Governor Mary Fallin of Oklahoma

I participated earlier this week in the Oklahoma Creativity Forum 2011. It was an impressively well staged event, as professional a creativity/innovation conference as I’ve seen anywhere in the world. Beyond event management, I have to say the conference had a great feeling, a gusher of creative spark and soul. Let me tell you why I liked it so much:

1. For what it symbolizes, commitment to creativity — The state of Oklahoma is actually doing something about it’s own future. Not many states, countries, or cities move so boldly into action on the resource that is the well-spring of all innovation. The conference — and the state — clearly understand that you don’t get innovation without it’s pre-requsite, creativity. Governor Mary Fallin’s appearance and talk at lunch underscored this choice, as did the participation of so many notable citizens such as Bart Connor, Desmond Mason, Aubrey McClendon, and new arrival Robert Sternberg — to name just a few.

2. Diversity and openness — Sadly, many creativity conferences while open in theory to anyone, are in practice only available to the affluent. By making the conference a one day event, and by keeping the registration fee low, there was diverse participation. Students, teachers, artists, small business people, native and African American’s — as well as bank CEO’s — attended and benefited from the conference content. Creative scholar Richard Florida has made the link between cultural openness and economic development, and this is why the diversity on display at Creative Oklahoma is such a good signal for the future of Oklahoma. Will Rogers would have approved.

3. Inspirational and substantial content — The lunch keynote by CEO of Whole Foods John Mackey was an impressive talk that linked creativity to business success in a heartfelt way. Aubrey McClendon’s local perspective and wit balanced Mackey’s seriously loving tone. How often do you hear a pair of CEO’s talking about love? The opening panel, which I was hosted, included Ken Grant a dynamic innovation executive at OGE Energy Corp, as well as a highly inventive physician, Dr. David Albert (of iPhone ECG fame). Desmond Mason, former NBA player and artist had some interesting views on creative thinking and self expression. Who knew the creativity sage Robert Sternberg was so funny? Sternberg had the audience laughing with great stories but also applauding the need for creativity in schools.

Closing keynoter Kevin Carroll of Red Rubber Ball fame inspired the audience with a remarkable story, and an unparalleled display of storytelling, he is an incredible public speaker. In the breakout sessions I was delighted to see the up and coming guru of creativity Tamara Christensen paired with my CPSI colleague University of Central Oklahoma’s Cynthia Rolfe. I couldn’t see all the sessions, but a diverse and well selected cast of expert speakers (including yours truly…I talked about Holistic Innovation). Forgive the incomplete list, but I’m sorry I missed Bulent Atalay, Devery Youngblood, Ramona Paul, Jay Martin, James Catterall, Peter Gamwell, Sarah Staton, Kristin Zimmerman, and John Cimino.

Oklahoma’s creativity is on the rise if this is any indication. Kudos to the conference organizers and board, especially, Susan McCalmont, President, and staff members Cassie Haffner and Ryan Waters — simply very well done.