Kickstand Blog

Fueling the innovation engine.

Last day for IdaVation Early Bird Pricing

Monday, May 24, 2010
Have you signed up for your jolt of
innovation and inspiration this week?
If not - what are you waiting for!?
Today's your last chance to snag tickets at early bird prices for IdaVation 2010.
Register Now


When: Wednesday, May 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Boise Centre

What: Presented by Kickstand, IdaVation is a tremendous opportunity to learn from an ensemble of business luminaries and experienced, successful entrepreneurs.

This year's theme is: Fostering a culture of innovation. Why?  Because the foundation of innovation is grounded in a culture that promotes taking risks, focusing on future markets, and developing creative new ideas, products and services.  The summit is packed with speakers, breakout discussions and networking breaks to help you and your company enhance your creative and innovative capabilities – equipping you with new ideas to help transform your future.  Check out the full lineup for the day-long summit.
 
Early-bird ticket pricing is available through the end of today ($69).  Also, the special group rate of 10 tickets for only $500 ($50 per ticket!) is also available at this time.   
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Save the Date: IdaVation 2010 on May 26

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Save the date for IdaVation 2010, set for May 26 at the Boise Centre!

As Kickstand's annual conference, IdaVation is a tremendous opportunity to learn from an ensemble of business luminaries and experienced, successful entrepreneurs. This year's theme is: Fostering a culture of innovation.

Check out the lineup & save the date. Tickets on sale next week.

7:30am Registration

8:30am Welcome & Remarks: Ben Quintana, Chair, IdaVation

  • Special Guest Welcome - Dave Bieter, Mayor, City of Boise
  • Platinum Sponsor Remarks - Eric Bjorkman, Of Counsel, Perkins Coie

Keynote: Unleashing Creativity - How individuals and companies can foster a sustainable culture of innovation

by Mitch Ditkoff, Co-Founder & President, Idea Champions

The future of your business - indeed, the future of any business - is intimately tied to its ability to innovate: the relentless effort to originate and implement bold new ways of creating extraordinary results. But how does innovation really happen? What ignites it? What drives it? And more importantly, what can you do to increase the chances of it becoming a day-to-day reality on the job - no matter what your title?

Mitch Ditkoff's keynote is specifically targeted to anyone wanting to significantly increase their odds of generating, developing, and implementing the kind of ideas that lead to real innovation. His presentation is a boot camp for brilliance. Practical, hands on, and fun, it will leave a lasting impression.

Participants will learn:

  • Key insights into what it takes to be a breakthrough innovator
  • A clear model on what's required to establish a culture of innovation
  • Useful principles and best practices to apply on the job
  • Tools and techniques to think outside the box
  • The origination and development of at least one, powerful new idea
  • A painless way to give timely feedback to fellow innovators
  • The confidence and commitment to manifest their most inspired ideas
10:30 AM

Break
10:45 AM

Creativity and Innovation in Isolation - How Idaho companies are leveraging place to their advantage

  • Moderator: Mark Rivers, CEO, Brix & Company, 2009 Idaho Innovator of the Year
  • Michael Boerner, Founder & CEO, Unity Media Group and Unity Medical, Inc.
  • Bob Lokken, Founder & CEO, WhiteCloud Analytics
  • John Sosoka, Co-Founder, Pulse-Robotics
11:45 AM

Networking Break
12:00 NOON

Lunch and Networking Break
1:45 PM

World-Class Research Opportunities for Entrepreneurs and Innovators - Idaho-based ideas ready for commercialization

  • Moderator: Mike Reynoldson, Government Affairs Manager, Micron Technology
  • Mary Givens, Director, Office of Technology Transfer, Boise State University
  • Gene Merrell, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Research and Economic Development & Chief Technology Transfer Officer, University of Idaho
  • Jason Stolworthy, Technology Transfer & Commercialization and Licensing Manager, Idaho National Laboratory
2:45 PM

Break
3:00 PM

Disruptive Technologies: Risk taking and focusing on future markets

  • Moderator: Jay Larsen, Founder & CEO/President, Idaho Technology Council
  • Layne Simmons, President, Motionetics, Inc.
  • Clay Young, Co-Founder & CEO, Inovus Solar
4:00 PM

Networking Break
4:15 PM

Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship Roundtables
Facilitated roundtables where attendees can pick the minds of CEOs, entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry leaders.

or

Innovation Workshop with Mitch Ditkoff, Co-Founder & President, Idea Champions
5:45 PM - 7:30 PM

Networking Reception

 

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May Meeting - Idaho's Winery Startups

Tuesday, May 04, 2010
What:  Idaho's Winery Startups
When: Thursday, May 13, 2010 @ 5:30-7pm
Where: The WaterCooler
RSVP
Innovation doesn't just come from labs, and startups don't only exist in the software industry. Idaho entrepreneurs span the spectrum of industries and aren't constrained by four walls. For many, inspiration comes from the terrain of our unique state and the agricultural offerings that abound.

From the vineyards of Southwest Idaho to coops and incubators, Idaho's wine industry has exploded over the past few years since the advent of the Snake River Valley Appellation. Join Kickstand as we hear from three startup wineries who are making their mark in the wine industry - putting Southwest Idaho on the map as the newest wine region. All three wineries are products of coops and incubators which are helping startups gain traction, collaborate and grow.
The panel includes:
Cinder Wines - Joe Schnerr
Davis Creek Cellars - Gina Davis
Syringa Winery
The panel will discuss product development cycles, in-house or outsourced production, sales and marketing and financing hurdles and successes. And, they'll showcase their wines.

RSVP Now
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