EngenuitySC Announces Speakers for Nov. 20, 2013 Ignite! Celebration

September 24, 2013

COLUMBIA, SC – September 24, 2013 – EngenuitySC announces its speakers for Ignite! 2013, an annual celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness in the Midlands. The event will be held at The Zone at Williams Brice Stadium from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2013.

The speakers for Ignite! 2013 are as follows:

 Dr. Simon Hudson, SmartState Endowed Chair in Tourism and Economic Development at USC

Lou Kennedy, President, CEO and Owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Pamela Lackey, President of AT&T South Carolina, and Mike Brenan, President of BB&T, both Co-Chairs of the TransformSC initiative

Chase Mizzell, USC Student Body President and Co-Founder of CloudShouts app and Dinewell Technologies

Big Eyed Bird Creative partners: Carol Smith, Alana Jordan, Rebecca Mangum, Gina Hayes, and Pei Shi Hu

We’re thrilled about the speakers who will be joining us this year, notes EngenuitySC Executive Director George Hutton. They have inspiring stories to share about how this region continues to be a model of innovation and entrepreneurship for others to follow.

Our speakers this year bring with them inspiring stories of innovation, entrepreneurship and transformational growth, continues Hutton, All taking place right here in the Midlands of South Carolina.

In addition to short keynote presentations by these innovators, Ignite! ticketholders will enjoy a networking cocktail hour with open bar and innovative cuisine, reserved banquet seating, and a high-energy audience voting session to determine the winner of the Ignite! Ideas Contest. There will be a free after party at Social Bar & Lounge starting at 8:30 p.m. Major sponsorship for Ignite! 2013 is provided by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and Wells Fargo Bank.

Because the event sold out days in advance for the past two years, guests are encouraged to purchase advance tickets. Tickets are $45 for a seat at a table. To reserve an entire table of eight seats, sponsorships are available. Tickets can be bought at http://www.engenuitysc.com/ignite/i-want-a-ticket.

This annual, signature event brings together new media, technology and business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs to celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness in the Midlands. Hosts include Steve Benjamin, Mayor of Columbia, and University of South Carolina President Dr. Harris Pastides, both Executive Committee Co-Chairs at EngenuitySC.

These speakers represent the some of our region’s most compelling stories of innovation and entrepreneurship, adds Hutton. We’re excited to celebrate these at Ignite! 2013.

Ignite! 2013 Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/198047843704277/

Stay on top of Ignite! 2013 updates at http://www.engenuitysc.com/ignite

Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/engenuitysc.

Follow @EngenuitySC on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/engenuitysc

Twitter hashtag: #IgniteCAE

About EngenuitySC

Headquartered in Columbia, EngenuitySC is a public/private partnership formed to develop and grow the South Carolina Midlands’ knowledge-based economy by fostering an environment where entrepreneurship, innovation, and the creation of knowledge are fundamental elements of the region’s culture, identity, and economic development strategy. Through collaboration with business, government, and higher education, EngenuitySC leads initiatives that support research development, promote commercialization, and leverage the region’s assets. For more information, visit http://www.engenuitysc.com.