Illinois Blockchain Initiative: Insights, Progress & Horizon Scanning {Workshop}
Details
This month Jennifer O’Rourke is speaking to us about the Illinois Blockchain Initiative where she serves as the Business Liaison. She is also the Assistant Deputy Director of the Office of Entrepreneurship, Illinois Innovation & Technology at the Illinois Department of Commerce where she leads projects focusing on economic development throughout the state. Prior to this, O’Rourke held a number of strategic and market development positions in the derivatives industry. Most recently, O’Rourke was with CME Group, serving as a Manager of Global Business Development where she was responsible for expanding CME Group’s presence in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, including initiating customer relationships and developing partnerships with regional exchanges. O’Rourke has also worked for Royal Bank of Scotland and Deutsche Bank in London.
Lightning Talks: All monthly workshop events include lightning talks by community members. In 3 minutes anyone can present their idea, ask for help, recruit partners, or launch new projects. It's a perfect opportunity to find co-founders, coders, advisors, designers, and clients to help make your idea a reality. Look for the sign-up sheet at the registration table.
Who should attend? All ages and experience levels are welcome. If you’re new, you’ll find friendly faces excited and ready to show you the ropes. If you’re a Bitcoin or open-blockchain expert, you’ll find like-minded people to discuss new or existing projects.
Logistics: The workshop will be held between 4pm and 5:30pm. Plan to arrive at 4pm for networking and socializing until 4:15pm. Workshop events officially begin at 4:15pm and end around 5:30pm. After the event ends we'll be moving just a few doors down to Chief O’Neill's for beer and conversation.
Pumping Station One is a hacker/maker space in the city near Addison and Elston. It’s just a half mile from the Kennedy expressway and the Blue Line Addison stop. There is plenty of free street parking available in the area. The workshop will be held in the main conference room just to the right of the entrance. Look for the BOB signs!
FYI Pumping Station One does require all visitors to sign a waiver. It’s a basic I won’t sue you if I’m silly enough to wander off and hurt myself by using all the tools without reading any of the instructions first.