IdeaFestival 2010 - Top Thinkers to Discuss Imagination, Innovation and Transformational Ideas Including Jon Landau, Sapphire, Dom Sagolla, Philippe Petit, and Daniel Tammet

LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2010 IdeaFestival will be held September 29 to October 2 at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in Louisville, Kentucky, where global innovators, thought leaders and thousands of participants from around the world will come together to explore important ideas and dynamic new innovation.

Over the course of four days over 40 speakers and performers will delve into topics like the future of design, the merging of mind, body and machine, the next big ideas in social media and the lessons of innovation, in addition to exploring many other fascinating subjects. For the full 2010 agenda, events, speakers and registration information, please visit www.ideafestival.com.

"Most people have little opportunity to get out of their 'box' to learn about important thinking and innovation from other areas," said Kris Kimel, founder of IdeaFestival. "IdeaFestival remedies this often missed opportunity by providing a unique stage to explore and connect people and ideas while supplying the creative tools needed to 'see', synthesize and apply these things in new, dynamic ways."

This year IdeaFestival (IF) 2010 will feature sessions with notable speakers such as Push author, Sapphire; co-producer of "Avatar," Jon Landau; Twitter co-creator, Dom Sagolla; French high-wire artist Philippe Petit; breakout new singer Janelle Monae and Daniel Tammet, a high-functioning autistic savant and best-selling author. With more than 40,000 attendees over the past ten years, IdeaFestival appeals to a broad cross-section of people including CEOs, students, educators, creative types and people of all ages looking to stretch their minds beyond the possible.

Speakers in the past have included science fiction writer Ray Bradbury; Choreographer Twyla Tharp, Beatles producer Sir George Martin; Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak; Teller of the famed Penn & Teller magic act; Will Shortz, The New York Times crossword puzzle master; Nassim Nicholas Taleb, famed author of The Black Swan; Will Allen, urban farmer and Anthony Bourdain, author, chef and television show host.

Founded in 2000, IdeaFestival is a bold new venture by Intelligent Change Initiatives, Inc., a non-profit corporation. IF provides a unique opportunity to explore the cross-cutting nature of innovation involving a range of diverse disciplines – science, the arts, business, design, technology, education, medicine and more.  The organizers of IF whole-heartedly believe that with ideas and innovation we create the future and that much of the breakthrough innovation that we are witnessing in the 21st century emerges at and from the intersections of different disciplines.

Unlike other technology-focused thought leadership events, IdeaFestival is a catalyst for high-speed innovation, product development, and creative endeavors. IF allows for people of all backgrounds from scientists to academics to people interested in expanding their idea of the possible to connect not only with each other but with the IF speakers that are changing the world. Attendees will find a dramatically altered view of how to measure success, how to incorporate change and invent new ways of working, living and sharing with others.

IF brings together high-caliber and engaging speakers for a reasonable price. The IF Insider Pass is $299 for four days of Festival access and attendees can also choose to purchase tickets for individual event...to customize their own experience. 

In order for organizations, people and companies to remain relevant and competitive, it's imperative that they understand that breakthroughs and innovation require a unique mix of ideas and perspectives as well as the ability to successfully integrate, translate and apply diverse knowledge. At each IdeaFestival, attendees walk away with a new way to look at the world and their business and tools to help create innovation that really matters.

In a world where everything but innovation has become a commodity, that's a payoff that can last a lifetime.  

New this year is an event called Thrivals 3.0 @ IF on Wednesday, September 29th. At Thrivals 3.0 it's always about the future. It's a way of thinking and learning about the broad social, political, environmental, economic and technological trends that are shaping the mid- to long-term future - now.

Presenting sponsors are University of Louisville and Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation and University of Kentucky

For more information about IdeaFestival, please call Toll Free 1.866.966.4607 or 502.966.4607 in Louisville or visit www.ideafestival.com.

SOURCE IdeaFestival 2010