The Innovation Agility Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#8: Destination branding and economic development with Emily Cassell, Arlington Convention and Visitors Services Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

According to data from the U.S. Travel Association, there is a promising forecast for travel in 2023. It is predicted that the number of domestic trips, including both business and leisure, will surpass the levels seen in 2019 for the first time, marking a significant recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today we're going to talk about the valuable role that destination marketing and building a strong destination to market plays in the overall growth of the business community in a region.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Emily Cassell, Director, Arlington Convention and Visitors Service, based in Arlington County, Virginia.

About Emily CassellEmily is Director of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service, Arlington, Virginia's official destination marketing organization and a division within Arlington Economic Development. Arlington has been Virginia's #1 county for visitor spending since 2009. Since joining AED in 2006, Emily has been responsible for leading all tourism-related strategy; marketing and public relations; meeting and convention sales; and visitor and convention services. Arlington visitors generated nearly $3.4 billion in spending in 2018, with tourism accounting for more than 26,000 local jobs, nearly $94 million in local tax receipts, and $127 million in state tax receipts. Emily has more than 25 years of marketing experience in travel, tourism, economic development and technology. She holds an International MBA from the University of South Carolina and Austria's Vienna University of Economics and Business, as well as a Bachelor of Journalism with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin.

RESOURCESStay Arlington Website https://www.stayarlington.com Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com

The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/

Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show

The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com

The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op.

SYNOPSIS

This episode of the Innovation Economy Podcast discusses the role of destination marketing and building a strong destination in driving business growth. The guest, Emily Cassell, Director of Arlington Convention and Visitors Service, talks about the new destination branding initiative in Arlington, Virginia and how it was motivated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a $3.25 million investment from the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Arlington was able to take a fresh research-based approach to branding and launch the new brand, "All in Arlington."

#7: Introduction to Intrapreneurship with Adam Chen and Greg Kihlström Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to a special episode of the The Agile Brand podcast that we call The Agile Brand Guide to Intrapreneurship.

While entrepreneurs are often lauded with creating new businesses and ideas, it is more often the case that change agents working within organizations—intrapreneurs—are responsible for innovation and seeing those new ideas through to completion. The Agile Brand Guide to Intrapreneurship shares stories and insights from leaders within organizations that had the courage to create new ways to move a business forward.

In this first episode, co-host Adam Chen and Greg Kihlström discuss what it means to be an intrapreneur and give a preview of the rest of the series.

About the Co-Host, Adam ChenAdam Chen is President at AmenityLinc.

From Adam:

My name is Adam Chen and I am a Change Agent. Throughout my career, I have focused on absorbing information from a variety of roles spanning business strategy, business development, technology and communications in a variety of industries ranging from Government Contracting, Finance, Advertising, Hospitality, and Professional Services to innovate and drive transformational improvements within the organizations I have been humbled to be a part of. In this, my most recent venture, I am now offering my breadth of experience through select consultation partnerships where the fit is right.

Having held many senior roles such as Chief Information Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Experience Officer, and Senior Digital Strategist, I have a depth of experience in the following areas. If you would like to explore a collaborative relationship please contact me.

RESOURCESThe Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/

Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show

The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com

The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op.

#6: How intrapreneurs shape their own brand and the brand of their organization with guest Adam Chen Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we dig into the definition of an intrapreneur, the skillsets that make the role critical to companies, and their future in supporting business success with their innovative mindset.

About Adam Chen

Throughout his career, he has focused on absorbing information from a variety of roles spanning business strategy, business development, technology, and communications in a variety of industries ranging from Government Contracting, Finance, Advertising, Hospitality, and Professional Services to innovate and drive transformational improvements within the organizations he has been humbled to be a part of. In his most recent venture, he is now offering his breadth of experience through select consultation partnerships where the fit is right.

Adam has held many senior roles such as Chief Information Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Experience Officer, and Senior Digital Strategist.

RESOURCES

The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/

Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show

The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com

The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op.

#5: Fostering an Intrapreneurial Culture in Financial Planning with Elliot Pepper Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss the many factors that play into building and nurturing an intrapreneurial culture. Check out this in depth conversation with Elliot Pepper, Founder of Northbrook Financial, as he touches on the importance of accountability, communication, mentorship, and incentive structures in fostering a safe environment where anyone can identify and create new value.

About Elliot Pepper

Prior to launching Northbrook Financial, Elliot Pepper – a summa cum laude graduate of University of Maryland and University of Baltimore – worked in the tax practice of Ernst & Young, a "Big 4" global accounting firm, and Brown Advisory, a multi-national investment advisory firm. With strong tax technical acumen and a deep understanding of personal financial behavioral habits, Elliot connects with his clients by providing objective and actionable advice in relatable laymen's terms.

