2024 EDISON AWARDS
Invention, innovation celebrated once again in Fort Myers
Submitted by: Rachel Reed, Edison Awards Special to SWFBT
For the fourth consecutive year in Fort Myers, the 2024 Edison Awards injected optimism and opportunity into the regional economy by showcasing global innovations and innovators who are making the world a better place.
Three days of activities kicked off by introducing the 2024 Latimer Fellows at the first annual Superhero night, held at the Lee County Black Historical Society. More than 200 attendees dressed up as their favorite superhero where they listened to an interactive panel with Academy Award nominee Shameik Moore discussing his role as Miles Morales in the Spider-Verse, along with astronaut and teacher Sian Proctor sharing her outer space adventures and the power of Earthlight in our lives. The 2023 and 2024 Latimer Fellows were present to share and inspire the audience that “even the impossible is possible” through hard work and STEAM education.
Edison Awards Day was held at the Luminary Hotel and showcased Edison Award winning exhibits, including Axiom, a holographic zoo from Australia, Pilotcar, an autonomous golf cart from Naples, Shrimpbox, an AI biotech modular aquaculture system, and many MedTech game changers including Arthrex’s MIS Fibertak Achilles SpeedBridge System and a Robotic Cane from Glidance, a Seattle-based company. Festivities concluded with a concert by the Ben Allen Band.
The Edison Award events brought together
Both “Thomas Edison” and “Lewis Latimer” were among the attendees of the Edison Awards opening night reception, hosted on the grounds of the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers.
more than 450 of the smartest global innovators representing over 20 different countries. Edison Achievement Award honorees Gwynne Shotwell, president and COO of SpaceX, and Dr. Laurie Leshin, director of NASA JPL, were among the es-
SHINING LIGHT ON INNOVATION
Lee County is honored to be the host of the Edison Awards and celebrate the numerous innovators and entrepreneurs from around the globe who contribute to technical leadership and modernization.
teemed guests. The Meet the Innovators Forum featured panels with the innovation leaders from Cargill, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Florida Power and Light, Babcock Ranch, Sabic, Black & Veatch, ASU and Northwestern. Discussions led by Astronaut Leland Melvin explored topics, including the Future of AI and Robotics, sustainable materials, space exploration and monitoring sea levels in the region. Attendees were encouraged to learn three new things and explore potential partnerships by networking with three new contacts.
The 2024 Edison Award winners were announced at the Gala reception which was hosted by Comedian Chuck Nice who delivered a riveting performance with science- and innovation-themed comedy that helped the audience appreciate that real innovation is hard work. One of the highlights of the evening was the announcement of the Innovation Walk, powered by the Edison Awards and supported through a partnership with the CRA, with more information to come on this amazing community experience.
The Edison Awards have become a welcomed and celebrated annual event in Fort Myers. This year’s ceremony was a thrilling showcase that not only celebrated progress but also inspired the SWFL business community to continue pushing the boundaries further. This prestigious event highlights the value that innovation brings to our region, driving economic growth, fostering collaboration, and positioning Fort Myers and Southwest Florida as a hub for transformative ideas. Save the date for the 2025 Edison Awards on April 2-3, 2025.
WELCOME RECEPTION
Above: (l-r) Bill Johnson, Dorian Zwierewicz and Guido Minaya catch up with each other at the reception.
Left top: Frank Bonafilia welcomes guests to the opening night of the Edison Awards. Left bottom: (l-r) Mellone Long, Diana Giraldo and Lisa Edison (yes, she is related to Thomas Edison!) enjoy this opening event.. Below: Two drummers provide musical entertainment at the opening event.
The AI Panel was a fascinating executive and legal overview of everything Artificial Intelligence, with comments from leaders in this arena, across different industries, all with different perspectives.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
THE EDISON AWARDS GALA
The 37th annual Edison Awards gala was held at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center & Amphitheatre in downtown Fort Myers. Right: Gwynne Shotwell, president and COO of SpaceX, is presented with the Edison Achievement Award by Stephen Carr, a professor emeritus at Northwestern University. Below right: Multi-Edison Award recipient team members joyously display their wins. Below center: City of Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson addresses attendees, inviting them to enjoy Fort Myers and the surrounding county. Below left: (l-r) Lucienne Pears, Carmichael Roberts, Mete Timur, Aysegul Timur and Reinhold Schmeiding. Left: Gordon Knox and LaShaun Collier share the vision of the Innovation Walk planned for downtown Fort Myers and powered by the Edison Awards that builds upon the legacy of innovation in Lee County.
Event Photos courtesy of Alyssa Ringler. All photography is copyright of the
The Edison Awards is an annual competition honoring excellence in new product and service development, marketing, human-centered design and innovation.
Above: Moderator of “The Future Of The
with panel-
Tyler
Will
a quadriplegic and an amazing man, demonstrates the incredible capabilities of Gold Medal Winner NAQI’s innovation—neural earbuds featuring NAQI’s invisible user interface— that allows Smith to lead a meaningful and productive life.
INNOVATORS SHOWCASE
Top Left: Lee County Commissioner Ray Sandelli visits with an attendee. Middle Left: Powered by Florida Power & Light, 35 Mules provides earlystage startups with subject-matter expertise, advanced technology solutions, business services and Fortune 200 corporate and technology leaders. Bottom Left: With a location in Fort Myers, Addman Engineering is pushing the boundaries of innovation in additive manufacturing, polymer 3D printing, injection molding, CNC machining and post-processing. Bottom Right: PilotCar Electric Vehicles has an assembly facility in Fort Myers. This year, in partnership with Carteav and Imecar, the company won a Bronze Medal for its Autonomous Electric Cart. Middle Right: Samantha Johnson, founder and CEO of Tatum Electronics, talks with an attendee. The company is a disability services and support organization that won a Gold Medal this year for its customizable, anthropomorphic robot that will translate written text into tactile signs so the deaf/blind can access media whenever they want. Top Right: An attendee explores the fun side of the exhibits.
