WHIN Launch Event

More than 160 community leaders came together from throughout the region's ten counties to participate in the first ten-county workshop hosted by WHIN. Meeting at Ivy Tech Community College-Lafayette followed by GE Aviation Plant, the event was an opportunity for participants from a wide range of fields to share ideas, ask question and learn more about WHIN. Leaders from a wide range of fields participated, including education, agriculture, manufacturing, government, high-technology companies, non-profits, and utilities.

"WHIN is merging the Midwest's unparalleled leadership in agriculture and manufacturing with Purdue University's globally recognized engineering expertise and Ivy Tech's applied education," said Gary Henriott, chair of the WHIN Board. "WHIN is building upon all of our world-class abilities – agriculture, manufacturing and engineering - while keeping focus upon our region's sense of community and affordable cost of living."

Beginning at Ivy Tech, Thursday's event featured:

• A Panel Discussion regarding the challenges and opportunities facing

  Digital Agriculture and Next-Generation Manufacturing, moderated by

  Mikel Berger, co-founder of Little Engine Venture.

• Tours of Ivy Tech's advanced manufacturing lab and barn/ working farm,

  highlighting plans and goals for Internet of Things.

• A range of discussion sessions designed to gain input from participants.

  There were two rooms, one dedicated to Agriculture and another to Manufacturing;

  a third room was dedicated to discussing WHIN's Regional Cultivation Fund.

• Ending at the GE Plant, which is renowned for its leadership in IoT,

  the group was welcomed by keynote speaker Diane Krisciunas, the VP of

  Product Management for GE Aviation.