You are a creative. Notice I didn’t say “If” you are a creative. We are born creative beings. For some, our environment and education has suppressed our creative awareness. For others, we’ve been blessed to be around other creatives and been placed in situations where we had to exercise our imagination to survive. My website’s name is testimony to my concern and resulting passion to revive the creative spirit in myself and others. Like a hospital patient, our world, business and families need an infusion, a steady drip of creativity. But to help that process along, I’ve found a booster shot.
I have the most amazing opportunity this fall. I am honored to be presenting at Story 2017. When you go to their website, you will be amazed at beauty and awe of what they properly describe as an uncommon creative community.
On Sept. 21-22 in Nashville, they will be holding their annual conference. I attended last year. And while people say things like this as an exaggerated superlative, those two days changed my life. As a Chief Storyteller for IBM, I have the privilege of attending and speaking at a large number of conferences. Without a doubt, Story 2016 was the most impactful conference I have ever attended. Some conferences have great topics and speakers. Others have great venues. Some are a showplace for the atmosphere of sets, music and themes. While some are just a unique gathering of characters that you don’t want to miss. Story has all of this.
It’s not even close to the real experience, but you can get a taste from this highlight video of Story 2016.
The Story 2017 theme is Carnival of Curiosity. Go to their website. Be curious. Look around and see what you can discover. And don’t let the low-ticket price fool you. Most of the corporate events I attend have prices 4 and 5 times that of Story. But those are playing to the senior executive at large organizations with a deep budget. I deeply appreciate Story’s love for the art and craft which drives them to make sure even the individual storyteller has the opportunity to attend. By the way, if you’re an aforementioned corporate exec with deep pockets, consider purchasing a box of seats and offering them to your creative customers. They will love you for it.
If you have any questions, contact Story or ask me. I may not know the answer, but I can probably find someone who does. And if you decide to attend, let me know. I’d love to meet you there.
BTW…I don’t know how long this will last, but if you go to storygatherings.com/about/ you can discover a coupon code for a $100 discount on the Story 2017 ticket price.
Story matters!
Story looks amazing. A unique opportunity in many ways. I’ve recently returned from Nairobi where I was asked to provide a talk and two workshops to 25 clinical psychologists on the therapeutic value of storytelling. It was a huge success. After, I had the opportunity to visit a children’s home and two high schools to hand-deliver funds collected from family and friends.
Here’s the link:
http://bit.ly/TheRoadToNairobi
Unfortunately, I’ve blown my budget for the year; the conference did not pay my way or accommodations or meals, it was an opportunity I could not pass up and now I’m helping the high schools get water and solar.
I’ve watched all the videos and it’s clear this is a special conference. I wish you well and much curious excitement.
Write on —
-j.2u
Maplewood, Int’l
Or better yet, if you’re school administrator, buy some tickets and send your teachers (I call us creatives) to #story2018.
Story does matter!