The Year of Innovation Entrepreneurship • Environment • Engagement

1. The Year of InnovationEntrepreneurship•Environment •Engagement Rockford Partner Presentation May 20, 2008

2. The Concept A year-long celebration of Rockford’s legacy of invention and industriousness

3. The Concept A year-long celebration of Rockford’s legacy of invention and industriousness …initiating a new era of creativity, collaboration and change

4. The Goal Inspire every Rockford resident to be actively involved in building a future for our community that reflects innovation in every aspect of life

5. The Outcome Rockford is transformed into an even greater place to live, work, learn, invest and play in the minds of current and potential residents, tourists and business investors

6. Areas of Focus • Entrepreneurship • Creativity • Courage • Leadership

7. Areas of Focus • Environment • Stewardship • Responsibility • Sustainability

8. Areas of Focus • Engagement • Involvement • Mentoring • Community

9. The Events • YOI committee will endorse and publicize a variety of events that meet qualifying criteria for inclusion • Committee will support participating organizations with direction, connections and counsel for their events

10. The Events • All should relate to at least one of the three focus areas (Entrepreneurship, Environment, Engagement) • Examples of event concepts currently being considered for YOI inclusion • RSO Made in America concert • Rockford Area Arts Council grants • Green Rockford symposium • RAM 5 by 5 youth arts program • Sister Cities youth soccer

11. Made in America • Celebrating the art of manufacturing in Rockford • Innovative gala performance • Unique concert format • Music by American composers • Synchronized film on large screens • Youth concert; factory floor music experiences 

12. Arts Grants • RAAC grant applications available August 25 for October 24, 2008 deadline • For programs taking place between January 9—December 31, 2009 • Priority on organizations focusing on Entrepreneurship, Environment, and Engagement • Collaboration encouraged

13. Green Rockford • Growing interest and imperative for natural resource stewardship • Symposium on green principles and trends • Invite partners from Sweden—recognized for leading-edge green practices • Two instructional tracks with emphasis on practical applications • Organizations • Individuals

14. 5 by 5 • Introduces 5 arts experiences before age 5 • Expands learning in and out of classroom • Sparks imagination, stimulates creativity • Extends awareness and use of community arts resources • Allows cultural organizations to reach a broader spectrum of community members

15. Soccer Exchange • Soccer is “the” international sport • Leverage Rockford’s Sister City relationships • China • Sweden • Hungary • Romania • Italy • Ukraine • Kyrgyzstan • Youth tournament and cultural exchanges with regional clubs

16. Promotion Plans • Calendar of events • Print/broadcast media support • On-site YOI materials for participants • Vertical banner • Counter card/window sticker • Inclusion in RACVB marketing • www.rockfordinnovates.com • Links on community sites

17. Promotion Plans www.rockfordinnovates.com

18. Call to Action • YOI is a community-wide initiative • We need your participation and support • Consider tailoring current programs and resources toward the YOI effort • Timeline • Partner identification: June 30, 2008 • Concept proposals: August 15, 2008 • Public launch: November, 2008

19. A legacy of invention and industriousness. A new era of creativity, collaboration and change.