The September membership luncheon of the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce is set for Sept. 5.

The meeting will feature Bill Stainton, a multiple Emmy award-winning TV producer, writer and performer; author; and popular keynote speaker. He is the former executive producer of Seattle’s legendary comedy TV show, “Almost Live!” Stainton will give a talk on creativity, entitled “Connect the Dots,” and how to make the connection between new ideas and business.

“In business, everyone is looking for the next great idea,” says Stainton. “Where do great ideas come from? Creativity. Where does creativity come from? Creativity is almost entirely about connecting the dots. It is about seeing relationships that other people don’t see. It is almost never about inventing something out of thin air.

“If you want your business to be the one with the next great idea, you need to connect dots that the competition wouldn’t think to connect,” says Stainton.

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at noon, Sept. 5, at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. Reservations are required.

The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members and members without reservations. Call the Chamber office at 232-3404 to make a reservation or pay by credit card, or email your reservation to  info@mercerislandchamberofcommerce.org.