More than 3,300 people attended Bill Cosby Live in Houghton, on Friday. The event was hosted by Rotary Club of Houghton.

MD Inc. was the promoter of Houghton Rotary’s event, luring in comedy fans far and wide through solid regional marketing strategies including social media, press releases, mailing list announcements, posters, public service announcements, TV news broadcasts and radio station interviews.

Bill Cosby Live in Houghton was a fundraiser event for Houghton Rotary and sponsored by Aspirus, Pepsi Cola Bottling and Walmart. Additional event supporters include Michigan Tech, The Daily Mining Gazette, Great Lakes Accounting and Superior Equipment & Rental.

To view photos from Bill Cosby Live in Houghton, please visit MD Inc.’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/upmarketingdept.

For more information about MD Inc., please visit www.marketingdepartmentinc.com.

Comedy legend Bill Cosby is set to perform at 7 p.m., Friday, at John J. MacInnes Ice Arena on Michigan Technological University’s campus. Doors open one hour prior to the show.

Organizers anticipate a sell-out crowd and highly encourage fans to arrive early. Cameras, video cameras and recorders are prohibited.

Cosby tickets are still available and can be purchased ahead of time by calling Michigan Tech’s Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts box office at (906) 487-2073. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cosbyinhoughton.com. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.

Bill Cosby Live in Houghton is a fundraiser hosted by Rotary Club of Houghton and sponsored by Aspirus, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company and Walmart. Additional event supporters include Michigan Tech, The Daily Mining Gazette, Great Lakes Accounting and Superior Equipment & Events.

Upper Peninsula Marketing Department Inc. staff in the conference room of their new offices in downtown Houghton.

Larger office space was essential to accommodate the company’s growth. The new location offers a modern feel with bold colors, spacious offices, creative meeting areas and room for collaboration.

The business community can expect to see new expanded offerings including marketing research and social media services. The new space will allow MD Inc. to continue growing.

“We love showing off the new digs,” says Chief Marketing Officer and Principal Karyn Olsson. “The new setup is quickly proving to be more collaborative and creative.”

Business owners Karyn and Dave Olsson, said the move was a substantial undertaking, and they express their sincere gratitude to a number of individuals and businesses for their support, including Bob Houle, Up & Running, Craig Ongie, Gartners Gallery and Wells Fargo.

To view the new office space, visit Marketing Department’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/upmarketingdept.

A sell-out crowd is expected for Bill Cosby Live in Houghton, set for 7 p.m., Friday, at John J. MacInnes Ice Arena on Michigan Technological University’s campus. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Organizers encourage Cosby fans to purchase their tickets in advance by calling Michigan Technological University’s Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts box office at (906) 487-2073. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cosbyinhoughton.com.

Group discounts are available for ticket purchases of 10 or more.

Bill Cosby Live in Houghton is a fundraiser hosted by Rotary Club of Houghton and sponsored by Aspirus, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company and Walmart. Additional event supporters include Michigan Tech, The Daily Mining Gazette, Great Lakes Accounting and Superior Equipment & Rental.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see America’s much-loved comedian take center stage right here in Houghton.

The evening features live music, food, drinks, prizes and fun for the whole family, held in the ballroom of Dee Stadium in Houghton from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door. Kids 12 and under are free and must be accompanied by an adult. Snacks will be served, and soda, wine and beer will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit Dee Stadium and renovations to the girls’ locker room.

Enjoy live entertainment by Michigan Tech Jazz Lab Band, led by Mike Irish, performing classic hits from the 1930s to the 1960s. Local, high-energy rock cover band, 906, will follow, performing chart-toppers from the 1970s through today.

Dancing through the Decades is open to the public. Join event organizers Rotary Club of Houghton and Portage Health on May 18 for an evening of fun and dancing!

Group discounts are available for ticket purchases of 10 or more to see Bill Cosby on May 17 at the John J. MacInnes Ice Arena on the campus of Michigan Technological University. Savings include 20 percent off the purchase of 20 or more tickets and 10 percent off 10 to 19 tickets. Don’t wait until the last minute and risk having to sit rows away from your best buds. Bill Cosby Live in Houghton is much more fun among friends.

Bill Cosby Live in Houghton is hosted by Rotary Club of Houghton and is sponsored by Aspirus, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company and Walmart. The event is a fundraiser for Houghton Rotary with most proceeds staying in the community.

For more information about group discounts, or to purchase tickets, call Michigan Technological University’s Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts box office at (906) 487-2073.

To purchase tickets online, visit www.cosbyinhoughton.com.

On May 17, America’s much-loved comedian will take center stage at John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena on Michigan Technological University’s campus. The show gets underway at 7 p.m.

Ticket sales started off strong, with over 2,000 seats sold. As many as 1,700 tickets are still available.

Bill Cosby Live in Houghton is hosted by Rotary Club of Houghton and is sponsored by Aspirus, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company and Walmart. The event is a fundraiser for Houghton Rotary with all proceeds going back into the community.

Plenty of tickets are still available. Prices range from $20 – $ 75 and can be purchased online at www.cosbyinhoughton.com or by calling Michigan Tech’s Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts Box office at (906) 487-2073.

Businesses and organizations are invited to purchase VIP Sponsorship Packages. Packages include a private sky box suite at the arena as well as print advertising. For more information about sky box reservations, contact The Daily Mining Gazette at (906) 482-1500.

SmartStart is a practical, hands-on, learning program designed to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage and grow a successful business. The six-week program meets at MTEC SmartZone Lakeshore Center and combines facilitator-guided sessions, small group exercises, guest speakers and idea sharing with peers. SmartStart serves as a pre-incubation program for technology founders before they become MTEC SmartZone tenants.

