This month I applied for a role to work with NZ entreprenuer and social thinker Derek Handley as his COO. The campaign to find his right hand man was called #theshouldertap. It was intended to encourage those who are passionate about NZ's growth and making a social difference through business to put their ideas on the table and turn them into reality.
After making it through the initial application process I was shortlisted for the role. The next part of the process was to recognise a problem in NZ and how you would go about solving it.
Derek and I had spoken a few years back about an entrepreneurial 'Summit' style event in NZ - a conference to attract the brightest and best people from around NZ together to network, converse and leave inspired for their journey.
Being part of the final stages of the Shoulder Tap gave me a good chance to flesh out my idea for the Phoenix Summit, and you can see my brief on the concept. You can also see my video submission, where we were asked to pitch our idea while out of our comfort zone.
As it stands, I didn't make it through to the final list of candidates to help assist Derek in his vision. Being LA based and with my own number of creative projects on the go, I have no doubt they will find a more suitable candidate to help realise some of Derek's vision.
However we have already been speaking offline about bringing this idea to fruition in some form. Watch this space!
THE PHOENIX SUMMIT
The Problem
If we intend to grow as a nation, NZ’s future
needs to be built on strong foundations.
We need to make educated decisions about our path forward. We need to be
engaged with and discuss real world issues and their implications at a local
level. We need to motivate others in
this journey. We need to be inspired. We need to innovate.
To do this NZ entreprenuers, doers,
thinkers and leaders need a community. They need a forum for inspiration. They need
to share stories of success. They need confidence and support. They need strong
personal and professional networks. They need to be engaged in real social
issues and how to solve them.
Our future leaders also needs mentors to
inspire, provide vision, clarity and pass on their experience.
We need the future of NZ to rise up as one.
We need The Phoenix Summit.
What?
The Phoenix Summit will be annual gathering
of minds at a 3-day conference to address such issues. The Summit will be take
place in Hawke’s Bay at the end of each summer. It will be held in the shoulder
season to work in with our strategic partners around event tourism.
Potential delegates will apply to attend.
They will have to show they are embodiment of action. They need to be positive,
engaged, with a global vision for NZ and its place in the world. They need to
be ambitious and enthusiastic.
The inaugural Summit of only 50-100
delegates will take place in 2015. The first sessions will start on a Friday and
run through until Sunday night. Delegates
will hear stories about local and global issues, inspiring outlooks, and enlightening
perspectives from world-class speakers. They will be encouraged to share their
own stories and journeys with each other over the course of the weekend.
It won’t be all work though. Delegates will
get to experience some of the best of what NZ has to offer. There will be break
out modules on offer wine tasting, fishing charters and surfing. Live music by
some of the best local and international acts will keep the conversations last
long into the night. The Summit will be catered by fresh local food and wine.
How will it be scalable?
The Phoenix Summit will become a must
attend for anyone looking to make a difference in NZ. It will become a hot bed
for innovation, with high level and educated discussions, and most all fun.
Because if it is not fun its not worth doing!
The Phoenix Summit will start small to set
the initial vision. It will grow fast but at a manageable rate. We want to engage as many young leaders attend
the Summit as possible, but ensuring they are the right characters to help
ensure the ethos and mission of the conference.
In time the Phoenix Summit will become a
global brand. It will put NZ on the map in terms of leadership, addressing
global issues, and innovation. It will be a unique reason for young thinkers
and leaders to visit NZ.
There could even be an opportunity to help
take NZ’s leading Summit off shore in future. E.g. Phoenix Fiji
Partners
The Phoenix will integrate other link-minded
partners already operating in this space.
First up the Icehouse who already run incubator
and mentoring programs aimed at entrepreneurs and SME owners. They will assist
with designing the program and selecting relevant speakers and delegates.
Tourism NZ will be a big strategic partner.
They have been tasked with increasing ultra high net worth visitors to NZ.
These people will be sourced to both speak and attend. From successful and
established business people, up and coming tech visionaries, political leaders
to sports stars. A rich and colourful tapestry of speakers and guests will be
invited to attend and experience what NZ has to offer around the Phoenix
Summit.
We will also work closely with other business
groups such as KEA, Entrepreneurs Organistion, Global Woman to promote the
event and select the kind of delegates we want the Phoenix Summit to attract.
The Phoenix Summit will align with the
Summit Series in the US. The organisers will be invited to attend. We will send
delegates over to attend their events and work closer to share resources,
ideas, programs and contacts.
We will also align with local bodies such
as Hawkes Bay Tourism and Napier City Council to ensure smooth event management
and local engagement.
Finally
The Phoenix Summit will be fresh and fun. It
will be inspiring and different.
Let’s see NZ’s leadership, innovation, and entrepreneur
culture rise up.
See you at The Phoenix Summit 2015.
