IdeaSPARK Lineup Announced

August, 28, 2009 , by David

SparkCon started as a conference focused on ideaSpark- the nucleus of the conference where in past years members of the community met together to talk about projects and ideas that can help make the area a better place. This year ideaSpark has morphed into a platform for community ideas. Presenters will kick off SparkCon with a series of Pecha Kucha style presentations that are each 20 slides with 20 seconds per slide.

The event is coupled with a keynote from BlogAds CEO Henry Copeland to start SparkCon off on the Night of September 17th. Copeland will be talking about the formation of creative hubs around the world- outside of the edges of major cities. “Outside is the new inside” is the concept driving online communities and forming communities around thought- not geography.

Find more information at SparkCon.com

Henry Copeland, “Outside is the New Inside”

Aly Khalifa, “Introduction to SPARKcon 2009”

Wayne Sutton, “19 Reasons Why the Triangle is Better than Silicon Valley”

Let’s face the facts, the Triangle is better than Silicon Valley. In the early 80s and 90s people called this region Silicon Valley 2 but we’re so much more. I’ll tell you why.

Atrayus Goode, “From Average to Excellent”

Students who are considered “average” generally receive an unchallenging, watered-down education that fails to prepare them for post-secondary education or to enter the workforce. My Presentation will explore a solution to this dilemma.

Becky Shankle, “Why 9 to 5 is Inhumane”

The 40 hour workweek is killing our alpha brain waves. Why does that matter? Because those are the ones we produce when we’re most creative & best at taking open minded looks at problems, then driving efficiently toward effective solutions.

Pete Farquhar, “Self-Help Helps Your Money Help Others”

This presentation will be somewhat goofy, but Self-Help is a serious community development financial institution that has been taking deposits and lending since 1984. You can learn about us at www.self-help.org . Our mission is “Creating and protecting ownership and economic opportunity for people of color, women, rural residents and low-wealth families and communities.” We do this in a variety of ways, including mortgage and small business lending, residential and commercial community development, and provision of responsible financial services like checking and deposit accounts and personal loans. We have locations across North Carolina, in Washington, DC, and two new locations in California.

Robin Koch, “Oak City Time Trade”

The idea of a time bank is to build community, foster empowerment and equality, and save money by rewarding members for each hour of work they do for someone with an equal amount of someone else’s time.

Beth Yerxa, “Triangle Art/Works: Making Arts Work in the Triangle”

Alan Happ, “Talk About Healthy Humor and Laughter”

Victor Lytvinenko, “Raleigh Denim – Design/Manufacture Business Model”

A discussion based on the design/manufacture business model of Raleigh Denim.

Dan Douglas, “Big Ideas, Climate Change and the Creative Economy – The Future of Downtown Raleigh”

An idea for the sustainable redevelopment of downtown in response to our history, climate change, peak oil, new rail and underutilized ground. This idea will open new possibilities for the creative economy to flourish in a squared and connected space.

Dave Winick, “How Much Does Free Transportation Cost?”

Free transportation. 1304bikes is a collectively-run non-profit, with zero membership fee,providing access to bicycles, parts, tools, and maintenance information. Since 2004, we’ve gotten hundreds of discarded bikes repaired, refurbished, and back into the community. But what does it cost?