The Future Creativity: Inspiration for All

BATAVIA, NY (03/23/2017) (readMedia)-- In honor of Leonardo da Vinci's 565th birthday, creative thinking and problem solving skills will be the focus of attention from many different fields by multiple speakers, presentations and breakout sessions at the fourth annual Creativity Conference at Genesee Community College. The half-day event is scheduled on Wednesday, April 18, 2017 from 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event opens with a keynote address by Ladi Terry, a well-known creativity practitioner, trainer and facilitator who also founded Success Work! and Creative Indiana.

In addition to Terry's keynote speech, this year's Creativity Conference includes a continental breakfast and morning breakout sessions followed by lunch. The following workshop topics will be presented by speakers in their respective areas of expertise:

• Brian Bell, Entrepreneur and President of First Wave Technologies - The Future of Entrepreneurship
• Maria Pesin, Fashion Consultant and Apparel Industry Executive – The Future of Fashion and Retailing
• Amy Slusser, GCC's Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management – The Future of Tourism & Sustainability
• Joe Ziolkowksi, GCC's Assistant Professor of Photography and Art – The Future of Photography
• James Bucki, GCC's Director of Information and Technology Programs and Assistant Professor - The Future of Technology
• Jodi Harvey, Director of GCC's Humanities and Human Services Programs/Assistant Professor – The Future of Mindfulness in Education
• JoNelle Toriseva, Director of English and Communication Arts/Assistant Professor, Doreen Bortle, Academic Support Assistant, and Shawn Adamson, Assistant Professor – The Future of Writing: Frame & Form
• Reid Smalley and Jennifer Wakefield, representatives from GCC's BEST Center – The Future of Agri-Business
• Nicole Brill, Graphic Designer and Resident Artist at The City Church in Batavia – The Future of Art

Ms. Terry brings 20+ years of experience in creative leadership and she is affiliated with a national movement bringing creative thinking and problem solving to the decision making tables. Her commitment to Creative Indiana paved the way in 2016 to launch the Innovation Network– monthly gatherings where participants engage, learn and do a variety of activities to spark creativity.

In addition, she helped launch the IDEAS Network in 2015 to help nonprofit organizations generate new ideas and direction to gain competency in the creative process. Ms. Terry also launched Creative Thinking and Leadership Classes (CTLC) in April 2014 to offer creative thinking and process training opportunities to the wider community.

From non-profits to educational institutions to small businesses, Ms. Terry collaborates with a diverse range of organizations, and she presents frequently at the Creative Problem Solving Institute, American Creativity Association, Creative Expert Exchange and numerous conferences and events.

She earned her Master's degree in Creativity and Change Leadership from the International Center for Studies in Creativity in Buffalo. This led to the development of the Power of Engagement Model © and PECOH survey that helps employers create vibrant solution-oriented workplaces, reduced turnover, improved job satisfaction, as well as growth in net income. She published her first book, "Celebrate the Messengers (Don't Shoot Them!)" in 2011, which was the prototype for her Creative Leadership series.

The cost is for the Creativity Conference is only $49, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and all conference materials. Registration is available online at http://www.genesee.edu/best/ under the 'View Classes' or go directly through this link: https://app3mid.genesee.edu/flexibleregistration/index.jsp?frc=BEST&q=creativity

Under the leadership and coordination of Dr. Lina LaMattina GCC's Director of Business Programs, the annual event continues to make creative thinking and creative problem solving not only part of GCC's academic culture, but also part of the community. She invited Ladi Terry to help continue the successful series of Creativity Conferences which began in 2013. This year the program is also part of the College's 50th Anniversary celebration.

Anyone who attended GCC's Creativity Conferences in the past shouldn't hesitate to enroll again, particularly with this year's diverse line-up of expertise with the various speakers. "Creativity is a skill that needs to be continually nurtured and developed," Dr. LaMattina said. "Once again we have a dynamic group of creative thinkers, planners, strategizers and doers and in a wide range of media.

"The ability to think and solve difficult problems creatively is essential to compete in this day and age. Learning to deliberately focus on the end users, whether they are new customers in another country, patients, clients, students or employees-creative thinking adds power to our work." LaMattina said. "Take the time to get out of your office or home, and recharge your imagination to think way beyond the box!"

For more information, contact Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6616, or via email: dsutherland@genesee.edu.

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