Innovate New Albany

Friday 3/21: TIGER ?? Talk: "AI & Workforce Development: What Small Businesses & Municipalities Need to Know" At our beautiful new event space: Brick House Blue at Innovate New Albany. Presenters: Melanie McGee, Co-Founder of?SkillSpout?& Founder/ CEO of?We Can Code IT & Sloan Spalding. Mayor of New Albany, Ohio Mayor Spalding will provide remarks about Community Innovation Partnership?and tee up Mel McGee's presentation. Community Innovation Partnership?is a coalition of mayors committed to leveraging emerging technologies including AI to enhance city functions, strengthen workforce?development, & shape policy. Preview of Mel’s remarks: As AI continues to shape industries, small businesses have a unique opportunity to harness its potential for workforce development, efficiency, and growth. To stay competitive, it’s essential to understand how AI can enhance employee skills, ensure responsible use, & take advantage of funding opportunities. -- AI for Workforce Development & Upskilling: AI-driven training tools can help build new skills, improve productivity, & adapt to changing job demands. -- Developing Internal AI Policies: Establishing AI policies ensures responsible use, protects data security, & aligns AI adoption with business goals. -- Ohio TechCred Program:? Businesses can receive up to $180,000 per year in reimbursement for AI & tech-related training to upskill their workforce. FREE EVENT ??? FREE LUNCH ?? ?? - thanks for the generosity of Community Innovation Partnership! Register below in Comments. New Albany, Ohio Neil Collins Jacqueline Russell Sara Zeigler, CGBP Joanne Pickrell Remington Road Group New Albany Chamber of Commerce Cherie Nelson, IOM Carolyn Heringer Emily Manter Jeannette Frashier, MBA Healthy New Albany Rachel Haugk Pamela Conn Denise Dahl Sandra Solano, M.D, M.S Reilly Corbett Gardner Nia Gill Xantara Mossman, MBA Kate Hepinstall Logan Pack, MBA Ray Waite, MS, PMP Ram Gudimetla Gretchen Goffe David Deagle Morgan Koth, CFP

Join us Friday 3/14 for our 12th TIGER ?? Event of 2025: "The Meaning Gap in the Age of Automation: Navigating Work & Life with AI & Robots." Hosted in our beautiful new space: Brick House Blue at Innovate New Albany. Presented by our featured speaker Ryan Frederick of Transform Labs. In this TIGER Talk, Ryan will explore how the rise of AI and robots is impacting human purpose, the emotional and psychological challenges this brings, and ways to adapt and thrive in a landscape where work as we know it is dramatically changing. He'll help us learn strategies for finding meaning and maintaining fulfillment in an automated world, beyond productivity and efficiency. Free. Lunch included. Don't miss this! Note that we’ve posted this as a LinkedIn Event. Click below to learn more & register - all without leaving LinkedIn. Easy to add to your calendar, too. New Albany, Ohio Neil Collins Jacqueline Russell Sara Zeigler, CGBP Christopher Slee Amy Gregory Weber Reilly Corbett Gardner Nia Gill

