FAQ

What is the creative economy?

The Creative Economy is an important source of innovation and idea generation in the emerging global economy of the 21st century, and includes a diverse range of non-profit and for-profit industries. The Summit will focus primarily on the for-profit, creative economy which is the wealth and job creation arising from those occupations and industries that produce goods and provide business-to-business creative services that generate technical innovation, drive design, and cultivate change. The industries within Philadelphia’s for-profit Creative Economy include architecture, communications, design and merchandising, digital media, engineering, fashion design, film and video production, graphic arts, information technology, interior and industrial design, marketing, multimedia design, music production, photography, planning, product design, and software development.

What is the Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit all about?

The Summit is a two-day conference which promises to embrace the same values it champions: innovation, creativity, collaboration, shared learning, technology and open source thinking.

The Summit will explore the complex ecology that makes up creative economies. It will examine all aspects of what creative ecologies need from physical space, to funding, to access to talent, to emerging technologies, to infrastructure and the policies necessary to create that ecology. The Summit will explore how open source models of collaboration and innovation are changing the dynamics of organizations and how the next generation of leaders, both traditional and non-traditional, are making things happen in their communities.

Who should attend the Summit?

The creative economy is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary and the audience will reflect this diversity. Entrepreneurs, business leaders, and creative technology professionals representing the design, multimedia, and IT sectors; economic and workforce development professionals; and cultural leaders should attend the Summit to learn about the successful and emerging creative technologies and initiatives that are driving economic growth locally, nationally and internationally.

I’m an entrepreneur, what will I get out of the Summit?

The Summit will allow you to network with a diversity of entrepreneurs and business leaders; learn successful examples of business, social and civic entrepreneurship from local, national, and internationally known successful entrepreneurs; and explore the critical elements of a thriving entrepreneurial venture including infrastructure, policies, physical space, funding, and other resources most needed to thrive in abundant or challenging economic times. 

I’m a business leader, what will I get out of the Summit?

You will learn about emerging technologies that will impact the future growth of your business; expose your company to 1,000 members of the creative economy; share and learn best practice models for fostering creative thinking in the workplace; discover emerging practices and technologies that will reduce or eliminate your negative impact on the environment; examine the unique skills and competencies of an innovative workforce; and develop successful tactics to attract and retain creative talent.

I’m a Creative Industry or Technology Professional, why should I attend the Summit?

You will have a unique opportunity to contribute your ideas on the most innovative initiatives and emerging technologies you have mastered; learn about the next generation of social media technologies; network with the business leaders and entrepreneurs who need your services, skills and knowledge; and meet the next generation of creative industry and technology professionals who are making things happen in their communities.

What’s at the Summit for Economic and Workforce Development Leaders?

Economic and workforce development professionals will gain an understanding of this growing industry sector that has an economic impact of $60 billion annually in the Philadelphia Region; hear experts from other cities and regions who are implementing a creative economy agenda for economic growth; learn how to develop a creative economy, from both the top down and the bottom up; find out the key elements, the pitfalls and the regions that have been successful in growing the creative industries; and discuss the skills needed to support creative industries in the future and how to encourage and enhance diversity within the creative economy.

Is the creative economy a strong industry in Greater Philadelphia?

In the Philadelphia Region, the for-profit creative industry generates a total economic impact of nearly $60 billion in total spending which includes $32.5 billion in total earnings and supports a total of 766,000 jobs, ranking the for-profit creative industry among one of the top industries in the region. On the non-profit side of the creative economy, cultural organizations and their audiences in Greater Philadelphia spend $1.3 billion annually, according to Arts, Culture, & Economic Prosperity in Greater Philadelphia. In addition, the non-profit creative industry is responsible for 40,000 jobs generated by the economic activity of the cultural sector and $158 million in taxes returned to state and local communities. The Philadelphia Region’s creative assets surpass those of all but very few other cities.

How will the Summit showcase the Philadelphia Region?

