IT Zone ? Getting Out And About
ANN ARBOR – As you?d expect, I spend most of my days and evenings ? sometimes as much as 14 hours straight ? at the IT Zone. With so many events and meetings here, it?s often difficult to get out and attend events away from home base.
Some exceptional events in early October, however, inspired me to get out and about a little more than usual. In one seven-day stretch, I attended Innovation Michigan in Dearborn, Celebrate Invention at the Michigan League, and a reception at EMU introducing its new Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications program.
Innovation Michigan, held at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, featured a keynote presentation by Rich Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations. Menlo is a long-time IT Zone member company and Rich is currently the vice chair of the IT Zone board of directors. His keynote addressed innovative work environments and he expressed admiration for Thomas Edison?s open work space and free flow of communication among his team of inventors. Menlo is known for its creative, collaborative work style designed to maximize communication and sharing.
Following the keynote, Rob Pasick and Kathleen MacDonald facilitated a series of exercises designed to spur innovative thinking and to increase the understanding of change inhibitors. IT Zone members know Rob Pasick as the host of Rob Pasick?s LeadersConnect breakfasts.
Following the presentations, we were treated to leisurely drives through Greenfield Village in vintage Model T automobiles.
On October 10, I attended my third Celebrate Invention at the University of Michigan. This annual event is presented by U-M Tech Transfer to honor researchers from across campus who are upholding Michigan?s proud tradition of leadership in research and discovery.
This year?s program included recognition of 600 U-M researchers who contributed to the innovation process in 2006 through disclosures, patents and licensing activities. The reception featured displays and demonstrations of some of the exciting research and commercialization efforts taking place at the University.
Ken Nisbet, executive director of U-M Tech Transfer and chairman of the IT Zone board of directors, presented the opening remarks. Stephen Forrest, vice president for research at the University of Michigan recognized the achievements of the researchers and inventors honored at the event.
The week?s third excursion took me to EMU?s University House ? my first visit to the president?s beautiful new home ? for a reception to introduce the Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications. The program?s director and Executive-in-Resident, Archie Sader, hosted the event with business school dean, David Mielke, and EMU president John Fallon on hand to welcome guests and offer remarks.
Also in attendance were IT Zone members Alan Aldworth, CEO of ProQuest who is working with EMU to develop and support the IMC program; Larry Eiler, president of Eiler Communications, who is active in EMU?s public relations degree program, and Chris Kochmanski, partner in DesignHub and member of the IT Zone board of directors.
This new program enables students to earn a master?s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications ? through online courses, in two years. Through this program, students gain a solid understanding of how IMC utilizes advertising, sales promotion, public relations, the Internet and direct marketing to work together as a unified marketing force. Graduates will have a competitive edge when searching for top jobs in this evolving field.
Congratulations to EMU for recognizing the need for this curriculum and developing this state-of-the-art, innovative program!
