INNOV8, a project of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, is an eight-day festival of innovation and creativity held at venues throughout Lafayette. INNOV8 activities come to an end just as Festival International begins, allowing visitors an extended opportunity to experience the distinct South Louisiana culture and the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Lafayette. And since this is a festival in Cajun Country, you know you’ll eat well, and “pass a good time!”
INNOV8 explores opportunities for connecting innovators with a buyer and seller marketplace. Funding forums, pitch presentations, networking, and competitions feature talented entrepreneurs and artists and bring them together with representation and start-up capital sourcing. Events at the University of Louisiana Research Park exhibit science, research, and engineering projects from the university and other scientific facilities.
INNOV8 provides an organizational “umbrella” for all events, conferences, think tanks, workshops, screenings, music and arts venues held during the eight days. INNOV8 is an all-volunteer project of the Lafayette community rallying the efforts of businesses, civic groups, non-profits, economic-development groups, university, government, and individuals.
Following a hugely successful first year debut, with over 40 events and thousands in attendance, INNOV8 2013 will offer an even more exciting opportunity to explore innovation and creativity, to engage a uniquely diverse collection of participants, and to enjoy Acadiana, The Heart of Cajun Culture.
Dr. Gerd Wuestemann (Acadiana Center for the Arts)
Chris Allain (Vidox Motion Imagery)
George Graham (Graham Group)
Ask Doug- Corinne Dupuy (MEPOL)
Bach Lunch- Kelly Strenge (Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission)
Cajun Code Fest- Cian Robinson (UL)
Cajunuity Brain Games “Train the Trainers”- Bob Miller (Opportunity Machine)
Creative Blueprint Series- Julie Bordelon (Lafayette Entertainment Initiative)
Doing Things Right: An Introduction to Business Law- Jessica Allain (Allen & Gooch)
Fiber for Breakfast: Fueling Healthcare- Amy Broussard (LUS Fiber)
Food for Thought: Monetizing Ideas!- Bruce Conque (Chamber)
INDesign Awards- Cherry Fisher May (IND Media)
INNOV8 Awards- Pete Prados (Inventureworks)
Innovation Engineering Experience- Corinne Dupuy (MEPOL)
Innovation Wake-up Call with Doug Hall- Anne Falgout (LEDA)
Innovations and Pathways in Public Education- Margaret Trahan (United Way of Acadiana)
iOpener- Erin Ryan (LITE)
Launch Hour Series- Zach Barker (Acadiana Entrepreneur Group)
Louisiana Soundtrack Experience- Kelly Strenge (Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission)
LPSS Technology Peer Review- Bruce Conque (Chamber)
Meeting of the Minds- Gerd Wuestemann (ACA)
Rackspace to Robots— The Adventures of an Entrepreneur-Investor- Anne Falgout (LEDA)
stART: Blending Art and Technology with Grimanesa Amoros- Erin Ryan (LITE)
The Passion Series- Julie Bordelon (Lafayette Entertainment Initiative)
The Vault- Pete Prados (Inventureworks)
