Images by Jeremy Lim

Wow! That was fun! The 2011 conference was an smash hit! Check-out Jeremy Lim’s Flickr set to get a feel for what took place and who was mixing it up! I’ve posted my opening remarks on CorwinHiebert.com.

This event would not have happened without the leadership and support of the following people:

• Eileen Rothe (super duper Co-Producer extraordinaire)
• Boca del Lupo (Presenting partners who are to cool for school: Jay Dodge, Sherry Yoon, Carey Dodge, Kent Gallie, Craig Laven)
• The Roundhouse (Marie Lopes, Matt Frankish, and “The Crew” – not a rap group)
• Stephanie Kirby (the masterful event planner, make-things-happen-girl)
• Destin Fall Haynes (making the deep-end look like a walk in the park)
• All our volunteers! Oh man! What would we have done without you!
• Jeremy Lim (memory maker and fabulous picture taker)
• Michelle Sexton (Ethical Bean‘s coffee ambassador and bringer of ‘the good stuff’ – no, not that kind)
• Bruno Gerves (Firefly Wines & Ales for the good, GOOD stuff – yep, that kind)
• Kyle N. (Savoury Chef Foods – yum yummies – and all that!)
• Crissy Arseneau (bringin’ the Opus Art Supply action for exhibitor Jose Rivas)
• Jasper Sloan Yip (Mr. music has got the skills yo!)
• Maria in the Shower (groovy tunes made that beer go fast)

Posted by Corwin Hiebert

Jeff Harrison has hog-tied Ian Grais and shipped him to Mexico in a barrel full of Skittles candy. He’s claimed the Rethink (Agency) spot on the roster and is the lead-off keynote presenter at CREATIVEMIX 2011. His clients have included Solo Mobile, Dose, The Canadian Press, Coast Capital Savings, The Contemporary Art Gallery, Bootlegger, Opus Hotel and Alliance Atlantis. Jeff’s work in print, identity, packaging and branded retail environments has been featured internationally in design periodicals and award shows such as Communication Arts, AR100, London International Awards, Ad and Design Club, Applied Arts, New York Festivals, Print Magazine, How Magazine, I.D., Creativity, Graphis and The One Show. In 2009 he was nominated for a Grammy award.

By the way – The Grow Project has been added to the CREATIVE EX. This public art project situated on the periphery of the Olympic Village in South East False Creek, Vancouver. Presented by Other Sights – a non-profit society dedicated to challenging perceptions, encouraging discourse and promoting individual perspectives about shared social spaces.

Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday!

Posted by Corwin Hiebert

How’s this for a groovy giveaway! The next eight people who register for CREATIVEMIX get a free 340g bag of freshly roasted organic/fairtrade Ethical Bean coffee. The MIX Lounge is anchored by this amazing Vancouver-based roasting company and not only do they serve up great coffee (by donation) throughout the day but they have those crazy yummy mini-donuts! Ah ya! Ready, set, sign-up!

CREATIVITY AND COLLABORATION TAKE CENTRE STAGE
Artists and Creative Workers Gather for a Professional Development Mash-up

(Vancouver, BC) – Vancouver’s leading creatives agree that industry inbreeding is so very old-school (in a bad way). Success as an artist or creative professional requires a diverse skill set and a broad network. Enter CREATIVEMIX – Vancouver’s only annual ideation conference. Thursday November 3rd Vancouver-based idea makers, movers, and shakers will gather to share their experience and explore the common thread of creativity and collaboration. The heavy-hitting lineup of 8 keynote speakers includes actor and writer Hiro Kanagawa (story editor on the acclaimed CBC dramas Da Vinci’s Inquest, Da Vinci’s City Hall, and Intelligence and currently works for the gritty rez drama Blackstone) who will be presenting a keynote message titled: Terminal City on the Trans-Cyberian: Why and How Vancouver can be a Global Hub for Transmedia Production.

