Ignite comes to Wilmington for the first time

You could argue that Wilmington is Philadelphia on a two year delay.
Wilmington, much like Philadelphia earlier in the decade, has been experiencing a renaissance in its creative industries. Creatives in the city have recently founded the Lower Market (LoMa) design district and are set to host their very own Ignite event on July 22 (register here) in a city more known for providing a tax friendly location for banks to headquarter.
“We all felt the need for this to happen,” said organizer Lee Mikles, “so we all just decided to do it ourselves.”

If you have been to one of the three Ignite Philly events you likely know the deal. Each speaker gets five minutes (20 slides at 15 seconds each) to speak on whatever topic they wish, the idea being that viewers get a sampling of all of the great things that are happening locally.
“I hope Ignite gives the creatives here a place to congregate and share ideas,” said Mikles.
Mikles is the co-founder of Wilmington-based digital marketing firm The Archer Group. The business began in his basement, and the company has stubbornly refused to leave their hometown, growing The Archer Group to a thriving business of 35 employees.
Mikles and others in the industry have also undertaken the creation of an entire design district in an effort to build a new community in Wilmington, culminating in the Ignite event.
While most of the speakers have some sort of Wilmington connection, there were no strict guidelines for choosing presenters.
“I was looking for people I’ve heard stories of, or I had heard them speak,” he said adding that his litmus test for speakers was whether or not he would want to have a beer with them.
Speakers set to present include someone who Mikles describes as the David Hasselhoff of the art world (he’s big in Europe), a home brewmaster and one of the premier developers of the multitouch technology made famous with CNN’s election coverage.
Mikles said he has no idea what to expect, but he does hope that the creatives of Philadelphia are able to make the trip south on the R2.
“It’s an easy jaunt down. Come down to Wilmington and see where your credit card statements go,” he said.

BALTIMORE CONNECTION

Despite being geographically closer to Philadelphia, the organizers of Ignite Wilmington have been in closer contact with those responsible for Ignite Baltimore.
“I didn’t want to bother them,” Mikles said of his Philly counterparts. “I think they’ve done a great job and I’m looking forward to doing a similar event here.”
He added that when he was begining to plan Ignite WIlmington, Ignite Philly 3 was a few weeks away from taking place. Ignite Baltimore’s third event will be on Thursday.