TIGER ?? Talk: "AI Agents – Separating Fact from Fiction" Friday 3/7/25, 11:30a - 1:00p Join our featured speaker, Ron Savoia, who will explain AI Agents, also known as Agentic AI, the latest craze in Generative AI! Ron will cover core aspects of AI Agents and their functionality. He’ll also present platforms & tools that are great examples of AI Agents. He'll highlight how AI Agents are being used today, the workflows they’re automating, and the financial value they’re delivering, including by: - reducing costs - increasing employee productivity - creating new revenue streams Finally, Ron will cover “API Workflow Managers” that are claiming to be AI Agents and why he believes they are NOT true examples of Agentic AI. *************** Ron Savoia?is the Co-founder and CEO of?CopilotBuilder, a software platform that enables organizations to create their own custom Generative AI agents. CopilotBuilder currently has several local organizations using this platform for various use cases in support of their business startup, which have been instrumental in advancing the platform in terms of additional functionality and new use cases that it supports. Ron also is the founder of?Stratus Innovations Group, an IT services provider, and previously was the first Ohio-based?Microsoft?employee for their?Microsoft Consulting Services Group. LEARN l CONNECT l ENJOY Join us in our beautiful new space: Brick House Blue at Innovate New Albany 7775 Walton Pkwy, Suite 100 (1st Floor) New Albany, OH 43054 FREE Event ?? + FREE Lunch ?? Register in Comments, below. New Albany, Ohio Neil Collins Jacqueline Russell Sara Zeigler, CGBP Jennifer Chrysler Alex Klosterman Josh Poland Sameh (Sam) Safaa Fahmi Reilly Corbett Gardner Nia Gill Kate Hepinstall Susan Mirgon New Albany Chamber of Commerce Cherie Nelson, IOM Emily Manter Josh Greenwald JR Kunkle

TIGER ?? Talk: "CES 2025: Sustainability, Wellness Tech, and Real World AI" Fri. 2/28/25, 11:30a - 1:00p CES?(formerly known as the International Consumer Electronics Show)?bills itself as “the most powerful tech event in the world” and “the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators.” At this year’s event — in Las Vegas, Jan 5-10, 2025 — CES continued fulfilling these promises, showcasing and shaping our technology future! This year's focus was on sustainability, wellness and digital health tech, and AI applications that are moving beyond hype & simple replacement of search engines into real-world impact. From groundbreaking advancements in clean energy and biodegradable batteries to AI-driven solutions for retail point of sale, business efficiency, healthcare, and urban planning, CES 2025 showcased innovations that are reshaping industries and our daily lives. Join our featured speakers?Brad Griffith?&?Melanie Muscolo?for a photo-filled recap and discussion about the most disruptive trends. From startups revolutionizing climate tech to major industries integrating AI for meaningful change, they’ll share a broad array of technologies and a concise set of insights. They’ll discuss what’s next in consumer technology—what will empower us, what might distract us, and how we can use it intentionally to build a smarter, more sustainable future. If you’re a leader navigating a rapidly evolving landscape, and you’re ready for technology that serves us better, this talk will give you the key insights you need to stay ahead. *************** Brad Griffith?is a technology innovator and a champion for equitable opportunity. His life’s mission is to close equity gaps by creatively applying software and design. He is the Founder & President of?Buckeye Innovation, the web engineering and design team he started in 2009 to amplify the impact of innovative businesses and organizations. *************** Melanie Muscolo?is a dynamic business development leader with a passion for fostering relationships and solving the problems companies are facing. As the VP of Growth & Strategic Engagement at?Buckeye Innovation, she has spent the past five years helping businesses and organizations expand their digital impact through innovative technology solutions. *************** Big thanks to Margo Kressin Wilfong, MBA who will be guesting hosting! LEARN l CONNECT l ENJOY Innovate New Albany 7775 Walton Pkwy, 3rd Floor New Albany, OH 43054 FREE Event ?? + FREE Lunch ?? Register in Comments, below. New Albany, Ohio Neil Collins Jacqueline Russell Sara Zeigler, CGBP Jennifer Chrysler Alex Klosterman Brick House Blue Reilly Corbett Gardner Nia Gill Kate Hepinstall New Albany Chamber of Commerce Tom Krutsch Joanne Pickrell Sandra Solano, M.D, M.S Will J.

Interesting real world example of applying Blockchain/Web3 to benefit customers and the business that’s serving them. Thanks to our recent TIGER ?? Talk speaker, Shaun Pannell for sharing this!

