Innovation Center Tour

Walking into the Innovation Center at NEXT, you can tell that these guys mean business. The whole room is laid out into different small groups, each with staff members there to help guide delegates through the LeaderX process. As you enter the room, you may first have to wait for a spot in a discussion area; however, it is clear that there are no idle moments here. As you wait, a projector nearby will be suggesting open-ended questions to get you into the innovation mindset. There is also a list of Menti survey codes that you can use while waiting; they allow you to provide your feedback on the OA’s program.

Once a spot opens up, you are able to move into the discussion areas. Tyler Harris, the Innovation Conference Vice Chief, explains that here, “trained staff will work with you to spark your creativity and to help you come up with answers to the problem that you are having.” There is also a workspace nearby where delegates can lay out their ideas and start to think about the logistics of putting a new plan in place. “The staff stays involved in this process,” Harris explains, “helping the group to work together toward the common solution that they have come up with.”

While this process is designed to help prepare NEXT Factor ideas for the competition on Tuesday, any and all comers are welcome to join the Innovation Center in order to get feedback and opinions on the troubles that their lodge is experiencing, as well as to refine and advance any great ideas you have for the future of the Order. National events like NEXT provide a unique opportunity to discuss program facets with lodges from across the country and to share best practices in the hope of improving all lodges; the Innovation Center is just the place to do that, so don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!