This conference, in its third year, is no longer Vancouver’s best-kept secret. CREATIVEMIX has earned its mark as the breeding ground for creative innovation, education, and interdisciplinary networking. Other conference presenters include TJ Galda, Senior CG Supervisor (Electronic Arts Canada) who’s personal credits include work on feature films like Shark Tale, Kung Fu Panda, and Fantastic Four; as well as, Ian Grais (ReThink Canada) whose art direction is ranked #1 in Canada ten years running.

Other keynote sessions include talks from Bruce Haden (architect), Graeme Berglund (co-founder of The Cheaper Show), Dave Delnea (photographer), Dr. Ben Kadel (social physiologist), and Mara Gottler (costume design). “Too many creative people are isolated in their work, either in their craft or industry” says CREATIVEMIX co-producer Corwin Hiebert “It’s our ability and willingness to be creative within the context community that will elevate our work to a place where it can get noticed and make a difference”.

The big buzz around the conference is the CREATIVEX: a free showcase featuring displays of ideas, projects and collaborations from a diverse array of disciplines. Open to the general public, the exhibit will feature works from various artists including the next generation of creative leaders from Capilano University’s IDEA program, Langara College, and VanArts. Fine artist Jose Rivas will be in-action as he produces in real-time an interactive painting installation (in partnership with Opus Art Supplies).

Anchored by a pop-up Ethical Bean Coffee shop and a performance stage, the MIXLounge is at the centre of it all; live music performances are by indie-folk rocker Jasper Sloan Yip and the eclectic sounds of Maria in the Shower. This networking venue is a great place to connect with likeminded creatives.

CREATIVEMIX is a one-day Ideation Conference held on Thursday, November 3rd 9am to 6 pm in Yaletown’s Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. The cost to register is $99 and includes lunch and refreshments, passes to attend the keynote sessions, workshops, as well as the “Think & Drink” post-event networking event. CREATIVEX, the creative exhibition is free and open to the general public from 9:00-4:00 pm. The conference is co-presented by Corwin Hiebert and Eileen Rothe (Red Wagon Management) and Boca del Lupo. For more information, visit www.creativemix.ca.

Media Want to Attend? Got Questions?
Co-Producer: Corwin Hiebert
Cell: 604-803-2019
Office: 604.569.6544

Download PDF: CREATIVEMIX 2011 Press Release

You’re going to love this! The last session ends at 4:15pm on Thursday, Nov.3 but that is not the end of things, it simply signals the begining one of the best after-parties ever! Okay, okay, I know it’s stupidly early for an after party but you’ll just have to deal with it. At least it will be dark outside.

The MIX Lounge stage will feature a cut-down version of Maria in the Shower – a folk cabaret band that brings groovy accordian, trumpet, guitar, and upright bass sounds together into an eclectic vibe that will make for an unbelieveable experience. I’ve seen them perform and they oooze culture and atmosphere. The Think & Drink reception is always a highlight for Eileen and I; not because the event is almost done or because at the end of a long day we want to drink beer (well….), it’s just freakin’ awesome to connect with everyone. The mingling and networking that takes place throughout the day is great but the Think & Drink is when ideas and collaborations really seem to really flow.

I hope to see you there! Well, you have to buy a conference pass to get in. So do that first, THEN I’ll see you there.

Posted by Corwin Hiebert

Warning – this is a *shameless promotional stunt – but I think you’ll really like it. Leave a comment on this blog post and you’ll be entered into a draw for a complimentary copy of Todd Henry’s new book The Accidental Creative.

But it’s not that easy. Your comment must include a tip, or a suggestion, about how to keep yourself awake and alert while staying up late to work on a project. You know… tips like, “I smack my forehead with a ruler every 9-minutes” or “I do push-ups but lick the carpet every third one”… or maybe something less violent or disgusting. Whatever you do to burn the midnight oil we want to hear about it

This book is ideal for a wide range of people. Seriously. That being said, creative professionals and artists alike will benefit that much more. Being creative on-demand is no simple task, Todd Henry makes creative work easier and that’s a huge relief. It’s a very well-written book. His insights and action steps are like a guiding force, or should I say a “secret weapon”, for those of us who have to be inspired and productive. It’s an extremely thorough book and in my mind is like a business how-to book, meets textbook, meets self-help book, and it has bible-like qualities when it comes to how we work and live within the creative process. This book is a must-have. – Corwin Hiebert, Reviewed on Amazon.ca

Read Todd’s guest post “Heart Check” on Clamorate.com.