LEWIS LATIMER FELLOWSHIP
Above: (l-r) 2024 Fellows Sidney McLaurin and Tiffany Griffin, Senior Advisor Carmichael Roberts, Co-Founder Frank Bonafilia, Fellow Sian Proctor, Co-Founder Jon Cropper, Fellows Adrian Burrell and John Pasmore. Right top: 2023 Fellow Soton Rosanwo shares her insights. Right bottom: (l-r) Jon Cropper and Carmichael Roberts ask each Fellow about their vision and goals Below: The 2024 Fellows enjoy a light moment.
Grid” Panel, Lucienne Pears, shares a light moment
ist
Hardin. Left:
Smith,
Edison Awards.
2024 EDISON AWARDS
Fort Myers welcomes genius to town
Thomas A. Alva said, “There is only one Fort Myers and 90 million people will find it out.” Fort Myers, once the winter retreat of Edison, Henry Ford and Harry Firestone, is no longer a sleepy little town on the Caloosahatchee. Current counts estimate the population of the city at approximately 98,000 with the metropolitan Fort Myers area approaching 1 million.
Not only does Fort Myers serve as the county seat for Lee County, but it is home to the Lee County School District, Edison Ford Winters Estates, IMAG History and Science Center, Lee County Black History Society and Southwest Florida Museum of History. It will soon witness the opening of Suncoast Beverages’ new state-of-the art 1 millionsquare-foot distribution center.
Fort Myers is on fire. It’s no wonder that Fort Myers is frequently rated as one of the fastest growing areas, one of the best places to retire, up and coming city for financial prosperity, and is ranked 8th out of the top 25 emerging small cities. We are the biggest small city around. It’s no wonder that 78 people a day are relocating to the Fort Myers area. Fort Myers, filled with potential and opportunity, is poised for some really great things.
The City of Fort Myers is proud to host the annual Edison Awards, a monumental gathering of some of the world’s
BY KEVIN ANDERSON Guest Columnist
most inspired thinkers, innovators and inventors across many industries. The Edison Awards went one step further and created a program aimed to foster a passion for innovation among our students in this community, allowing them the opportunity to experience firsthand award-winning inventions.
Someday, our own inspired and driven children will conceive and develop the next ingenious concept that will improve all our lives. I cannot wait to see this program grow each year, as we must challenge, motivate and support our students so that they can dare to dream the next big idea.
Keep your eye on Fort Myers and Southwest Florida. Great things are coming. The 2025 Edison Awards promises to be big and better than ever. I look forward to seeing you there.
Kevin Anderson is the Mayor of Fort Myers. Contact (239) 321-7020 or mayoranderson@cityftmyers.com.
Inspired by Lewis Latimer’s legacy
What truly inspires me about the Edison Awards is the impact that each invention has on the world and the inclusive nature of the Edison Awards community. These innovations are not just creations; they are solutions to real-world problems and catalysts for positive change. Individuals of diverse backgrounds, cultures and geographic locations are united by a shared passion for honoring remarkable innovations.
The Edison Awards and the Lewis Latimer Fellowship, which honors the Black American inventor who worked side-byside with Thomas Edison for many years, serve as a reminder that greatness knows no boundaries and that innovation thrives on diversity, equity and inclusion.
I first connected with the Edison Awards when I was in my junior year at Dunbar High School. I was involved in the STEM program there. It’s an amazing program and provides opportunities such as attending the Edison Awards. I spent a full day at Babcock Ranch and got to tour the solar-powered town and its sustainable environment. I remember being amazed at the amount of knowledge presented at the various panels and how innovative and brilliant all the inventions were. It was then that I truly realized just how exceptional the Edison Awards were and I wanted to see how I could connect with them more closely, especially on behalf of our Southwest Florida community.
EDISON AWARDS
Dare to Dream
BY KENISE JACKSON Guest Columnist
Being an intern today for the Edison Awards and the Lewis Latimer Fellowship has been a remarkable experience. I enjoy working with such a collaborative team where everyone is committed to developing each other for the better. From Day One, my input has been valued and implemented, and that means so much to me.
Overall, working for the Edison Awards and the Lewis Latimer Fellowship has been a journey of discovery, inspiration and collaboration. It is a reminder that innovation is a collective goal fueled by passion, creativity and a shared commitment to overall growth. As I continue on this journey, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of a community—both globally through the Edison Awards and locally within the Southwest Florida region—that is dedicated to recognizing, honoring and fostering innovation.
Kenise Jackson is a marketing student. She works in the mental health and STEM industry. Contact nisejackson515@gmail. com.
The City of Fort Myers is proud to host the Edison Awards, a monumental gathering of some of the world’s most inspired thinkers, innovators, and inventors across many industries. Edison Awards went one step further and created a program aimed to foster a passion for innovaaon among our students in this community, allowing them the opportunity to experience firsthand award-winning invenaons. Someday, our own inspired and driven children will concei conceive and develop the next ingenious concept that will improve all of our lives. I cannot wait to see this program grow each year, as we must challenge, moavate and SUPPORT our students so that they can dare to dream the next big idea!