Creating An Intelligent Community through Technology and Collaborative Partnerships: Connecting Windsor-Essex (CW-E)

Speakers
- Mr. Dan Circelli, CEO, Connecting Windsor Essex (http://cw-e.ca/)
- Dr. Bharat Maheshwari, Director, FutureLab and MBA Programs, Odette School of Business, University of Windsor

Abstract

CW-E is a living lab and example of how organizations can collaborate to get better services, foster innovation, and attract investments to the region in an economically viable and sustainable manner. It is located in Windsor-Essex region, a multicultural community also known as the automotive capital of Canada.

Our presentation discusses CW-E’s journey of evolving from a research centre in the university of Windsor to an independent organization driving digital maturity and several intelligent community partnerships and initiatives by servicing its stakeholders and consortium members in both public and private sectors. The key question we address is:

How does a community founded on a “build-and-grow paradigm” sustain itself in a world pressured to embrace and procure new technology in order to improve and manage costs, innovate, and advance? What are some of the pitfalls and opportunities?

Set up as NGO, CW-E has brought together Educational institutions, Public, and Private Sector organizations in the region in a unique partnership. It has been able to leverage this partnership to create new services, improve current services, and provide stimulation for digital maturity, advancements and investments in Windsor-Essex Region. The organization has also been able save significant amounts in costs for the organizations in the region by providing shared services and leveraging joint demand by negotiating better service and pricing. We look forward to also discussing opportunities for collaboration across regions and building new partnerships.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT MIKE DOHAN at msdohan@lakeheadu.ca.