Every Last Word

Dallas Innovates’ signature series capturing what leaders across North Texas are saying — in their own words — about innovation, impact, and what’s next.

The Last Word: Fort Worth-Based Bison Coolers on What It Feels Like to Star in a Super Bowl Ad—Thanks to Google

“Some moments are priceless.”

Fort Worth-based Bison Coolers …. reflecting on the company’s Google Super Bowl ad appearance, via LinkedIn.

Despite the Cowboys missing out on Super Bowl LIX, a Fort Worth family business scored big during the championship game. Bison Coolers, founded by former Southwest Airlines employee Jeremy Denson in 2011, was featured in Google’s “50 States, 50 Stories” campaign highlighting how small businesses use AI technology and the tech giant’s Gemini for Workspace....

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The Last Word: How Advanced Therapies Week 2025 Positioned Dallas as a Life Sciences Leader
by | Feb 12, 2025
Advanced Therapies Week 2025—a conference focused on the latest innovations in cell and gene therapies, regenerative medicine, and other biotechnologies—attracted industry leaders, researchers, and visionaries to Dallas' Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in late January. Organized by London-based Phacilitate, the 4-day conference acted as a "collaborative hub" showcasing the intersection of cutting-edge science, transformative healthcare solutions, and dynamic regional collaboration.
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The Last Word: On Lyda Hill Philanthropies Partnering To Produce Women-in-STEM Movies and TV Shows
by | Feb 11, 2025
Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science—an ideal day for a Dallas nonprofit to align with a Hollywood movie star to celebrate women in STEM in film and television. According to the Dallas Morning News, Dallas-based Lyda Hill Philanthropies is partnering with Reese Witherspoon’s media company Hello Sunshine to produce and distribute movies and TV shows that champion women's achievements in STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics). 
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The Last Word: Dillon Dandurand on Why His ‘Not Beer’ Is for Drinkers and Non-Drinkers Alike
by | Feb 6, 2025
Last April, Dallas Innovates told you about Not Beer, a newly launched no-buzz beverage that “looks like a beer, feels like a beer, tastes like premium American sparkling water.” The brand's Dallas-based founder, Dillon Dandurand, launched his product just one month after Liquid Death—another sparkling water brand with attitude—got a valuation of $1.4 billion after announcing $67 million in new funding.
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rocket launch concept

The Last Word: On the Future of Aerospace in North Texas

Fort Worth has taken off like a rocket in population growth (it had the largest numeric population gain of any city in America in 2022). Now there's speculation that actual real-life rockets could be launched into space from near the Panther City, according to a 2025 Tarrant County Commercial Real Estate Forecast discussion between Corriente Advisors CEO Mark Hart and Robert Allen, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership.
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The Last Word: Olympic Swimmer on Opening Drizzle Cheesecakes in Irving
Stephen El Gidi tasted big-time competition in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics as a 100-meter butterfly specialist. But his competitive juices really got flowing when he tried to sell "cheesecakes on a stick" at Six Flags Over Texas and The State Fair of Texas. He found huge success in both historic venues—which led to him opening his own shop last month: Drizzle Cheesecakes at 310 W. Las Colinas Blvd. in Irving.
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The Last Word: Restaurateur Kenny Bowers on His Art Show Benefitting St. Jude Children’s Hospital
by | Jan 29, 2025
Bowers—whose restaurant group operates popular local restaurants including Kenny's Wood Fired Grill, Kenny’s Burger Joint, Kenny’s Italian Kitchen, and Kenny's Authentic East Coast Pizza—took off his chef's hat during the pandemic and began creating art. On Saturday, February 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., he'll be hosting a benefit art show with 100% of the proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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The Last Word: Azzurro Living’s Brandon Kershner on His 2025 Outdoor Furniture Collection
by | Jan 28, 2025
Azzurro Living—a "luxury-driven" outdoor furniture company in the Dallas Design District—aims to push the boundaries of craftsmanship for outdoor-indoor lifestyles. "We founded Azzurro Living on our love for design and saw an opportunity to bring something truly exciting to the outdoor furniture space," Partner and VP of Design Brandon Kershner said in a statement.
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The Last Word: On a Historic Fort Worth Fire Station Becoming Part of a New Hotel (Fire Pole Included)

