Archive for October, 2008

Event photos, Thank You’s and Shout-outs: The Final Wrap up

As Porky Pig would say, that’s all folks.

The event that will henceforth be known as the TCCa Typhoon of 2008 (sponsored by Lott + Barber) has finally been put to rest for her winter slumber.  To those of you that came along for the ride, we thank you - sincerely.  To the winners, CONGRATS. We are humbled by the turn-out given the less than cooperative weather and we are grateful to everyone who put in their time, money and effort to help make our first Innovation Awards a resounding (if not a little damp) success.

But before we return Summer to her regularly scheduled blog fodder, we have a few thanks to give and some pictures to show. If it gets a little mushy, its only because we love ya. For the sake of brevity, I’m listing only the key players, but to the dozens more that helped us pull this thing off - THANK YOU.

The event…

(having trouble viewing? Try the full sized slideshow.)


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Glamour shots & more: Winners of the 2008 Innovation Awards

After many months of anticipation, deliberation and planning, we finally unveiled - to a large audience of esteemed colleagues and guests - the winners of the 2008 Innovation Awards, presented by Lott + Barber. (More pics coming.)

Despite the monsoon-like downpour, the turn-out was remarkable, bringing nearly 500 of Savannah’s finest creatives.  Astride organic and local surf and turf entrées, eco-friendly decor and lighting and a premiere video and slide display, we ushered in a new era of entrepreneurs and Savannah success stories.


The awards sculptures themselves were created by nationally recognized local artist Jerome Meadows - a true work of art to honor the accomplishments of the community innovators.

And the winners were (are)…

For Innovation Achievement in Education, congratulations to Savannah Technical College for their Cross-disciplinary Student-constructed Solar Generator and Photovoltaic Program.

“Innovation in what we do is so important and to get recognized for it is truly an honor. We’d like to thank Savannah Technical College for allowing the Industrial Technology department the freedom to put ideas into motion – as well as the entire IT department, without whom, the solar generator wouldn’t be a reality. This was really a team effort.”


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See you cool cats tonight at the 2008 Innovation Awards!!

The Innovation Awards, like Christmas, comes just once a year.  And how exciting that the big event is tonight!  For those of you who have reserved your seats, I will see you at the Historic Roundhouse!

Just wanted to remind you of several important things to keep in mind:

  • Don’t make us say “I told you so” when your hot heels fall flat at the Historic Roundhouse.  Please, please (down on my knees begging you) wear sensible shoes.
  • VIP parking for hybirds and carpoolers is limited to the first 75 vehicles.  So come early and come together.  Overflow parking is located at the Visitors Center next door.
  • Rain?  Cold weather?  C’mon, you knew we’d be prepared for that!  Don’t let the evening’s forecast dissuade you from attending tonight’s ceremony.  We’ve thought of it all… including heat and cover.  But feel free to throw a light sweater over your shoulder if you’re worried.

Thanks in advance to all of you beautiful guests!  And many, many thanks to our sponsors (especially Lott + Barber!) for making this great event possible.


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Leave your 4-inch stilettos at home: Footwear and other considerations for this Friday

Boy, time flies when you’re havin’ fun. Can you believe that the Innovation Awards are already upon us, only a few short days away?!

Which makes for a few important housekeeping details…

Wednesday, October 22 is the LAST DAY you can reserve your seats for the 2008 Innovation Awards, sponsored by Lott + Barber. Luckily, we’ve made it easy for you notoriously Savannahian last minute-scragglers. Simply hop online to ensure your place at this Friday’s event ($75 per person).

The grand event will take place this Friday, October 24th at the Historic Roundhouse. Cocktails start at 6pm, dinner and awards start promptly at 7pm.

And did we mention that the event is taking place at an old railroad depot? Yeah, that means footwear is a very important consideration, which is why The Creative Coast Alliance is waging a campaign against high heels. Don’t get us wrong, we love 4″ stilettos (especially Fitz). And we understand how vital a hot pair of heels are to any lady’s “creative casual” attire.


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Green Tie Optional: Innovation Awards take on “sustainability” theme

The cat’s out of the bag!  As of this Wednesday, Savannah’s beloved entertainment weekly, the Connect Savannah, has all the green details of the 2008 Innovation Awards and it’s avant-garde theme of sustainability.  Yes, we’ve stopped at nothing to make this year’s event as environmentally and social responsible as possible in hopes of truly embodying the spirit of innovation.

