BK 2020 Future Search

Creating the Future We Want

January 30 – February 1, 2008, San Francisco

BK 2020 is a unique strategic planning event — a Future Search — to help Berrett-Koehler plan its future in the context of the sweeping changes taking place today in media, technology, business, society, and the world.  Berrett-Koehler last did such a Future Search in 2000, and it was a tremendous event that has informed our mission and strategies ever since.  

This Future Search will be a highly interactive experience in which all participants will contribute to the discoveries, strategies, and plans.  We will examine the current realities and emerging possibilities in the publishing and media worlds, envision future scenarios for better achieving Berrett-Koehler’s mission of “Creating a World That Works for All,” and devise action plans for strengthening BK’s sustainability, business performance, and value to its communities.

This Future Search will bring together 70 participants who represent the full spectrum of the Berrett-Koehler communities as well as a microcosm of the media, publishing, and business worlds surrounding us:

• Berrett-Koehler authors, employees, investors, board members, customers, service providers, suppliers, distributors, and marketing agents;
• Experts in book publishing media as well as from various new media companies and electronic content providers;
• Representatives across the book buying cycle, including end-user customers, institutional customers, online booksellers, bricks-and-mortar booksellers, U.S. and international distributors, publicists, special sales marketers, internet marketers, and rights agents.    

The Future Search will take place in San Francisco, at the Commonwealth Club of California (595 Market Street), from noon on Wednesday, January 30, to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 1, 2008.   Participation is limited to the 70 invited attendees, and all attendees must agree to actively participate in the full Future Search, from beginning to end.  (There are no observers or one-day participants.)

We are carefully selecting invitees who we believe would bring key perspectives and knowledge to this event that would be important to its success.  We also expect that participants will find it to be a good use of their time, both in being immersed in a rich learning event and in helping to guide an independent, mission-driven company to greater impact and sustainability in the world.