task
think up a creative event for communications professionals
idea
big ideas blossom in fertile soil in a warm climate
realization
big ideas; an inspiring congress in a garden full of ideas
Every year the National Communications Congress is organized by the Association for Communications Professionals. In 2001, the theme was Big Ideas: how do they happen, and what’s the Big Idea for the communications profession. Tinker was part of the congress commission, created the concept and produced the event.
Communications is a broad profession. People who work in it navigate between policy, management and content. For Big Ideas to be allowed to blossom in an organization, you have to act like a green-fingered gardener: sow some seeds, do some weeding, then sit back and see what comes up. There is no single correct procedure to follow or all-knowing oracle to consult. So the same must apply to the congress.
An enormous garden was created in the Groenoordhallen in Leiden, complete with real overgrowth, a central park and marquees in which workshops were held. The attendees were able to create their own programme by visiting the marquees and joining in whichever workshop they chose. As well as conceiving and staging the event, Tinker organized a number of the workshops.