Don’t miss Alabama’s premier innovation event on Aug. 23 at the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham!
 
“imerge” is the next generation of the Innovation Conference that the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama has held for the last six years to celebrate and recognize how important innovation, entrepreneurs and startups are to the state’s economy.

Thomas L. Friedman, a Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times columnist and an author of six bestselling books, including his latest, Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Acceleration, is keynote speaker. In that book, Friedman notes that innovation is coming faster than the ability of most people to keep up, which creates a need for lifelong relearning to hold jobs.

Friedman’s books, columns and speeches have established him as one of the true thought leaders on innovation and its impact on the global economy.
 
Innovation is a key to Alabama’s economic future and job creation.
 
Friedman will speak at 4 p.m. and a networking reception follows at 5 p.m. The “imerge” EDPA 2017 Innovation Awards celebration is at 6 p.m. The annual awards highlight companies of all sizes and innovators who strengthen Alabama’s economy, generate jobs and develop new ideas. The “imerge” event will continue into the evening with “Celebrate Imagination,” beginning at 7 p.m., which offers a taste of Alabama, with delicious food, and live music and entertainment “after parties.”
 
Tickets are on sale now!
 
To see the full agenda and to buy tickets, visit alabamalaunchpad.com/imerge/