Past Events

T.O.D BUS TRIP

Date: August 30 & 31, 2022
Location: Chicago Suburbs & Greater Milwaukee

One Region and D|2024 Steering Committee members are planning a bus trip for regional leaders to experience the positive impact of transit-oriented development in other cities.  We will explore completed market-rate mixed-use developments and multifamily housing while experiencing the vibrancy that walkable communities create.

2022 ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Date: Thursday, October 13, 2022 at 11:30 am (cst)
Location: Avalon Manor Banquet Center-  3550 E Lincoln Hwy, Hobart, IN

Envision the growth of the Greater South Shore where knowledge sparks a connected innovation ecosystem that stimulates productivity and economic growth. Together we have the power to cultivate an aligned environment where ideas can flourish, propelling a transformational future for Northwest Indiana and beyond.

We have innovators, experts, and a vision.Join us to be part of the movement.

Speakers and Panelists:

• Alexandre Lazarow, Author of Out-Innovate: How Global Entrepreneurs- From Delhi to Detroit- Are Rewriting the Rules of Silicon Valley

MEMBER EVENT: GREATER SOUTH SHORE

Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2022 at 4 pm
Location: 18th Street Brewery, Hammond, IN

MEMBERS ONLY:  Join One Region members to learn about the Greater South Shore Initiative near the gateway of the South Shore Line- downtown Hammond.  Meet us at the legendary 18th Street Brewery and reflect on One Region’s Propel initiative about the Greater South Shore. Hear from U.S. Congressman Frank J. Mrvan and the expert of the Greater South Shore initiative, Ruth Wuorenma, from Neighborhood Capital Institute in Chicago.

MEMBER EVENT: NEXT STEPS WITH NEXT STUDIOS

Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 4 pm
Location: +WeCreate Studios, Valparaiso, IN

MEMBERS ONLY:  Join us to build off of the conversation in March with High Alpha Innovations and hear about steps that have been taken to connect key partners. John McDonald and Tom Kilcoyne from NEXT Studios in Indianapolis, IN will facilitate a discussion about next steps in cultivating an innovation ecosystem in Northwest Indiana. U.S. Senator Todd Young will make virtual remarks about the importance of innovation on a national level and our region’s pivotal role in this competitive future.

MEMBER EVENT: INNOVATION IN NWI

Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 4 pm
Location: Ciao Bella, Schererville

MEMBERS ONLY:  Join us to learn more about how Northwest Indiana can develop an innovation ecosystem by connecting our universities, businesses, emerging technologies, investors, and innovators.  Members will learn how Indiana is focused on developing innovation ecosystems and how one company, High Alpha Innovation, has been synergizing an environment where innovation and incubation can thrive.  Following the presentations, members will discuss this potential and possible paths forward.

About the Speakers:

Blair Milo is the Director at the Center for Talent and Opportunity at Sagamore Institute where she focuses on closing the wealth gap for women and minorities through entrepreneurship.  This partnership builds off the exciting momentum Blair produced while serving as Secretary for Career Connections and Talent under Governor Holcomb’s administration.  She will share her knowledge about building connections for powerful collaboration and the importance of innovation in Northwest Indiana.

Elliott Parker is the CEO of High Alpha Innovation, the Indianapolis-based corporate venture studio which partners with organizations to create tangible innovation through the launch of new ventures.  They apply the venture studio model we developed at High Alpha and the principles of disruption theory to rapidly build and scale software companies.

DESTINATION 2024 SUMMIT

Date: Monday, February 28, 2022 from 1 pm to 4 pm
Location: Valparaiso University, Harre Union 1509 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383

The Destination 2024 Summit will focus on reaching goals related to market-rate housing and ancillary development in TDDs around Northwest Indiana.  One Region and the Regional Development Authority (RDA) are co-hosting a half-day summit, in partnership with other regional leaders serving on a steering committee. There will be speakers, panel discussions and a feedback session to educate & align TOD stakeholders and decision-makers to determine methods of reaching RDA’s market-rate housing goals for Northwest Indiana.  Sponsored by NiSource, Shive-Hattery, and Valparaiso University.

