Beyond Lighthouses and Lobsters:
Leveraging Maine’s Capability for Innovation and Creativity
Presenters: David Swardlick and Bernard Mohr
Maine has great natural resources. So it's not surprising that many people think Maine’s future is more tourists, more hikers, skiers and boaters and retirees. We agree --- with a caveat! We think not only is this a great place to live and visit, we think it can also become a great place to build careers and world-class businesses.
With that in mind, over a dozen companies, business and arts organizations (spearheaded by the Maine Center for Creativity) have come together to create The Maine Network for Innovation and Creativity (MaineNIAC for short).
MaineNIAC is an extraordinarily challenging idea….
…….To multiply by an order of magnitude the connections between and awareness of, all of the individuals, companies and networks in Maine that are bringing innovative, creative social systems, technologies, or artistic expression to life, here and “away.” And by so doing, to support, strengthen and elevate the individuals, agencies, organizations and networks already working to build and brand Maine for its innovation and creativity.
We envision MaineNIAC as both an in-person and digital “network of networks” designed to help grow Maine’s economy and to promote Maine’s innovation and creativity success stories to the world….to simultaneously build and brand us as a nationally recognized, 35,387 square mile region of innovation and creativity.
At this interactive discussion, we will share our ideas and progress to date and also invite you to participate as co-constructors of this exciting concept.
About Maine Center for Creativity
The Maine Center for Creativity (MCC) is committed to nurturing innovative companies and people in Maine by developing projects and programs that support the growth of creative industries and the arts including Art All Around™, a project to paint the Sprague Energy tanks, and the Creative Toolbox Series. For more information, please visit http://www.mainecenterforcreativity.org <http://www.mainecenterforcreativity.org>.
David Swardlick is co-founder and managing partner at the Food and Wellness Group, a brand development and marketing firm that helps food companies and organizations grow their businesses and promote healthier lifestyles.
Economic and community development have been a major focus of David’s work. He led the team that developed the enduring promotional campaign and theme, “Maine. The Way Life Should Be.” He and his colleagues helped reposition blueberries from “something in a muffin” to become an “icon of healthy eating.” He also led the development of the very popular “Eggs and Issues” monthly gathering that has been the centerpiece of the Portland Community Chamber’s programming for over 25 years.
David serves on the Business Advisory Council of the University of Southern Maine School of Business, was the founding president of the board of the Maine Center for Creativity, and is co-directing the development of MaineNIACundefinedthe Maine Network of Innovation and Creativity. David's email is dswardlick@foodandwellnessgroup.com
Bernard Mohr is passionate about creating organizations and networks that work well AND are great to work in. As co-founder of Innovation Partners International and as a design practitioner he supports clients such as Tufts Medical Center, Martins Point, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKlein, the World Health Organization, Coca Cola, British Petroleum, DelHaize, Exxon, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, LL Bean and the governments of Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA. His specialty is participative innovation in strategy and how things get done – the who, the how, the why and where – while building capability for sustainable value creation. His work combines the best of Design Thinking, Complexity Science, SocioTechnical Systems principles and Appreciative Inquiry (positive change). Bernard's email is bjmohr@innovationpartners.com
Roundtable
Takes place from 9:45-10:30 following the regular meeting and is optional
Understanding Motivation Traits - Why We Do the Things We Do
Presenter: Denise Martin
People act in consistent patterns when motivated to behave in any situation. This discussion will focus on predicting, influencing, and determining motivational traits underlying behavior when it counts; the psychology of sales success in a mini-lab environment.
Denise Martin is principal at Good For You Coaching & Consulting, Inc.
GFY Coaching & Consulting delivers training seminars and workshops on selling skills, body language, reading the nonverbal cues of others, communication skills, employee retention, and customer service.
Denise is a corporate trainer on innovative thinking, sales coach, published author, behavioral expert, certified hypnotist, college instructor, researcher, people analyst, and four-time mother, added to years of corporate managerial experience – which together give a unique perspective on human behavior, interactions, and relationships. Denise's email is denise@goodforyoucoaching.com
The Facts...
The A.C.E. regular meeting has networking, a buffet breakfast and a speaker. Guests are welcome.
Registrations are required by August 13, 2013. If you want to be included on the registration list at the meeting then you need to register by the due date.
You can pay online by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover NOT AMERICAN EXPRESS!) or mail a check to:
A.C.E.
110 Marginal Way #142
Portland ME 04101
If you are mailing a check, please register here so the system can track the registrants for us. Thanks!
Members: the $22 fee only works if you pay in advance. At the door, it is $28.
