Nearly 20 Innovation Teams from cities around the U.S. and Israel came together in Memphis in March of 2016 for two action-packed days of exploration and learning.
Memphis’ i-team began its work back in 2012. This convening was an opportunity for newer i-teams to experience the impact the Memphis i-team has had on the ground and to share their own challenges and successes on the hard work of bringing bold transformation to cities.
What happens when teams get a chance to come out of their shells and reflect on their work? Take a look.
Video: Looking Back at Memphis
Speed Dating
We opened the first day by giving team members a chance to introduce themselves and share their work through a series of fast-paced conversations.
National Civil Rights Museum and Local Business Tour
Day two of the convening began with a powerful tour of the National Civil Rights Museum, located on the site of the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The teams were later visited by Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland during lunch.
The teams later toured businesses on Broad Avenue, a commercial corridor in Memphis that was, until recently, blighted and underutilized. The Memphis i-team worked across city agencies to develop grants, loans, and a host of business development resources to revitalize the corridor as part of the Memfix and Memshop programs.
Trainings and Presentations
The teams transitioned into a series of deep dives on specific issues, including setting targets and metrics, engaging stakeholders elsewhere in city government, and telling an impactful story.
