Friday, May 19 2017 8:30AM to 11:00AM

Monthly BIG Ideas Exchange

Friday, May 19, 2017 (rescheduled from May 12)

New Location:  NewDominion- Corporate office
1111 Metropolitan Ave, Suite 500
Charlotte, NC 28204

Park on 4th floor and go to 5th floor 

https://newdominionbank.com/about/locations

8:30 am to 9:00 am     Continental breakfast and networking
9:00 am to 11:00 am   Book Discussion

Free to Members and Guests of BIG:  RSVP to terry@bigcouncil.com.

Book:  ‘The Smartest Places on Earth: Why Rustbelts Are the Emerging Hotspots of Global Innovation’ by Antoine Van Agtmael and Fred Bakker

https://www.amazon.com/Smartest-Places-Earth-Rustbelts-Innovation/dp/1610394356

Overview:

Antoine van Agtmael and Fred Bakker counter recent conventional wisdom that the American and northern European economies have lost their initiative in innovation and their competitive edge by focusing on an unexpected and hopeful trend: the emerging sources of economic strength coming from areas once known as “rustbelts” that had been written off as yesterday's story. 

In these communities, a combination of forces—visionary thinkers, local universities, regional government initiatives, start-ups, and big corporations—have created “brainbelts.” Based on trust, a collaborative style of working, and freedom of thinking prevalent in America and Europe, these brainbelts are producing smart products that are transforming industries by integrating IT, sensors, big data, new materials, new discoveries, and automation. From polymers to medical devices, the brainbelts have turned the tide from cheap, outsourced production to making things smart right in our own backyard. The next emerging market may, in fact, be the West.

This discussion will facilitated by serial entrepreneur, Owen Ryan.

As a reminder, you don't have to read the book to attend! Most do not, and we always have a very engaging discussion!

During this roundtable we'll:

· share our own experiences in this area in our businesses
· share best practices from our own personal experience or from industry thought leaders
· share ideas on how to improve the area within our businesses to fuel growth

Note: We are looking for people to facilitate book discussions for 2017, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is a book that you’re passionate about and would like to share with the group. The meetings take place the second Friday of every month. Thanks!