19 Past Events at Innovation Connector

Jo Ann M. Gora writes:

"The next step in the Muncie Action Plan is a community choices workshop, which consists of two events. The first is a public meeting that starts at 5:30 p.m. March 16 at the Muncie Central High School auditorium. More than 1,600 ideas were proposed at the December meetings. This meeting will review those ideas, develop a framework of goals, and draft initial recommendations. The workshop will take two hours.

"The following day, March 17, everyone is invited to participate in the second part of the workshop, an open house from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in room 114 of the Innovation Connector (1208 W. White River Blvd.). This will be an opportunity to review the progress of the Muncie Action Plan, the only community plan being developed for and by participants, and to meet with key stakeholders for their perspectives on Muncie's future. At the end of the day, the research findings and public input will be synthesized into a coherent vision that will be reported to the steering committee.

"The Muncie Action Plan will be a strategic guide that expresses the values and aspirations of our community while creating a compelling action agenda for the future. Please plan to attend one or both of these meetings and participate in shaping our city's future. Remember that we all are Muncie!"

Muncie Moms of Munchkins is hosting a "Shopping In A Winterwonderland" on December 5, 10am-2pm at the Innovation Connector building. 1208 White River Blvd, Muncie IN. Check everyone off your holiday list in one fun-filled shopping experience. Featuring; jewelry, books, home decor, handcrafted art, homemade treats and much, much more! Fun for the whole family! Playful Pathways will have fun winter themed activities for the kids.

Based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and engage with their communities over a million cups of coffee, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation developed 1 Million Cups in 2012—a free program designed to educate, engage and inspire entrepreneurs around the country. Through the power of volunteers, 1 Million Cups has grown to more than 180 communities.

As a program of the Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups works with entrepreneurs, empowering them with the tools and resources to break down barriers that stand in the way of starting and growing their businesses. Mr. Kauffman believed it was a fundamental right for anyone who had a big idea to be able to bring it to life—and we're here to fulfill that mission.

1 Million Cups is a monthly event that brings together entrepreneurs and the Muncie community over coffee and conversations. 2 local businesses, new or established, located in Delaware County will come present their business. They will pitch new ideas or something impactful they are currently doing. After the presentation, the floor is open for questions and suggestions. To sign up for this free event, go to https://www.1millioncups.com/muncie or look us up on social media.

The ECI Regional Planning District (ECIRPD) is excited to invite you to our Building Blocks to Grant Writing Workshop. A hands-on, two-day experience designed to help you spark ideas, boost your skills, and turn great concepts into fundable projects.

We will meet on January 13th and February 3rd, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Innovation Connector, 1208 W White River Boulevard, Muncie, IN 47303.

This workshop is perfect for both beginners and experienced grant writers. Our team will walk you through practical tools, creative strategies, guided writing exercises, and insider tips to help strengthen your proposals.

What You Can Expect:
• $225 total for both days
• Workbooks, handouts, and expert guidance
• Support to build strong proposals and clear goals
• Free lunch and snacks

By joining us, you’ll gain valuable skills while helping strengthen organizations and communities across East Central Indiana. Register now to save your seat.

Questions? Contact Anna King-Cross at aking-cross@ecirpd.org

How to build the data foundation required to stop playing and start scaling.

Is your business artificial intelligence (AI) ready? Too many people use AI like a glorified search or auto complete without doing the necessary steps first. By the time most businesses figure it out, they are getting lapped by those who used a different approach from the start.

In this session, you will learn about data cleanliness, internal processes and governance, using your data to train the tools, and how to use AI with end goals in mind.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER: CHRIS THIESEN

I am a B2B Tech Stack Strategist who specializes in integrating marketing and sales systems to drive efficiency and growth. For over a decade, I’ve focused on the hard part: translating go-to-market strategies into the real-world processes and technology that allow businesses to scale without the grueling hours of human intervention. I fix the messy, disconnected systems that kill productivity and obscure the data you need to make sound decisions.

I live in a home on a brick street in Old Town Noblesville that is over 160 years old and sits within a National Historic District. My wife and I love anything historic or antique; exploring historic towns and areas, antique stores and supporting their small businesses. I'm a community advocate and love to support and volunteer for organizations and events that make our downtown the unique place it is. I'm a sports junky and have newly been enthralled by the Darts World Championship. I enjoy craft beer, even though my wife thinks it all tastes like "rubber tires", and local coffee shops if they have a good dark roast.

About Intersessions

It’s a fact. Marketing is constantly evolving. Join us for free interactive marketing sessions, powered by Intersection marketing + branding agency, as speakers dive into interesting and relevant marketing topics, tailored for professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to advance their marketing skill set. Meetings are held six times annually with ongoing content and discussions shared on our social media, email newsletter, and more.

8:00-8:30 – Networking + Breakfast
8:30-8:45 – Attendee Introductions
8:45-8:50 – Sponsor Spotlight
8:50-9:30 – Introduction to Speaker and Presentation
9:30-9:35 – Break/Refill on Breakfast
9:35-9:50 – Q & A
9:50-10:00 – Final Comments, Announcements and Adjourn

Innovation Connector is hosting FREE educational workshops on January 29th designed for aspiring business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals interested in acquisition as a path to ownership.

Connecting Business Buyers & Sellers for Success will guide participants through the process of buying or selling a business, highlighting the benefits, challenges, and opportunities that come with business acquisition. Whether you’re exploring ownership for the first time or planning your next move, this workshop offers practical insights from experienced industry professionals.

To accommodate busy schedules, attendees can choose from two sessions taking place on January 29th:

Morning Session: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Breakfast provided)

Afternoon Session: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Lunch provided)

The workshop will feature panel discussions, breakout sessions, and one-on-one meet-ups with local and regional experts, including:

Ralana D. Abraham-Miller, Muncie Business Brokers

Dan Nemunaitis, United Franchise Group

Ted Baker, Innovation Connector

Ryan Kramer, Kramer Real Estate Group

Dan Devlin, Northwest Bank

This interactive event is designed to give attendees the knowledge, connections, and confidence needed to take the next step toward business ownership.

Take the first step toward owning a business.
For more information, please contact Ralana Abraham-Miller at 317-650-8478.

The ECI Regional Planning District (ECIRPD) is excited to invite you to our Building Blocks to Grant Writing Workshop. A hands-on, two-day experience designed to help you spark ideas, boost your skills, and turn great concepts into fundable projects.

We will meet on January 13th and February 3rd, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Innovation Connector, 1208 W White River Boulevard, Muncie, IN 47303.

This workshop is perfect for both beginners and experienced grant writers. Our team will walk you through practical tools, creative strategies, guided writing exercises, and insider tips to help strengthen your proposals.

What You Can Expect:
• $225 total for both days
• Workbooks, handouts, and expert guidance
• Support to build strong proposals and clear goals
• Free lunch and snacks

By joining us, you’ll gain valuable skills while helping strengthen organizations and communities across East Central Indiana. Register now to save your seat.

Questions? Contact Anna King-Cross at aking-cross@ecirpd.org