July 15, 2008: Updates in Open Source Economic Development

How do you make transformational change in education, workforce and economic development really fast across the nation? ...With 3,000 professionals, 137 concurrent learning sessions over 2.5 days in New Orleans at Workforce Innovations 2008, the premier annual conference promoting collaboration among leaders from workforce development, business, economic development, education, community-based organizations, and philanthropy.

I-Open's, Ed Morrison, leads a Strategic Doing session. Thought leader, Don Tapscott, Chairman, nGenera Innovation Network and co-author of the best-seller, Wikinomics, also presents at Workforce Innovations 2008.

To connect, join InnovatingNetworks.net, an online community of workforce development professionals and economic development practitioners. This peer-driven, collaborative Web site provides an opportunity to share best practices, success stories and all types of information through Blogs, Wikis, Forums and other Web 2.0 tools.

In Northeast Ohio, the Thursday, July 10 Midtown Brews with Meet The Bloggers focused on The Youngstown Business Incubator as a global model of business innovation. Watch the Live Show at Midtown Brews. Join us August 7 for "Home Grown Band Culture in Waterloo," with Cindy Barber, Beachland Ballroom and Tavern; Ryan Weitzel, Exit Stencil Recording Studio and label; Clint Holley, member Hayshaker Jones & Mystery of Two.

On Saturday, July 12, the Women's Enterprise Network Live Show explored the conversation, "How do your experiences affect your life today?" Be sure to join us for next month's Live Show on Sat, August 9 at 9:30AM. WENetwork

I-Open is building online communities inspired by your passions. We've partnered with Near-Time, the best in Web 2.0 collaboration tools, and Mogulus, a sophisticated Internet TV provider, to publish and broadcast the conversations of Civic Leaders transforming the future of Northeast Ohio.

Find your community (below) and get connected. Send us your questions and suggestions. All are welcome.

The I-Open Team

Ed, Susan, Dennis, & Betsey

info [at] i-open [dot] org

	Enterprise Communities are currently forming in Northeast Ohio focused on creative industries, energy, interactive technologies, and land use in economic and workforce development. Each of these communities are open and your participation is encouraged.

			Midtown Brews The Midtown Brews on-line community builds real time networks, posts news, and delivers live broadcasts for 21st Century economic development opportunities.

			I-Open Education The I-Open Education community shares knowledge, best practices, and builds community to advance knowledge focused on building network economies. I-Open Education is a service provided by I-Open.org to advance solutions for sustainable prosperity.

			NEO Connects NEO Connects is a public platform for civic engagement focused on collaborative leadership, civic networks, and strategic doing.

			The Women's Enterprise Network The Women's Enterprise Network, is an online community of women dedicated to the empowerment of one another. Explore our space, join in our conversations, invite others, and help us create wealth and prosperity for women and girls everywhere.

			Defrag Ohio The Defrag Ohio network connects information, people, resources and next generation project opportunities in creative digital media for 21st century business innovation.