Learn through Creativity and Innovation
with hands-on workshops taught by leaders from
myriad industries and backgrounds.
Participants discover creative problem-solving skills and productive play practices for their personal and professional life ––sparking imagination that can positively impact their world!
June 22 – 26 in Buffalo, NY
April 3, 2025 — Buffalo, NY — Awaken your creative potential and innovative perspective at the 70th Annual Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI), taking place in person June 22 – 29, 2029 at Buffalo State University.
The Creative Problem Solving Institute isn’t about traditional notions of creativity—it’s about thinking differently. Whether you’re a professional, educator, business leader, consultant, or simply someone curious about problem solving, this conference offers an accepting and collaborative environment to explore innovative ways to tackle challenges.
Participants may choose from several experiential programs where they will learn a proven process for deliberate creativity – from the place that invented brainstorming and has evolved and taught the Creative Problem Solving process for more than 70 years. Attendees will leave with enhanced creative thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills — all of which can be used in the office and at home!
“Our attendees come from all walks of life — educators, creative and business professionals, and non-profit organization representatives,” said Beth Miller, Executive Director of the Creative Education Foundation, which presents the conference. “Through a range of interactive workshops, participants will learn from our wonderful speakers and each other. We know they will walk away with a fresh toolkit of productive practices for their companies, organizations, schools and — most importantly — for themselves.”
Everyone can benefit from honing their practical Creative Problem Solving skills. This year CPSI will offer CEF YouthWise, where kids ages 8-15 practice collaboration, cooperation, flexibility, and perseverance to enhance their creativity skills. A one-of-a-kind program featuring interactive learning, music, and movement, connecting and innovating in an inspiring, interdisciplinary learning environment. CEF YouthWise empowers young people to become the creative leaders of the future.
ABOUT CEF’S GROUNDBREAKING 70th ANNUAL EVENT: CPSI 2025
CPSI provides a break from the business and static of everyday life so you can reset. It gets you out of the weeds and helps bring into focus your vision for long-term growth and achievement.
IT’S ENGAGING
Explore every facet of creativity and innovation among an international community of like-minded people sharing best practices and life experiences from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and professions.
IT’S INSPIRING
Learn creative techniques and methods that can be used personally and in the workplace immediately. You’ll emerge renewed and armed with the skills that you and your organization need to stay competitive in today’s challenging marketplace.
IT’S FUN
Connect with a diverse cross-section of more than 400 business leaders, educators, community activists, nonprofit and government professionals, artists, students and others from around the globe. Experience a dynamic, multi-dimensional learning environment brimming with collegiality, playfulness, openness, challenge, spirit, and purpose.
A five-day creativity conference filled with learning, connecting and creating… plus, relaxing, eating, reflecting, dancing and more! The days are designed with a Main Track every morning followed by breakout sessions, free time, meals, and special events.
CPSI is a great opportunity to explore creativity in many wonderful forms!
Offering opportunities for personal growth and professional development, the 2025 Creative Problem Solving Institute will take place on June 22-26, at Buffalo State University. Click here for the Schedule and Programs.
- Full and Single-Day registrations available.
- Special YouthWise program available for youth ages 8-17.
- Reduced pricing available for educators, seniors, non-profits, youth ages 8 through 17, and college students.
- On-campus housing available for an additional fee. See Housing & Travel Information
- Registration for housing and YouthWise must be submitted by June 10, 2025.
Discounts are available for educators, students, those who work at non-profit organizations, and groups of four or more.
For additional information about this year’s lineup of speakers, programs, and to register, visit 2025 CPSI Conference
About the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI)
The Creative Education Foundation’s Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) is the world’s longest-running creativity conference.
Founded in 1954, the Creative Education Foundation is the recognized world leader in applied imagination. Alex Osborn, an ad man and educator, not only founded CEF and CPSI, but also invented brainstorming and co-founded the ad firm, BBDO. His classic book, Applied Imagination, continues to inspire the work of CEF.
With Sidney Parnes, Osborn developed the Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving process. For more than 60 years, CEF has been teaching adults and children how to use this proven process to develop new ideas, solve complex problems, and implement innovative solutions.
The first annual Creative Problem Solving Institute was held in 1955 at the University of Buffalo. The first virtual CPSI conference was held in June, 2020.
Learn more about the Creative Problem Solving Institute at cpsiconference.com.
About Creative Education Foundation
The mission of the Creative Education Foundation (CEF) is to spark personal and professional transformation by empowering people with the skill set, tool set, and mindset of deliberate creativity.
Learn more Creative Education Foundation creativeeducationfoundation.org