Do you consider yourself creative? If so, can you list one creative act in the last five business days? That is what Dr. Richard Florida's presentation on the evening of 20 April was all about.

Dr. Florida's lecture entitled "It Pays to Be Creative", focused on the core requirements of what it takes to build a successful community.

He contended that creativity can be enhanced and developed in the individual by seeking new ways to do the simple everyday routines. For example changing your route or mode to work, building new interests, seeking out people who may be different in some way than yourself may break one out of old pattern's and provide impetus to new thinking and activities.

More than 400 of Naples leaders from the areas of business, commerce, not-for-profit, education and politics, including N.A.P.L.E.S president and members and guests, were privileged to hear the learned economist from Carnegie Mellon provide his data-based analysis of today's economy. Much research supported all of Dr. Florida's assessments. One assessment is the adverse impact of declining development and construction, real estate, and resort industries on the Naples and the SW FL economy. The SW FL region, one of six for the world assigned by Dr. Florida's research team, includes the area between Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Ft Myers/Naples. Our region has been one of the hardest hit by these three declining industries. Dr. Florida, based on research and his monitoring of the economies of our nation and the world, believes that much of the problem is due to a transition from the industrial and information ages to what he terms the new creative age. Dr. Florida contends that this new age demands more reliance on the inherent creative ability of people. His analysis of cities that have prospered indicates an environment of talent, tolerance and diversity. Talent is achieved through many of the elements supported by the Project Innovation program of the Collier County Economic Development Corporation; that is higher education, quality of life and diversity. He added to that a suggested initiative to cultivate the young to middle-age parents who are seeking the quality of life for their families that SWFL offers and the Retirees of our community to contribute to the reformation of our economy. To the surprise of many in the audience Dr. Florida said that to create a thriving and successful community tolerance and the encouragement of diversity and the arts are an essential ingredient.

Dr. Florida's definition of tolerance is a city or community that accepts and welcomes those of different race, ethnic background, faiths, economic status and lifestyles. For example, he contended that cities where the gay lifestyle is accepted, tends to be the most creative and productive. This was an example that he indicated would draw talent to our area if we as a community did not make the mistake of creating a hostel environment for those that are different from ourselves.

Dr Florida predicted that to recover from the current malaise of the economy, business leaders must develop and encourage the creativity of workers. The old "Top Down" autocratic management must be replaced with a mentoring attitude on the part of leaders. He also proposed that business activities of the future would move away from corporations and function more as communities and strategic alliances.

He also praised Project Innovation for being forward looking and assured them that Naples had all the right ingredients to be a great community and would attract the young entrepreneurs of the future. Naturally N.A.P.L.E.S will play an essential role in making this happen! It appears to me that the N.A.P.L.E.S Group is positioned and moving in the direction of the New Creative Age. Now ....if I ride my bicycle North on 41, turn right at Immokalee, access I-75 to 951 South.... will I be home in time for dinner?

Dr. Pauline Cason.