More About Todd: Todd Henry is the founder of Accidental Creative , a consultancy that helps creative people and teams generate brilliant ideas.  He regularly speaks and consults with companies, both large and small, about how to develop practices and systems that lead to everyday brilliance. He’s the man behind a brand new teamwork tool: Idea Traction; and Todd’s first book, The Accidental Creative: How To Be Brilliant at a Moment’s Notice is getting killer reviews – it will be available in stores July 2011. He currently resides in Cincinnati, OH with his wife Rachel and their three children.

Posted by Corwin Hiebert

*Cuz’ hey, when you’re trying to promote a conference WITHOUT posters or flyers or printing of any kind you’ve gotta do whatchya gotta do. So what’s your red-eye’d tip?

Bruce’s architectural and urban design work has been recognized globally (because he’s a big deal), particularly for the Governor General’s and World Architecture Festival winning design of the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre in Osoyoos (because it’s awesome). He has extensive experience in institutional, social services, residential, retail and First Nations projects (we’re okay with a little bragging) with work ranging widely from wastewater treatment plants (yuk) to cafes (yum).

FYI – Next week we’ll start talkin’ up our exhibitors so stay tuned! And if you dig the fact that we’re promoting the conference without the use of posters or printing of any kind… please help us spread the word by emailing your friends and co-workers (or “like” and “tweet” us) – thanks!

- Corwin Hiebert
Co-Producer, CREATIVEMIX

Image by www.julianfok.com

CREATIVEMIX is proud to announce Jasper Sloan Yip as a special musical guest at this year’s conference. He takes the MIX Lounge stage at 12:30pm – it’s a free concert BTW!

Dig his music? Then cast your vote before 5pm tomorrow! Visit The Peak Performance Project voting site!

I don’t know how to put this… but… they’re kind of a big deal.

Everyone in Vancouver knows that Thursday is when the Georgia Straight comes out. It’s a staple in coffee shops and offices, it’s the go-to rag for left-leaning rants, arts reviews, who’s hot, and the goods on music, events, and other local on-goings. The cover of the latest issue features chef David Robertson (Dirty Apron Cooking School) and it suddenly struck me… in the last few months three CREATIVEMIX alumnists (keynote speakers from either our 2009 or 2010 conferences) have be on the cover of The Straight! Steven Cox (Cause+Affect) and Dan Mangan (New Album – Oh Fortune) make up the rest of this cover boy trio.

I think that’s pretty damn cool.

I don’t really have a point here. I simply wanted to mention that our keynote speakers, both past and present, are top-dogs in Vancouver and we’re very proud, and honoured to have such a great roster of local talent who are willing to share their insights on creativity and collaboration. Each year our speaking team delivers the goods and I’m really excited about this upcoming conference! I hope you are too!

Hey – I wonder which of our 2011 speakers will end-up on an upcoming cover of The Straight?

Posted by Corwin Hiebert

Image by Jeremy Lim.

Interested in volunteering at this year’s CREATIVEMIX? If you’d like to join our event team simply complete the online volunteer sign-up form: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YVVD8CZ

There is a LOT going on at this event and we need a crew of volunteers that are ready to be busy but also have a great time. We believe that volunteering should be fun! As a “thank-you” we will provide you with a complimentary conference pass so that you can enjoy the event too! And don’t worry, we’ll provide you with yummy food and refreshments.

Our volunteer roles are broken out into 4-hour shifts, most of which are from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm; we’re happy to do what we can to work with your schedule. Volunteer positions will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.

Thanks again for considering being involved in!

- Eileen Rothe – Producer
eileen@creativemix.ca