The YIA Innovation Forum is back for another year and we are excited to announce our six legendary speakers. The theme for 2015 is ‘Join The Legends’ and we invite you to do exactly that. Over the course of a morning, we will entertain you with a curated selection of inspiring, unique and untold stories.
BARRY VERCOE, MIT Media Laboratory, One Laptop per Child Australia
Music to our ears
Barry Vercoe has an impressive resume. He is the Co-founder / director of One Education, Co-founder of One Laptop Per Child as well as the credited founding father of digital music technology. At this year's Forum, hear how Barry pioneered the use of computers and music.
JENENE CROSSAN, Flossie.com, nzgirl.co.nz and bloggersclub.com
Digital original
Backed by some of New Zealand’s most respected investors and entrepreneurs, Jenene has built a solid reputation for creating market leading digital, commerce, social and content businesses. Lauded and awarded, hear how Jenene went from high-school dropout to digital extraordinaire.
PROFESSOR SIMON FRASER - Porsche Design, Victoria University
Life in the fast lane
Simon’s professional career as an Industrial Designer boasts many successes, including over 20 years at the Porsche Design Studio. Hear about Simon's high speed innovation journey as Assistant Design Director at the highly respected studio.
DR WAYNE MUNRO, SLI Systems, Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand
Son of Southland
Wayne has an interesting story of innovation along his timeline, with interests that have woven into an exciting career path. What do wool, shopping and structural engineering have in common? Find out at the 2015 Innovation Forum.
JOHN ILLINGSWORTH, OceaNZ Blue, Fletcher, Humes
A load of Abalone
Resting on laurels is not a character trait John Illingsworth is familiar with. Instead at 48, John Illingworth decided to set up not one but five separate companies, including OceaNZ, NZ’s largest and purest paua farm.
PETER TINHOLT, Taura Foods, Delmaine Fine Foods, Cadbury Schweppes
Fruits of Labour
Taura is a Bay of Plenty success story, which is always an exciting story to learn. Hear how Peter's extensive background in the food and food ingredients sectors transformed Taura from a citrus grower co-op, to high value, technology-based food ingredients company.
Local legends giving back
With only a handful of tickers left, we encourage you to come along for this fantastic and inspiring event. All profits from Forum go back into The Young Innovator Awards to inspire the next generation of innovators in the Bay. For more information, visit www.yiaforum.co.nz
When: 8am-12.30pm, Friday 7th August 2015
Where: Trinity Wharf Tauranga, 51 Dive Crescent, Tauranga
Cost: $125+GST
