ICAD Group Hosts December Co-Working Event

Part of Ongoing Goal to Develop a Culture of Innovation

The Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD Group), in partnership with COWRK Iowa City, is hosting its second Iowa City Jelly on Thursday, December 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Iowa City Main Library, Room A.

Jellys are casual cowork sessions that combine creativity and productivity.  Those who normally work from home or remotely, like at a coffeeshop, are encouraged to drop by, bring their laptops and ipods, and work.  Those who attend can expect to get work done, see what others are working on and make new connections.  There is no fee and no set agenda.  Plugins, Wi-Fi and coffee are provided.

Jellys are just one step the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids region is taking to help foster innovation in the area, according to Mark Nolte, ICAD Group Business Development Director.  “ICAD Group is committed to a regional goal of economic growth through a culture of innovation,” said Nolte.  “Innovation arises when we allow ideas to migrate between and among a diverse set of minds and Jellys are the perfect format for this type of collaboration.”

Attendees often include entrepreneurs, freelancers, designers, developers, writers, and those working online.  Anyone who can work away from an office are also welcome at the Jelly for fresh ideas and for a change of pace.  About a dozen attended the first Iowa City Jelly in November.

“The only rules are to be respectful of those working and of the environment,” added Nolte.  “This isn’t a networking event or an opportunity to generate leads, but instead a way to stimulate collaborations and get people in the Corridor working in new ways with new people.”

Jellys started in New York City in February 2006 when two roommates, who missed the camaraderie of a traditional office, invited others to share their apartment as a workspace.  The aim was to create a creative environment that provided brainstorming, idea sharing, and conversations.  Since then, Jellys have been held throughout the US and all over the world.