The original Portland Creative Conference, which ran from 1990 through 2001, was a full immersion into the spirit of creativity where extraordinarily talented people came to share personal insights into the creative process. There were multimedians, producers, directors, writers, composers, artists, actors, advertising legends, and more, all gathering for an electrifying and interactive ideas exchange.  When they revealed their failures as well as their successes, they convinced us that anything is possible.

Ask anyone who has ever attended and they'll tell you—the conference sparks the imagination, it motivates, it inspires, it transforms. It points you to the heart of your own creativity. - writer Sharon Rockey

> View promotional videos from the initial run (1990-2001)
> View photos from the initial run (1990-2001)
> See complete list of past presenters (1990-2001)
> Read event recaps by Sharon Rockey (1998-2001)

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PORTLAND CREATIVE CONFERENCE (written in 2001)

In 1987 an extraordinary idea was born from a gathering of Portland's most imaginative thinkers: bring together the world's most talented members of the television and film industry to share the struggle and discovery of the creative process. They would call it The Portland Creative Conference, and it would be like no other conference in the country--possibly the world.

Will Vinton, president of Will Vinton Studios and creator of Claymation, spearheaded the task of making it happen, and the group got to work. That first year was a long shot. No one had done anything like this before, and no one knew how it would turn out. Six hundred people crowded the hall that night in 1990, and the Portland Creative Conference began its long and successful run.

The Portland Creative Conference is still the only event in the country solely dedicated to the exploration and celebration of creativity in film, television, advertising and interactive media. Now in its twelfth year, the Conference has become a place where imaginations flourish, and fellowship with other artists--actors, directors, composers and editors--thrives. A sellout crowd of 900 people from all over the country attends the event, which is set in the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts.

Over the years, the industry's finest speakers have entertained, enlightened and inspired audiences--from Spike Lee to Marta Kauffmann...Ed Asner to Vilmos Zsigmond...Gary Larson to Chris Carter...Terry Louise Fisher to Martin Sheen...Rob Legato to Cliff Freeman…Gus Van Sant to David Siegel…Matt Groening to David Hume Kennerly…Danny Elfman to Rick Baker…Jonathan Hensleigh to Dennis Muren…Joe Pytka to Buck Henry...Lee Clow to Steve Buscemi…Martha Coolidge to Barry Corbin. This eclectic group brings singular talent to the stage, and each year the presentations are as spontaneous as the creative process itself. Every Conference has been unique, and The twelfth annual Portland Creative Conference promises to be just as delightful and surprising as any in years past.