At the 3rd annual Unconventional Awards hosted by T-Mobile for Business, Malcolm Gladwell was a special guest, lending his presence to celebrate the innovators and trailblazers being recognized for their outstanding contributions. Known for his insightful writing on transformative change and innovation, Gladwell’s participation added a layer of significance to the event. While there was no formal presentation from him, he generously gifted copies of his latest book Revenge of the Turning Point to all the guests, underscoring the evening’s theme of disruption and unconventional thinking.
Our very own Ben Laifsky with author Malcolm Gladwell, who signed his latest book Revenge of the Tipping Point
The Unconventional Awards held at the Fontainebleau Waterbleau Terrace in Las Vegas, Nevada, spotlighted leaders across four main categories: Innovation in Community, Innovation in Customer Experience, Innovation in Industry, and Innovation in Employee Enablement. Each category celebrated individuals and organizations that pushed boundaries and made meaningful impacts within their respective industries and communities.
In the “Innovation in Community” category, 3 AM Innovations received top honors for their life-saving work, enhancing firefighter safety with FLORIAN. This AI-powered platform uses T-Mobile 5G to track firefighters in real time during emergencies, ensuring quick and accurate updates.
VCU Rice Rivers Center also made an impact, winning first place for its real-time tracking of endangered Atlantic sturgeon using T-Mobile technology, helping to reduce environmental risks while involving the community in vital conservation efforts.
In the “Innovation in Customer Experience” category, Easterseals Southern California partnered with Floreo VR to create a virtual reality platform that teaches transportation safety to people with autism, greatly enhancing their independence and opportunities.
First Student followed closely behind, using T-Mobile connectivity to power electric school buses and driver tablets, improving safety and communication with real-time updates for parents and schools.
Regarding “Innovation in Industry,” Sony Electronics and CBS Sports claimed first place for their innovative use of T-Mobile’s 5G technology during the PGA Championship, revolutionizing live sports production with real-time, high-speed coverage.
Miller Electric Company also earned accolades for modernizing downtown Jacksonville’s transportation by integrating autonomous vehicles powered by T-Mobile’s private 5G network, pushing forward the future of smart cities.
In the “Innovation in Employee Enablement” category, Infosys took the top by introducing an AI-powered, mobile-first platform to enhance employee engagement and productivity, supported by T-Mobile’s 5G network. Siemens Energy was also recognized for improving field service operations at remote power plants through seamless real-time data access and collaboration for over 500 engineers.
In addition to the category winners, the event featured the special Malcolm Gladwell Tipping Point award, recognizing a trailblazer who sparked transformative change within their organization. This year, the University of Miami Department of Informatics and Health Data Science was awarded for their Media and Innovation Lab (MIL) project. It uses T-Mobile-powered devices to provide real-time health data, improving personalized healthcare access and reducing hospital visits. In honor of their achievement, they were awarded $30,000 to donate to a charity of their choice.
Each first-place winner was also awarded $25,000 for a charity of their choice, with second and third-place winners receiving $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. The first-place winners and the Tipping Point recipient were also featured in Wall Street Journal Custom Content and iHeartRadio ads, further amplifying their achievements.
A canvas artist paints for each winner to LIVE jazzy renditions
Malcolm Gladwell’s presence and the gift of his book to guests added a thoughtful touch to an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of unconventional thinking and innovative leadership. The 2024 Unconventional Awards shed light on leaders and organizations that have challenged the norm and sparked meaningful change, reinforcing T-Mobile for Business’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation.
Sensational performances! With Jazzy renditions.