CHICAGO — Long time Mr. International Rubber (MIR) leadership team member Brad Bartley has taken an ownership interest in the pre-eminent men’s rubber fetish weekend. Bartley joins William Schendel who remains as co-owner of the event weekend following the departure of John Jacobs in the new year.
At the 20th edition of Mr. International Rubber, then co-owner John Jacobs announced that he would be leaving the leadership of the annual international event. “Our goal when we bought the contest was to make it a viable international weekend fetish event that stood independent from any bar or other organization. After seven years of independent ownership we’ve drawn contestants from around the globe, grown the weekend substantially and we’ve met our initial goals. Now it’s time for me to move on. It’s time for the next generation to step-up and take the reins and push the event forward to its next level.”
Today we announce that Brad Bartley has become a co-owner of the Mr. International Rubber contest and weekend. Bartley has served for several years as a member of the leadership team that plans the annual event. Beginning as a videographer for the weekend, he then assumed the role of volunteer coordinator before moving into the role of production coordinator where he was responsible for the execution of the stage production and support of the annual international competition. Professionally Bartley manages dual careers in the audio-visual production and travel industries. In addition to these roles, he serves as one of the lead photographers for International Mister Leather, is a member of the planning team for GearBlast:US, and is a member of the “Gearing Committee” for the Chicago Rubbermen.
Bartley will join William Schendel as co-owner of MIR Contest, LLC the corporation that owns the event weekend. Schendel, also known by his nickname “Rubberwilli”, was named Mr. International Rubber 2003 and has been weekend coordinator of the contest weekend for over a decade. Together they will lead a team of 20 volunteers who meet throughout the year to plan and execute the 21st edition of the weekend to be held November 3-5, 2017 in Chicago.
“Brad has been a key component of our team for several years now.” Schendel says of his new business partner, “He brings exceptional organizational skills to his new role, which will benefit the entire organization. Together we want to help raise the bar on what a contest weekend can be for attendees, contestants, volunteers and members of the kink and fetish community.”
Regarding his own involvement, Bartley states “The first rubber event I attended was MIR in 2005. It was a life changing experience to be surrounded by so many others who were into latex and gear as much as I was. It has been privilege to be part of the leadership of this amazing weekend and I am thrilled to partner with William to help our team continue to grow this event.”
MIR21: “Squeak-easy” will be held November 3-5, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Like the Mr. International Rubber page for more information on the annual event, and visit the website at MIRubber.com for galleries of past years.
via press release
