RETROSPECTIVE
PRESENTERS
REGISTER
Cusp Conference is a project of Multiple, Inc.

© 2018. All rights reserved.

Cusp Conference is a registered trademark of Multiple, Inc.

2007
One idea.
Years in the making.
2008
One presenter says yes.
Oh s#!+, this is really happening.
2008-2017
One conference about the design of everything.
Everything?

Yes. Everything. Over the past ten years, we’ve been proud to present 245 artists, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, dreamers, and innovators who’ve shared their stories of creativity, discovery, innovation, failure, risk, challenge, persistence, and reward.

And through it all, Cusp Conference has remained at the forefront of technology, culture, and thought, and stayed true to its original mission: to inspire the idea that everyone is a designer.

Here’s a look at the first ten years of Cusp—by the numbers.

Cusp isn’t your average design conference.
Presenters are young and old, from near and far, and engaged in everything from jet engine combustion to literary hip-hop.
2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
DesignLaw + PoliticsBusinessArtEducationScience + MedicineServiceMediaEnvironmentEngineeringTechnologyArchitecturenull-DesignLawPoliticsnull-Law + PoliticsInnovationEntrepreneurshipnull-BusinessPerforming ArtsMusic / DanceVisual Artsnull-EducationMedicineHealth / FitnessScienceHealthcarenull-ServiceJournalism / EntertainmentBranding / Marketing / Advertising
253
Presentations
22
Industries
Design
Most Common Industry

In the past ten years, “designer” jobs have popped up in an expanding number of professions. But regardless of job title, everyone is a designer in our book. We believe design is anything done with intention. So from the age-old to the space-age, Cusp presenters have helped shape a wide range of industries and professions by innovating with intentionality. By design.

YOUNGEST PRESENTER
AGE
MEDIAN PRESENTER
AGE
OLDEST PRESENTER
AGE
12
40
83

What do an elementary-aged industrial designer and a former gymnast turned secretary of state have in common?

They’re taking on new challenges and designing solutions. Sometimes perspective and experience come from unexpected places and unexpected people.

While a majority of Cusp Conference presenters are from the United States (we are Chicago-based, after all), they’re exploring the unknown, reacting to global issues, and working to make the world a healthier place. Explore the map below to see how Cusp presenters have changed and been changed by events and places around the globe.

Tooltip
We don’t ask our speakers what they’re going to talk about at Cusp. And that has consistently resulted in a curiously interconnected blend of “woah.”
2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
BiomimicryNatureScienceProduct DesignInnovationTechnologyEducationDesignArchitectureBehaviorYouthCulturePhotographyStorytellingFoodLifeFashionEntrepreneurshipCollaborationCreativitySustainabilityBusinessComicsPublishingSocialProblem-SolvingPublic PolicyGovernmentInspirationWritingPerformanceMusicEntertainmentSocietyTransformationHealthcareBrandRetailLawEconomicsExplorationTransportationEngineeringIllusionTheatreMediaCrowdsourcingMotivationEnvironmentPerspectiveAgricultureGraphic DesignExperienceIllustrationSystemsOrganizational ThinkingDancePhilosophyArtRemixingHumorTraditionMedicineStrategyInquiryImaginationRoboticsBiologySpaceInsightLeadershipDemocracySocial MediaFilmmakingAlternative Energy SourcesMilitaryCraftsmanshipEffortLiberationTransformerEntrapmentHumanityEnergyPowerRenderingResearchSketchingVisualizationMotherCaregivingAccessibilityInventorChemistryAnimationRomanceSoundConnectionsPoliticsAdvertisingGenderVirtual Reality
253
Presentations
101
Topics
Innovation
Most Common Topic

As the Einstein-attributed adage goes, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” Associational thinking helps open new entry-points to problems and spark previously unseen connections. That’s where Cusp, the thought-blender, comes in.

PRESENTATIONS ABOUT INNOVATION
PRESENTATIONS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY
PRESENTATIONS ABOUT SWORD-SWALLOWING
59
13
1

We call it Cusp for a reason. The people we invite to present are on the edge, creating new ways to address challenges.

