The 24 Hours of Innovation

The “24 hours of innovation” blog event is the brainchild of a UK-based group called the The Board of Innovation which aims “to provide a more practical understanding of and an open platform to facilitate innovation transactions” (primarily through a magazine and a bimonthly topical discussion.)

The Board of Innovation is looking for bloggers all over the world to create blog posts called “My half-time pep talk for 2009.”  Here’s why we decided Mass Innovation Nights needed to get involved.  (Well, this and we’re suckers for a good viral scheme.)

As background, we created Mass Innovation Nights to:

• Build a case study for using social media to promote events and support the marketing of the real products that get launched at the event every month
• Get people out to network face-to-face (a particular interest of Bobbie’s)
• Build local pride and showcase Massachusetts-based innovation
• Provide inspiration to local innovators
• Help to connect job seekers and jobs
• Get more people involved with the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation and show people what a great place it is for an event
• Help to stimulate the local economy.   (Just ask the owners of Biagio’s Plush Lounge — they were pretty busy with our after-party last time, and on a Wednesday too!)

With all the economic pressures we’re facing, as a country, as a state, as an industry and as individuals, it would seem that this is a perfect time to be delivering a pep talk.  With all the layoffs, there may never be a better incentive for people to  realize their dreams, start their own company or just try something new.

So, what are you doing these days — starting something new?  What innovative route are you taking to gainful employment?  Anything we can point to as an example when we do our pep talk on May 15?  Let us know!