Author: jenpel262

The annual Minds + Machines program was a cornerstone in customer engagement around how GE, together with the industry, partners and customers, were building the Industrial Internet space. It became a trademark stage that pulled together customers, media, thought leaders and media to explore how digital investment was transforming some of the world’s most critical infrastructure and industries.

For the first five years I led the design and production of the event, exhibit space and customer experience. Over this time we introduced the Industrial Internet to the world with a single day, 500 person event with one stage and grew that conversation into a 3-day, 3,000 person event across 6 stages. The event continues today as a flagship moment for the company.

The Garages program took the spirit of GE’s innovation and making culture, and put it in the hands of consumers through modern manufacturing technology. It made advanced manufacturing accessible and interesting to the everyday person.

The physical spaces made cutting-edge technology like laser cutters, 3D printers, automated CNC machines, modelling software, even intelligent building kits and material science accessible to everyone. Paired with classes by local experts in the community, we created a space for people to come together, learn, share and ultimately carry forward the culture of innovation in their own way.

It started at SXSW to ignite a conversation with some of the world’s leading technologist and technology-minded consumers, then grew into a key platform that GE connected with people about the future of manufacturing around the world. This includes with policy makers in DC, Brussels and Dubai. It also became the basis for educational programs to help local entrepreneurs in Nigeria, UAE and Turkey understand how the power of technology and digital knowledge can propel their business endeavours forward, quicker.

Over the program’s four years, it supported GE in building closer relationships with customers, local innovation and technology leaders, government officials, educational institutions and entrepreneurs who all invested in the mindset that technology, digital advanced and the people leading it are the future.