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The Insider: Philadelphia City Council Hears the Importance of the Creative Economy

City Councilwoman-at-Large Blondell Reynolds Brown, chair of City City Seal Council's Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, and City Councilman-at-Large W. Wilson Goode, Jr., chair of the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, held a public hearing yesterday on Philadelphia's non-profit and for-profit Creative Economy and how it impacts entrepreneurism, business development and the attraction and retention of young, educated professionals.

The hearing, according to City Council Resolution No. 080337, explored methods and strategies for how the City of Philadelphia can enhance the development of the creative industries and attract the young professional talent that will fuel Philadelphia's economic growth.

"City Council must assume responsibility and understand this new, enormous opportunity known as the Creative Economy," said Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. "This hearing will help establish how to attract and retain young professionals who are vital to the City's growth."

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Innovation Spotlight: Capturing Philadelphia's Footage

Innovation Philadelphia spotlights regional creative industry entrepreneurs and young professionals making an impact on the Philadelphia Region, or innovative initiatives that showcase the tremendous innovative and creative talent driving Philadelphia's economy.

May's Spotlight on Creativity is local, young professional Derek Finger. Derek joined WCAU, NBC10, which is part of the fourth largest television market of 210 markets in the country, in October of 2003 as a photo journalist. He shoots and edits stories from all over the region; from the Jersey Shore to central Pennsylvania to southern Delaware. Whether he is assigned to a reporter or shooting a story solo, his objective is to capture footage that a viewer does not have access to.

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**REGISTER TODAY - Creative Movement Conference:** Creative Economy in Action. Business Development in Motion.

Register today for Creative Movement Conference: Creative Economy in Action. Business Development in Motion. The interactive, half-day conference is on Thursday, May 22, 2008, from 7:30 a.m. to noon in Room 109 of the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia). Learn what Philadelphia is doing to grow the for-profit, creative industries and how it compares to peer cities including Boston, New York City, Pittsburgh and San Diego. Representatives from these cities will discuss how they are leading economic and job growth in creative industry businesses, and changing the landscape of business development. Join Philadelphia business professionals and economic development, civic and education leaders at the upcoming Creative Movement conference. Attendance cost is $65 per person, which includes a continental breakfast.

Creative Movement Keynote Speaker
Rolf Smith, Lead Guide, The Virtual Thinking Expeditions (vTx) Company
According to Fast Company magazine, "Rolf Smith has spent a career thinking about how people think." Now as the Lead Guide at vTx, he is helping people at some of the world's most powerful organizations, such as ExxonMobil, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, General Mills, DuPont and Ford, to design and lead problem solving expeditions to explore new concepts, approaches and technologies to generate big ideas - and to rethink their whole approach to creativity.

A book signing will be available for Rolf's The 7 Levels of Change (1997, 2002, 2006), book which is a fieldguide for thinking "diffferent."

Creative Economy Panelists:
Boston: Carole Walton, Create Boston Manager, Boston Redevelopment Authority
New York City: Jonathan Bowles, Director, Center for an Urban Future
Pittsburgh: Margaret Myers, Associate Director, STUDIO for Creative Inquiry, Carnegie Mellon University
San Diego: Andrew Poat, Vice President of Policy, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation

» Register Now

In the News

» City of Brotherly love is named best for grads

» Developer fashioning space for some creative endeavors

» Public-television revolutionary

» High-tech name tags hold agendas, notes, etc.

Dedication for Innovation Center at Navy Yard

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP), Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC) and Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) will celebrate the dedication of the Building 100 Innovation Center, located at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia, on Monday, May 12 from 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

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Your Opinion Counts

The Philadelphia Region's IT creative industry sector generates $2.1 billion for the region. When asked how companies use IT support, the results of the poll are:

As a creative economy business-owner, where are the majority of your clients located?

» Vote Now