The Year of Innovation Entrepreneurship • Environment • Engagement

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

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

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

4. The Origin • Began as an outgrowth of the successful collaboration for He&She glass art event • Ad hoc group brainstormed how to replicate that success in a broad-based community effort aimed at real change • Focus turned to innovation as the emphasis in an extended initiative • Convenient coincidence that 2009 is an important anniversary for many Rockford entities

5. The Rationale Successful cities engineer their future and shape their destiny We have to create our own inertia that will move the community forward

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

7. The Outcome Rockford area 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.

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

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

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

11. The Initiatives • YOI committee will endorse and publicize a variety of programs that meet key criteria • Does it fit? (Entrepreneurship, Environment, Engagement) • How is it new? • Are you collaborating? • How will you measure impact? • Does it foster real change? • Committee will support participating organizations with direction and connections, but not with funds

12. The Initiatives • Type and number of programs/events are only limited by participants’ creativity • Examples of event concepts currently being considered for YOI inclusion • RSO Made in America concert • Green Rockford symposium • RAM 5 by 5 youth arts program • Sister Cities youth soccer

13. 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 

14. Green Rockford idea • 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

15. 5 by 5 • Introduces 5 cultural experiences by age 5 • Collaboration with Head Start Program • Sparks imagination, stimulates creativity • Extends awareness and use of community cultural resources • Allows arts and culture entities to reach a broader spectrum of community members

16. Soccer Exchange idea • 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

17. Promotion Plans • Calendar of programs/events • Local print/broadcast media support • Tools for YOI entities to show participation • Official website logo/link • Vertical banner • Counter card/window sticker • Inclusion in RACVB marketing • www.rockfordinnovates.com • Links on community sites

18. Promotion Plans www.rockfordinnovates.com

19. Call to Action • YOI is a community-wide initiative • We need broad participation and support • Consider tailoring current programs and resources toward the YOI effort • Timeline • Collaboration workshop: September, 2008 • Concept proposals: October 17, 2008 • Public launch: January, 2009

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