in February 1997. In September 2010, GigMasters raised $200,000 in expansion funding from investor James Marciano.
In 2013, about half of the company's bookings were wedding-related."Fading glory: Demand for Elvis impersonators isn't what it used to be". Las Vegas Review-Journal, September 7, 2013. by LAURA CARROLL In November 2013, the company raised $1.3 million in series A funding by XO Group, parent company of TheKnot.com."Bridal publishers tie the knot between content and commerce". Digiday, October 27, 2015 by Ricardo Bilton Kristin Savilia, XO Group's Executive Vice President, joined GigMasters' board of directors.GigMasters Inc. Raises $1.3m Marketbrief
In September 2014, Inc. Magazine ranked GigMasters as one of the nation's 5000 fastest growing private companies.Top Companies in Connecticut on the 2014 Inc. 5000 INC, 2014.
In October, 2015, the Caldwell and Kinyon, creators of GigMasters, sold the company for $8.5 million to XO Group."The Knot owner buys Norwalk‘s GigMasters". Stamford Advocate, By Alexander Soule, October 5, 2015
In June 2018, GigMasters launched The Bash in New York City to test a one-stop party planning platform. The team learned a lot and validated findings around a complete booking experience while learning that the brand name ‘The Bash’ resonated well with party planners.
In July 2019, The Bash was expanded nationwide by merging it with GigMasters, and rebranded the combined site as The Bash (www.thebash.com).
In January 2020, The Bash launched venues in New York and Los Angeles and began removing references to GigMasters across the site.
In April, 2020, The Bash launched venues in Chicago and other major markets, revealed an official new logo, a redesigned navigation and footer, and color updates to the site to reflect the new brand style.
Features The Bash sorts entries by instrument and by event or service type. Musicians create profiles and describe their services. Potential customers can enter their location and search for the service they need."25 Places to Hire a Santa Claus for Your Small Business". Small Business Trends, Nov 25, 2016 by Annie Pilon
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