<p> North Carolina’s Network for Innovation</p><p>Margaret Collins, is the Founding Executive Director of the Center for Creative Economy (CCE) based in Winston-Salem, NC. The Center serves as an advocate for creative industries and works to build a culture of innovation in N.C.’s Piedmont Triad promoting connectivity and job growth. The Center brings people, ideas, and resources together to benefit a burgeoning creative sector that includes design, architecture, software, publishing, advertising, art, crafts, fashion, film, performing arts, TV, radio, interactive digital media, gaming, and technology, among others. </p><p>CCE’s myriad programs include Design Link, a statewide consortium of designers, urban planners, and economic developers which facilitate Community Design Workshops; Triad Design Leadershop, an innovation speaker series, and Creatini, a quarterly networking event where successful local innovators share new product ideas, resources, and tips for success. These events are catalysts for innovation in businesses and creative industries. The Center’s networking and infrastructure provides a valuable resource for companies in the Triad’s fast moving creative sector. </p><p>CCE was launched from the Piedmont Triad Partnership based in Greensboro where Collins directed the creative economy initiative between 2007-2011. While there she worked with economic developers, industry leaders, and educators in the 12-county region to raise awareness of the value-added by design and creativity to the economic competitiveness of the Triad and to a successful creative economy in North Carolina.</p><p>Prior to her move to North Carolina, she worked in New York City as an Artist Manager and Senior Booking Representative for ICM Artists. Her work entailed booking concert engagements for the ICMA roster throughout the Southeast , managing soloists and attractions. Other positions held in NYC include Shaw Concerts, Vice President, and Frank Salomon Associates, Artist Manager. </p><p>In N.C. she serves on the Board of Directors of the Piedmont Triad Film Commission and the United Arts Council of Greensboro. Nationally, she is on the board of the National Creativity Network and is co-founder of the National Creative Economy Coalition. Originally from Shelby, NC, Collins attended Wake Forest University and UNC School of the Arts receiving a B. A. in music from WFU studying trombone and piano. In Washington DC, she received an M.A. from The American University in Performing Arts: Arts Management. </p>