Chicago Ideas Week Announces Speakers for Inaugural Event October 10-16

CHICAGO, Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago Ideas Week (CIW), together with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, today announced thought leaders and innovators set to speak at the inaugural seven-day public platform of ideas and innovation, to be held Oct. 10 – 16, 2011.  Presented by Brad Keywell, co-founder of Lightbank and Groupon, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and former Mayor Richard M. Daley, CIW features the convergence of some of the world's brightest minds, positioning Chicago at the center of innovation and global connectivity. Tickets for all events go on sale today at chicagoideas.com.

"I am committed to making Chicago a destination for global innovation and connectivity where the best minds from around the world come to live and work," said Mayor Emanuel. "By bringing together the top innovators, thinkers, creators and doers to America's most dynamic city, Chicago Ideas Week will spark innovations, new initiatives, and new businesses."

Also, announced Wednesday, Chicago Ideas Week will be "Powered by The Innovation Foundation and TIME Magazine."  The Innovation Foundation, founded by Brad Keywell, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to instigate innovation and creation through events that create an ecosystem of passionate, provocative thinkers and doers. The TIME global news organization and its journalists will play an integral role in producing and programming the event, helping to spread the ideas that are shared during Chicago Ideas Week.

CIW will host thought-provoking talks, events, and experiences throughout the week, creating a platform and activating a community to facilitate new ideas, partnerships, collaborations, and initiatives. Events and speakers will vary, from a discussion on the creative process including director Anna Shapiro and actress Joan Cusack, to a conversation on education with Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female member of the U.S. Supreme Court. Speaking on health and wellness are health activist and uterine cancer survivor Fran Drescher, in addition to Emmy-award winning CNN chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Other confirmed speakers include:

• David Gregory, moderator of NBC's "Meet the Press"
• Tom Shadyac, director and producer
• Pablos Holman, futurist, inventor, digital security expert and notorious hacker
• John Thorn, Official Baseball Historian for Major League Baseball
• Harper Reed, chief technology officer of the Obama 2012 campaign
• Tim Westergren, founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Pandora Radio

These speakers join a list of more than 100 other innovators, creators, and leaders presenting on themes such as social entrepreneurship, food, investing, growth and renewal, technology, tradition, photography, heroes, and more.

"Chicago Ideas Week brings together some of the world's top innovators not only to share their ideas, but also to engage with the vibrant Chicago community," said Brad Keywell, chairman and founder of Chicago Ideas Week. "We're building a platform of provocative ideas, bold thinkers, and active members of our community, creating an ecosystem that will spark initiatives and ventures of all kinds."

With the exception of the CIW Bash at Park West featuring Mucca Pazza and Eclectic Method, tickets for individual CIW events cost $15 each, including:

• 20 CIW Talks: Ninety-minute programs featuring prominent local and national leaders on a broad range of themes, including film, hackers, sports, and health and wellness, among others
• 40 CIW Labs: Behind-the-scenes, exclusive experiences at fascinating locations citywide
• 3 CIW Mega Talks: Evening programs featuring distinguished, globally recognized speakers covering the most important topics of today

Tickets for the CIW Bash, an extended evening event, will cost $50.  

With Founding Sponsors JPMorgan Chase and Microsoft Corp., CIW will continue to announce speakers, schedules and other events at www.chicagoideas.com and on Twitter at @chicagoideas as this week-long celebration of thought and action approaches.

About Chicago Ideas Week

Chicago Ideas Week is an annual seven-day celebration of ideas, innovation and community, with a focus on bringing the world's best speakers together with the Midwest's best thinkers. It is the platform for ideas, created for innovators, thinkers, doers and interested individuals in Chicago and the greater Midwest. CIW's goal is to stimulate new initiatives and ventures, create new connections and collaborations, and establish a community of people who have the desire to achieve great things. For more information, please visit www.chicagoideas.com.

SOURCE Chicago Ideas Week