Catalyzing the Creative Economy
Thursday, October 5th, 2023
Time: 8:30AM-1PM
The Beverly O'Neill Theater
Long Beach Convention Center
What is Unexpected Connections?
For over 17 years as an event series (previously Imprint Culture Lab), Unexpected Connections has brought together inventive people thinking across industries and bringing positive change — all those who are seeing, making, and facilitating unexpected connections.
Through a series of global culture conferences and dinners, Unexpected Connections has built a wide nexus of thinkers, doers, makers of things, poised to initiate cultural vectors and connect the dots between segment, market and industry.
Unexpected Connections is produced by Intertrend Lab and Creative Class Collective
Sunstone is excited to launch the Long Beach Venture Fund to empower future growth in this amazing city.
“The creative economy drives innovation, develops talent, and creates social impact, making it a critical force for economic growth and sustainable development.”
AUDREY AZOULAY
Director, General of UNESCO
Picture a thriving hub of creativity and innovation that attracts industry leaders, empowers local startups and small businesses, and offers new job opportunities for the community. With a little effort, Long Beach, once thought of as just another city, has the potential to become a true destination. By building a dynamic creative economy, Long Beach can fuel unprecedented economic growth and attract new residents to this community. We'll take inspiration and guidance from successful cities and connect with the visionaries who shape these prosperous urban landscapes. Join us in envisioning a new era of growth and prosperity in Long Beach.
How can we unlock the power of creative industries as accelerators of economic growth? Explore how arts and culture can propel a city's vitality, learn from successful examples, and discuss public-private collaborations to support creative industries.
Event Overview
Main Talks and Panels
How can we unlock the power of creative industries as accelerators of economic growth? Explore how arts and culture can propel a city's vitality, learn from successful examples, and discuss public-private collaborations to support creative industries. We will hear from deeply venture backed Meow Wolf, who is successfully building cultural layers in communities with immersive experiential art. We’ll learn how Shinola came into Detroit ten years ago because they recognized the raw potential of a vibrant city culture. The urban planners, designers, architects, and placemakers will share how they can mastermind a future Long Beach. This will be grounded with esteemed economists showing us the numbers in how the creative industry ecosystem truly speaks for itself.
Placemaking Showcase
Learn about placemaking initiatives in the city and the community movements that they are fueling. Hear from several successful founders and their case studies as real catalysts for change.
Opportunities to Invest
Hear an exciting announcement about city’s new initiatives and commitment to foster economic opportunities in the City of Long Beach by establishing the City of Long Beach as a crucial center for innovation by attracting 100 startups, promoting investment, supporting entrepreneurship, and engaging with the community.
Field Trip
Experience a two-hour whirlwind field trip to two transformative Long Beach organizations, The MAYE Center and Sowing Seeds of Change. Uncover the secrets of self-healing and wellness at The MAYE Center, leveraging meditation, agriculture, yoga and education. Next, witness first-hand how Sowing Seeds of Change empowers our youth with vocational training and reshapes our local food system through sustainable farming methods. An immersive journey highlighting the nexus of resilience, innovation and economic elevation. Don't miss it.
Event Venue & Parking
Creative Class Collective
Arts and culture that is accessible for all.
Creative Class Collective programs focus on developing creativity through community engagement and making a needed impact on the lives of those working in creative industries. Creative Class Collective creates spaces that encourage collaboration, centered on the belief that connection is an engine of creation.
Intertrend Lab
Intertrend Lab engages ourselves and others in deeper conversations about race, identity, culture and communication. As a driving force for cultural events and business ventures, Intertrend Lab deepens our understanding of the needs and motivations of our community and fuels the important cultural insights which drive our creative campaigns.
Long Beach Economic Partnership
LBEP is an action-oriented organization that will sustain, grow business, and expand citywide economic opportunities with a global vision that is locally focused through meaningful partnerships. We firmly believe that a simple strategy, unwavering focus and deliberate actions will allow us to deliver on our vision for dependable growth.
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