T.O.D DEVELOPER CONVENING

Date: Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 8:30 am
Location: LCEA: 440 W. 84th Drive, Merrillville, IN  46410

One Region, Peoples Bank, and LCEA are gathering developers of multifamily and mixed-use market-rate housing to share insights about projects along the South Shore double track and West Lake corridor.  Let’s learn more about opportunities and challenges, as we facilitate candid discussions centered on the best ways to reach targeted goals for NWI.   The RDA, Peoples Bank, and LEDO liaison will be available to answer questions.

MEMBER EVENT: QUANTUM IN NWI

Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 4 pm
Location: Cimcor, Inc.

Members Only:  Join us for an evening of libations, hors d’ouerves, and all things quantum. The Greater South Shore is propelling our region into a research corridor connected by rail and data.  A quantum research corridor created with public and private investments along with the influence of collaborative leaders is emerging in Northwest Indiana’s future.  NIROC members are invited to learn more about quantum as One Region’s board member, Robert Johnson, III shares his knowledge. Member Tom Dakich will also share updates about the quantum infrastructure coming to Northwest Indiana.

About the Host & Speakers:

Robert E. Johnson, III is the President/CEO and co-founder of Cimcor,  Inc. Founded in 1997, Cimcor develops cutting-edge IT security software that takes real-time file change detection to the next level by offering instant remediation of changes. This unique software helps companies to not only meet compliance and regulatory requirements but also continuously maintain compliance, stop zero-day attacks, protect valuable information and help ensure 100% system uptime.

Mr. Johnson is an inventor and has led the development of several patented and patent-pending technologies. As a result of his passion for technology, he has written numerous articles, been a contributor to books about technology, and developed several commercial software packages. Mr. Johnson was the keynote speaker at the 2008 IEEE  International Conference on Digital Information Management in  London, England, has presented at the CSI annual conference, and many other venues. He has appeared on World Business Review, Inside  Indiana Business as well as Bloomberg Radio.

Tom Dakich is the Managing Member of Digital Crossroad in Hammond, IN and has been a practicing attorney for more than 30 years, focusing on the development of telecommunications and data centers. He has been on legal and development teams that own urban data centers throughout the world, including Los Angeles, London, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Manhattan. Tom has been instrumental in building our future in quantum communications.

2021 ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Date: Friday, October 29 at 12:30 pm (cst)
Location: Avalon Manor Banquet Center-  3550 E Lincoln Hwy, Hobart, IN

540 leaders from Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and South Bend gathered to explore our future as a hyper-connected 90-mile advanced technology and research corridor from Chicago to South Bend, with Northwest Indiana as the connector of this emerging innovation economy connected by rail and data.

Keynote Speakers

• Senator Todd Young
• Gordon Gill, Founder – Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
• Congressman Frank Mrvan
• Cordell Carter, II, Executive Director, Socrates Program at the Aspen Institute

2019 ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Date: Thursday, October 3
Location: Avalon Manor Banquet Center

View the 2019 Luncheon Video

The highlight was a panel discussion about creating vibrancy in NWI with Hammond as an example while learning from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Panelists include:

• Jeff Speck, City Planner and Urban Designer focused on Walkability
• George Heartwell, Retired Mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Suzanne Schulz, City of Grand Rapids Managing Director of Design, Development and Community Engagement
• About the Panelists

2018 ANNUAL LUNCHEON

In 2018, we heard from Tom Murphy, former Mayor of Pittsburgh, who shared how Pittsburgh turned its decline into a story of revitalization and reinvention. Here’s a link to the video recording of Tom Murphy’s inspiring presentation.

2017 ANNUAL LUNCHEON