Second Annual Chicagoland Innovation Summit to Feature Regional Executives, Leading Innovators and a Microsoft Innovation Expo

Business Wire, Oct 23, 2007

Keynote speakers John Kao and Rosabeth Moss Kanter available for media interviews

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce:

Contact: Jonathan Dedmon/Gina Czark at The Dilenschneider Group: 312.553.0700

What: The second annual Chicagoland Innovation Summit

Where: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.

When: 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Thursday, October 25

Cost: Registration is $350. Event is free to the media. Registration information is available at www.innovatenow.us or by calling 312.494.6709

After tremendous success last year, the second annual Chicagoland Innovation Summit will return with its second annual event. This year's summit features a packed agenda, two keynote speakers and a new partnership with Microsoft Corporation.

The goal of the daylong summit is to continue pushing Chicagoland as a globally recognized center for innovation. Attendees will be privy to valuable networking opportunities, hear how other companies are fostering innovation, developing a 21st century talent pool and measuring progress.

New to this year's summit is a partnership with Microsoft Corporation. As part of its commitment to innovation, Microsoft has chosen Chicago as a strategic location for its Citizenship and Innovation Initiative in the U.S.

During the summit, Microsoft will be hosting an "Innovation Expo," which will feature new technological innovations from Microsoft, Ford Motor Company, Accenture Technology Labs, MPS Partners/nAblement, USG and Wolfram Research.

At the Expo, Microsoft Surface, which turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, interactive computing platform, will be on display for the first time in Chicagoland. Microsoft will also feature a 42-foot "Driving Innovation" Truck, which attendees can walk through and experience Microsoft's latest technology in a very hands-on way.

John Kao, a renowned author, educator and business consultant who was dubbed "Mr. Creativity" by The Economist and one of the 200 top management authorities worldwide, will deliver the morning keynote address. In his recently published book, Innovation Nation, Kao declares America is falling apart because we're suffering from an erosion of innovation.

The afternoon keynote address will be delivered by Rosabeth Moss Kanter, an acclaimed author and the Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Moss Kanter will highlight findings in her new book, America the Principled: 6 Opportunities for Becoming a Can-Do Nation Once Again. The number one principle is innovation.

This year's summit also includes participation from a number of industry executives who will lead breakout sessions and panels. They include:

* Joseph Batista, Director and Chief Creatologist, Hewlett-Packard Company

* Joe Boggio, Director, Innovation Management Solutions, Microsoft Corporation

* Alexander Kandybin, Partner and Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton

* Thomas D. Kuczmarski, Senior Partner and President, Kuczmarski and Associates

* Devajit Mukherjee, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Sears Holdings

* Jim O'Connor Jr., Corporate Vice President, Technology Acceleration, Motorola, Inc.

* Joe Prybell, Director, Research and Development, Cardinal Health

* Richard Stephens, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration, The Boeing Company

* Jane M. Stevenson, Global Managing Partner, Heidrick & Struggles

* Dean Teglia, Chicago Office Managing Director, Accenture

* Howard A. Tullman, President and CEO, Flashpoint Academy; Chairman and CEO, Experiencia, Inc.

* James Tyree, CEO, Mesirow Financial

The summit is part of a three-state initiative that includes leaders from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, who are dedicated to promoting innovation and enhancing economic growth throughout the region. It is sponsored by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, World Business Chicago and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.