We caught up with Michael Jager of JDK to ask him some questions before the conference….

What will you be preaching about at the Connection Planning Conference?

Emotional Devotional - the desperate need to protect the emotion that stimulates devotion.

In your opinion, how does design intersect with Connection Planning?

Design is in everything. Connections planning itself is ecosystematic design thinking…so it’s not so much an intersection as it is inextricable links.

I read an article by Roadtrip Nation that you planned to come to New Orleans “to continue building your career.” Why New Orleans?

Taking the path less traveled always interests me and while everyone was flocking to New York, LA, San Fran, London, Tokyo…it just seemed right - that and the scene from Easy Rider in the cemetery acid trip and the romantic visual Renaissance portrayal of the city from Pretty Baby and…and…sadly I never got there - until now!

What do you find intriguing about this city? And oh yeah, thanks for supporting Hurricane Katrina survivors through your Art Helps auctions. Art Helps - happy to know it helped even a little. Clearly the need remains.

Green is an increasing trend within our culture and especially down here in New Orleans. JDK has worked closely with some green clients. How have they influenced you? What are your thoughts on the new movement?

Green. Being from Vermont and living as we do in the heart of the green mountains, it has always been an element of what’s guided our evolution.

Certainly being blessed with the opportunity to work with brands like Patagonia, Seventh Generation, Timberland, Orlio, Stonyfield, Vermont Fresh Network etc. has helped us in the acceleration of the world’s knowledge of needs and best practices.

As far as influences…the momentum has sharpened our focus and belief in the cause and facing the crisis in what we do.

Thoughts on the movement - green washing is as poisonous as the pollution and destruction itself. Clients cashing in on the ‘commerce of green’ and not truly making efforts toward the true goal of chance and education must be called out. It’s not about green for us anymore, it’s about applying appropriate corporate social responsibility to all we do and working hard to connect clients and vendors who are truly dedicated to the movement.

What’s the one thing you are looking forward to in New Orleans. Food, music, Voodoo?

One thing…I am looking for that great jazz note that brought down the walls of Jericho.