Create WV Conference 2009: A personal invitation to attend . . .

Over the last few years I have been involved in Create West Virginia, an organization affiliated with Vision Shared whose mission to create and stimulate new economy growth and empower West Virginians to grow creative communities in West Virginia. Communities centered on innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, education, quality of life and arts/culture.

Each year Create WV holds an annual conference. The first annual conference was held in 2007 and attracted approximately 250 attendees. Last year’s event held at Snowshoe Resort and attracted 395 attendees. This year’s Create West Virginia 2009 Conference is set for October 18-20 in Huntington, WV at the Big Sandy Arena.

I want to personally invite you to attend the Create West Virginia Conference 2009. Check out the keynote speakers and sessions.

A special attraction this year will be a live Mountain Stage performance on Sunday evening at the Keith Albee Theater featuring West Virginia native, Kathy Mattea, and The Songcatchers, The Ahs, Shannon Whitworth and Or, The Whale.

Click here for more information about the conference including how to register.

Feel free to forward a link of this invitation to others who you think might be interested in attending the conference.

Creatively Living In West Virginia

Are you creative, looking for a place to be creative or have a need to find others who create?

Come experience all that West Virginia has to offer. For a taste of the creative community plan to attend the Create West Virginia Conference 2008. More on Create WV.

Watch the instructional/art video of creating Create WV Conference by KD Lett.

Create West Virginia Conference 2008
October 20-22, 2008
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Snowshoe, WV
Register Here

What is the focus of the conference?

West Virginia is in a state of creation! Communities in every pocket of West Virginia are embracing new opportunities brought about by the New Economy.

Hear how communities just like yours are attracting young entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, technologists and others who are adding quality and growth to our state. Learn how improving your community’s quality of place, access to and adoption of technology, embracing tolerance and diversity for new people and ideas, and innovative education and talent development are opening new opportunities for everyone in West Virginia!

Check out the full agenda, speakers, etc. here. More on Create WV via Create WV Facebook Group.

Thinking Outside of the Box While Literally Thinking About the Box

I like to bring original thinking and creative solutions to my health care clients. Although the law is based on precedent, lawyers always need to remain current, thinking ahead and looking for creative solutions.

Today I saw this "lesson in creativity" over at Jeff James' Create West Virginia blog. Thought I would pass it along to my readers. A great example of thinking outside the box - while literally thinking about the box. As Jeff concludes, "what is your square watermelon challenge?"

Also, a great post for lawyers to read is up over at Law21 (first saw the post on Legal OnRamp). The post, "Core competence: 6 new skills now required of lawyers" highlights a new six-pack of skills today's lawyers need to have to be successful and effectively represent their clients. This list applies not just to lawyers -- but those in the health care industry and every other business.

Create WV Conference Wrap Up

Due to prior commitments and client demands I wasn't able to attend the Create West Virginia Conference held this week at Stonewall Resort.

Over the past two days I received a number of emails and facebook comments from friends and colleagues about the quality of the content and expressing excitement about the event. If you didn't attend and want to get a flavor for the sessions be sure to check out some of the presentations on the Create WV website and wrap up comments and photos on the Create WV Blog. For more read what other are saying about the conference.

I was particular interested in the presentation by Anthony Salcito, General Manager U.S. Education for Microsoft, after reading the live blogging notes by Lee Kraus who blogs about learning and technology issues out of central West Virginia. Read through Mr. Salcito's presentation for some eye opening facts about what we all face as a result of the growing global community. His slides remind me a bit of the video, Shift Happens - Globalization.

Photo courtesy of one of West Virginia's most creative artists, Charleston Jupiter Hamilton.

Calling All Creative West Virginians!

If you are creative and living in West Virginia (or a West Virginia expatriate) check out the upcoming Create West Virginia Conference set for November 12-14 at Stonewall Resort. More from the Create West Virginia Blog.