TIGER ?? Talk: "Humans and Machines: The Automated Future of Work" Fri. 2/21/25, 11:30a - 1:00p Automation is no longer something in the distant future; it’s a present reality that’s reshaping industries across the globe. A common misconception, however, is that automation is solely about replacing humans. The reality is that the future of work is about creating a powerful synergy between human ingenuity and machine efficiency. In this?TIGER Talk,?Ronak Patel?will explore the rise of AI and automation, dispelling myths of job displacement, and unpacking the human-bot collaboration so we can all be better prepared for the future of work. Ronak Patel?is CEO of?Sunflower Lab,?a fast-growing, award-winning digital product and innovations agency with offices across North America and India. Ronak is an entrepreneur and technologist at heart. He truly believes technology can change the world for the better. *************** LEARN l CONNECT l ENJOY Innovate New Albany 7775 Walton Pkwy, 3rd Floor New Albany, OH 43054 FREE Event ?? + FREE Lunch ?? Register in Comments, below. New Albany, Ohio Neil Collins Jacqueline Russell Sara Zeigler, CGBP Jennifer Chrysler Alex Klosterman Brick House Blue Reilly Corbett Gardner Regina Tong Nia Gill Kate Hepinstall New Albany Chamber of Commerce Cherie Nelson, IOM Emily Manter Ray Waite, MS, PMP Lorraine Smart Stephanie Wightman Denise Dahl

TIGER ?? Talk: "Unlock the Secret to Making Products Customers Will Love" Wed. 2/19/25, 11:30a - 1:00p Wouldn’t it be great if there were a reliable way to differentiate your products and services from your competition? Actually, there is. The key to successful differentiation lies in focusing on what truly matters to your target customers. You can unlock new opportunities for growth by asking the right questions, understanding what customers want to accomplish, and learning where their needs remain unmet. That approach is the essence of Jobs-to-Be-Done (JTBD), a breakthrough approach that flips traditional market research on its head. JTBD is uniquely effective at uncovering the key, hidden needs that drive customer decisions. In this?TIGER ?? Talk,?Urquhart (Urko) Wood?will introduce you to?“Lean JTBD,”?a practical evolution of the proven JTBD framework, designed to help entrepreneurs and other business leaders: — Find & capitalize on customers’ unmet needs — Boost employee engagement & productivity — Foster a culture of innovation … by applying the mindset & key concepts of JTBD – without the cost of traditional consulting. If you want to build products and services that stand out, command premium pricing, and deliver sustainable growth, this talk is for you! *************** Urquhart (Urko) Wood Wood?is an accomplished innovation leader and the founder of?Reveal Growth Consultants, Inc., where he helps companies drive innovation and growth by uncovering their customers’ hidden unmet needs. With almost 20 years employing the Jobs-to-Be-Done (JTBD) approach, Urko has helped companies of all sizes – from startups to the Fortune 1000 – achieve revenue growth guided by unique customer insights. His passion lies in transforming innovation from a guessing game into a repeatable process driven by high-priority customer needs. Urko has worked with leading organizations such as?Battelle,?NetJets,?Franklin University, and?GBQ Partners?to uncover hidden customer needs that drive innovation and differentiation. *************** LEARN l CONNECT l ENJOY Innovate New Albany 7775 Walton Pkwy, 3rd Floor New Albany, OH 43054 FREE Event ?? + FREE Lunch ?? Register in Comments, below. New Albany, Ohio Neil Collins Jacqueline Russell Sara Zeigler, CGBP Jennifer Chrysler Alex Klosterman Brick House Blue Reilly Corbett Gardner Nia Gill Kate Hepinstall New Albany Chamber of Commerce Cherie Nelson, IOM Emily Manter Jeannette Frashier, MBA Don Caudy Ron Savoia SHEILA DAVIS

