An Unprecedented Success

By Peter Brown
Member of the Board
Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility

The inaugural Greaterthan Conference at Portland’s Holiday Inn by the Bay on July 27th & 28th was an unprecedented success by any measure. Any one of the 200 lucky enough to attend this innovative, information packed, inspirational, and network building session will surely agree that it exceeded all of their expectations. It was compared, appropriately so, as the East Coast’s version of the internationally acclaimed TED conference.

The conference, founded by Portland business owners David Swardlick of Swardlick Marketing Group and John Rooks of The SOAP Group, was designed to explore cross sector collaboration between corporations, NGO’s, governments, nonprofits, academics and more to address the complex challenges we face as a global community related to the environment, economic opportunity, poverty and social justice. The idea is that no one sector can adequately address these massive and critical issues alone—that cross collaboration between all sectors is essential if we hope to be effective in restoring our world to one which can continue to provide for all of its inhabitants. The name ‘Greaterthan’ was appropriately chosen from the concept that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

The list of some 30 presenters and panelists included a diverse selection of notable experts and leaders, both local and from across the country with a wide variety of expertise, reach and influence. The conference was kicked off by Brian Dumaine, Global Editor for Fortune Magazine, with opening remarks that set the stage for the conference. Most sessions were designed as panel discussions around specific topical segments. A unifying theme throughout was the increased strength that is realized through planned and logical partnering. Emphasis was placed on the value of choosing partnerships with shared alignment of goals, objectives and values; these being most likely to endure into long term relationships which would yield long term beneficial results to all parties. Discussions included public and private partnerships, partnering with NGO’s, and the role of education at all levels. Segments were rife with case studies and examples of successful engagements. A notable element of all of the case studies was an emphasis on how open collaboration and partnering created greater benefits for all stakeholders than could have been realized by any one working alone.

This refreshing and inspiring conference was also a first class event from the comfortable, engaging elements and touches at the conference to a wonderful lobster bake on Great Diamond Isle. At the end of the first day, participants boarded a ferry for a crossing of Portland Harbor to Great Diamond Island, where they were greeted by wait staff bearing trays wine and local micro brews. Hors d'oeuvres were offered and a jazz group played as guests mingled in the fine summer breeze and then were seated for a classic Maine lobster feast.

At the beginning of the second day, we were treated to an unexpected appearance by former Maine governor Angus King who dropped in to open the session with a very energetic, entertaining, and inspiring talk. There are simply too many highlights and significant moments to include in this short article. Visit www.greaterthanconference.com to see the full schedule of events, sponsors, and presenters, and stay tuned as you will surely hear more about this great event.

It was a privilege in every way to attend this conference, and I look forward to doing so again next year. Congratulations to David, John, and all those involved!