About IdeaFestivalBG
In 2011, The Center for Gifted Studies, The Gatton Academy, and the WKU Honors College were awarded a $500,000 challenge grant by the James Graham Brown Foundation – the first of its kind ever given to a public university. We met the challenge grant by raising a matching $500,000 from individuals, businesses, government offices, and foundations.
Through this funding we created the i4 Initiative, later named Innovate Kentucky, to promote a culture of innovation through a series of outreach and programming opportunities that instilled a sense of importance of STEM education. Innovate Kentucky focused on encouraging children, young people, and adults to combine their innovative ideas with an entrepreneurial spirit. One of the initiative’s top priorities was to establish an annual speaker series at Western Kentucky University.
Thankfully, a perfect model for a speaker series already existed in Kentucky: IdeaFestival®. Founded in 2000 and held annually in Louisville since 2006, IdeaFestival brings in world-renowned speakers and has attracted thousands of participants. IdeaFestival branched out in 2013 with IF Lexington, which focused on creative disruption. Following that event, Innovate Kentucky was offered the opportunity to host an IF event in Bowling Green.
The tagline for IFBG is “Just imagine” because we want to inspire the next generation of thinkers, creators, and entreprenuers. Our one-day event has always featured innovators from a variety of fields who were eager to share their passions, paths, and solutions. In 2016, with the introduction of minds-on, hands-on activities and a new focus on middle and high school student, IFBG positioned itself to continue to work towards Innovate Kentucky's overall goal: spark innovation – one idea at a time.
Thanks to the members of the IFBG planning committee for their tireless work and dedication to make this event a reality.
Tyler Clark, Co-Chair, The Center for Gifted Studies
Elizabeth Joyce, Co-Chair, The Center for Gifted Studies
Sandra Baker, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Rebecca Clark, The Center for Gifted Studies
Sam Ford, AccelerateKY
Steve Huskey, WKU Department of Biology
Catherine Malin, South Central KY Area Health Education Center
Andi Paganelli, WKU School of Teacher Education
Julia Roberts, The Center for Gifted Studies
Andee Rudloff, Local Artist
Chris Storath, WKU Admissions
Heather Strode, WKU Department of Communication
Ashley Taylor, The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science
Jennifer Wilson, The Center for Gifted Studies
Fabián Álvarez — WKU Department of English
Dr. Gordon Baylis — WKU Research Foundation
Dr. Dawn Bolton — WKU Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Ron Bunch — Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce
Emily Buttrum — WKU Center for Research and Development
Kelsi Cline — Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Craig Cobane — WKU Honors College
Troy Coleman — AT&T
Sydnee Dorris — Hitcents
Dr. Julie Ellis — WKU Department of Engineering
Dr. Mary Evans — The Center for Gifted Studies
Tracy Harkins — World Council for Gifted and Talented Children/The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU
Krupa Hegde — The Gatton Academy
Dr. Anne Heintzman — WKU MakerspaceBrian Mefford — CNX Inc
Jeff Hook — WKU Center for Research and Development
Gloria Huang — The Gatton Academy
Dr. Tracy Inman — The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU
Bella Karn — The Gatton Academy
Avery Lenihan — The Gatton Academy
Dr. Cassandra Little — Warren County Public Schools, retired
Lynn Minton — Kentucky Innovation Network
Sedrik Newbern — WKU Department of Management
Sam Oldenburg — The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU
Dr. Whitney Peake — WKU Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Kim Phelps — Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce
Josh Raymer — Scribe Media
Zack Ryle — The Gatton Academy
Erika Solberg — The Center for Gifted Studies at WKU
Joe Tudor — Hitcents
Natalie Tyree — WKU Department of Art
Wade Vierheller — The Gatton Academy
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