P.S. Don’t worry, attire for the event is CREATIVE AND CASUAL (sensible shoes encouraged)!

So goes the quote that “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat.”  Therefore, TCCa has applied this tiding not only to the obeisance of innovators throughout our oh-so-creative community but to the embrace of a theme of sustainability, one which has permeated all facets of the evening’s festivities.

Thanks to Tommy Linstroth of Melaver, Inc. and a host of other volunteers - not to mention Lott + Barber, our event sponsors -  who gave us some great ideas and assistance on how to GREEN our red carpet event.

As quoted in the Connect article:


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GreenDrinks Birthday Bash + Candidate Forum = Durn Good Tuesday Night

Tonight is a power night for parties and politics.  Not only is it the one year anniversary and birthday of GreenDrinks Savannah, a local installment of an international institution dedicated to green social networking, but today marks three weeks out until Election Day, making this evening’s County Commission Candidate Forum all the more important to attend.

Yes, it’s a two-fer, a tag team, double trouble.

It begins at 5:30 pm at Moon River Brewing Company on Bay Street (map) when GreenDrinks will celebrate its birthday and one year anniversary Oktoberfest-style.  Festivities include drink specials, a cocktail buffet and a special rendition of “Happy Birthday” sung by Savannah’s own Roger Moss.  Special anniversary GreenDrinks koozies will be on sale for $1, as will be raffle tickets to win a host of items, most enticing of them being two tickets to the 2008 Innovation Awards (a $150 value).


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Structured Green Open House (and sneak peek of Innovation Awards) - Tonight!

I don’t know about you but I am at the Friday-end of a really long week. Knowing that there’s little I cherish more than a hearty Friday night, I am especially excited about this evening. The next stop on the TCCa town tour of fabulous local businesses, studios and showrooms, we’re heading to Structured Green tonight for our Open House, cocktails and conversation.

If you aren’t familiar with Structured Green then that’s even more reason to come tonight. Because not only is this eco-chic home furnishings retailer is the first of its kind to open in Savannah - new, conscientious, stylish and design-forward - but their team is designing the set, dressing the ceremony backdrop and staging the cocktail lounge for the upcoming Innovation Awards. Yep, we’re that cool.  (Just you wait until we reveal even more exciting sustainability-themed surprises for the big event).

What began as a web-based showcase in 2007 is now occupying a 5,200 square foot warehouse on 35th Street loaded with goodies for your home that range in price from $20 to $11,000. Seriously, the space is fantastic - a no frills concrete and brick warehouse from the 1920s, the bareness of the building contrasts nicely with the sleek modernity of the sustainable furniture displayed.


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Inventor workshops: At our crib, next week!

Admittedly intellectual property rights and polymer science ain’t my area of expertise. But if you are an inventor, it should tickle your fancy.  And, more importantly, we have some great news for you. Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute and the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) have joined forces to to provide a four-week, four-session workshop series covering topics and best practices of licensing, marketing, financing and manufacturing your ideas and inventions. Is your mouth watering yet?

Lucky for us, they’re doing 3 out 4 workshops at the TCCa/SEDA offices!

THE GOAL?: To provide education, increase the awareness of available resources, and demonstrate the importance of inventors to the overall economic growth of Georgia.

So, if you fancy yourself an inventor, hop across the river and get your learn on:

Who: Matthew C. Henderson, HunterMaclean, and Robert E. Schwerzel, Technology Guidance Services, LLC.
What: Licensing for Inventors
When: Friday, October 17th from 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Where: The Creative Coast Alliance, 131 Hutchinson Island Road, Fourth Floor


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Ta da! Finalists announced for 2008 Innovation Awards

And not a moment too soon. I, for one, have been biting my fingernails again - an old habit rekindled by the gnawing need to know who is among the top 3 in each category for the prize of the year, the Creative Coast Alliance Innovation Award, sponsored by Lott + Barber. If you are as impatient as I am, you’ll be pleased to know that our five esteemed judges have made their decisions.

It was no simple task, but our independent panel of local and regional judges toiled and labored for hours on end, tirelessly deliberating over nearly 100 Savannah innovators across six categories including Community, Emerging Business, Existing Business, Government, Education and Sustainability. Locked in a room like jurists in the O.J. trial, they fed, sleepless, on half-eaten donuts and stale coffee, muddling through piles of applications from top notch candidates in a brave attempt to narrow the competitive field.

Here are the quickdraws still standing when the dust cleared:


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