TIGER ?? Talk: "Increased Customer Experience = Increased Profits!" Friday 2/14/25, 11:30a - 1:00p Join our speaker, Andy Shockney, who will provide a plan for improving your customers’ experience when consuming or obtaining your products or services. Who should come: Self-challenging business owners and CEOs who are seeking to build the value of their businesses. Come prepared to: - discuss your business’s current performance - specify where you want performance to improve - make a commitment to an action plan to improve profitability *************** Andy Shockney?is President and Co-Founder of?WHAT BOX Consulting Group. Andy’s focus in consulting is on strategic planning and customer experience. His passion is to discover and unlock growth in businesses and leaders. Prior to starting his consulting firm, Andy was Director of Strategic Planning with?Thirty-One Gifts. While at Thirty-One, he also led the customer experience team on a journey from forty million to seven-hundred million in sales. Andy is also an Adjunct Lecturer at?The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business?where he teaches?Marketing Projects 4204 – Marketing Capstone for Seniors. *************** LEARN l CONNECT l ENJOY Innovate New Albany 7775 Walton Pkwy, 3rd Floor New Albany, OH 43054 FREE Event ?? + FREE Lunch ?? Register in Comments, below. New Albany, Ohio Neil Collins Jacqueline Russell Sara Zeigler, CGBP Jennifer Chrysler Alex Klosterman Brick House Blue Reilly Corbett Gardner Nia Gill Kate Hepinstall New Albany Chamber of Commerce Cherie Nelson, IOM Emily Manter

??The reason most companies fail at product innovation and differentiation is not because they lack creativity or ideas. It’s because they lack focus. They lack clarity about where the big opportunities lie, where the market remains unmet. ?? The key to creating differentiated growth strategies and products with strong market fit lies in knowing what matters most to your target customers. By asking the right questions, understanding what they’re trying to accomplish, and identifying where their needs remain unmet, you can unlock hidden opportunities for growth—consistently. ?? Join Urko Wood on 2/19 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Innovate New Albany for a TIGER Talk where he’ll introduce 'Lean JTBD'—a repeatable process for differentiation. Urko has distilled the essential mindset, theory, and key concepts so that senior executives—whether in large companies or startups—can begin applying JTBD immediately to drive differentiated growth strategies and products with strong market fit. ?? Learn more and SECURE YOUR SPOT HERE: bit.ly/415D73Q #innovatenewalbany #innovationmanagement #jobstobedone #differentiation Neil Collins

TIGER ?? Talk: "Innovation Amplified: How the OSU Battelle Center Sparks Growth Through Partnership" Friday 2/7/25, 11:30a - 1:00p Join Dr. Daniel Kelley & Dr. Lisa A Frazier, PhD, MPH for this valuable insiders' peek into the OSU Battelle Center for Science, Engineering, and Public Policy. If you're a leader at an ambitious business, agency, or other organization in Central Ohio, don't miss this opportunity! Dan & Lisa will explain how you can best utilize the Battelle Center's resources -from a world-class research university with a mission toward improving the prosperity of the citizens of the state. The Battelle Center trains students from a wide range of disciplines to work collaboratively to solve problems and contribute to the public good through an integrated, innovative, problem-solving approach. They then help those students and employers in the region get connected for mutual benefit. Additionally, the Center connects research to the real world. How can you help your own organization while also supporting the Battelle Center? Bring the Center your challenges and wicked problems. Tell them what the characteristics of your ideal hires are. Through a membership with the Center, you can present to students, connect with research labs, and engage with student consulting teams. *************** LEARN l CONNECT l ENJOY Innovate New Albany 7775 Walton Pkwy, 3rd Floor New Albany, OH 43054 FREE Event ?? + FREE Lunch ?? Register in Comments, below. New Albany, Ohio Neil Collins Jacqueline Russell Sara Zeigler, CGBP Jennifer Chrysler Alex Klosterman Brick House Blue Reilly Corbett Gardner Nia Gill Kate Hepinstall Healthy New Albany Pamela Conn Rachel Haugk New Albany Chamber of Commerce Cherie Nelson, IOM Emily Manter Ron Savoia Morgan Koth, CFP Tushar Kulkarni Evan Marsh Satish Albert Katie Lees Ryan Steele Ray Waite, MS, PMP Donald Beckman Sara L. Becker CPA