Converging in the Crossroads of Kansas City, the Forum is made up of thought and culture leaders exploring, translating and synthesizing participant’s conversations on a spectrum of topics. Keynote speakers will fuel the creative fire and set the tone for the dialogues. The Dialogues will be lead by panels of 3-5 facilitators for each topic.

New work from 22 visual artists will be on display at OfficePort in the group show called “Future Currents” opening to the public on First Friday (April 6, 5pm).

Film/Animation screenings and dialogues with their directors/creators will be held at Screenland while performances and a special photo booth reception(M/E photography) will take place after hours at StagePort.

The 2012 Forum is creating a unique space to refine and direct new and unforeseen ideas, experiences and collaborations.

Should you participate you should definitely register here…

So what attracted Jolles to the Crossroads? “The creative people,” he said.

“It had this complete set of characters that were a lot like me, a bunch of rebels,” Jolles said, smiling. “I also loved the architecture. I loved what all of these buildings looked like. I saw the potential.”

Jolles began purchasing, renovating, and brokering many of the run-down warehouses in the area. He became so passionate about the Crossroads community that he even served as president of the Crossroads Community Association.

That passion for community is what, in 2008, led Jolles to pitch his real estate business partner, Mike Edmondson, on a different type of project — coworking. OfficePort, a coworking space in the Crossroads District, was born.

In an area where most of the commercial spaces averaged 5,000 square feet, Jolles routinely received calls from small businesses requesting small spaces and had nothing to offer them. He saw one-person companies, banking on strong future growth, taking up pricey and risky contracts for office space. “The overhead,” Jolles explained, “would kill them in a year.”‘

- Excerpt from Annie Sorensen’s most recent article on Shaul Jolles, co-founder of OfficePort, and OfficePort Kansas City. For the full article visit siliconprairienews.com.