Inaugural Nantucket Project to Debut This Fall

NANTUCKET, Mass., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nantucket Project is a new 'ideas conference' that has a refreshing take on the inspirational concept. The inaugural Nantucket Project conference will take place at the White Elephant hotel on Nantucket Island Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 2nd, and will feature a unique format designed to promote heightened engagement.

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The Nantucket Project's inaugural theme is Re-Think. Over the course of the weekend 350 participants will be encouraged to re-think the status quo and explore change through talks led by eminent and accomplished visionaries, thinkers, business leaders and innovators. Topics will span from economics and medical science to sustainability and globalism.

A distinguishing hallmark of the Nantucket Project is the program's dedication to creating an intimate participant experience. All participants will experience the exact same program, with scheduling designed to eliminate competing presentations in favor of fostering a cohesive collective conversation. Innovative hospitality, entertainment and creative performances will keep participants engaged and leave them inspired. Weekend passes are $3200 per person, and include access to all Nantucket Project sessions and event meals. Special nightly rates at the White Elephant start at $365 per night for Nantucket Project ticket holders.

Created in partnership with Big Think, a global knowledge forum that creates significant, relevant and actionable content from its over 3000 leading experts, the Nantucket Project intends to become an annual event on Nantucket with the goal of expanding into a permanent Institute based on Nantucket.

Presenters

Over 20 presenters will explore and expand on a range of topics during the first Nantucket Project program weekend. Presenters speaking include:

Location
Nantucket Island, one of the most storied destinations in the United States, is the home of the Nantucket Project.  The White Elephant hotel, set on Nantucket's Brant Point and steps from historic downtown, will serve as the epicenter of programming and hospitality for the Nantucket Project during the event weekend.  Special nightly rates at the White Elephant Hotel range from $365 per night for a guestroom to $990 per night for a three-bedroom cottage. The rate is valid for stays from September 30 – October 2 and a two-night minimum stay is required.

Founders & Founding Circle
Several individuals concerned about diversifying and sustaining Nantucket's economy and offerings year-round came together to create the Nantucket Project. The project is co-founded by Tom Scott, founder of Nantucket Nectars, Plum Television, and Kate Brosnan, General Manager & Host of Plum Television, Nantucket. Prominent business and civic leaders on local, national and international levels have joined the Nantucket Project's Founding Circle including: Bob Diamond (Chief Executive, Barclays), Jennifer Diamond, Steve Karp (Chief Executive Officer, New England Development), Jill Karp, Tim Mullen, Alicia Cannon Mullen, Wendy Schmidt, Emily Scott and Tom Bresette. These founding circle members have provided seed capital, direction and/or advisory guidance. Bob Wright, Suzanne Wright, Judy Seinfeld, Jim Broder, Maureen Hackett, Bob Nolan, Getty Rothenberg, Sean Moran, Gregg Renfrew, Tyler Wolfram, Brian O'Callahan, Bob Lord, Jim Lasko, Iain Shovlin are members of the advisory board to the Nantucket Project.  

Participants
Limited to just 350 participants, individuals attending the Nantucket Project will bring a variety of perspectives to bear on the issues raised as the group's make up ranges from entrepreneurs to corporate executives to educators to leaders of companies and of non-profit organizations. Individuals who have registered during the Project's advance registration period are designated Founding Participants, which affords them priority participation status for future Nantucket Project events. The Nantucket Project Fellows program has been created to help subsidize attendance and participation in the event for individuals who could not otherwise financially afford to participate. Several organizations and individuals have endowed fellowship positions including the Inquirer & Mirror, Judy Seinfeld, Bob & Jennifer Diamond, Tim & Alicia Cannon Mullen and Tom & Emily Scott.

Partners
Event partners and sponsors for the inaugural year include Bing, Bloomberg media, Cadillac, Cape Air, CitationAir, Inquirer & Mirror, Nantucket Today, Plum media and the White Elephant Hotel/Nantucket Island Resorts.

Detailed information on the event, including registration and program schedules is available at www.nantucketproject.com.

About the Nantucket Project

Based on Nantucket, Massachusetts, the Nantucket Project is the Island's first ideas conference. Several years in the making, the event is co-founded by Tom Scott & Kate Brosnan. Launching in September is the Nantucket Project's first program weekend at the White Elephant Hotel from Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2nd.  For more information about the Nantucket Project, visit www.nantucketproject.com.

About the White Elephant Hotel

Voted Travel + Leisure's #1 resort in Massachusetts, the White Elephant is an intimate, full service hotel with majestic views of Nantucket Harbor. Also listed by Travel + Leisure as one of the top family hotels in the country, White Elephant is right next door to calm Children's Beach and offers activities for the whole family. Dating back to the 1920s, the hotel blends the traditional aesthetics of Nantucket's historic Quaker past with modern-day comforts in its 54 guest rooms, 11 garden cottages, and spacious loft. Originally an eclectic mix of cottages, the White Elephant has evolved into a premier Nantucket hotel offering island charm and sophisticated amenities. White Elephant is home to Brant Point Grill, an island favorite known for its local seafood and prime steak, and the serene White Elephant Spa. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of Brant Point Lighthouse, the quaint cobblestone streets of Nantucket town with unique boutiques and galleries, and several pristine local beaches.

For more information about the White Elephant, visit www.whiteelephanthotel.com or call (800) 445 6574.

About Big Think

BigThink.com, is a leading online global knowledge forum. Our mission is to identify the most significant and innovative ideas of our time culled from leading experts across fields and communicate quickly and compellingly what you need to know about these ideas and how you can apply them in your own life and to your world. BigThink's audience is large and growing rapidly because of our reputation for providing the ideas and skills necessary to succeed in today's knowledge economy, as imparted from today's most influential, inspiring, and valuable minds.  For more information about Big Think, visit www.bigthink.com.

SOURCE The Nantucket Project