by | Jan 22, 2025
Since 2013, Dallas-based Bedford Lodging has built hotels across the U.S. that look like, well, hotels—including The Hoffman Hotel in Basalt, Colorado, an AC Marriott in Santa Rosa, California, and a Fairfield Inn & Suites in El Paso, among numerous others. But one being built now in Fort Worth is the first to feature a fire pole.
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The Last Word: Walmart Tech Leader On Data Lakes, Modernization in Retail’s New Frontier
by | Jan 21, 2025
The signature Jam Vino gourmet wine-infused jam created by Keller-based Chef Lorius was one 92 brands to receive a Golden Ticket during the annual Walmart Open Call. Available online now at Walmart.com, it'll reach the discount giant's shelves in 2025. "Jam Vino combines the heart of the South with the elegance of wine country, and our partnership with Walmart allows us to fulfill our mission of providing Everyday Luxury for Everyday People," Chef Lorious (AKA Lori Rogers) said in a statement.
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The Last Word: On The Spark Makerspace at the University of North Texas
by | Jan 16, 2025
At the University of North Texas' Willis Library in Denton, you can find lots of books. But something else is getting checked out: The Spark, one of three makerspaces operated by the university. Open to all UNT students, faculty, and staff, The Spark offers a long list of high-tech tools that can be accessed after training—including 3D printers, laser cutters, a computer numerical control mill, sewing and embroidery machines, tools for science and pottery projects, and more. Audio-visual gear and power tools at The Spark can be borrowed as well.
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The Last Word: On Irving-Based Caterpillar Celebrating Its 100th Aniversary in 2025
by | Jan 15, 2025
Last week, Irving-based Caterpillar marked its 100th anniversary year with celebrations throughout the U.S. commemorating "a monumental moment" in the company's history. The company officially turns 100 on April 15, marking a century of "customer-centric innovation and industry-leading transformation"
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The Last Word: Sky Elements on Its Record-Setting, 5,000-Drone Holiday Light Show

by | Dec 20, 2024

Editor’s update: Sky Elements Drones, which was set to perform in Dallas on Dec. 31, has “informed Reunion Tower that they will not be able to fly their New Year’s Eve show,” Reunion Tower President Dusti Groskreutz said in a statement on Thursday, Dec. 26. “They are doing this out of an abundance of caution following a recent incident as they carefully review their processes for future shows,” he added....

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The Last Word: Kendra Scott on the Launch of Yellow Rose in Dallas’ West Village
by | Dec 17, 2024
After launching in Austin in 2023, the Western lifestyle brand Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott opened Friday in Dallas' West Village retail and multifamily development at 3699 McKinney Avenue. Dallas Innovates first wrote about the expansion last month, sharing how the brand reimagines Western style with new product categories including hats, footwear, home goods, and apparel. 
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The Last Word: Fort Worth’s Robert Sturns on How ‘Full‑Contact’ Government Drives Innovation
by | Dec 16, 2024
Fort Worth's “explosive growth”—nearly 6% population growth since 2020—isn't happening by accident. It takes what Economic Development Director Robert Sturns calls "full-contact local government," a term once coined by the city manager to describe Fort Worth's unique approach to progress.
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The Last Word: On the Texas Monthly-New York Times ‘Y’all’ Flap
by | Dec 11, 2024
Fort Worth-based Ratliff is one of many North Texans who've weighed in on a recent Texas Monthly story titled In Defense of "Y'all," a Perfect Word. Writer Dan Solomon wrote the piece in response to a New York Times opinion column which pooh-poohed "y'all" as "much too slangy, regional or what you might even call ethnic to ever gain universal acceptance." 
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