Creative Meeting Space in NYC & Columbus, OH

I know that you can't always get to Chicago for your meeting and finding creative meeting space seems to be the country's best kept secret, so I thought I would start introducing you to some of our friends in this selective niche. Yes, there's this underground group of us who all believe that environment is an incredibly important component of having a more effective and productive meeting. The visionary who started it all is Mark Henson. He opened sparkspace in Columbus, OH about 10 years ago and has continued to evolve his space and offers incredible teambuilding programs -- when's the last time you got to "play" with an army of Mr. Potatoheads? I never have and now I can't get the thought out of my mind. I may have to order an army of my own! Mark is incredibly creative and will help any group have a fantastic day(s) out of the office.

Then there's Wendy Friedman of SohoSoleil in NYC. Wendy manages a whole host of really cool loft spaces in Soho. If you look closely, you might recognize some of them from various fashion and home photos you have have come across in magazines. Wendy's spaces are highly coveted by photographers with incredible views and lighting. That's why they make a great space to have a meeting in the middle of NYC -- what's more exciting than getting to hang out in a NYC loft in Soho, surrounded by floor to ceiling windows. Wendy and her team are super friendly and hospitable, lavishing care and attention upon all of their clients.

There's a few more cool spots out there that I'm happy to share. So, give a call if you have a need for a cool space to take your team.

FONT OF CREATIVITY!

Here at Catalyst Ranch we are always looking for inspirational ideas, thoughts and environmental elements to ignite creativity. One of the best ways that I have found to foster creativity is to change environments and try new ways to find my "Creative Zone."

I thought it would be fun to ask two other creative experts where they find their inspiration and why it works for them. Gregg Fraley, author of Jack's Notebook and Lennie Rose, CEO, Big Ooga provided insight and thoughtful suggestions on where they find inspiration and why it works for them.

Gregg writes:

I go for a long walk in the woods or in a park for inspiration. Why? Because it's a great way to clear the mind of distractions and a way to purposefully incubate. I don't go out for a walk and try to think of things, I go out for a walk and try Not to think of things. Usually, things come to me that I would never "get to" if I were trying to be logical/analytical.

Lennie writes:

I wake up inspired. Having made the choice to build the Big Ooga life continues to expand. I'm awed and inspired by the people around me. They make me laugh and reach. I mine creativity from two directions - spontaneous expression and instinctive response. Ideas come to me and I give them permission to exist. You've got to put it out there to find out if it will work.

Lennie adds: (I loved this!)

Creativity is a spontaneous combustion of permission and fantasy refusing to be silenced by doubt.

Please add to our Font of Creativity. It doesn't stop here! We would love to include your inspirations and suggestions in future blogs. Remember you can always contact me directly at sandy@catalystranch.com.