Share Your Expertise at @NorTech’s Innovation #UnConference

Wed 9/24 @ 8am – 5pm

By John Benson

If Seinfeld was the hit television show about nothing, NorTech’s Innovation UnConference is the, well, unconference conference. Confused? Don’t worry. Something that promises not to be confusing is the upcoming tech forum scheduled for Wed 9/24 at the Cleveland Convention Center. The conference of sorts features 34 businesses, research institutions and non-profits. The list includes large organizations such as Rockwell Automation, Cleveland Clinic Innovations and Eaton, as well as innovative small businesses like quasar energy group and rp+m.

The UnConference is presented by NorTech, which is a technology-focused organization boasting a mission statement of strengthening Northeast Ohio’s economic vitality by accelerating the pace of innovation in the region. The outfit connects with government leaders and other influencers to raise the visibility of Northeast Ohio’s technology assets, position the region as an innovation hub and attract resources.

Cool Cleveland talked to NorTech VP for Strategic Outreach Karen Allport about the innovative Innovation UnConference.

Cool Cleveland: How would you define the Innovation UnConference?

Karen Allport: We’ve all been to conferences where there are wonderful speakers and panels and some that aren’t so wonderful but the whole idea is that if some of the expertise [is] the people in the audience, if you can leverage that, you’ll have a greater impact. There’s more opportunity for real engaging dialogue and innovative thinking. It’s a real opportunity for participants to interact and not just listen, but to really be a part of it and share knowledge and ideas.

So how do we break the fourth wall, if you will, between the dais and the audience?

There is no stage. What will happen is the first hour there is going to be a skilled facilitator – Joshua Kauffman – who is going to help us put together an agenda. He has done this all over the world. So the attendees of the conference may say, “I’d like to facilitate a discussion around the importance of the media showcasing the innovation, capacity of the region.” Then he will say, “OK, that’s good. Think about this and think about that. You’ll go over and be in room whatever.”

So at the end of this hour, there will be somewhere around 15 to 25 sessions of discussions that will be going on simultaneously. And then as participants, you can join whatever discussion you feel you have an interest in and can bring value to. Those people involved are very engaged. You’re not being talked to. You’re a part of the discussion and you’re contributing, sharing and learning.

What’s the goal in bringing the Innovation UnConference to Northeast Ohio?

There are a few things. It gives those involved in innovation – from entrepreneurs who are working with new technologies to more established companies who are looking for talent, to even there’s innovation in leadership. Innovation is a broad concept and could be applied in a lot of different ways.

So No. 1, we’re trying to raise the discussion and awareness of innovation in our region from a number of different perspectives. No. 2 is helping people connect so the idea that you may be interested in a particular kind of innovation, trend or technology, and you’ll be able to connect people who have similar interests or possible opportunities.

And then, just to celebrate again what’s happening in our region. There are so many new technologies, new products and new ways of thinking and to be able to share that and celebrate it and learn from that is something that doesn’t happen every often.

Do you feel innovation is lacking in our area?

Oh, no. What we find out in our work, there is so much innovation going on in the area, I think what’s lacking in what we’re trying to do is raise the awareness of it so there can be more robust discussions and more opportunities to connect on possibilities for new business, possibilities to drive funding to the region, possibilities to create jobs. This is the first time it’s been done at this scale in our area. We’re hoping to draw 300 people.

So if the Innovation Unconference is successful will it be returning to Northeast Ohio soon?

Oh yeah.

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Tickets are $175. Register at http://nortechuncon.com.


 

 

Freelance writer John Benson spends most of his time writing for various papers throughout Northeast Ohio.

When he’s not writing about music or entertainment, he can be found coaching his two boys in basketball, football and baseball or watching movies with his lovely wife, Maria.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleveland, OH 44114


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