Saturday, February 20, 2010

25th Annual Emerging Issues Forum

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the 25th Annual Emerging Issues Forum! Twenty-five years ago the Forum began by looking at the topic of innovation. This year, the topic for the Forum was “Creativity iNC!” Speakers discussed the need for community leaders to embrace new ideas and approaches in order to achieve positive results. Two of the speakers that I particularly enjoyed were Daniel Pink and Bill Strickland.

Mr. Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future and contributing editor of Wired, spoke on ways that business, government, and non-profit can encourage right brain thinking.

Mr. Strickland is the President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation, and a nationally recognized visionary who authentically delivers educational and cultural opportunities to students and adults within an organizational culture that fosters innovation, creativity, responsibility, and integrity. Strickland’s Manchester Bidwell provides opportunities for creative and cultural growth for the youth of the greater Pittsburgh area. I enjoyed hearing his thoughts on way in which creativity can be used to find solutions to social challenges.

The Emerging Issues Forum was a great reminder of just how important it is to remain receptive to new ideas and ways of thinking!

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