Cre8con – the Portland Creative Conference
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Cre8con 2020 has been canceled and we have no current plans for a virtual event in 2020.
AUGUST UPDATE: We have decided to postpone Cre8con until 2021. We are no longer planning a virtual event for 2020. Cre8con, the Portland Creative Conference, is an exploration and celebration of the creative process across all creative industries. We feature keynote presentations by leading creatives who take you inside their creative process, show their work, and talk about their projects, problems, influences and inspirations. Bring your team (discounts available) or just bring yourself–either way you won’t leave the same as you arrived. You’ll be inspired and motivated in new ways, viewing your world with a fresh perspective. The event is a non-profit fundraiser for youth arts education programs in Oregon.
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In post-event surveys from 2015-2017, 91% of attendees say they are either “Extremely Likely”, “Very Likely” or “Likely” to recommend the event to colleagues
What do attendees have to say about the event? Here are some testimonials.
“As a first time attendee I wasn’t sure what to expect from this event. While these speakers weren’t in my line of work I found their personal work journeys fascinating and relative to any career path and/or job function. Too often we take the safe path or pay less focus on the receiving audience for a multitude of reasons. This event was a great inspiration…”
Marci Neilsen, Xerox
“The Creative Conference to me is a unique and wonderful experience. It not only is packed with inspirational speakers, but also congregates great energy and excellent people from Portland. Prepare yourself for a day of replenishing positive vibes, for speakers with great success and stories, and for the after-party that makes a difference for your network.”
David Pan, FashioNXT
“It doesn’t matter what line of work you’re in or where you’re at in life, this conference is for everyone. You WILL take away something that you can utilize immediately. Motivation and inspiration can come from diverse sources, don’t miss an opportunity to grow. You never discover what this conference has in store for you until you experience it for yourself.”
Zack G-L, What's Up This Weekend
When you experience a day of visionaries from a variety of creative disciplines taking you to the heart of their creative process–sharing their stories, challenges, influences and output–you will leave truly inspired and thinking about your world in a fresh new way. It’s a vacation for your brain.
This is a unique opportunity to expand your network across a variety of creative industries professionals. We will be in one place at one time for one reason: to explore and celebrate the creative process. The schedule includes plenty of networking opportunities such as the attendee receptions on Friday night after the main event.
It’s not just about the great speakers. You will be treated to music, food and drink throughout the day and into the evening at the two attendee receptions (Wieden+Kennedy and the Wacom Experience Center).
Something special happened when the Armory was remodeled and became the Gerding Theater. The space, and the surrounding Pearl District neighborhood, feels like it was tailor-made to harness and amplify creative energy.
This event would not be possible without the financial support of our sponsors. Thank you!
These companies have provided products or services at no cost or at a discounted rate to support our non-profit fundraising efforts. Thank you!
Capitol City Video (video production & editing)
Swider Haver LLP (legal services)
MeyerPro (show audio/video)
Brightside Engagement (social marketing)
Premier Press (printing)
Full Sail Brewing Co. (beer sponsor)
Mother’s Bistro (VIP hospitality)
The Short List (creative networking)
ClientJoy (Speaker gifts)
WiLine Networks (WiFi access)
pdxMindShare (promotion)
Presenters.io (show slides)
SpeedPro Portland (signage)
Sandstrom Partners (original logo design)
Oakley Design Studios (logo refresh)
Steve Donatelli (Keeping the Arts logo design)
Xinnia (website management)
XPLANE (graphic recording)
Invisible Harness (video production)
Lucid Meetings (online meeting platform)
ShareNow [formally car2go] (carsharing)
Unfortunately, we have decided to cancel Cre8con for 2020. We are planning a new type of virtual event for 2020 on the previously announced date for Cre8con.
The registration fees for 2021 have not been finalized yet. In 2019 the main conference event cost was $169 per person. The main event registration does not include access to the Workshops, those will require separate registration fees.
Please see the “Directions & Parking” page on the Portland Center Stage website.
This event is a non-profit, volunteer-driven fundraiser for youth arts education programs in Oregon through Keeping the Arts (KTA), an Oregon-based 501(c)3 non-profit. After event expenses have been covered, this is how the majority of registration proceeds will be used. As of February 2020, KTA has granted over $160,000 to such programs.
We have always served lunch at the main Cre8con event, but we can’t confirm for this year until we finalize who our Lunch Co-Sponsors will be. As long as we have Lunch Co-Sponsors, we will include gluten-free and vegan options.
There will be no lunches served at the Cre8con-affiliated Workshops.
Gerding Theater at the Armory
128 NW 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
Doors open at 8:00am for check-in
Program runs from 9:00am – 5:00pm, followed by an after-party
Use the form below, or send email to:
Phone: 971.270.0338
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
If you have any questions about the event, please contact us using the form below.
* Speakers subject to change without notice