Speechlessness is a common side-effect of Cusp.
But some people managed to find a few words.
Cusp is a unique format, intimate, the variety of presenters is unexpected and refreshing. A great way to recharge your creativity.
Nicole Locklair
SYPartners
Eclectic and wickedly interesting, Cusp is extremely engaging and filled with wow!
David Hanneman
McCain Foods
Intelligent, unique, thought-provoking, elucidating.
Mark Trinka
McCarthy & Trinka
Cusp is a great opportunity to retrain your brain to think outside the box, and get out of the daily grind.
Laurie Lee
Swift Passport & Visa
Most conferences are about the destination—the topic, problem, industry, etc. Cusp is about the journey—the process we struggle through to find answers.
Tim McCort
Kickdrum Strategy
Generous, sincere, creative. It just stokes me with hope of new ideas and good things happening.
Judy Sickle
Forward Design
A conference about the design of everything. Who can resist that description?
Doug Grant
Inqui Research
A great way to recharge and stimulate the areas of the brain that tend to get crusty with day to day living.
Laura Engel
BizCast

Not to toot our own horn, but we’ve gotten loads of these messages over the past ten years. It’s what keeps us going.

Year after year, Cusp attendees have let us know that they value the experience in the clearest way possible: they come back for more. And they often bring a friend or five.
2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
PresidentDesignerStudentPrincipalFounderCEOCreative DirectorDirectorPartnerExecutive Vice PresidentGraphic DesignerCo-FounderMusicianSenior DesignerTeacherOwnerVice PresidentExecutive DirectorBusiness DevelopmentPrincipal / Creative DirectorArt DirectorEditorManaging DirectorProfessorCreative ManagerCFOPhotographerCommunications ManagerFounder / CEOCreative Industry LiaisonChairmanSenior Vice PresidentDesign DirectorDesign ManagerManaging PartnerAssociate DirectorAdministratorAssistant ProfessorArchitectAttorneyChief Innovation OfficerFacultyCopywriterManagerMarketing ManagerDancerChief Operating OfficerDirector of MarketingJumperMarketing DirectorChief Marketing OfficerAssociate ProfessorIndustrial DesignerRealtorUX DesignerWriterArtistic DirectorSr. Product ManagerVice President MarketingDesign StrategistMarketing CoordinatorProject ManagerLower School TeacherArtistBoard Liaison & DirectorAssociate Vice PresidentCOOAdjunct ProfessorProgram ManagementResearch and DevelopmentInteraction DesignerProduct ManagerDirector of DevelopmentCCOCommunications DirectorConsultantFounding PartnerProducerStrategistAssistant Head of SchoolAuthorDirector, BrandEntrepreneurFilmmakerGraphic Production ManagerIllustratorChief Technology OfficerVice President of CommunicationsVP SalesRegional ManagerTax ManagerAssistant Vice PresidentBrand DirectorOffice AdministratorProject ArchitectUpper School TeacherDevelopment DirectorFounding Editor-in-ChiefMortgage BrokerArchitectural DesignerClinical DirectorInternship CoordinatorPilotPublisherCommunications DesignerAssistant DirectorAccount ExecutiveDesign ResearcherContent ProviderControllerAdvisorBakerDirector of User ExperienceGeneral ManagerGroup Sales ManagerMarketing CommunicationsPastorPerforming and Fine Arts ChairPresence Marketing ManagerPrincipal DesignerPrint and Media BuyerPrivate BankerSenior User Experience ManagerStrategy AnalystStrategy DirectorUser Experience ManagerWorkplace StrategistDepartment ManagerCategory ManagerActressCTODirector of DigitalDirector of OperationsDirector, Product ManagementFounder / Executive DirectorFounder and Creative DirectorGeneral Manager Innovation WorksHarpistInventorLead DesignerNurse PractitionerPurchasing TechnicianRegional DirectorRegistered NurseUpper School Art TeacherVP Business DevelopmentAnalystDeveloperDirector of Product ManagementHostInstructorOperations ManagerProduct DesignerResidentTraining Program ManagerAccount DeveloperDirector of Creative ServicesDirector of Site