MARQUETTE — Invent@NMU and Innovate Marquette SmartZone will host a celebration of their collaboration Thursday at the new Ampersand Coworking Space at the Masonic Square Mall in downtown Marquette.

The gathering will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the monthly Business on Tap series at 6:30 p.m. featuring speakers Peter Pless, professor of human-centered design at NMU, and Jason Schneider, executive director of the Marquette Chamber of Commerce. They will discuss “Design Thinking,” and how it relates to community and human-centered product design.

The event is meant to introduce the partnership between Invent@NMU and Innovate Marquette SmartZone, and allow community members to meet the groups’ leaders.

The gathering is free to the public with giveaways and light refreshments.