‘Ding!’
The hotel elevator arouses my weary jet lagged head. Stepping inside I’m greeted by a vaguely familiar, handsome middle-aged man. “You here for the conference?” he asks politely. I graciously reciprocate acknowledging my heightened anticipation for what promises to be an extraordinary weekend event.
He unassumingly introduces himself as Gus. We establish an instant rapport in a light-hearted debate over who has just endured the most arduous journey to reach the beautiful Squaw Valley Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe, California. My 25-hour flight from Sydney is easily trumped by his 48-hour road trip from Oregon.
The doors open and we continue our friendly banter heading for the alphabetised conference registration booths. Suggesting there is little chance of our surnames beginning with the same letter, Gus wishes me well for the coming days.
It seems sleep deprivation isn’t the only thing we share. To our surprise we both head for the ‘S’ table. My jaw hits the floor as the young lady behind the booth says to my new friend Gus, “Welcome to Summit Series, Mr van Sant”. That’s right, as in the acclaimed director of Milk and Good Will Hunting.
Gus Van Sant and Michele Norris
How do you like them apples?
Now in its fourth year, Summit Series is described by its founders as the love child of Davos and Burning Man. Throw in killer performances by DJ Jazzy Jeff, Q-tip and A-trak, the impossible moves of dubstep sensation Marquese Scott, an inspired lineup of luminary guest speakers, an exclusive alpine setting with an open bar to share with the coolest, hippest, sexiest group of new friends you would ever hope to make, and I would say Summit Series is more like the Mother of all funkin’ mashups!
Frivolity aside, Summit Series is a fascinating annual experiment, albeit an exclusive one, bringing together the World’s most creative and industrious young minds in an unbridled environment to extract their collective genius and basically see what happens. Add to the equation a program of off-beat activities designed to expand thought processes and test comfort zones, such as lucid dreaming workshops and falconry classes, and what happens can simply be described as amazing.
“This is the greatest group of multidisciplinary world changers in the same place at the same time,” said Summit Series’ 27-year-old co-founder, Jeff Rosenthal in his opening address to the 650 hand-picked attendees. “There is no other place on Earth with a gathering of people with more unparalleled ambition to grow, do, be and achieve – so welcome.”
As I look around to see Twitter founder, Evan Williams, star of One Tree Hill, Sophia Bush and the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, making up the eclectic mix of generational change-makers in the room, all I can do is take a deep breath and quietly mouth a word I will come to use a lot over the next few days, “Wow”.
Sean Stephenson
We’re each given a Summit Series notebook. For some it’s a keepsake to diarise the event, while for others it’s a handy tool for jotting down inspired quotes from guest speakers. Like the incredible Dr Sean Stephenson (aka the three-foot giant), whose personal mind-over-matter story typifies the ‘no barriers’ spirit of Summit Series.
Given up for dead at birth, Dr Sean has battled a life of fractures, surgery and the crippling limitations of a bone disease that has left his three-foot tall body confined to a wheelchair, overcoming this adversity to forge a reputation as one of the world’s most in-demand and powerful orators. He had this auditorium of young powerbrokers absolutely enthralled, identifying their own battles with self-belief and reaching for their notebooks to jot down every pearl.
Resulting in a five minute standing ovation, Dr Sean’s sermon on dealing with the disconnection between a big personality and low self-esteem gave me an idea. For me this notebook would be a blank canvass to capture the inner psyche of these big personalities. An invitation I would offer to every Silicon Valley hotshot, entrepreneurial prodigy or political major-leaguer to release the inhibitions of their public persona by ‘doodling’ a stick figure of how they see themselves.
Though the combined personal wealth of attendees could probably buy Greece, with some spare change for Moldvova, Dr Sean ensured Summit Series was not going to be a place for egoists or fanboys. He obliges me with a doodle of himself in a wheelchair sporting a beaming grin indicative of the happy, confident giant that lies within his diminutive frame.
The egalitarian vibe is further exemplified by everyone’s willingness to share bedrooms like boarding school students. Although, with this many rich, young, smart, beautiful people together in the one place, I suspect rooms aren’t always shared with the assigned roommate.
Evan Williams
Upon meeting my roommate, Josh Phelps, a curious slashie who guides new cancer therapies through the US National Cancer Institute by day and writes for culture magazines… uh… probably also by day, it quickly dawns on me that I’ll be meeting some pretty remarkable young people. In their relatively short lives some of my fellow Summiteers have become recognised as doyens of new media, social reformers, global entrepreneurs, world-class entertainers. And in some cases all of the above.
And here I am, a humble lad from Sydney considered worthy of such company for simply providing strategic guidance to the global environmental movement Earth Hour. It seems to stand to reason, therefore, that the only way I am going to compete on a level playing field with this elite gathering is by asking them to… er… show me their doodle.
