Creative Blog: The Autumn Keynote

By: SYBC Admin

Welcome to another Creative Blog! We're taking a look at the big one. The Autumn Keynote has become a very essential piece to Schoolyard. So take a look on how this event became a SYBC staple, and an important guide to directing Schoolyard's planning.


The Autumn Keynote? When did it start?

In 2011. By being inspired by Steve Jobs (laughs). It was an odd aspiration. But I was glad it stayed. It bloomed into reminding why Autumn is important to Schoolyard in the first place. The Autumn Keynote continues to tap into the very soul of SYBC, and continues to remember the reason all this exist in the first place.


Why is it really important for a keynote?

I don't know what it is for other companies. But for Schoolyard, it's important because whose gonna believe in what we do better than us? Unfortunately the world is indeed a corporate place. No boycott, no protest changes that. So laying something down like a keynote is extremely important for what is coming next.


I have to continue to faithfully push through to deliver something every year. And the keynote let's us work from the perspective, of understanding what's next for SYBC, and what to look for as guidance is conducted. And guidance is definitely a need for a better organization. Plus it helps to understand how far we've really come from where we was before. It's always an eye opener whenever a new Keynote is presented.


Ah, it's an eye opener? How so?

It always put you where you are. The Autumn Keynote places you where you're at. Then when you see the direction the topic takes you, now it gives a clear distinction of where to approach the next steps. Everything isn't going to be trends. Sometimes you can forsee the next phases that would truly effect how operations will continue. It's a great canary sometimes to see what's going to be waiting ahead for you.


I understand the Keynote thinks about the future? Do you ever think back?

On how we'd get here? Of course. When I was mapping out the 25 years of Schoolyard, I mulled over how could I truly cover 25 years of Schoolyard. I mean, it didn't feel like not much was accomplished. However, when I did it. The information just began to flow out. I was completely floored. Because it was actually alot of things that happened over 25 years! That was the light bulb moment I knew how powerful these keynotes are.

And yeah, I do look back at some of the previous keynotes, and see how they have influenced direction for Schoolyard today. It gives a great sense of reflection of how what was thought about in the past have made a great impact today. Speaking of 25 years, you'll be able to check out the history of Schoolyard and more, at the company policy page.

Neat. So what's next for the Autumn Keynote format?

Radio keynote. Video keynote. And soon a live keynote. This is something to grow upon. This gives experience to the long form address format. There's also a Ebie version of the keynote. That's for accessibility readers. Soon, that will become a bigger platform as well. I feel accessibility deserves to stand on equal ground, to become an important beacon.


Nice. I can't wait to read these.

I hope to always inspire something every Autumn. It's been an energy that's stuck with me since the start. So we're trying to continue the adventure of the Schoolyard story. I do hope you enjoy the keynotes, and take something interesting away from each one. Thank you. And Stay tuned..


S