Innovation for the Innovators
March 8th, 2010
Last spring PR maven and extreme networker Bobbie Carlton created Mass Innovation Nights as a free “product/company” launch party for innovators in Massachusetts.
It’s nearly 12 months later, and all can say it’s a smashing success.
Why? Here are my thoughts:
- It provides a “soft launch” venue for companies to test out their messages and materials.
- It delivers a large audience. Mass Inno regularly gets several hundred attendees. These attendees represent a wide range of interests, backgrounds and employers.
- It helps innovators create buzz. The “contract” between Mass Inno and its attendees is this: the event is free, but Mass Inno asks attendees to blog and Tweet about the cool products and companies at the event.
Entering into year two, here’s my “wish list” for Mass Inno moving forward:
- Innovation is not limited to technology. Mass Inno is not a technology event; it will showcase any product/service/company that is local and innovative. Let’s see a wide range of innovators.
- Mid-sized companies need buzz too. As the former director of marketing communications for a software company, I understand the need to be at events that deliver a certain number of targeted leads. Mass Inno is not that event. But it does offer an opportunity for buzz. Buzz, in this era of social media, is something more mid-sized companies should work towards.
- Bring forth the details! Each Mass Inno offers ten companies exhibit space; a subset of those companies are able to present their story in a small area. Let’s move that side area to the main “stage.” We’d all like to hear the stories of local innovators.
Intrigued? If you haven’t been to a Mass Inno, it’s time to block off the second Wednesday of the month and join us. You won’t regret it.
