February 27, 2006

For Immediate Release
From: Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester
Contact: Carolyn Reynolds, Communications & Special Events Manager, (585)473-4000, ext. 206; creynolds@artsrochester.org

Innovation Conference Highlights Advances
in Science and Technology to Drive
Regional Economic Growth

March 17 Innovation Conference:  Science, Technology and Economics:
Creating a Culture of Innovation

Friday, March 17, 2006
8 30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rochester Riverside Convention Center, Rochester

Rochester , N.Y., Feb. 27, 2006 – The Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester is bringing together leaders from Rochester, New York City, and Philadelphia to discuss models for innovation and economic development. The latest in the Innovation Conference Series: Connecting Creativity to Regional Success focuses on Science, Technology and Economics and will take place March 17, 2006, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

The purpose of these quarterly conferences is to make connections between and among Rochester’s arts, science, business, and education sectors in order to help build a competitive, sustainable and livable city in the 21 st century.

“March 17 is the second conference in our quarterly Innovation Conference Series,” said Sarah Lentini, president and CEO of the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester. “This session explores how we can capitalize on Rochester’s wealth of creative resources. Many folks have asked ‘what do science and technology have to do with the arts?’ Well, a great deal. There are amazing innovations coming out of Rochester, and, we believe, it’s the synergy of the creative industries that will really ignite our economy in the future.”

The Conference keynote speaker, New York State Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle,will present and discuss his white paper, “Creating a State of Innovation: Unleashing the Power of New York’s Entrepreneurial Economy”.

Other speakers include Richard A. Bendis, President and CEO, Innovation Philadelphia; Dr. Michael Connolly, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Integrated Nano-Technologies; Ellen K. Levy, artist and teacher and President, College Art Association ; Dr. Nabil Nasr, Director, Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies and Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs, Rochester Institute of Technology; and David R. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Infotonics Technology Center.

For more information or to register for the conference, call 473-4000, ext. 222 or visit www.artsrochester.org.  The registration deadline is March 10, 2006.

The 2006 Innovation Conference Series is made possible through major funding from New York State Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle with additional support from the New York State Council on the Arts.

Through its grant programs, membership services, and special initiatives, the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester serves the creative community by acting as an advocate and

funder to promote artistic vitality and cultural diversity throughout the region.  For information about additional programs and services, visit us at www.artsrochester.org or call (585) 473-4000.

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