Ben Franklin News
Leonard Brody
The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania has announced that technology forecaster Leonard Brody will be the keynote presenter at the Ben Franklin ixchange 2012. The i xchange will be held beginning at 5:30 pm on the evening of Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at the Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem.
The i xchange is the premier business networking opportunity in northeastern Pennsylvania. Last year, more than 500 technology entrepreneurs, business people, economic developers, venture capitalists, political leaders, educators, students, bankers, lawyers, and accountants from Ben Franklin’s 21-county service area attended.
The i xchange will combine executive networking sessions, the keynote address by Mr. Brody, and the presentation of Ben Franklin’s annual Innovation Awards. These six awards recognize and salute outstanding individual and company accomplishment in business and technology.
Keynote presenter Leonard Brody is a highly respected entrepreneur, venture capitalist, best-selling author, and two-time Emmy-nominated media visionary. He has helped raise millions of dollars for start-up companies, played a role in one of the largest Internet IPOs in history, and has participated in the building, financing, and/or sale of five companies. A highly sought-after speaker on business leadership, innovation, and competitiveness, Brody combines a powerful delivery, razor-sharp wit, and cutting-edge content in his presentations.
Brody is one of Canada’s leading technology forecasters and business strategists. He acts as an advisor to venture capital funds worldwide, and has counseled several companies including the Associated Press, Alliance Atlantis, and MTV Enterprises. He is currently the President of Clarity Digital Group, one of the largest online news conglomerates in the world.
Brody’s presentation, entitled This Monumental Shift – Exploring the Future of Behavior, Technology, and Innovation, will address how major technological and behavioral changes over the last 15 years have brought us to what is arguably the most reformative time in human history. Human beings have changed monumentally. Brody will examine the evolution and division between our virtual and physical selves and how most businesses completely miss the virtual side. This is critical because we spend so much time interacting through our virtual selves, and people are frequently speaking the wrong language to the wrong people. The result: major and costly failures in marketing, human resources, and sales.
Admission to the Ben Franklin i xchange is $65 in advance and $75 the day of the event. Hot hors d’oeuvres and dessert will be served; a cash bar will be available. Register on-line at http://ennect.com/e1838, or contact the Ben Franklin Technology Partners at 610-758-5200 or ixchange@nep.benfranklin.org.
About the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania:
The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania links companies with experts, universities, funding, and other resources to help them prosper through innovation. The Center strategy encompasses three key areas: developing early-stage, technology-oriented companies; helping established manufacturers creatively apply new technologies and business practices; and promoting an innovative community-wide infrastructure that fosters a favorable business environment for high-growth companies. The northeastern center is part of a four-center, state-funded economic development initiative.
