The Salon is a sweet spot
Contribution from Tammy Lynn Gilmore
Tammy Lynn Gilmore is a community builder, content curator, live events producer and creator of the SXSW community grant program. She has extensive experience in all aspects of curated, boutique and virtual event planning, production and execution. She loves working on all things where technology, art, science and human rights meet.
In all my years of creating and curating events of all sizes, I have witnessed over and over the incredible power of bringing people together. As a member of the SXSW staff for many years, I witnessed firsthand the palpable energy of a citywide experience. There is an inherent vitality when so many people come together for a common purpose.
But what if you don’t want to get lost in a crowd? What if getting the chance to know and be known by each participant was the point? The Enlightenment era Parisians and Gertrude Stein knew the value of convening thinkers, authors, musicians, poets, and intellectuals in intimate salons. They created a fertile opportunity for deeper knowledge sharing. What we can learn from these celebrated salons is that small group gatherings have the ability to satisfy and nurture the human need for connection in a way few experiences can. They can join us in meaningful ways at a time when we feel more disconnected than ever. They can catalyze societal change and shift the way we think about the world.
Photo by Fran Mart
Today’s conferences, many times the size of those salons, have become the new standard for thought leadership and personal or professional development. But even these large events benefit from the hidden enclaves within them, all the more cherished because of their intimate nature. By escaping the throng, we can discover new ways of thinking and being as well as get to know our fellow seekers – a much needed respite in a world where having more can often be too much.
One thing I’ve learned from my event planning background is that the right concentration of time, people,and place can break through the superficial and bond us in a way that goes beyond typical networking. What if we thoughtfully created more time and space for smaller groups of people to awaken and develop these sparks of camaraderie and ideas? I think that by curating smaller, deeper experiences we can help create a better understanding of ourselves and how we can better co-exist on this planet.
The Field Trip Co.’s inaugural trip to Scotland takes this proven recipe and applies it to nature, economy, and community. In the spirit of a curated salon, it gives us a fresh framework to think creatively about what it means to be a part of a restorative and conservation-minded society. It feels like the right next step into the future.
