SCHEDULE, REGISTRATION & HOTEL

Guided Tour of Independence Hall (520 Chestnut Street)

4:15 PM - 5:00 PM

How could we come to Philadelphia and not do this? Join Pine & Gilmore and fellow thinkAbout participants for a semi-private guided tour of historic Independence Hall, site of the signing of both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.

thinkAbout 101 (Independence Hall Living History Museum, 3rd & Chestnut)

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

The 101 is optional but highly recommended, especially for first-time thinkAbouters. Listen and learn as Pine & Gilmore, along with seasoned thinkAbout alumni, discuss how to get the most from your thinkAbout experience.

A Visit with Founding Fathers

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

After the 101, enjoy a special visit from several of Philadelphia's most colorful and celebrated figures during this private performance at the Living History Museum.

Group Dinner (City Tavern, 138 S. 2nd Street)

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Partake in a group dinner at the historic City Tavern, famous watering hole of American statesmen and patriots. Mix, mingle and get to know the people with whom you'll be spending a lot of quality time over the next couple days.

Day 1 AM

Breakfast: Hotel Sofitel's Paris Ballroom

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Fuel up! You'll need it for a whirlwind day of thinking, debating, exploration and creative output.

Economic Sense with Pine & Gilmore: Sofitel's Paris Ballroom

8:30 AM - Noon

Pine & Gilmore share their thoughts on the need for experiential innovation to fuel economic recovery and growth. In the spirit of the Continental Congress, put forth your own ideas -- and be prepared to defend them!

Lunch: Chez Collete Restaurant, Hotel Sofitel

Noon - 1:00 PM

Learning Excursion & The Constrained Walk

1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

The hallmark of each thinkAbout. Pine & Gilmore (and a special guest!) prepare you for the Learning Excursion. After some brief level setting, you and your newly formed team will spread out across Philadelphia for focused exploration, interaction, and learning.

Dinner: Spasso Restaurant

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Enjoy a family-style meal as you relax and re-focus. Share stories and experiences that will inform your presentation on Day 2.

Presentation Design:Sofitel's Paris Ballroom

8:00 PM - End of Day

Gather with your team to debate and distill the lessons from the day. Develop your message and polish it well, for tomorrow you're on stage!

Optional: Late night food-run for a classic Philly cheesesteak. Are you a Pat’s or a Geno’s? Now's the time you'll get to decide between these two icons of cheesesteak fame!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009*

Optional "Rocky Run": Hotel Sofitel to the Philadelphia Museum of Art

6:15 AM - 7:30 AM

It's 1.3 miles of pure adrenalin for the adventurous among us.  Who knows what awaits us a the top of the famous stairs! (Transport back to the hotel will be available for the road weary.)

Breakfast: LaBourse Lounge, Hotel Sofitel

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Pecha Kucha: Hotel Sofitel's Paris Ballroom

8:30 AM - Noon

Rapid-fire group findings, discussion and insights from the Constrained Walk, all structured by Pecha Kucha.

Lunch: Hotel Sofitel's Paris Ballroom

Noon - 1:00 PM

EMA, Top 10 & EXPY: Hotel Sofitel's Paris Ballroom

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Pine & Gilmore introduce and interview the winner of the 2009 Experience Management Achievement (EMA) award, then run through their annual list of Top 10 experiences, culminating with the Experience Stager of the Year (EXPY).

“The Day After” with Jim Gilmore, Citywide

Beginning at 9:00 AM

 The thinkAbout experience officially wraps on Thursday, but feel free to stay the extra night and join Jim Gilmore Friday for an informal and ad hoc tour of additional Philadelphia sights and sounds. (Having gone to college in Philadelphia, Jim can’t help but stay an additional day.) Sure to be fun, eclectic and adventurous -- and a rare opportunity for some up-close conversation while taking in some more sites! Your adventure begins in the Sofitel lobby at 9:00AM and will continue into the afternoon until each person needs to peel off.

Registration is limited this year to 76 participants. Admission to the 2009 thinkAbout is US$2,450.00. Fee covers participation in thinkAbout, event meals and materials. Registrations cancelled by September 1, 2009, are entitled to a 50% refund. After that date, registration fees are non-refundable. Register for thinkAbout.

The Hotel Sofitel Philadelphia
120 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Hotel Reservations: +1 (215) 569-8300
We have a limited block of rooms at the Sofitel. When reserving your room, be sure to request the Strategic Horizons thinkAbout room rate of US$185.00 per night.