Missoula News

Conference Opportunity

New West Summit Announces “Innovation Showcase”

By Jonathan Weber , 2-07-07

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jonathan Weber or Ingrid Lovitt
406-829-1725
www.NewWest.net


NEW WEST SUMMIT INVITES "INNOVATION SHOWCASE" ENTRY SUBMISSIONS

March 20 Deadline for Entries

Innovators to Present in Seven Categories


Missoula, Mont., (February 7, 2007) — NewWest.Net publisher Jonathan Weber today announced that the first annual New West Summit on Transformation in the Rockies (www.newwest.net/conferences), to be held June 6-8, 2007 at Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Mont., is accepting entries for a unique program called the "Innovation Showcase."

The “Innovation Showcase” will highlight new initiatives with the potential to make a substantial positive economic, cultural or social impact on the Rocky Mountain West. Selected "innovators" in each category will have the opportunity to make a presentation as part of the conference program on Thursday, June 7 and will receive two free tickets to the Summit, valued at $1700.

The New West Summit, a new executive conference, will bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians, journalists, academicians and engaged citizens to talk about the future of the fast-changing Rocky Mountain West. The inter-disciplinary event will offer an opportunity for all of those shaping the future of the region to build alliances, share knowledge, and develop the kinds of conversations that facilitate positive change.

“Innovation is the key to positive change in areas including real estate development, energy, technology, and even politics," said Weber. “Our aim with the Innovation Showcase is to enable people with great ideas to connect with people who might invest personal or financial capital in helping take these ideas to the next stage."

The Innovation Showcase includes six specific categories: Commercial, Residential & Resort Development; Energy Products and Technologies; Farm and Forestry Products and Programs; The Restoration Economy; Consumer Products and Services; and Creative Community and Public Policy Initiatives. In addition there is a seventh, “open” category for projects that benefit the Rocky Mountain West but do not fit any of the previously listed categories. For more information, visit www.newwest.net/conferences.

The deadline for entries is March 20, 2007. Entries should clearly list the category designation for entry and a brief essay which describes the business plan for the company, product, or program, discusses its innovative nature and why it will make a positive contribution to the Rocky Mountain West. Entries should also include additional biographical information on the key individual or individuals involved, and Web links or other background information as appropriate. Entries should be submitted by mail to New West Publishing, Innovation Showcase, P.O. Box 9107, Missoula, MT, 59804, or by email to conferences@newwest.net with “Innovation Showcase” included in the subject line.

Judging will be led by New West in concert with well-known regional organizations, including the Sonoran Institute, the Center for the Rocky Mountain West, the Orton Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute and TechRanch. Innovation Showcase presenters will be announced on April 9, 2007. Runners-up will be featured on the conference Web site and in the program distributed to attendees. Additionally, runners-up will be offered discounted tickets to the event.


The New West Summit

The New West Summit is the first executive conference focusing on the political, economic and cultural issues facing the Rocky Mountain West. Its goal is to provide a forum for lively conversation and great ideas, and to facilitate the personal connections and business relationships that can bring those ideas to the next level. Scholarships and special student and non-profit rates will be available to encourage a wide range of participants. The New West Summit will take place at the world-class Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Mont. Attendees will enjoy superior accommodations, fine dining and meeting facilities. Located midway between Bozeman and West Yellowstone Montana, Big Sky shares the same splendor as Yellowstone National Park. Outside the conference, enjoy a scenic lift ride, hiking, horseback riding in the mountains or take to the rivers with fly fishing or whitewater rafting, or relax with a spa treatment at Solace Spa.


About New West

New West is a next-generation media company based in Missoula, Mont. devoted to the culture, economy, politics, environment and lifestyle of the Rocky Mountain West. Its premier product, NewWest.net, is an award-winning local and regional online publication devoted to good journalism and inclusive and pragmatic conversation about the many opportunities and challenges now facing our fast-changing region. It features an engaging mix of in-depth reportage, analysis, commentary and blogging, with local sites in 10 communities around the region.

The following is a more robust description of entry categories:

1. Commercial, Residential & Resort Development
This category will recognize private-sector development projects that are exceptional in their efforts to protect natural resources, conserve energy, and contribute to their communities. The Rocky Mountain West is growing because of its spectacular environment and friendly, human-scale communities, and these projects will exemplify how development can be consistent with those values.

2. Energy Products and Technologies
Fossil-fuel development will be central to the economy and geography of the West for many years to come and exploiting energy resources in ways that minimize environmental impacts - both local and global – will be a significant challenge. At the same time, the Rocky Mountain West is also ripe with alternative energy potential: Wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal energy will be increasingly central – as will conservation. This category recognizes innovations in energy development or conservation that promise to have a meaningful impact within the next five years.

3. Farm and Forestry Products and Programs
The farm and forestry economy in the Rocky Mountain West are facing significant challenges, but innovators have the opportunity to change the traditional paradigm. Farmers and forest managers are moving away from commodity production and developing new business models based on specialty products. This category recognizes new products and new business approaches that might enable farming, ranching and logging to remain a dynamic part of the regional economy.

4. The Restoration Economy
Cleaning up man-made ecological disasters and reclaiming and preserving historical building sites are evolving into significant industries. This category recognizes innovative approaches to restoration that can be replicated in multiple places and conducted in an economically sustainable fashion.

5. Consumer Products and Services
As the Rocky Mountain West becomes less dependent on resource extraction, and as technology enables closer integration with the national economy, entrepreneurial companies serving global markets will become an increasingly important part of the landscape. This category recognizes new products or companies able to capitalize on their regional roots in serving national and international markets.

6. Creative Community & Public Policy Initiatives
Community can sometimes be an abstract concept, but it's clear that a strong sense of place is part of what makes the Rocky Mountain region special. This category will recognize social, educational, artistic, or public policy projects that contribute to the creation and solidification of a sense of place and strengthen local communities.

7. Open Category
If you have a business or program that falls outside the previous eight categories, we invite you to participate in an open segment. All products, business plans or groups will be considered for their innovativeness and ability to impact positive change in the region.

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