In 2006, a group of creative and community-minded people met together and created SPARKcon to put a stake in the ground, and claim the Triangle as “The Creative Hub of the South.” Starting with no financial or managerial backing, this continuously growing group designed a weekend of showcases to celebrate the creative pursuits going on in the area, and a series of workshops and speakers to nurture the growth and sustainability of our creative future.

September 2008 will be our third annual SPARKcon. We’re still just a loose association of passionate individuals, and still grass roots. Our money comes from our pockets and the pockets of others excited to support local creativity. The ideas and showcases come from inspired people who have the ingenuity to say “What if…?” and the motivation to then make it happen.

SPARKcon is a creative potluck, dependent upon whatever people bring to the table. It grows every time a new person gets involved with a SPARK, creating their own event, or joining in to help an existing one. It’s an open-source, “for the people, by the people” approach to an incredible series of events. It’s definition and focus is dynamic.

In 2007 we had 63 people organizing the different events. Hundreds of local talents were showcased, with hundreds of volunteers helping behind the scenes and thousands of attendees. All of these people equal SPARKcon.

The 2008 Bobbleheads (the folks that oversee the vision and basically bob their heads with glee at each new idea)

Gab Smith
Ty Beddingfield
Aly Khalifa
and the man with all the answers is Greg Ettenson.
Email Greg at greg@sparkcon.com if you are interested in participating!

Other credits

Photo Director: Cheryl Gottschall
Videography: Alex Mengle, Eric NDello and NUFacesNC 
Audio/Video Projection: Dave Zahn
Graphic Design and Illustration: Beth Khalifa, Britt Hayes and Kelly Myers at Gamil Design
Logistics: Isaac Panzarella
Individual SPARkS: credited on their spark page