ideacity 2014: Twelfth Speaker Announcement

It might be hard to believe, but there’s only one week left until we open the doors to this year’s ideacity conference! In just seven days, the first of our all-star presenters will be taking the stage and treating an audience of idealists to a world of new research, thrilling performances, and thought-provoking concepts. “Innovation” is the watchword for this week’s lineup, as each of these speakers has helped to uncover new ways to propel us forward and unlock the past, using a combination of technology and modern thinking. More than anything, though, they prove that there’s still plenty of human potential still left untapped, waiting for bold and boundary-pushing individuals to discover and put it to use.

DR. MICHAEL ZUK – Dentist with John Lennon DNA

Michael Zuk DDS gained global attention with the purchase of John Lennon’s molar. While most joked about the idea of spending so much for a rotten tooth the dentist-author-crusader recognized the potential gold mine that could come from the investment. His book ‘Confessions of a Former Cosmetic Dentist’ had just hit a jackpot marketing opportunity but the dental association decided to block the publication. Dr. Zuk has used the tooth to promote conservative cosmetic dentistry, raise awareness of mouth cancer, developed a line of jewellery and participated in a documentary on celebrity DNA where he announced his intentions to ‘own John Lennon’s genetic code’.MORE…

ELENA POLYAKOVA – Graphene

Dr. Polyakova serves as Chief Operating Officer at Graphene 3D Lab. As CEO at Graphene Labs, she spent her time ensuring that both technical and business staffs work at full capacity without the development of silos. Graphene – a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice – is a material with remarkable properties, including a high-conductivity, superior strength to any material ever isolated, flexibility, and chemical resistivity. It has become known the world-over as the wonder material, and it is quickly moving from research laboratories to industrial applications. Dr. Polyakova’s team has developed technology to produce graphene nanocomposites and other advanced materials to be used in 3D printing, with the potential to bring 3D printing to the next stage of commercial development. MORE…

CAMERON ROBERTSON & TODD REICHERT – Human-Powered Helicopter

Todd Reichert and Cameron Robertson, co-founders of AeroVelo Inc., spend their time pushing the limits of human potential. Their projects have taken them from human-powered helicopters to aerodynamic bicycles capable of reaching speeds of over 77 mph. The common theme is one of doing more with less: going further with limited resources. Driven by passion and challenge, their journey has led to a unique understanding of what it takes to tackle the impossible. In 2006 Cameron and Todd set out to accomplish one of humanities oldest aeronautical dreams, with a human-powered aircraft that flies in the imitation of a bird by flapping its wings. Their success in 2010 spurred a massive international following and accolades that include Canada’s top aviation honor: the Trans-Canada McKee Trophy.MORE…

BRYCE RUTTER – Innovation and Design

Dr. Bryce Rutter is CEO of Metaphase Design Group, the world’s leading company for the research, ergonomics and design of such award-winning hand-held products as the Microsoft 2.0 Mouse (the most recognized mouse ever built), the Gatorade ‘Edge’ Bottle and the Oral-B toothbrush. Rutter is a specialist in hand function and has spent his career working in the research and design of high technology, telecommunication and health care products. As the owner of Metaphase, he has received the Design of the Decade Award and seen Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) for the best-designed products in America from the Industrial Designers Society of America and Business Week, as well as a Design Excellence Awards from I.D. Magazine. MORE…

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Context Creative

Like any great event, ideacity wouldn’t be possible without the vision and support of our sponsors.

Gold is about achieving something remarkable, a distinction reserved for those who move the benchmark for success: an album goes gold, a couple celebrates their golden anniversary, we idealize the Golden Age. Like gold, a good idea doesn’t tarnish. It only gets better with time. It sticks in your mind, shapes the way you see the world and inspires you to dig deep and discover more ideas.MORE…

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“ideacity, known as Canada’s Premiere Meeting of the Minds, is a new species of conference.”

For more information or tickets to the 2014 ideacity conference, visit our ticketing page or contact David Cravit at [email protected], 416-607-7739 or cell 647-280-8163.