Summit Series’ reputation comes as much from its incredible parties as it does from its industrial match-making, and night one is all about first impressions. Wardrobe, hair and cologne selections are all made with meticulous precision and purpose.
As Josh and I prepare for our first night of revelry like two college roommates, he takes a moment to show me his doodle. Its head is encased in a curious, astronaut-like helmet, with a wiry lower half that looks part formal part leisure. On reflection, it’s a perfect illustration of Mr Phelps; a down-to-earth, all-round great guy, but one who means business and is definitely shooting for the stars.
The hotel’s large auditorium has been transformed into a pulsating club. This is where the real networking is done.
Q-tip from A Tribe Called Quest lays down a slick soundtrack and the room eases into a night of dance and celebration. The mood is high and it’s smartphones at ten paces as Vcards are exchanged and powerful friendships are formed. When I find myself in a close dance with the lovely Sophia Bush my thoughts turn immediately to her half a million twitter followers and how I’m going to capture this moment in 140 characters.
Dome of Discovery
The party is in full cry and my mind couldn’t be farther from home, when a familiar face catches my eye taking me right back. It’s Andrew G, former host of Australian Idol, chilling in the corner amidst all the revelry. I hand him my notebook to see what’s going on beneath that ice cool exterior.
It’s no façade. Cross-legged on a cushion, reciting the Om mantra, he illustrates the laid-back Aussie lad within that has endeared him to the tough US market, where he now hosts his own show broadcast nationally on CBS.
We are, in fact, part of a strong Aussie contingent at Summit Series. Most notably, the guys from fundraising phenomenon, Movember, who have set up an old-fashioned barbershop in partnership with the Bolt Barbers for the conference providing a sort of personal grooming ‘speak-easy’ where global issues are debated and deals are done.
While getting his hair coiffed, Scott Budnick, executive producer of The Hangover talks with Nicole Johnson of Founders Fund about his work with troubled youth in Los Angeles. Johnson agrees to establish a fund that will bring five youth to San Francisco, provide housing, mentoring and their first job, while Budnick’s contacts at University of San Francisco are able to admit the kids on full scholarships.
Stories of such relationship building are aplenty and typify what Summit Series is all about; creating an informal environment that encourages spontaneous connections in unlikely places, resulting in collaborations with social benefit.
Make no mistake, though. Summit Series is not a platform to raise funds and donations for NGOs or not-for-profits. It is very much, and unashamedly, FOR profitable enterprises and venture capitalism but as co-founder, Jeff Rosenthal puts it, Summit Series has opened entrepreneurs up to the concept of “profit with a purpose”.
On a shuttle bus the following morning I overhear Josh Felser, an early stage venture capitalist, sum it up succinctly, “Our guards are lower here. There’s an openness to engage with anyone that wants to engage with you.”
Felser mentioned he had conceived a healthcare startup, met an industry consultant in the hallway the previous day and was now on his way to pitch to two entrepreneurs who he thought could launch his healthcare venture – profit with a purpose.
Aloe Blacc
My packed itinerary of activities for the day begins with a falconry class on the breathtaking Squaw Valley plains where I’ll be learning the finer points of mastering a bird of prey.
Launching from my heavily-gloved, outstretched arm this beautiful creature is majestic in flight. But as it makes its landing approach at full speed with an evil eye, hooked beak and enormous wingspan, it takes on a far more fearsome form.
With my heart accelerating I sense a deeper lesson being learned here: When faced with a beastly situation, don’t shy away. Stare it in the eye, hold your ground, be purposeful and you’ll soon seize control.
This lesson is exemplified by my fellow pupil, Matt Rand, Director of Global Shark Operations for the PEW Environmental Group. Matt has committed his life to fighting the tide of misguided cultural values and public opinion in establishing conservation areas 10 times the size of California for one of the world’s most misunderstood creatures.
When I ask him to doodle himself in my notebook, he simply draws the ‘no shark finning’ symbol, a testament to his unwavering personal conviction to be the purpose he believes in and make his work matter. Who wouldn’t want to collaborate in a profitable and purposeful enterpise with someone like that?
My wildlife adventure continues with an arduous but educational trek to see the mountain lion camera traps that provide an insight into the habits of these elegant but deadly animals. High up in the hills my guide explains that these cameras are strategically placed where mountain lions are most likely to be… uh oh.
Fortunately, I’m not met with an untimely and gruesome demise but to ensure I don’t leave ‘disappointed’ they arrange an up-close-and-personal introduction with Cody, a 200 pound full grown mountain lion with piercing eyes and a stealthy gait.
Now, I know Summit Series encourages pushing personal boundaries, and Cody Is a stunning creature, but the zone where I’m assured of not being mauled by a wildcat is one I feel quite comfortable in, thank you very much.
