Projects
Project 1: Developing an Idea
Project 2: Executing the Conference
When Craig Nolte first posted in the TEAM group on LinkedIn, few of us could anticipate the outcome. In the thread, Craig expressed interested about developing business relationships in Alaska:
I am interested in sponsoring a meeting/workshop to discuss how we can promote entrepreneurship, economic development, innovation and technology transfer in Alaska. I suggested making the first event a facilitated session to gather ideas from the participants, and include some presenters on potential solutions too, such as the Corporation for Enterprise Development, which also scores states under the same category. I am already involved in a couple of other initiatives in Alaska, and am interested in how I can assist this group.
Birthed out of over 40 comments filled with excitement and anticipation evolved a conference for influential mentors and entrepreneurs in Alaska.
Table of Contents:
- Read the letter that started it all
- Check out the agenda
Showcasing Solutions:
Strengthening Alaska’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation
October 29, 2009 at the Anchorage Marriott
Alaska has a long tradition of innovation. Articulating new and better ways of doing things is part of the Alaska vision and Alaskans must be intentional about change in today’s economic climate of urgency and opportunity.
With this in mind, the Institute of the North and many of its partners invite you to participate in Showcasing Solutions: Strengthening Alaska’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation, October 29, 2009 at the Anchorage Downtown Marriott.
Innovation and entrepreneurism do not take place in a vacuum. It is only through building relationships and platforms for idea-sharing that change is inspired. This day-long forum does exactly that. With stakeholders present from across Alaska attendees will highlight many of the challenges facing Alaskans and the opportunities that exist to address them.
It is interesting to note that this forum came out of a discussion on LinkedIn. There, a community of interest grew around the idea of being able to share, build and connect with one another. At the same time, it was apparent that just another conference would not do.
Content from this event comes from those who participate, the stakeholders to whom success means the most. We plan to develop an agenda that celebrates your creativity and your commitment. Your comments are welcome in shaping this. Some of the ideas that have been voiced online include:
- Identifying our Investment Community
- Partnerships – the University System and Beyond
- Outreach – Building Awareness within the State
- Rural Input and Implementation
Much of the dialogue will take place in small groups as we seek to explore and refine the knowledge brought to the table. More importantly, those attending will spend time identifying solutions and creating action teams.
In this, we must ask ourselves how we can be intentional in developing innovation and entrepreneurship while contributing to other efforts being made toward economic development. Across the state, initiatives are coalescing as Alaskans attempt to create a shared vision for a common future. There will be many opportunities to share what we learn and hope to move forward in a diverse array of other settings. There must be a first step. Join us as we take it.
Feel free to contact us at akdialogue@institutenorth.org or allanrjohnston@yahoo.com for more information or to indicate an interest in participation.
Sincerely,
Nils Andreassen
Managing Director
Institute of the North
Phone: (907) 771-2444
Fax: (907) 771-2466
akdialogue@institutenorth.org
http://www.institutenorth.org
Allan Johnston
Chief Encouragement Officer
The Entrepreneurs and Mentors Network
Showcasing Solutions:
Strengthening Alaska’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation
October 29, 2009 at the Anchorage Marriott
View our latest draft agenda (continually updated) here: http://institutenorth.org/servlet/content/entrepreneurship.html
