Creative Education Foundation (CEF) announced today the opening of registration for the 2019 Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI), a week-long event to be held at the University of Buffalo North Campus (NY) from June 18 through June 23, 2019. The longest-running conference for creativity, innovation and leadership training, CPSI is expected to draw hundreds of individuals from the corporate, non-profit, educational, and private sectors.
The Creative Problem Solving Institute welcomes individuals and representatives of organizations to immerse themselves in exploring a proven technique for embracing conversation, challenges, and change. Participants will engage in an array of interactive and engaging workshops geared toward personal and professional development, all centered around processes for fostering creative thinking and doing.
CEF executive director Beth Miller states, "Whether you are a teacher, a corporate executive or a lifelong learner, CPSI will give you an invigorating new way of bettering yourself and the world around you. Our conference has been a fun, inspiring and engaging opportunity to see problems for what they are: a chance to be creative."
Founded in 1954, the Creative Education Foundation is the recognized world leader in applied imagination. Alex Osborn, an advertising executive and educator, invented what is now called "brainstorming." Applied Imagination, Osborn's book detailing his vision for a creative approach to problem solving, continues to inspire the work of the organization (CEF) and conference (CPSI) that he founded.
Osborn joined forces with Sidney Parnes to develop the Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving process. For more than 60 years, CEF has been teaching adults and children how to use this proven brainstorming process to develop new ideas, solve complex problems, and implement innovative solutions. CPSI was launched in 1955 in Buffalo where it will be in residence for its 65th summer.
At CPSI, the governing principle is that everyone is creative and creative skills can be learned and enhanced. Through a deliberate application of creativity, individuals from ages 8 to 108 are invited to take a deeper dive into a hands-on/minds-on approach to tackling challenges faced in schools, workplaces, civic spaces, and home.
Michaela Gragert of Conagra Brands states, "Since my first exposure to CPSI in 2012, it has changed almost every aspect of my life. I use it daily in my personal life and, most profoundly, I've used it extensively in my professional life."
Interactive workshop topics include "Building Creative Organizations: From Leadership to Culture," "How Laughter Heals Trauma," "Sketchnotes: An Unexpected Tool for Learning," "Unexpected Empathy Insights," Unleash the Storyteller in You," and many more. In addition to workshops, there will be a keynote address and performance by Tony Award-nominated writer-choreographer-dancer Ted Louis Levy (Jelly's Last Jam, Bring in 'da Noise Bring in 'da Funk with Savion Glover).
A general immersion into Creative Problem Solving, professional tracks geared toward solving complex business challenges and YouthWise student tracks are available along with excursions, networking opportunities, and meals. Fees range from $350 to $2200 depending on length of conference attendance and corporate or individual status. Youth, student, and teacher registrations are steeply discounted. Acknowledging the benefit that Creative Problem Solving can have in a group dynamic, a 40% discount is available for teams of 4 or more.
On-campus residence hall housing is available on the campus of the University of Buffalo North Campus, located 12 miles from downtown Buffalo. Conference registrants can also take advantage of discount hotel rates by booking before mid-May via the CPSI website.
