So where do you go if you want to make the world a better place?
Maybe metro Atlanta.
That's the idea behind the sixth annual "Plywood Presents," billed as a gathering of "innovators, entrepreneurs, creatives and activists" that will be held Wednesday, beginning at 6:30 p.m., through Thursday at the Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. N.W. More than 800 people are expected to attend.
Jeff Shinabarger, executive director of Plywood People, is the force behind the event. He is a social entrepreneur and the author of "More or Less" and "Yes or No."
Shinabarger has a vision to make Atlanta a hub for social innovation. So far, Plywood People has launched more than 150 startups that find solutions to social problems through business and nonprofit work.
“These are people who see that there are problems in the world and wanted to be a part of fixing things,” he said.
Atlanta is the perfect place, he said, because of its history of being one of the centers of the civil rights movement as well as a hub of businesses and innovation.
“History is rooted here,” he said.
Participants range from the small nonprofits trying to focus on a problem in a small community to a for-profit business trying to address a big, systematic problem.
Speakers include Caitlin Crosby, founder of the Giving Keys; Jeff Goins, author of "The Art of Work"; and Ford Fry, of Rocket Farm Restaurants.
In addition, there will be an idea competition. The winning contestant will receive $5,000.
The cost to attend the event is $279.
For additional information and tickets, go to www.plywoodpresents.com.
