In the meetings and events industry, where fresh ideas are vital to creating successful programs, creativity needs to be paramount. So when I was invited to speak at the Smart Meetings Event in Seattle last week, I jumped at the chance. I knew I’d find a receptive audience, one that would resonate with my topic of Harnessing Your Creative Power.

I don’t really offer traditional speaking presentations, as much as interactive experiences that help folks rediscover their innate creative ability by participating. Whether I’m speaking to a group of 100 or 1,000, the experience is much like my team building programs in that everyone contributes through creative exercise.

Team Building Goals for Seattle

  • This group needed an educational presentation; meaning a presentation with take-aways, with something learned and guidelines for applying the learning to work life
  • This group needed a presentation that was engaging and fun; a draw, a crowd pleaser
  • This group needed a 45 minute session that would be a catalyst for a day of networking and work

The Experience

It’s not about me, the speaker. It’s about you, the audience.

We all dive right in as audience members create thematic ideas encompassing the common experience of that particular day. In this case, groups of two came up with song titles that communicated one important aspect of the Smart Meetings event they were attending. After I ran around the room (I can cover a lot of ground), asking everyone to share ideas, we had laughed a lot, gotten to know each other better and filled our display screen with great ideas. By the end of my brief presentation, this group created a song chorus reflecting who they are, and why they were there.

Team Building Takeaways

  • I want audience members to live it, to see it, to dive into it – before I talk about it
  • Once you’ve been part of a creative activity, you realize how creative you are
  • You realize the step by step process is obtainable because you’ve just obtained it – you’ve created something!
  • At that point, I don’t mind drawing some conclusions and offering take-aways
  • At that point, blah blah blah becomes yah yah yah!

About Billy Kirsch

Billy is a Grammy & Emmy nominated, CMA & ACM award winning songwriter with numerous Top 10 hits to his credit. His team building programs and keynote speaking presentations help people tap into their creative abilities to become more innovative and engaged in their work. Clients include Fortune 100 companies and organizations throughout the world.