When he's not reading up on the latest changes to the tax code, Elliot enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and two sons. An avid runner and basketball fanatic, he has completed multiple marathons and loves playing and watching basketball with friends and family. He is also a self-described book worm and particularly enjoys reading about behavioral economics, financial markets, and anything related to big wave surfing!

RESOURCES

The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/

Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show

The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com

The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op.

#4: Arts + business for the benefit of the community with Alissa Maru, George Mason University Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

Today we're going to talk about the role of the arts in a community that serves businesses, employees, residents, and visitors.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Alissa Maru, Associate Curator at Mason Exhibitions Arlington at George Mason University.

About Alissa Maru

Alissa Maru is a seasoned art administrator, event producer, and curator. Through her years of professional experience, she's provided logistic management overseeing event site layout, artistic curation, government permitting, and onsite execution of live events; working with government, non-profit, event companies, and festivals.

Examples of her major projects include 2011-2014, Director of Operations Art All Night DC: Nuit Blanche, a one-night art pop-up festival in Washington, D.C. For five years she served as the Special Events Manager for the National Cherry Blossom Festival and DowntownDC BID, where she provided coordinated production for the Festivals' famed Parade and community stages.

From 2018-2019, Maru served as Director at the Dupont Underground, an abandoned street car station turned arts event space and gallery. There she grew the performance art programs, and curated the digital projection exhibitions.

Maru currently is the Exhibitions and Program Manager at Mason Exhibitions Arlington, a contemporary art gallery of George Mason University. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor at George Mason University developing experiential learning in the gallery through the Arts Management graduate course.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Howard University (Washington, DC) and a Master of Arts dual degree in Marketing and Communications from the London Metropolitan University (London, England) and École supérieure de commerce et management (Poitiers, France).

RESOURCES

The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/

Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show

The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com

The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op.

#3: The ongoing relationship between businesses and their location, with Michael Steifvater, Arlington Economic Development Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to a special episode of the show brought to you in partnership with Arlington Economic Development, where we discuss issues related to the workforce, the role of place in the future of work, and the role of the creative sector in a larger business context. We call this Return on Creativity.

Today we're going to talk about the partnership between business and their location, and the benefits of partnership.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Michael Stiefvater, Acting Director, Business Investment at Arlington Economic Development.

About Michael Stiefvater

Michael Stiefvater is the Acting Director of AED's Business Investment Group (BIG), where he oversees Arlington's efforts in business recruitment and retention, international trade, entrepreneur support and catalyzing the innovation economy. Since joining BIG in late 2019, the team has contributed to the leasing of over 1 million square feet of office space and the creation/retention of over 5,000 jobs.

Michael has over 15 years of experience in economic development and real estate, including the past five years with AED.

Prior to joining AED, Michael served in roles with Richmont Development, CoStar, the City of College Park and Rockville Economic Development Inc.

Michael holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California, Irvine and a Bachelor of Public Policy, Management and Planning from the University of Southern California.

ResourcesThe Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/

Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show

The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com

The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

#2: AI & Machine Learning in the Enterprise with Scott Love, Lovelytics Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Today we're going to talk about artificial intelligence and machine learning in the enterprise, where it is today and where it's currently headed, as well as the role of place in building talented data and technology teams.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Scott Love, Founder & CEO of Lovelytics.

About Scott Love

Scott Love founded Lovelytics in 2017 after leading sales for other services partners in the data analytics space. Scott is originally from Indianapolis, IN and spent 7 years living abroad in The Netherlands. Currently, Scott Love resides in Arlington, VA.

RESOURCES

The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/

Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show

The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com

#1: Public art and the future of work with Angela Anderson Adams, Arlington Economic Development Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

Today we're going to talk about the role of public art in place and its relationship to the people who live and work in a place like Arlington County, Virginia.

To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Angela Anderson Adams, Director Arlington Public Art at Arlington Economic Development.

About Angela Anderson Adams

Angela Anderson Adams has worked as a curator and arts administrator for nearly forty years, half of those directing Arlington Public Art. Under her leadership, the program has grown from one of the first developer-sponsored public art programs in the country to an internationally renowned, award-winning public and privately funded program. Arlington Public Art contributes art and design enhancements to most major civic projects undertaken in the County.

ResourcesArlington Economic Development website: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com

The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show

Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/

Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show

The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com

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