Welcome to Chicago Ideas Week!

For one week each October, Chicago transforms into the global hub for new ideas, an ecosystem of innovation and a playground of intellectual recreation.

The Chicago Ideas Week app from community partner Shortlist is the perfect tool to help you turn your inspiration into action. Use the CIW app to organize your jam-packed week and discover who you might—or should—sit next to.

How to use Shortlist for CIW

Get suggestions for who to meet in My Shortlist
Message anyone instantly and securely
Personalize your schedule and buy tickets
Share your ideas with CIW and the world!

About CIW

Chicago Ideas Week is about the sharing of ideas, inspiring action, and igniting change to positively impact our world. CIW is an asset that belongs uniquely to Chicago, and reflects our great city in its inclusiveness, diversity and excellence of intellectual discourse.

About The Innovation Foundation, Inc.

The Innovation Foundation, Inc. (d/b/a Chicago Ideas Week and d/b/a The Edison Talks) was founded in 2010 by Brad Keywell for the purpose of creating a platform in Chicago that supports conferences, experiences, and events curated to further the culture of ideas and innovation in Chicago and in the Midwest. The vision of The Innovation Foundation is expansive, and the goal is to create both a week of celebration of ideas and innovation that is a permanent fixture on the Chicago calendar as well as a year-round presence by making content available online and producing year-round events or programs.

The Innovation Foundation is a 501(c)( 3) non-profit organization

Chicago, IL