The Year of InnovationEntrepreneurship • Environment • Engagement

Rockford Partner Presentation2008

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The Concept

A year-long celebration of Rockford area’s legacy of invention and

industriousness

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The Concept

A year-long celebration of Rockford area’s legacy of invention and

industriousness …initiating a new era of creativity,

collaboration and change

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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

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The Rationale

Successful cities engineer their future and shape

their destiny

We have to create our own inertia that will move the

community forward

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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

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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.

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Areas of Focus

Entrepreneurship• Creativity• Courage• Leadership

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Areas of Focus

Environment• Stewardship• Responsibility• Sustainability

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Areas of Focus

Engagement• Involvement• Mentoring• Community

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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

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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

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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 

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Promotion Plans

www.rockfordinnovates.com

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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

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