Changing context creates new learning

Last week, I participated in The Meeting in Aspen, CO.  I was invited by my good friend Christopher Jerard who is former editor of Freeskier Magazine, Rival IQ customer and all-around good dude working with some amazing clients in action sports.  The event, held annually for the last 10 years, is about getting smart people from the ski and snow sports industry together to compare notes, learn from each other and plot a course for the future.

The event was fun for me because I don’t know the industry, the players or the issues despite an occasional trip up a chairlift.  I did a talk about “Learning from your Competition” which included my background in sailing, the 2013 America’s Cup, current work in marketing analytics and some future scenarios around quantified self.   It was fun to try and bring a fresh perspective and at the same time make my experience relevant considering my affinity for the liquid vs. crystalline form of H2O. I hope the group took a few things away from the talk including the ideas around “build– measure — learn” and measuring “me vs. me, me vs. the competition and me vs. best in class”.

After my talk, I had the chance to meet lots of great and inspiring people including Chris Davenport who, after doing some amazing skiing is working on climate change with Protect Our Winters and Jeremy Jones (also involved with POW) who was showing off his latest movie Higher.  These guys were seriously inspiring on so many levels and I was blown away by their accomplishments.

I also had the chance to talk with Chris and Rob from Outside about their recent work and was especially excited about their upcoming Volvo Ocean Race coverage.  Chatted with guys from X Games, GoPro and other major brands to learn how they are producing and promoting such amazing content across lots of different channels.  We also hang out with Troy and his group from Resqwater (very cool chemistry lesson) which might just end up being the next drink sensation!  Finally, Deric and the crew at Aspen Snowmass organized a great mountain bike ride on the new trails up behind the airport.  Let’s just say that living at sea level vs. altitude creates a disadvantage and I got totally smoked on all the climbs but it was beautiful and fun.

I learned a lot, made a set of connections that challenged my thinking and gave me new perspective on many things including the limits of human performance.  I hope I get more invites to unexpected places to keep learning from smart and inspiring people.  Thanks for having me!