You're invited to come let go of the day-to-day grind and focus on what's possible for your success. Join us for an engaging three days full of networking, fun, learning, and excellent company, if we do say so ourselves! We're bringing together some of our industry's thought leaders as well as Chief Growth Officer from Trend Hunter, Jonathon Brown, to get you thinking outside the box!
Jonathon Brown
Chief Growth Officer - Trend Hunter
Jonathon Brown is an expert in maximizing the innovation potential of ambitious companies. After hundreds of interviews with global innovation leaders, Jonathon has uncovered methods for sparking creativity and systematic innovation across many industries. He shares these reusable techniques through captivating keynotes backed by real use case examples. Jonathon started at Trend Hunter in 2012 on the editorial team, where he wrote over 1,000 articles, garnering 6 million views. Along with his keynote, Jonathon doubles as Future Festival Emcee at the world’s highest rated innovation conference. Throughout his career, he’s served as an innovation keynote speaker for clients such as Cisco and Walmart, as well as events such as The Market Research Event, Omni-Shopper, Future Trends and Back-End Innovation.
Learn how the “elements of an innovator” can be found by studying the “4 elements of hip hop” (DJ, MC, Breakdancing and Graffiti). Using hip hop as a lens to find innovation lessons, this keynote collides worlds to find common ground and new insight. With a fresh take on Trend Hunter’s Create the Future framework, the session delivers tactical takeaways for tomorrow’s innovators.
Leaders today are under increased pressure to find winning innovation strategies, but there are few avenues to learn how others do it. Jonathon will expand upon his keynote from day one to open up day two with tactics to take back to work with you.
IT Nation Innovation Director, Strategy - ConnectWise
Part of leaving a business and personal legacy requires mental health and wellness. Scott will share his own personal journey to inspire you to build an innovative future amongst the chaos and the unknown of the future.
VP & Managing Director of Sales - GreatAmerica Financial Services
Lee joins us to wrap up our three days together with time for reflection in a group round-table. He will challenge you to think about starting with the future in mind. What do you want the legacy of your company to be? Lee will also give an update on the digital transformation happening at GreatAmerica.
The best bonding and information sharing can happen when we let our guards down and have some fun. On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 20, kick back, and have some fun with your peers and GreatAmerica friends. Choose from the three activities below.
Spend an afternoon on the green and get to know your colleagues.
Kick back and relax at a local spa this afternoon.
Give back to the local community GreatAmerica calls home by working in the Feed Iowa First gardens to provide healthy food to those in need.
If you have questions about Connection Point, contact your GreatAmerica rep, or email Holly Webster at hwebster@greatamerica.com for more information.
The first day, Tuesday, starts at 4:00 p.m. CDT with a welcome reception. The welcome reception will take place at The Hotel Kirkwood followed by our Keynote Speaker, Jonathon Brown. It will conclude with cocktails and dinner. Days two and three will start at 8:00 a.m. CDT at the GreatAmerica Financial Services Headquarters with day two including afternoon activities and dinner. Day three (Thursday) will wrap up at noon CDT.
This is a professional event, so be prepared with business casual attire for onsite events. Attire for activities, such as golf, the spa, and volunteering, should be activity appropriate, and more casual attire is acceptable. A sport jacket is suggested (but not required) for dinner at the Cedar Rapids Country Club.
Dinner will be provided on Tuesday/day one. Day two will include all meals. Day three includes breakfast and a boxed lunch.
Connection Point provides a great forum for you to meet with peers to discuss best practices, challenges, and other issues affecting your business. While this event is part of our commitment to help our customers prosper, we appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your business and industry so we can become an even better business partner.
We take care of all your needs during your time in Cedar Rapids - including your travel accommodations, ground transportation, and meals. Your home base while you are in Cedar Rapids is The Hotel at Kirkwood Center. Transportation to and from our office and activities is provided via charter bus.
Participation in Connection Point only costs you your full participation and attention during sessions.
Engage and network with industry leading peers
Spend time with GreatAmerica senior leaders and core team members
Thought leadership sessions from Trend Hunter's Jonathon Brown
Dedicated time to work on your business instead of in your business
Make time for fun at "the only event that I make sure I never miss!" (Brad Kerr, Sunset Technologies)
Fill out the form below to reserve your seat.