I found last year’s Creative Company Conference in Amsterdam a very worthwhile experience. An energetic bunch of speakers, a great venue, a pleasant crowd and sufficient new ideas and insights to last me, well, a month at least . So I’m looking forward to attending this year’s edition as well. It takes place on Tuesday may 26th and there’s an early bird discount price of €595,- if you register before april 15th.

The line-up for this year looks good: a hotpot of academics, entrepreneurs and consultants in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity. On the one hand, this diversity is great: it helps pin point connections between the practical and the theoretical, and it inspires in its diversity. On the other hand – and this was one of my more critical thoughts on the 2008 edition – it leaves one groping for the overriding theme to it all.

This is not a bad thing if the flow of the day can be processed by the audience, and if this processing is coached by someone who is able to listen very carefully and connect the dots. I am challenging Harry Starren of the Baak to add more content to his master of ceremony function than last year.

What I am especially looking forward to is the extra bits the organization of CCC2009 added: the break out sessions, the 3 minute pitches, and special themes. These will hopefully make the event a truly creative experience, with much more to do than just listen.

Ralf Beuker and I will report live from CCC2009 on twitter, flickr and our blogs. Twitter hashtag will be #ccc2009.