DesignDirector, InsightsDoctorExecutive and Artistic DirectorIdea ShaperMarketing AssociateOperations / Film & VideoSenior CopywriterUI DesignerConsumer Insights ManagerAssociate PartnerAccount ManagerIndependent StrategistInternMarketing and Media ManagerTechnical SpecialistWeb DeveloperDirector of SalesDirector of StrategyFounding PrincipalManager, International InsightsPortfolio LeadStudio DirectorUpper School Science TeacherWeb DesignerWriter / StrategistInterior DesignerSales DirectorSr. Statistical Reports AnalystStatistical Reports SupervisorDeputy CommissionerAssociate Creative DirectorAssistant General ManagerGroup Manager Creative DirectionInfrastructure and EnvironmentInnovation LeadManager Corporate DesignRetiredNews AnchorProfessional Development AdvisorMarketing Research ManagerArchitecture and Design SalesCustomer Innovation GroupClassics Product ManagerClinical Process AdvisorAssistant Store ManagerAccount PlannerDigital Culture ResearcherDirector of DesignDirector of EducationDirector of Industrial DesignDirector of Meetings ManagementExpansion Operations DirectorFounder, Managing DirectorGlobal OperationsHead of US Marketing & ProductIndependent InvestoriSquadLecturer / Image Style & DesignManager, Creative ServicesMayorOperationsResearch AssociateRetail PlannerSculptor / BakerSenior AssociateSenior CIMSenior Graphic Design ManagerSenior Information ArchitectSenior Interactive ArtistSenior Interior DesignerSenior Writer / EditorStuff MakerVideo HostVP National AccountsYes ManDesign for America FellowAssociate ProducerChief StorytellerCommunity ManagerDesign ConsultantBoard MemberCartoonistDigital Media ManagerDigital Publishing ConsultantDigital Strategy and OperationsDirector of Corporate SalesDirector of Investor RelationsDivision PresidentDocumentarianEvents CoordinatorEvents ManagerFilm EditorFilm Transportation CoordinatorFloristFounder / Creative DirectorFounder + PrincipalHarpboxerHead of Lower SchoolIndependent Marketing ConsultantLandscape ArchitectLeader / Education GroupManager of Nursing OperationsMentorMidwest RepMIS DirectorMusic ProducerPianistProcess EngineerProduction CoordinatorRetailerRetired LawyerRetired TeacherSenior Director, TechnologySenior Engineer Tool StorageSenior Graphic DesignerSenior Manager, Visual DesignSenior PrincipalShared Services LeadSocial Media DirectorStudent LeaderVice President of Brand DesignVoiceover ArtistWebsite ManagerAdvanced Knowledge/Apps LeadBranch ManagerArt Department Head and TeacherCitizens' Advisory CommitteeCo-Chair and Program ChairCreative Industry LiasonCommercial Real EstateCo-Artistic DirectorCISSP Sr. ManagerDeputy DirectorChief EngineerArtist LeadAccountingBandleaderCoachDigital Marketing DirectorDirector of InsightsDirector, Fund DevelopmentDirector, Volunteer DevelopmenteCommerce Art DirectoreCommerce Interaction DesignerEducatorExperience DesignerFarmerFashion SpecialistFounder / EditorFreelance ThinkerFunny IndianGroup Creative DirectorHotel DirectorInternet Marketing CoordinatorInternet Marketing ManagerIT ConsultantMagicianPersonal TrainerPhotographyPresence Marketing LeadPrincipal Product Application SpecialistProgram ManagerReal Estate SpecialistRetired CFOSales ManagerSargeant at ArmsSenior AnalystSenior Event CoordinatorSenior Manager Art DirectionSenior Marketing DirectorSongwriter / ProducerStudio Art TeacherSurgical RoboticistSVP, General ManagerSystems ArchitectVice President DesignVice President of OperationsAssistant Head / Academic DeanCommunications CoordinatorAP Studio Art InstructorChief Project EngineerDesign RecruiterAgentDirector of InnovationDirector of Integrated MarketingDirector of Product DesignDirector, Market DevelopmentDivisional Vice PresidentGraphic IllustratorIndependent MusicianInsight & Planning DirectorInternships / Film & VideoIT ManagerManager Multimedia ServicesManager, Marketing PlanningManager, Social EngagementManager, Strategic InitiativesPMFA PartnerSenior Copywriter / EditorSenior PlannerSenior