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Innovation Celebration 2016: Save the Date + Nominations Open

We are pleased to announce the 11th Annual Innovation Celebration in recognition of those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success of Champaign County, the ongoing success of the University’s economic development mission, and the growth of entrepreneurial talent and energy in our community.

January 22, 2016
5:30-8:30 pm
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Lobby

The awards have been established to recognize the various ways in which individuals and organizations have utilized innovation, creativity, and leadership for entrepreneurial endeavors and economic development in the community. Please nominate as many people/organizations as you would like. Nominations will be viewed and judged in early December 2015 by a panel of past winners, sponsors and community & university leaders. Finalists will be announced soon after.

To learn more about the event, nominate someone, view past award winners, watch our videos, and RSVP, visit our event website.

#INNCEL

Interested in sponsoring the 2016 event? Email Liz Kellner (Innovation Celebration Committee Chair) for more information.

Nominations are open to the public and will be accepted through November 27, 2015.

National Manufacturing Day – BRG Sports Tour

To celebrate National Manufacturing Day, we toured BRG Sports in Rantoul this morning with our Board members & the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Some fun facts about the Rantoul facility:

> Over 4.3 million helmets are produced each year – the first “Made in the USA” helmet rolled out in June 2014.
> The building is LEED designed – 813,126 sf building footprint.
> The Rantoul facility is the Global Distribution, Transportation and Logistics base for BRG Sports.
> Current employee headcount is 445.

To learn about other products/innovation Made in Champaign County, click here.

About BRG Sports:

BRG Sports is a leading designer, developer and marketer of branded sports equipment, protective products and related accessories. The company markets and licenses products under well-known brands such as Bell, Riddell, Giro, Blackburn, Raskullz, Krash! and BULT. Their products incorporate leading technology and designs, and are used by professional athletes and sports enthusiasts alike. They are headquartered in Scotts Valley, California and have 27 facilities worldwide including their North American distribution hub in Rantoul, Illinois.

http://www.brgsports.com/

About National Manufacturing Day:

MFG DAY addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working together during and after MFG DAY, manufacturers will begin to address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.

http://www.mfgday.com/

BRG Sports Featured on Cover of Central IL Business Magazine

BRG Sports, a 2015 Innovation Celebration award recipient located in Rantoul, is featured on the latest edition of Central Illinois Business Magazine. The article covers their products (including a Hello Kitty bike helmet!), 800,000+ SF manufacturing and distribution facility, and company culture.

On the cover is Lewis Hornsby, Vice President Global Logistics/Fulfillment and General Manager of Rantoul Operations.

Also featured in the issue is Volition on page 5, a 2014 Innovation Celebration award recipient located in Champaign, and Scientific Animations Without Borders on page 9, a 2015 Innovation Celebration award recipient located at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Pick up a copy on newsstands now or read more online at centralillinoisbusiness.com.

About BRG Sports, Inc.:

2015 Innovation Celebration Winners Announced

Over 400 people gathered at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts for the 10^th Annual Innovation Celebration on the evening on March 3^rd to recognize those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success of Champaign County, the ongoing success of the University’s economic development mission, and the growth of entrepreneurial talent and energy in the community.

Innovation Celebration is not merely an award for accomplishment, but a benchmark of success for those outstanding individuals, organizations and corporations who are nominated and selected to receive this prestigious award. Additionally, Innovation Celebration serves as a tangible collaboration between the University of Illinois, Parkland College and the community.

The winners were chosen out of more than 100 nominations.

Award Winners
Innovation Transfer Award – University of Illinois
Dr. Kenneth Suslick

Innovation in Engagement Award – Parkland College
Applied Media Promotions (AMP)

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Social Venture Award
Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO)

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup Award
Rithmio, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture Award
Agrible, Inc. (Ag Informatics)

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Advocacy Award
Alex Ruggieri

Innovation: Economic Development Impact Award
BRG Sports, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management Award
Cathy Singer – Yahoo!, Inc.

Innovation: Longevity Award
Horizon Hobby

The EDC is pleased to work with the following sponsors of Innovation Celebration 2015: the University of Illinois’ Technology Entrepreneur Center, Research Park, Office of Corporate Relations, and Office of Technology Management, along with Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Parkland College, Singleton Law Firm, Serra Ventures, Ramshaw Real Estate, Pixo, Pavlov Media, Meyer Capel, Martin Hood Friese & Associates, IllinoisVENTURES, Fox Development Corporation, U of I Employees Credit Union, Surface 51, Prominic.NET, Akuna Capital, JSM Development, M2 on Neil, Waterborne Environmental, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, and McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff.

A special thanks to 40 North for producing the videos.

Contact:
Carly McCrory, Communications Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
(217) 359-6261
carly@champaigncountyedc.org

Press:

Innovation Celebration for new businesses, WCIA 3News
Individuals, organizations honored for innovation, The News-Gazette
Innovation Celebration: Another scene worth celebrating, Smile Politely
The Risks and Rewards of Innovation, Parkland College
It’s All About U, City of Urbana

Tweets – #INNCEL:

2015 Innovation Celebration

Event Photos:

2015 Innovation Celebration

2015 Innovation Celebration Finalists Announced

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce finalists for the Tenth Annual Innovation Celebration in recognition of those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success of Champaign County, the ongoing success of the University’s economic development mission, and the growth of entrepreneurial talent and energy in the community.

The winner of each award category will be announced at Innovation Celebration 2015, held at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. To RSVP and learn more about the event, visit www.innovationcelebration.com.

Award Finalists

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Social Venture Award
Neutral Cycle
Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO)

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup Award
AVriculture
Lumenous Co.
Rithmio, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture Award
Veriflow Systems, Inc.
Agrible, Inc. (Ag Informatics)
EP Purification, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Advocacy Award
Deana McDonagh
Jennifer Bechtel
Alex Ruggieri

Innovation: Economic Development Impact Award
The Product Manufactory, LLC
BRG Sports, Inc.
HL Precision Manufacturing, Inc.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management Award
Cathy Singer – Yahoo!, Inc.
David Markun – Artisan Technology Group
Craig Bethke – Aqueous Solutions, LLC

Innovation: Longevity Award
ShapeMaster, Inc.
Horizon Hobby, LLC
Cozad Asset Management, Inc.

Innovation Transfer Award – University of Illinois
Dr. Ryan Bailey
Dr. Kenneth Suslick
Dr. Brian Cunningham

Innovation in Engagement Award – Parkland College
Award recipient will be announced at the event.

Contact:
Carly McCrory, Communications Director
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
(217) 359-6261
carly@champaigncountyedc.org

Press:

Innovation Celebration finalists named, The News-Gazette

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Made In Champaign County

Taylor Studios, Inc.

Founded in 1991, Taylor Studios, Inc. began as a mail-order business creating museum-quality artifacts, fossil reproductions, and exhibits for museums and other clients. Quickly recognized for the passion and expertise brought to each project, the company initially carved out a niche in the paleontology, archaeology, and natural history fields. Today, Taylor Studios is recognized as an industry leader in exhibit planning, design, fabrication, and installation, serving a diversity of clients throughout the country and internationally. Their 3D storytelling now reaches beyond natural history to cultural history, history walls, and immersive environments of all kinds. Read More »

Frasca International, Inc.

Frasca International manufactures flight simulators for all aircraft types, fixed and rotary wing, used for pilot training for airlines, flight schools, colleges and universities, military, law enforcement, air evac and commercial organizations. Since its founding in 1958, over 3,000 Frasca simulators have been delivered worldwide. Read More »

Made in Champaign County Archive »