A few weeks ago, the MindFire team packed their bags, headed to the Quad Cities International Airport (hey, we know them!) and set off for our agency’s third annual Inspiration Expedition.
The destination: The Queen City – Charlotte, NC.
The purpose: Connect and collaborate in real life, and reignite the creative spark that is at the center of all of our work.
Arsonists savored delicious food and explored unforgettable locations. We also expanded our knowledge of embracing our creativity and discovering new ways to create eureka moments!
The trip's central insight came courtesy of the team at Genius Steals, who echo Banksy’s famous words: "Bad artists imitate. Great artists steal."
This powerful notion underscores that true creativity doesn't exist in a vacuum. Instead, it builds upon the foundations laid by those who came before us. In other words, it’s our job to draw inspiration from existing ideas and elevate them, crafting something even more remarkable. This approach doesn't just honor our creative predecessors – it challenges us to push boundaries and create work that future generations will, in turn, be inspired to surpass.
Here's what was on the agenda for this year’s Expedition.
Our journey began with a culinary adventure through Charlotte's local flavors. The Taste of Carolina food and drink tour took us to five unique businesses, each offering their own twist on North Carolina cuisine. Our knowledgeable guides, Johnny and Katie led us through a night of good eats and even better company, setting the tone for an inspiring trip.
The highlight of our expedition was hosting Rosie and Faris from Genius Steals. Their brilliant insights into our industry and idea generation were truly enlightening. The Genius Steals team also led two workshops that pushed our Arsonists to their creative limits, resulting in unique and innovative outcomes. Here are a few key takeaways from our time with Genius Steals:
Our creative journey took a wild turn as we attended Disney's Lion King on Broadway at the Belk Theater. This outstanding production, with its talented performers, extraordinary props, vibrant costumes and stellar musicians, was truly the experience of a lifetime. We left the theater humming "Hakuna Matata," with an inspiring outlook that only the Lion King can provide.
On our final morning, we revved up our engines at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Our guide shared the rich history of NASCAR, including its scandalous origins in bootlegging. This unexpected connection between creative problem-solving and high-octane sports perfectly encapsulated the spirit of our trip.
As we reflect on our Charlotte adventure, we're reminded of the irreplaceable value of in-person connections and collaborations.
While digital tools keep us connected, there's something special about being together, sharing experiences and sparking ideas off one another in real time.
Our Inspiration Expedition has refueled our creative minds, and we're ready to get back to work with new ideas, fresh perspectives and a renewed appreciation for the power of human connection!
