Registration is now open for the inaugural panel of the Lightbulb Series. Collaboratory and Edison Awards have partnered to bring together high-powered and innovative minds from some of the nation’s most notable organizations to bring discussions and ideas for the benefit of Southwest Florida.

This quarterly panel discussion is open to the public and will launch on March 31, from 3-5 p.m. at Collaboratory.

The series will spotlight innovative individuals and organizations and feature innovators across all industries, fields and sectors.

The first panel includes Helen Edenfield, global director of facilities and operations excellence for NeoGenomics; Brian Rist, chairman of Rist Family Foundation; and Ryan Carter, president of Scotlynn USA Division and Scotlynn Transport. Sarah Owen, president and CEO of Collaboratory will serve as moderator.

The Edison Awards is an annual competition designed to recognize and honor excellence in new product and service development, marketing, human-centered design and innovation. Over the last 35 years, being recognized with an Edison Award has become one of the highest accolades a product can receive in the name of innovation and new product success. The awards are named after Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) whose inventions, new product development methods, and innovative achievements changed the world.

 Last year’s winners represented 119 companies in 15 different nations with 8 from the United States located in the Edison Awards’ new home state of Florida including Arthrex, Babcock Ranch, Black & Veatch, Carrier, ecoSPEARS, Florida Gulf Coast University, NeoGenomics and youBelong.

The 35th Annual Edison Awards gala will take place in downtown Fort Myers in April 2022. the Lightbulb Series is free and open to the public. Visit collaboratory.org/lightbulb to register.

For more information about the Edison Awards or to attend the April 20-22 events and network with the world’s top innovation experts, visit www.edisonawards.com. The Edison Awards are operated by Edison Universe, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and are proud to call Fort Myers their new home and to serve as a Collaboratory partner.

Collaboratory is committed to coordinating the solving of all of Southwest Florida’s social problems on an 18-year deadline including homelessness, poverty, mental illness, racism, illiteracy and more. Collaboratory was founded in 1976 as the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. It has made over $83 million in grants since then and is home to more than 400 philanthropic funds. To learn more and get involved, call 239-274-5900 or visit www.collaboratory.org.