Innovate Marquette SmartZone and SISU: The Innovation Institute at Northern Michigan University have announced the keynote speakers and programming for PeakK25, a conference elevating breakthroughs in research, entrepreneurship and collaboration. The event is free and open to the public, and will take place Feb. 20-21 at NMU.
The internationally recognized keynote speakers are: Deborah Amato, deputy chief technologist for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; and Mark Twight, award-winning author, trainer, alpinist and entrepreneur.
Amato manages the Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program, which invests in advanced technologies for future missions, enabling breakthrough scientific discoveries for NASA. She has worked on a variety of projects: technology development; concept studies and proposals; sounding rocket and balloon payloads; and spaceflight missions, including the James Webb Space Telescope Integrated Science Instrument Module.
Twight is a retired mountain climber who designed cutting-edge climbing gear for leading brands including Grivel, Lowe Alpine and Patagonia. He trained various military and intelligence assets on how to conduct operations at high altitudes in mountainous terrain, as well as actors for nine major Hollywood films including 300 and Man of Steel. In 2017, Twight co-founded NonProphet, a media company exploring the intersection of art and action. He is the author of several books, including Extreme Alpinism and Kiss or Kill.
“Our keynote speakers for this year's conference represent what Peak25 brings individuals together for–celebrating collaboration, ingenuity and exploration in all forms,” said Bill Digneit, director of SISU: The Innovation Institute at NMU. “We look forward to hearing from Deborah Amato and Mark Twight to set the tone for both days of high-caliber programming.”
Peak25 will also feature an outdoor innovation experience, design jam showcase, scholarship and research sessions and competitions, entrepreneurship showcases, two live pitch competitions with thousands of dollars of prizes, provided meals with curated networking opportunities and more.
“Each aspect of programming for Peak25 is designed to foster learning, curiosity and collaboration, whether you're a student, community member, entrepreneur or someone just interested in the vibrant academic and entrepreneurial spirit of Marquette,” said Aubry Healy, outreach and engagement manager for Innovate Marquette and marketing chair for PeakK25. “We are excited to make this programming open for everyone to join and interact with our community's partners, scholars and innovators.”
Additional programming on the first day includes NMU's Buzz Sessions, an interdisciplinary research event held biannually and serves as a platform for faculty and students to showcase their research.
A Lunch and Learn session will follow, in which attendees have the opportunity to hear from and converse in a one-hour session with Bob Jacquart of Stormy Kromer about the innovation journey in the Upper Peninsula.
Afternoon programming includes NMU's Annual Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT), in which graduate students have three minutes and a singular static slide to present their thesis research and compete for recognition, prizes and a spot in the regional competition.
To follow, attendees will have the chance to attend the Peak Outdoor Experience and explore the latest in outdoor recreation with live demos and hands-on activities for the community and students.
Simultaneous to the Outdoor Experience will be the Student Scholarship Summit, a chance for students to present their research and engage in intentional networking and mingling with industry leaders and the community. Additionally, participants in pitch competitions will be featured in an Entrepreneurship Showcase and Trade Fair.
The first day of the conference will conclude with a celebration and live music featuring Total Head, a band made up entirely of NMU students.
Following a morning keynote address on day two, attendees will enjoy a live panel discussion as well as a Design Jam Prototype Showcase featuring creations from the Feb. 21 Adobe Design Jam held on NMU's campus.
The culminating event of Peak25 will be the Big Pitch and Outdoor Innovation Pitch competitions. The Big Pitch, hosted by the NMU College of Business, is a “Shark Tank” style competition in which NMU students pitch their ideas to a panel of judges as they try to win thousands of dollars to get their business ideas off the ground.
The Outdoor Innovation Pitch competition is co-hosted with the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund and Centrepolis Accelerator, and will feature Michigan-based startups in the outdoor recreation industry pitching their business ideas live to a panel of judges for a chance to win up to $50,000 in investment from the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund. The deadline for eligible Michigan businesses to apply is 11:59 PM EST, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. View the application form at bit.ly/PeakOutdoorPitch.
Leading up to the event, there will be several additional programming opportunities through Peak25's Ascent Series, to build momentum to the conference and give interested attendees a taste of what the conference will entail. The Ascent Series includes the Michigan Ice Fest Innovator Track, Adobe Design Jam and more.
The SHINE Sustainability Summit will be the final event of the Ascent Series, hosted by NMU's Sustainability Advisory Council on Feb. 18. Chef Bryan Flower, assistant director of Food Systems Innovation and Courtney Gallagher, director of Campus Sustainability at Northern Illinois University will share details about their Edible Campus. There will also be discussion on sustainability themes across NMU's campus and an interactive survey regarding the university's Sustainability Action Plan.
Peak25 is co-hosted by Innovate Marquette and SISU: The Innovation Institute at NMU. The conference is conducted in partnership with NMU College of Business, NMU College of Graduate Studies & Research and the SHINE Institute.
Find more information on the speakers and events schedule at www.peakconference.org/