IntraHealth’s SwitchPoint 2013 Conference Convenes Global Innovators and Industry Leaders to Collaborate, Create and Solve Problems

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The second annual SwitchPoint Conference, an IntraHealth International production, will be held April 19-20, 2013, in Saxapahaw, N.C. The silo-busting gathering connects thinkers, doers and entrepreneurs from multiple disciplines to innovate and collaborate on solutions to critical issues in global health. More than 350 attendees and speakers from 15 countries will participate in panel discussions and hands-on labs, and enjoy a concert by DJ Spooky. The event is chaired by Bill Shore, former director of North American Partnerships for GSK. The conference costs $275 ($150, students). Register at http://event.swithcpointideas.com.

“SwitchPoint 2013 again gathers innovators from a variety of industries and disciplines to launch partnerships that yield creative and long-lasting solutions to global health challenges”

More than 35 presenters and performers will address topics including big data, global health, mapping, humanitarian tech, 3d printing, Maker Faire and DIY movements, artivism, crisis response, human rights, emerging markets and entrepreneurship. Speakers come from over 15 countries and include winners of the Gates Foundation Prize, Tech Review’s Humanitarian of the Year, the artist-in-residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and members of Time Magazine’s 100’s Most Influential People list.

"SwitchPoint 2013 again gathers innovators from a variety of industries and disciplines to launch partnerships that yield creative and long-lasting solutions to global health challenges," says Pape Gaye, IntraHealth's president and CEO. "Our business community is increasingly seeking greater alignment between bottom-line business interests and doing good in the world. SwitchPoint creates ‘a-ha moments’ and opportunities for innovation in global health and development.”

The inaugural event in 2012 spurred many partnerships and projects including a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment made by Intel, Kenya’s iHub, Medic Mobile, IntraHealth, Safaricom and others to provide a low-cost, adaptable eLearning program for frontline health workers in East Africa. Another partnership grew out of a collaboration between ARTVSM, the UN Foundation, GOOD, Malaria No More and Speak Up Africa, culminating in a series of advocacy projects and world tours featuring beat-making labs and a deal with PBS Digital.

Building on the event’s momentum, IntraHealth developed the SwitchPoint Reader, a web-based, hand-curated feed reader to help innovators, humanitarians and others find and connect with inspiring people, organizations, ideas, campaigns and challenges from across the social web at www.switchpointideas.com.

This year’s conference also features the Silo Busters Contest for university students. Students submit essays up to 350 words or videos up to 90 seconds describing their silo-busting SwitchPoint innovation, and how the impact it could have in the world. Three entries will be chosen for presentation at SwitchPoint 2013; winning students earn an all-expenses-paid trip there. Silo Busters is made possible by the generous support of Pfizer’s Global Health Fellows Program. Details: http://event.switchpointideas.com/contest.

About IntraHealth

A global health leader for more than 30 years, Chapel Hill, N.C.-based IntraHealth International champions the critical role of health workers in health and development. It has offices in Washington, DC, and 15 countries worldwide. For more on the organization, visit www.intrahealth.org.