SmartStart participants Dr. Bowen Li and his wife Amy Zhi meet with SmartStart Coach Scott Mouw in the conference room of MTEC SmartZone Lakeshore Center in Houghton.

“SmartStart is a collaborative environment where founders receive guidance and direction from coaches and peers to help them analyze their idea fully,” SmartStart Director Julie Melchiori says. “With each session they’re asked to explain their idea, and every time they do it’s a little bit different because they’ve thrown out what doesn’t work. You can really see how their ideas change and grow.”

Each SmartStart session covers a different topic or activity. Founders work on their own business ideas or existing ventures throughout the course of the program – taking their ideas to reality.

Certified coaches – trained in Wendy Kennedy’s nationally acclaimed entrepreneur education methodology “So what? Who cares? Why you?” – help guide founders through the step-by-step process of clearly identifying and articulating the business value of their technology.

“When it comes to transitioning from the lab to the customer, especially when they know all the technical details behind their technology, it can be difficult for them to explain it simply,” SmartStart Coach Scott Mouw says. “In my 12-year career in the specialty chemicals industry, I was involved with two start-up companies. I understand the emotional steps to building a company from the ground up, so I offer that kind of support to entrepreneurs.”

Founders Dr. Bowen Li and his wife Amy Zhi, who through their family business developed an innovative antimicrobial technology, said SmartStart helped them gain confidence in the future of their new venture.

“We tried moving our technology to the customers but we are still learning American business culture. We’ve made some progress, but it’s slow,” Li says. “Scott helped us figure out what problem in the market our product helps solve. He showed us how we can set up a real business and target our potential customers and specific market segment.”

Li, who is an associate research professor in Michigan Technological University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, says SmartStart helped his company realize their technology’s competitive advantage, giving them confidence to move forward with their innovation.

SmartStart is open to entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists and engineers who are passionate about growing a business, product or idea. To apply for the program, call Program Director Julie Melchiori at (906) 487-7000 or email jmelchiori@mtecsz.com.

ABOUT MTEC SMARTZONE

The mission of MTEC SmartZone is accelerating high-tech business growth to build a prosperous regional economy. More information is available at www.mtecsz.com.

ABOUT THE MEDC

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the State of Michigan’s one-stop resource for businesses seeking to grow in Michigan. Whether it’s an expansion, relocation, or even a concern with another agency of state government, the MEDC can help. From site location assistance to job training grants, from help with permits to tax abatements, we’re the state’s economic development corporation. More information is available at www.themedc.org.

SmartZone is a service mark of Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

HOUGHTON, Michigan (March 5, 2013) – Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (Jackson®) is a growing retirement solutions provider headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. Their information technology (IT) department helps manage Jackson’s growth, which makes hiring talented IT professionals crucial to the company’s success.

During a visit to Michigan Technological University’s 2012 Career Fair in Houghton, Jackson discovered a way to increase its recruitment pipeline – MTEC SmartZone’s Fortune 500 Formula.

The Fortune 500 Formula is a partnership opportunity for mid- to large-size companies to open satellite offices and utilize talented Michigan Tech computer scientists and computer engineers to help fill gaps in real work projects. Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience close to campus.

Rob Sweet, manager of Jackson’s satellite office, leads Michigan Technological University students in a training session at MTEC SmartZone Lakeshore Center.

“By operating our MTEC SmartZone office year-round at Michigan Technological University, we are able to demonstrate first-hand the sophistication and cutting-edge technology of Jackson’s IT department,” says Rob Sweet, manager of Jackson’s satellite office. “By working with Michigan Tech students for one to two years prior to their graduation, we are able to increase our pipeline of new hires and spend more time with the students individually, to identify those we believe will be a good fit.”

Twelve new jobs were created when Jackson opened in MTEC SmartZone’s Lakeshore Center business incubator in Houghton. The company expects to hire as many as 30 students by the end of the year.

Jackson’s satellite office is equipped with 24 high-tech workstations. Students work primarily part time and serve as resources for Jackson’s Systems and Programming department. Students work on a variety of projects with a focus on Java-based projects, research and proof of concept, conversions, optimizations and mobile development.

“Building strategic business alliances with Michigan Tech connects companies with our distinguished faculty, exceptional students and broad research and service capabilities,” says Brent Burns, director of corporate partnerships at Michigan Tech. “Jackson realizes the benefits of hiring our talented students to perform real work.”

Jackson is one of the nation’s largest annuity providers with nearly $130 billion in assets. They are among companies like GE Aviation, Ford Motor Company, Control-Tec and Dematic, who have experienced growth opportunities through MTEC SmartZone’s Fortune 500 Formula.

Mark Clark, Chief Information Officer for Jackson, says Michigan Tech students are a particularly good fit for their growing company. Several former students are currently employed at Jackson after participating in the company’s summer internship program.

“We’ve been really impressed with our past Michigan Tech interns,” Clark says. “We’ve found that Michigan Tech offers a challenging curriculum that lines up well with Jackson’s needs and develops students into quality professionals. We’ve hired more IT interns from Michigan Tech than from any other university and we’ve asked many to join us full-time after graduation.”

MTEC SmartZone will officially welcome Jackson during a March 6 ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce. The ribbon cutting will be held at 11:45 a.m., followed by a light lunch, presentations and tour of their high-tech office space.

For more information about Jackson, please visit https://www.jackson.com.

For more information about MTEC SmartZone, call (906) 487-7000.

Each year, the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA), and co-host MTEC SmartZone sponsor the Keweenaw Spark Plug Awards.

The Innovation award recognizes companies that pursue commercialization of new, innovative products or services that have significant promise for local economic growth and employment.

For more information about Talon, visit www.talonresearch.com.

MTEC SmartZone CEO Marilyn Clark presents the Jay and Dorothy Ruohonen with the Keweenaw Spark Plug Award for “Innovation.”