Review: Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit – Philadelphia, PA

As an opportunity to engage in dialogue with creative professionals from a multitude of backgrounds the Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit, hosted by Innovation Philadelphia and held this week in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania achieved this over-arching objective quite handily. Even in the current economy, in which tradeshow and convention attendance has dropped dramatically (in some places more than 33%), it was remarkable how many people turned out from around the world to participate. Attendees ranged from creative professionals, artists and educators, to policy experts, technologists, and government leaders. All eager to connect, share and learn.

For two days the program was packed solid with keynotes, speakers, panels and opportunities to network. As much as I would like to share everything I saw and learned during the event, instead I’d like to share some of the encounters I had with attendees and speakers.

One of the first people I met was Karen Pinzolo, the Coordinator for Arts Plan New Jersey. Arts Plan NJ is a statewide initiative to enrich and inspire individuals, and to actively engage and tap the range of artistic resources available. The Plan seeks to foster their expertise and talents in addressing a diverse range of social, economic, educational and artistic needs. Arts Plan NJ supports: Economic and Community Development; defining the Arts Organization of Tomorrow; Arts Education; Support for Artists; Access to all and broader Participation; and increased use and application of Technology by all NJ artists. This kind of direct arts engagement has the power to be life-changing, and by seeking to tap into artists as resources for the entire community has the potential to unleash creativity. One of the great things about this program is that they have a clear mission and a call to arms. They seek direct public endorsement (I have) which is a great way to engage the community at large.

One of the more interesting panels I witnessed was titled, “Creativity Around the Globe.” This panel brought together the leaders of a range of economic development leaders, all usually working in partnership with local governments but not necessary tied to the local governments. There were four development entities represented which between them covered two international programs (Canada and the UK); two regional programs (the Piedmont Triad of Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point, North Carolina and Prince Edward County between Toronto and Ottawa); one city (Sheffield in the North of England); and, one state (Massachusetts). Beth Siegel spoke passionately on behalf of DIGMA (the Design Industry Group of Massachusetts) and highlighted the fact that timing was everything as it took them nearly a decade to get this program off the ground. She also cited the need for seed money in order to have a meaningful impact quickly. But the key question she said that demanded an answer before they could generate any true momentum was, “What do we mean by the ‘Design Economy’?” The answer to that drives their ongoing support strategy.

Perhaps one of the most engaging panels was hosted by Steve Barsh, and include Blake Jennelle the President of Philly Startup Leaders, two of the PSL Board, Chris Cera,(co-founder of Vuzit),Tracey Welson-Rossman (Director of Sales and Marketing for Chariot Solutions), and Geoff DeMasi, a founder of P’unk Avenue, Independents Hall and Junto.org (based on a civic leadership model developed by Benjamin Franklin – that’s what I call old school!) The key learning from this panel: regardless of whether we are solo practitioners or part of a larger team, we all need to collaborate and that hand-to-hand networking and community building is all about the connections we make.

Last, but by no means least, Peter Shankman (founder of HARO – Help A Reporter Out), offered up the following: “Get up half-an-hour early every day. Use that time to connect with people in your network in a way that is meaningful to them (note: he wishes people in his 13,000+ network “Happy Birthday!”). You’ll be amazed at the result.”

Not all conferences deliver what they set out to do. Most over-promise and under-deliver. Given the diverse group of interests, Innovation Philadelphia delivered – and then some.