In October 2014, SFU Public Square 2014 will host our annual Community Summit – this year on the theme of Innovation: The Shock of the Possible. With events taking place October 19 to 24 in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey, we’ll ask what innovation means for some of the most important social, environmental and economic issues facing communities in BC, Canada, and beyond.
For more information about the community summit program of events please see www.sfu.ca/publicsquare. One event of interest is our Will Innovation Save Us? presentation at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Oct. 22. We will have Ray Kurzweil (Director of Engineering for Google, renowned futurist), Richard Florida, and CBC’s Amanda Lang engaging in provocative dialogue on the challenges and opportunities of innovation. Student tickets are only $5!
SPREAD THE WORD AS THESE ARE GOING LIKE HOTCAKES.
Young Innovators Crawl
Vancouver is home to many talented young people who are passionately innovative. Vancouver’s first Young Innovators Crawl will celebrate and promote the young people who are working hard to take our city to the next level. Recently the City of Vancouver was named one of the 18 most innovative cities in the world by Business Insider. Vancouver is often recognized on an international scale, and is known for its local start-up scene, engaging festivals, and explosive arts and cultural events. But there is more we can do to support our innovation ecosystem.
The Young Innovators Crawl is open to all innovators 30 and under, whether they are leading their own organization, or are promoted by someone who wants to champion their younger protégé. To be featured on the Crawl, innovators must be willing to open their doors to the public, share their work, and animate their space in a DIY fashion that showcases their uniqueness! All innovators will be featured on the SFU Public Square website and as well on the Georgia Straight site, which will host our interactive Crawl map. We also will have exposure in the Vancouver Sun, and other local papers and media outlets.
This lively and interactive journey will move attendees through the creative hubs of the city exploring studios, workshops, installations, dialogues, and exhibits. The Crawl will take place on Sunday, 19 Oct 2014, 12:00 – 5 PM and will visit innovation hubs in Mount Pleasant, The Flats, Gastown, Chinatown, Yaletown & Railtown. *BREAKING* – We are adding Strathcona to the Crawl! Young innovators who live outside the crawl or do not have a space that can be accessed will be provided space at SFU’s Vancouver campus (515 West Hastings), the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch, or in the Woodward’s Atrium.
Participating in and attending the crawl is free. The route and hub spaces will be animated by public art, food trucks, music and pop-up activities, and there will be an after party at a secret location (Fortune Sound Club). The public will be encouraged to attend, and will have access to an interactive map and smart phone app for Crawl stops. Key stops on the crawl will be highlighted and will feature special events at set times, ensuring that larger groups will come together at points of critical mass.
http://www.sfu.ca/publicsquare/community-summit/2014-summit/young-innovators-crawl.html
A key outcome of the crawl will be our research into mapping and tracking the innovation ecosystem and allowing the young innovators themselves to share with us the challenges and opportunities they experience. Their input and efforts will inform recommendations for action to create positive change, helping us support them better.