In addition to hosting the Summit at the expansive Pennsylvania Convention Center, in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, attendees of the Summit will have the opportunity to travel throughout the city to experience the many exciting venues and creative locations in Philadelphia. Attendees will also attend networking receptions and related events at some of Philadelphia hottest locations.

The creative economy is so broad, what specific industries will be targeted at the Summit?

The industries within Philadelphia’s for-profit Creative Economy that will be featured during panels and workshops at the Summit include architecture, communications, design and merchandising, digital media, engineering, fashion design, film and video production, graphic arts, information technology, interior and industrial design, marketing, multimedia design, music production, photography, planning, product design, and software development.

What practical results will come out of the Summit?

Summit attendees will learn creative economy best practices and models of economic development that can be implemented in other regions throughout the United States and abroad. Participants in the Summit will also make networking connections and be offered opportunities to make new business relationships. The presentations and resources provided at the Summit will be provided through Innovation Philadelphia’s website following the Summit so that discussions and ideas shared can be continues beyond the Summit itself.

Who is planning the Summit?

The planning of the Summit is being led by Innovation Philadelphia under the guidance of an Advisory Committee of regional, national and international leaders of the creative economy. Click here for a full list of the Summit Advisory Committee.

How can your organization become involved in the Summit?

There are three main ways that your organization can become involved in the Summit. First, your organization can submit a proposal to the Call for Presentations to be included in a panel or workshop offered at the Summit. The deadline for the Call for Presentations is June 12, 2009. Second, your organization can be a sponsor of the Summit through one of the many sponsorship levels or as a promotional partner. Sponsorship opportunities range in price from $25,000 to $5,000 and benefits can be customized to meet your organization’s specific needs. A full list of sponsorship opportunities and promotional partner benefits is included on the Summit website at www.GCECS2009.com. Third, your organization can register to attend the Summit and hear from national and international thought-leaders in the creative economy and learn best practices and programs that can be implemented in your region.

How can you register for the Summit and what are the benefits of registering?

Your registration for the Summit will give you unlimited access to two days worth of panels, workshops, networking opportunities, keynote presentations and receptions in one of the most creative, innovative and culturally diverse cities in the United States – Philadelphia. Not only will you meet and experience the most cutting-edge, dynamic speakers and presenters, but you will see, first-hand, the many creative places and resources in Philadelphia. Summit attendees will travel throughout the City, absorbing the rich culture and unique venues all while gaining insight into many best practices of thriving creative economies. Don’t think that the Summit is all work and no play! As part of your full registration you will also gain entrance into the receptions happening both nights of the Summit. On Monday you will be treated to a keynote presentation as well as a networking reception. Tuesday night will be strictly dedicating to celebrating the close of a great Summit and the new connections made here.

The cost to attend the Summit is only $225 and includes breakfast, lunch and dinner for both days of the Summit, as well as access to all Summit-related panels, workshops, presentations and tours.  To register, visit www.GCECS2009.com.

Can individuals still be involved with the Summit who cannot pay the $225 registration fee?

Yes, volunteers are critical to the success of the Summit. In 2006 over 80 regional students, entrepreneurs, professionals, artists and interested citizens volunteered their time at the Summit and in exchange were able to experience the broad spectrum of speakers, workshops, networking receptions and keynote presentations. We will be using volunteers again to help facilitate all the moving parts of the Summit. Volunteers do everything from working registration to directing attendees to rooms and transportation to assisting speakers with their sessions. Volunteers are what makes the Summit operate seamlessly and smoothly.

Volunteers are required to commit to four (4) hours of service and in return will receive a complementary full registration to the Summit. Because of the great interest in the Volunteer Program, Innovation Philadelphia cannot guarantee that everyone who signs up to volunteer will be accommodated. Volunteers will be selected based on their availability and needs of the Summit. Innovation Philadelphia reserves the right to revoke the Volunteer Program at any time for any reason and makes no guarantee that an offer of volunteer assistance will be accepted. To register to volunteer, visit www.GCECS2009.com and click “Get Involved.”