Polina Osherov, Pattern Inc
Isaac Bamgbose, New City Development
Josh Richardson, Indiana Economic Development Corp.
Karen Radcliff, Hamilton County Tourism

Designing Places Where Creativity is BIG Business

Indiana has invested heavily in place-based development — parks, trails, theaters, districts, public spaces, and mixed-use projects. But the real value of those investments depends on what happens next: the people who gather there, the creative activity that animates them, the businesses they support, and the social connections they make possible.

Carol Coletta, Bloomberg Public Innovation Fellow and nationally recognized leader in public space and civic innovation, will help us think about how creativity expressed through place can drive foot traffic, talent attraction, local business activity, civic trust, and long-term economic value. Her keynote will challenge Indiana leaders to ask not just what we build physically, but what we build socially, creatively, and economically.

Carol Coletta

Moderated Q&A with Richard McCoy

Indiana’s creative industries generate billions in economic activity, yet they have historically lacked the coordinated policy voice enjoyed by other major sectors. This conversation will explore how industries build influence, develop credible policy priorities, and engage effectively with business and government leaders—and what CELA can learn as it works to strengthen the creative economy’s voice in Indiana.

Moderator: Adam Collins
Speakers: Taylor Hughes, Adam Berry, & Andrea Richter-Garry

How Creative Ideas Become New Products, Business Growth, and Economic Value

Every innovation begins with a creative act: recognizing an unmet need, making an unexpected connection or imagining a better solution. Through real-world examples, this conversation explores how ideas are tested, refined and brought to market—and what leaders can do to create more room for creativity to generate measurable business and economic value.

Speakers: Tim George + Christopher ‘Toph’ Day

Carmel and Elkhart enter the creative economy from very different starting points. Mayors Sue Finkam and Rod Roberson discuss how their cities are building upon existing strengths, creating new economic opportunities and confronting the challenges of turning creative assets into lasting businesses, jobs and growth.

Moderator: John Fernandez
Speakers: Mayor Sue Finkam + Mayor Rod Roberson