What Creators Know About Attention, Growth, and Sales 

Join us for the next Strong Community Strong Coffee. Featuring a dynamic panel in partnership with Kentucky Creatives. Today’s creators operate at the intersection of technology, storytelling, and innovation—using digital tools, platforms, and data-driven strategies to turn content into credibility and audiences into customers.

This conversation explores how tech-enabled, innovation-led creator workflows are shaping modern branding, partnerships, and business growth—and what startups, small businesses, and organizations can learn from them.

Expect practical insight on:

• How creators leverage technology and platforms to earn and sustain attention in crowded digital spaces
• What actually builds trust online—and how that trust converts into action
• How businesses can collaborate with creators or apply innovation-driven content strategies to strengthen their marketing, messaging, and momentum

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12

9am - 10:30am CT

WKU Innovation Campus #129

RSVP HERE

Thanks to our sponsor Truist and Q Emporium for sponsoring our coffee. Hosted by CREATE, WKU Innovation Campus, Community Ventures, SBDC and SBA.

Data Drives Discovery

Join us, WKU Libraries and WKU ARTP as we bringing together leaders from NASA, healthcare, industry, government, and academia for Data Science Day at WKU.

This one-day event features plenary, industrial, research, student, and faculty presentations showcasing how data science is shaping decision-making, innovation, and discovery across sectors.

Event Highlights Include:

• Dr. Manil Maskey (NASA) – Accelerating Discovery Through Data Science
• David Ciommo (Humana) – Data Storytelling: Bridging the Human & Machine Intelligence Gap
• Shane Holinde (Kentucky Mesonet) – Measuring Weather, Establishing Climate
• Aaron Owens (Skylight Digital / BG Regional Technology Council) – Emerging AI Threats to Data Integrity
• JC Watkins (KY Apex) – Where Government Uses Data Scientists
• Benjamin Blankartz (AMEND Consulting / Logan Aluminum) – Digital Twins in Practice: Real-Time Forecasting & What-If Planning
• AND MORE

For a full schedule click HERE.

The day will also feature 14 student and faculty presentations, highlighting cutting-edge research and applied data science happening right here at WKU.

Whether you’re a student, researcher, industry professional, or simply curious about how data is transforming our world, Data Science Day at WKU offers insights, inspiration, and meaningful connections.

We hope you’ll join us for a day of learning, discussion, and discovery.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12

11 am - 6pm CT

Commons Helm Cravens 3002/3008

RSVP HERE

Where Entrepreneurs, Technology, Creativity, and Innovation Collide and Grow

Join us for the next StartupGarden: an engaging conversation focused on entrepreneurship and the future of our region’s economy—and what that future means for tech-based, innovation-led, and narrative-driven entrepreneurs across South Central Kentucky.

This month’s discussion will feature Judge Executive Doug Gorman alongside Henry “Buddy” Steen, CREATE Programs Director, as they explore where our region is headed and how entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators can help shape what’s next.

The conversation will be moderated by Sam Ford, Founding Partner and Chief Connection Officer at InnoEngine and Innovation Fellow with CREATE, bringing thoughtful insight and meaningful connection to the dialogue.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26

4:30 - 6:00 pm

WKU Innovation Campus - VIP Lounge

RSVP HERE

Thanks to our sponsor Q Emporium and Continuity Advisors & Broker. Hosted by CREATE, WKU Innovation Campus, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and KY Innovation.

Turning Concepts into Companies

Have an idea that could become a business? The Launch Kentucky: Idea Challenge helps entrepreneurs, students, and creative thinkers across South Central Kentucky turn innovative and tech-enabled ideas into viable companies.

Hosted by CREATE at the WKU Innovation Campus, this challenge connects participants with expert guidance, resources, and professional services to validate, refine, and advance their ideas.

Submission Deadline: March 15 at 11:59 PM (CT)

Who Should Apply:

Aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and students with early-stage or tech-enabled concepts.

Eligibility:

Open to residents of Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hancock, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Ohio, Simpson, and Warren counties.

What You Could Win:

Professional services including market research, legal and patent assistance, accounting support, product development, and more.