American entrepreneur and former music artist’s rep Dustin Edelhertz had no trouble making connections with Bermudians on his first trip to the island ten years ago. Now, working in tandem with the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, the New York-based consultant is aiming to replicate that experience for American and Bermudian millennials and centennials at Inspire Bermuda Weekend, November 8-10, at the Fairmont Southampton hotel.Organisers say the event will provide a weekend full of inspiration and encouragement. Attendees will enjoy a mix of networking, art, entrepreneurship, music, relaxation and education, providing Bermudian creative entrepreneurs and artists, and visitors, with an opportunity to experience the multiple facets of Bermuda.Mr Edelhertz works with Driven Society, an organisation founded by cultural innovator Travis Weekes that is focused on building success for multicultural millennials and centennials by providing educational entertainment, professional resources, mentorship and specialised live events.“I love it out there,” Mr Edelhertz said. “I made friends there instantly. There are a lot of islands, with a lot of beaches, but there is something about Bermuda, community-wise, a friendliness and eagerness and creative energy there, that’s just so easy.”A marketplace and art gallery on Friday November 8 at the Fairmont will kick off the weekend, showcasing Bermuda’s best local goods produced by vendors and visual artists. On the Saturday, a five-part moderated conversation featuring some of the most influential and creative millennials in business will examine vital strategies for both entrepreneurs and career executives to focus on achieving their goals. “I have seen a number of events in Bermuda that target an older audience, a formal business audience,” Mr Edelhertz says.“It is a lot easier for young people to relate to, and be impressed by, a person who looks like them and speaks like them. They can visualise where they have come from to where they are now.“The speakers we are bringing are all under the age of 30, with one exception, and they are young people who have all been successful in the last five years. What they have accomplished is going to be relevant to young people today.”Aside from the seminars, there will be ample time for socialising, Mr Edelhertz says, pointing to a rum-tasting presented by Goslings on the opening night, and a free day for “off-campus” exploring on the Sunday.“We’re not coming all the way to Bermuda to take notes,” he says. “It’s about enjoying the island as well.”A spokesperson for the BEDC said: “Our goal with this event is to inspire Bermuda’s creative entrepreneurs and artists. This is a rare instance where American tourists are attending the same event with Bermudians. “And with everyone in the room having that creative and entrepreneurial spirit in common, we believe attendees will make real connections and friendships that will create new collaborations and partnerships between the US and Bermuda to last for many years.”Driven Society is marketing the event in the US via its extensive social media presence, as well as an e-mail list of some 30,000 contacts. Mr Edelhertz said: “It’s our ambition to grow the event bigger and bigger each year, attracting Americans who are peers of Bermudians so that they can connect the way I did, opening up communication for business, for an exchange of ideas, or even friendships. Overall, people are pretty excited.”Seminar topics on Saturday include the art of storytelling: valuable concepts of strategy and branding; spread the word: how to use content and media to achieve your goals; community: establish your base, then grow and maintain it; the journey: insights into every phase of success from idea to exit; and paid to be yourself: generate revenue, overcome challenges, think long term.The featured speakers are:• John Henry, partner at Harlem Capital, voted to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and Ebony’s Power 100 lists, and host of the Viceland show, Hustle.• Alex Wolf, author and speaker, was recognised in Fast Company’s “Top 100 Most Creative People in Business”, Adweek’s “Top 20 Influencers Who Radiate Creativity + Get Everyone Talking”, and Inc’s “Top Creative Entrepreneurs In Marketing and Media”. • Jonathan Jackson, co-founder of Blavity, Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, and board member at HBCU.VC, focused on equipping the next generation of Black and Latinx students looking to get involved in venture capital.• Julian Mitchell, award-winning marketer, instructor, and multimedia journalist and collaborator with Sean “Diddy” Combs on launch of Revolt Media & TV.• Bianca Jeanty, co-founder of MIM Connect, which serves as the LinkedIn for professionals of colour to change the face of media. • Kenji Summers, founder of Future Current, and a top brand strategist. • Ani Sanyal, chief executive officer of Green Room Creative, a multidisciplinary creative working at the intersection of business and culture. • Tola Lawal, executive director of not-for-profit organisation Gyrl Wonder, whose success has made her one of the most influential voices in women and youth culture. • Rashaad Lambert, an award-winning marketing architect (or marketect®), educator, and philanthropist. • Mr Edelhertz earned his first multi-platinum music credit at age 23. He was the first person to provide DJ mixes streamed on mobile phones, reaching more than four million listeners.• Mr Weekes was a real estate agent in New York before founding Driven Society. He has a passion for music, technology, and entrepreneurship. • Admission to the Friday evening marketplace is free and open to the public for shopping. To vend or sell visual art at the event, contact inspire@drivensociety.com or info@bedc.bm.• The moderated conversations on Saturday take place in the Mid Ocean Amphitheatre. Tickets, $99, can be purchased at www.inspirebermuda.com/tickets. BEDC members receive a discount; contact info@bedc.bm to access the discount code. Registered vendors/visual artists receive a complimentary ticket to the seminars.