Scientists and researchers, meet entrepreneurs and business people. Industry folks, meet academics.
The Innovation Central Society (ICS) will serve as host for a meeting May 9 between the region's innovators and academics.
"It's basically to foster relationships, build creative innovation in the region, and stimulate economic activity in the region," said ICS executive director Ernest Daddey. "There are a lot of resources imbedded in academia, and a lot of practical problems imbedded in business, so how can one help the other? We want to let people in the business world know there is a platform of resources and expertise that could help develop solutions for industry."
Representatives will be on hand from the university, Prince George's College of New Caledonia, plus Northwest Community College and Northern Lights Community College. They will come to UNBC's Bentley Centre ready with a two-minute pitch of their best assets available for business and industry.
The rest of the room will be filled with those private sector people who think academics might have some tools to help them build a better business. Daddey is reaching out to more than 150 from his own databases, and the ICS website will soon have registration information for those who see an opportunity for themselves.
"I have some people from industry who will do their pitches first, just to get the conversation started, and then academia will do their pitches," he said. "Industry will be the focal point, telling their stories first, and academia will respond."
After that there will be time for others to bring up their own stories on the forum floor, there will be small-group table discussions as well, and plenty of takeaway material so the new conversations and relationships can grow on their own.
The May 9 event will happen between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For more information, send Daddey an email at [email protected] or call 250.562.9622 (extension 108).