Product ManagerSr. User Experience DesignerTrade Show Assistant ManagerUrban PlannerVice President Global SalesVice President of eCommerceVice President, Customer ServiceVP ProductWeb ProgrammerProfessor of MusicAdvocacy and Grants CoordinatorAssistant Relationship ManagerCloud Computing StrategistBuilder/CommunicatorAccount CoordinatorAccount SupervisorCatalog DirectorDesign PrincipalCookDevelopment PartnerDirector of eCommerce BrandDirector of Medical RecordsDirector of ResearchDirector of Social MarketingDirector, HR Business PartnersDirector, Strategy & InnovationeCommerce BrandExhibit Design DirectorGraduate Research AssistantHead of Experience DesignIndependent ContractorInnovation LocatorInterviewer/ProducerLead DeveloperMarketing Account ManagerMechanical EngineerNational Director of OperationsOfficer, Mission CommunicationOperations DirectorOTC SpecialistPlanning DirectorPrincipal / Strategy DirectorResearch AssistantSales OperationsSecuritySenior AnimatorSenior Architect, AnalyticsSenior DirectorSenior Director CRM / AnalyticsSenior Director, EditorialSenior Director, Marketing Senior InstructorSenior StrategistSpace ArchitectSVP Group Planning DirectorVendor Relations / Merch OpsVice President of DesignVP of CreativeVP, Application DevelopmentVP, Business PartnershipsVP, Director of TalentYogiClinical Pharmacist/Asst. ProfDesign/Production CoordinatorAdvertising CoordinatorCorporate tax consultantCinematographer/EditorCurriculum SpecialistBusiness SpecialistCheese BuyerChairpersonDesign LeadCounselorBassCRODirector of Design ArchitectureDirector of EventsDirector of Strategic PrioritiesDirector Product PartneringDirector Talent AcquisitionDirector, AdvertisingDirector, Enrollment ServicesDrumsEducation & Exhibitions ManagerExternal Initiatives ManagerGame DirectorGuitar and VocalsHead of WardrobeManager, DevelopmentManager, Information ResourcesMarketing StrategistNational Account DirectorPrincipal / Managing DirectorProject Development ManagerQualitative ResearcherSenior Manager, MarketingSenior ResearcherUrban Planning StudentVP Foodservice StrategyAssistant Dean of Career Dev.Category Management AnalystAssociate Project ManagerBusiness Project ManagerDerivatives SpecialistClinical ConsultantCareer CenterDirector, MarketingDivision Director of RecruitingGlobal Creative DirectorInnovation AdvisorManager, Research & AnalysisManager, US Marketing Market DevelopmentMotion DesignerProject Implementation ManagerSenior Account ManagerSenior Director, Design GroupSenior Manager, Marketing Senior Web DesignerSupervisorTrainerUI DirectorUX DirectorVice President of ProductVideo ProducerVP Customer ExperienceAssociate DeanChief External Relations OfficerCorporate Partnerships DirectorBiological AnthropologistCredit Risk SupervisorDesign Talent ManagerCredit AnalystDigital StrategistDirector Medical CommunicationsDirector of FinanceDirector of Space PlanningEditorial DirectorExecutive Producer/CEOHead Cheese-ItHead ChefLead UX DesignerNational Music DirectorNetwork Relationship ManagerOperations and EventsPartnerships + Outcomes ManagerPolicy AssociatePrincipal UX LeadProduction ManagerProject CoordinatorScience EditorScuba InstructorSenior Career DeveloperSenior Strategic PlannerSenior UX DesignerTech & Support ManagerVice President, Human ResourcesVP Global Customer Experience
3,224
Attendees
1,056
Titles
1,523
Organizations
President
Most Common Title
Cusp Conference audiences have been as diverse as its presenters. With titles ranging from student to CEO, they’ve joined us from Fortune 100 companies, startups, universities, museums, not-for-profits, and the media. But they all share one common trait: they’re interested in the design of everything.
Sound like something you want to be part of?
Register for Cusp 2018.
Want to see more? Explore the presenter database.
Cusp Conference is a project of Multiple, Inc.

© 2018. All rights reserved.

Cusp Conference is a registered trademark of Multiple, Inc.