IdeaLab: A look into the future

It's that time of year again! Time to round up some folks doing great work in Detroit to go win the hearts & minds of future business leaders at University of Michigan.

We're excited to partner again with the Revitalization and Business Conference, presented by U-M's Ross School of Business, to host "IdeaLab" -- a fast-paced, two-hour session with a stellar line-up of Detroit innovators, including:

• Bethany Betzler, Artifact Maker Society & Detroit Creative Corridor Center
• Jim Boyle, New Economy Initiative & Public Pool
• Alessandra Carreon, Ford Motor Company & Better Block Detroit
• Francis Grunow, New Solutions Group & Corridors Alliance
• Sebastian Jackson, The Social Club Grooming Company
• Katy Locker, Knight Foundation
• Wayne Ramocan, Osborn Neighborhood Alliance
• Sarida Scott Montgomery, CDAD & Good People Popcorn

IdeaLab takes place Friday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the beautiful Blau Auditorium at the Ross School, 701 Tappan Street, in Ann Arbor. The event is free and open to all. For conference information and registration, click here.

Oh, and this year we're mixing it up a bit. We're asking our presenters to not just share their work, but to float one radical idea for the future of Detroit.

What will they say? Come on out to listen.

The 4th annual R&B Conference highlights growth and regrowth occurring in Detroit. The conference will explore the vision of the future city and the intersection between business, education and community investment in realizing this vision. It also aims to connect Michigan students with those creating change in Detroit.

This year's IdeaLab is presented by Urban Innovation Exchange, thanks to support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.