PINC Conference visits Sarasota

What do a biologist, an architect and a NFL coach all have in common?

They all spoke at Sarasota's 3rd annual PINC Conference Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Sarasota Opera House. 

Similar to TED Talk conferences, PINC, which stands for people, ideas, nature and creativity, brings together experts in a variety of fields to give short seminars. 

The conference series was created 18 years ago in The Netherlands, and expanded to Sarasota 15 years later. The conference partners with Ringling College of Art and Design and gives student designers an opportunity to create the programs and merchandise for the event.  

This year 550 people attended the conference. Among audience favorites were Temple Grandin, professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University and advocate for those diagnosed with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, David Bittner, who spent three months alone in the Alaskan wilderness with bears, and neuroscientist Giovanni Frazzetto. 

As for PINC organizer Mike Marraccini, he said he enjoyed seeing how the audience interacted with the speakers throughout the day, but it was difficult to choose a favorite. 

"All the speakers are fantastic," Marraccini said. "I think you are getting a collection of ideas that are so diverse."

Director of Communications for PINC Megan Greenberg said what's impressive about the PINC conference is how the audience reacts to its lineup of speakers. 

"If you look around nobody is on their phone ... people are talking about what they just saw, talking about ideas," Greenberg said. "We call it a bubble bath for your mind."