Calling all innovators
AWARDS | Honors to be presented in October
"Who's bright idea was that?"
It's a phrase that's been heard around Chicago businesses for decades.It probably was heard here when the vacuum cleaner was invented(1869), the roller skate (1884), the softball (1887) and zipper (1896).
More recently, when deep dish pizza made its worldwide debut here (1942), and Twinkies (1930), and the tradition of garnishing a Bloody Mary with a celery stick originated at the Chicago Ambassador East Hotel (1960s).
Innovation's been the driving force behind the Chicago Innovation Awards for the last five years, and it's what drives the 2007 program as it opens its call for entries for the sixth annual presentation.
If your business or organization has introduced a new product or service during the last two years and has rung up revenues -- but not necessarily profits -- it may be a candidate for one of 10 Chicago Innovation Awards.
"In the past five years, we've learned that innovation comes in all shapes and sizes," said Dan Miller, business editor of the Chicago Sun-Times, co-founder of the Chicago Innovation Awards.
Tom Kuczmarski, co-founder and name partner of new-product consultancy Kuczmarski & Associates, said, "We've discovered that the key ingredient in innovation is the Chicago area itself. It provides the combustible material for the innovators who make the flame, and for the spark-makers in the companies who nurture it."
The award honors innovations that:
* Created a new category of business activity.
* Triggered a "me-too" response from competitors.
* Solved unmet customer and consumer needs.
Honorees of the 2007 award will be feted at a reception Oct. 22, profiled in a special section of the Chicago Sun-Times and featured on WBBM-AM News Radio 780.
For more information on the nomination process and the award program, go to www.chicagoinnovationawards.com.
Nominations for the 2007 Chicago Innovation Awards will close on July 31.
The Chicago Innovation Awards program is sponsored by the Chicago Board of Trade, InterOcean Financial Group, Microsoft Corp. and Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.