Since we held our PSFK Conference San Francisco in July 2008 things have changed. Of course, we all have economic challenges but in this environment we also have the need and, some would argue, duty to support the progress of ideas that overcome social and green issues.
This year I want to create an event that revolves around the concept of participation. Yes, there will be elements of learning and knowledge sharing but I would also like to create an event where we imagine and solve. I want us to spend a day together to identify issues and overcome them.
To do this, I’d like to broaden the audience. Inspired by the Good Ideas Salon we held in New York recently where we mixed entrepreneurs with freelance and out of work professionals, I’d like to bring an audience of can-doers not only from within the creative professions but also in technology, environmental, public policy and other sectors. I would also love to bring an online audience that works on tasks throughout the day in real time.
My early thoughts are that we invite 3 or 4 very high profile speakers to come and present an issue that they think needs solving. Maybe PSFK will add some inspiration with some trends information – and then we split into a couple of teams to solve the two most popular suggestions. At the end of the day we must have delivered somethings not just thoughts. Also – maybe if we did this on a weekend it would be be more involving for everybody.
I invite your feedback in 2 ways. Either give your feedback to this post in the comments section – or attend an informal get-together with me in San Francisco on Monday 22nd June from 6 to 8 – details on Facebook here.
Feedback, ideas, hand-raising, donation of services more than welcome. And hey, if you’d just like us to do the same old conference format, then let me know too. If you want to keep posted for news, why not join this Facebook Group too.
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Piers, great idea. something much more interesting and useful than another conference. I like the tangibility of the idea, the finite timeframe and the common goal. Allows for some interesting virtual stuff of it eg live streaming for people to watch, involve them by throwing ideas in from outside the event,etc. I’ll do what I can to help
June 18th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Ah, Piers, if only I could be there! Can you flesh out the ideas for online participants a bit?
June 18th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Sounds like a good idea. Are you thinking this would be something akin to the workshops John Thackara has put on? I love the idea of bringing a folks together from a variety of disciplines with the goal of actually “doing” and working together to solve problems.
June 21st, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Latest thoughts on this can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=8788&uid=88537022150
June 25th, 2009 at 3:58 pm