Fail Fest Returns to Wabash Valley
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOrganizers of the second Fail Fest Wabash Valley have put a focus on attracting students to today’s event. Launch Terre Haute Executive Director Shelley Klingerman says "there’s no reason the next big thing can’t come out of Terre Haute," and she hopes the speakers sharing the role of failure in their successes will inspire them to take chances on their ideas. This year’s event features more than a dozen speakers from industries including education, finance, technology and film.
During an interview this month on Inside INdiana Business Television, Klingerman said Fail Fest is part of Launch Terre Haute’s ongoing effort to "pull people out of their bedrooms and their basements" to collaborate.
Launch Fishers Executive Director John Wechsler created Fail Fest in 2014 with hopes of encouraging entrepreneurs to embrace the role of failure in innovation. The Fishers coworking space has held several Fail Fest events in recent years, attracting capacity crowds.
Launch Terre Haute is in the 100-year-old Deming Building, which recently underwent $6 million in renovations. Klingerman says the space has attracted more than 60 members. The building also has commercial retail space and more than 100 apartment units.
Speakers at Wednesday’s event at the historic Indiana Theater include:
Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick (opening comments)
Launch Terre Haute Executive Director Shelley Klingerman (opening comments)
Viral Marketing Strategist April Yvette
Twisted Fry Director of Legal & Finance DeSean Prentice
Twisted Fry Director of Marketing & Operations Devyn Mikell
WGU Indiana Chancellor Allison Barber
JBSB Companies CEO Jackie Bledsoe
Serieal Entrepreneur and Advisor Kelly Hipskind
Safe and Sound Schools Co-Founder Michele Gay
Patriot Investments Chairman and Owner Mike Alley
Thompson Thrift Development Chief Executive Paul Thrift
Fishers High School Assistant Principal Steve Loser
Indianapolis Film Commissioner Teresa Sabatine
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Entrepreneurship Professor Tom James
Thomas P. Miller & Associates CEO Tom Miller