Crowne Plaza Innovator Series

Some of you have asked me what I was doing for Crowne Plaza in London.

I was chosen as a "Crowne Plaza Innovator for 2008." That essentially means I was a paid spokesman for their brand. This is part of Crowne Plaza's ongoing "Innovator" series (for the 82 European Crowne Plaza properties).

I ended up doing 22 radio, magazine, and newspaper interviews, and also two seminars for several of their clients.

Here's a link to one of my favorite interviews that came out of this: from the Times (of London).

My main message is that when you plan a meeting, in addition to the space, Audio-visual and catering requirements, you should also be thinking about how engaged your meeting participants are. To help you, Crowne Plaza has created the "Think Box" which has a set of tools (including the Creative Whack Pack  and Ball of Whacks) to stimulate creativity for meetings.

It was fun talking about creativity and innovation!

[Photo by Ash Knotek]

Comments

[Hal Sharpe]

I like the way the photographer caught the shadow of the Ball of Whacks. You can tell it's a hexagon.

[Luc Debaisieux - mindblob]

Hey Roger,
WOW! CONGRATULATIONS! What a fantastic extension to your work. Above the fact that "being chosen" for such a project is indeed a very rewarding achievement, I think that the idea behind this is very interesting. It brings a new dimension to a business trip and the time you spend in your hotel room (like before or in-between meetings). Great to see the Crowe Plaza Think Tank site also. Man you are a star... -woops! correction- ...even better and more unique... a shining rhombic triacontahedron! ; )

[Roger von Oech]

Hal: Yes, it is quite a hexagon.

LUC: Thanks for the kind words.

[Lisa]

Roger, what a great article. Do they mean, Sacred Cow (vs. Scared??). Creative spelling by journalists, right? It was great to see you and your pack, and Dave has not stopped playing with your latest in process invention. Thanks! Hugs, Lisa