My carnivorous instincts aroused, I head back to the hotel for dinner, a serendipitous affair at Summit because, as with the meals, dining partners are always a pleasant surprise.
Tonight I’m dining with Jane Barratt, an international marketeer who lists numerous Fortune 500 companies as her collaborators, Dave Shackley, Chief Marketing Officer of Discovery Channel, Rob Stewart, director of the award-winning marine documentary Sharkwater, and acclaimed indie artist, Jose Gonzales.
José González
Sure beats going for a ten dollar steak and beer at my local.
While dining on three courses of sumptuousness we discuss everything from geopolitics to childish pranks (some might argue they are not mutually exclusive). Dave from Discovery is a hilarious character, holding court with accounts of his juvenile boardroom antics and offering tips on how to get away with being unconventional in a conventional environment. He takes particular delight in showing me his doodle, drawing attention to his freshly shaved Mohawk from the Movember barber shop, which he just cannot wait to wear into the next Discovery Channel board meeting.
Belly full, it’s time to feed on the wisdom and experience of luminary speakers, Barantude Thurston from The Onion and Mike Uslan, creator of the Batman movies.
Uslan is particularly uplifting, recounting his childhood obsession with the camp pop-culture vigilante and his lifelong mission to erase the words ‘WHAM!’, ‘BAM!’ and ‘POW!’ from our collective consciousness. The moral of his story: Don’t be afraid to take on a giant. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it can’t be improved – the millions of fans of the magnificent Dark Knight series will give a loud ‘AMEN!’ to that.
In that vein, for the final night of Summit Series 2012, organizers have taken the party to a whole new level – 9000 feet to be exact – with a geodesic dome at Squaw Valley’s highest peak providing the venue for our last hurrah.
Riding a rickety gondola to the summit of Summit, I spot professional mentalist, Lior Suschard, wowing onlookers with the mystical mind-reading skills that have made him a regular on the US TV chat show circuit. I present him with my notebook and give him the doodle brief. He’s quite taken aback by my impromptu invitation to which I smugly proclaim, “Bet you didn’t see that coming.” He responds with a sharp image of his head emanating powerful mind waves, which is exactly what I imagined he would do… touché, sir.
I’m welcomed to the geodesic pleasure dome by familiar company, Charlie Andrews, a serial entrepreneur who builds, buys and sells multimillion dollar consultancy and technology firms like he’s playing with Lego. Charlie and I have become good friends over too many drinks since day one and I have no hesitation in asking him to show me his doodle. Triangular in shape it perfectly illustrates this enigmatic character who typifies the Summit Series ethos of mixing business with fun.
And right now it’s business time!
Questlove
Questlove is spinning the decks with DJ Jazzy Jeff, while every guys’ man-crush, Marquese Scott, holds court with a private ‘boys only’ seminar on picking up girls. Charlie’s engaging personality makes him one of the most popular lads in the room, and me a very fortunate wingman. Spirits are high, free and plentiful as we party into the early hours of morning.
Awakened by the pounding in my head I can make out a faint voice in the distance. It’s the magnificent breakfast buffet calling my name like a search and rescue party.
On the way to breakfast I have the incredible fortune of chatting with Barry Johnson; Barack Obama’s advisor on sourcing foreign investment, and quite possibly the smartest person at Summit. He remarks how impressed he is by the burgeoning talent coming out of Australia and asks if we can arrange a call in the future to get my thoughts on a report he is preparing for the President.
Is he serious? An advisor to POTUS wants to know if he can get my advice. Of course he can! But on one condition; he has to show me his doodle first.
I’m surprised at how small it is for someone in such a great position of power. Nonetheless, the arrows pointing in an out of its helmet draw one to conclude that beneath the many hats of Barry Johnson lies an acute mind constantly sourcing inspiration and churning out brilliant ideas.
Team Summit
In a weekend that has offered so many inspiring and life-changing experiences and encounters, this chance meeting with a US Presidential advisor provides a fitting finale. As do the ricotta pancakes with toffee apple sauce and caramalised pear… and bacon.
With Summit Series 2012 drawing to a close, I contemplate my notebook and reflect on the past days; the incredible friends I’ve made and the fun we’ve shared, the intimate details I’ve learned about them by looking at their doodle but more so, what I’ve learned about myself.
Summit Series has shown that, in our ever-opening world, age, society, geography and physical impairment are no barriers to success. With the right idea, a dose of passion and a lot of personal conviction anyone is capable of great things. Already counting the days to the next event, I leave Summit Series with their motto etched firmly in my brain – ‘Make No Small Plans’.
Winston Su is a Pathfinder and Digital Strategist currently heading up Digital Strategy for new kid on the block, Inception Digital. He is also about to lead an exciting Marine Conservation Project for the Coral Triangle later on this year. He tweets here.
