CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The political parties in our state are busy right now -- making promises, keeping the facts straight (or not), pointing out rights and wrongs. It seems we have heard it all before. Same ideas, same disagreements regarding labor, business, tax reform, education, our environment, our economy, public sector accountability, private sector responsibility.

Something is missing. Something that wants a voice at the conversation table -- even if it has to bring its own chair, without an invite or cordial nod.

CREATE WV fills that seat and brings its reputation, context and values to finally put aside West Virginia's many played-out scenes. The CREATE WV Conference, taking place in Charleston Oct. 26-27, is your chance to start right now and join a diverse community of West Virginians who come together to create a West Virginia that thrives on innovation, unique places, artistic vision, connectivity, diversity, entrepreneurship, technology and growth.

During the two-day conference you will quickly see and hear what is different.

CREATE WV is not about replicating what others have done. It's about forging a dynamic new West Virginia that is rooted in what has always made our state great. It's the combination of the simple beauty of our surroundings and the soulful strength of our unique history with 21st century tools to share our strengths with the world, and to invite them to share and create with us. It's about putting a big welcome mat at our door and greeting the new in the context of what's already great about Almost Heaven.

CREATE WV is a "new trust" that empowers grass-roots, bottoms-up intentions, capabilities and disruptions. A trust in new education, new institutions, new social networks and new people. CREATE WV is a value-shift away from the political to the possible, from the textbook to the doing, from the "left" and "right" to the "crowd".

CREATE WV is where and when and how and why and what our state must turn to for its future. It is technology, trees, talent and tolerance. It is not a policy, a regulation, a budget or a balance sheet.

Please visit createwv.com and register to attend this event. Participate, deliberate, "conversate" and emancipate yourself, your work, and your future from what "is" to what "is possible". Start now, and crash the "party."

McClung is a volunteer with CREATE WV, an independent grass-roots organization launched by Vision Shared (visionshared.com) to empower West Virginians at a local level.