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Utah needs a real tech conference!
Posted by Chris Knudsen on March 14th, 2008
I was just reading over some of the coverage on SXSW. Man that looked like a cool gig. I was scheduled to go last year and couldn’t make it for some reason. I really wish I would have gone.
Utah needs a defining tech conference. Sure we have Sundance, but that’s indie films. I’m talking about something along the lines of SXSW or the Web 2.0 conference. I think some kind of an event like that would really help to put Utah on the map. Here’s my brain dump:
- We’re already on the map with Sundance - so maybe call it the Sundance Tech Festival (I should trademark that!).Â
- Hold the conference in Park City during one of the winter months so people can ski. You also don’t get as many alcohol issues in PC as you do in other places.
- There are great conference locations in PC for a large gathering (thousands of people).
- You allow Utah companies to come and show off their stuff to Silicon Valley types.
- It can’t be half arsed - we would need to headline the event and even the minor breakout sessions with top talent, experts, and pundits from the Tech community (eg Steve Jobs or Bill Gates at the very least keynotes the event).
- Real dollars would need to be invested. I think the state would even need to kick in big bucks - no expense should be spared. It needs to be legit - build a reputation as THE SHOW to attend.
- You would need an incredible marketing effort in place to attract people from all over. Big headliners would help in this regard as well.
- Have the most diverse and impactful content presented at the conference.
- Provide real value so the show actually gets the tag of THE SHOW to attend - you’d have them lining up year after year!
I think the impact of a conference of this magnitude would be profound on the State.
Anyone?
Wait, I thought that was supposed to be the Novell Brain Dump thing.
Just kidding.
This is a GOOD idea. Very good actually.
Left by ThatOneGuy on 03/14/2008If we do it right after Sundance and team up with the Sundance organizers, it’d be… AWESOME.
Left by Randall Bennett on 03/15/2008Omniture’s Summit was amazing. Probably the best event I’ve been too, and it was in downtown SLC with a day trip to Snowbird. It was a company event, so not open as you’re suggesting. However, 30% of the worldwide online ad budget was placed and managed by people that attended that event. It would be cool if we had something. But would it be done just for “Utah” exposure? The same handful of us who would attend a conference in Utah would also attend if it were in SF, San Diego, Vegas, or even Austin.
Left by Brad on 03/15/2008@Randell:
Working with Sundance would be great - I have a good friend who works there from MBA school - I ought to get her take.
Left by Chris Knudsen on 03/15/2008@Brad:
One of the goals of the conference would be to get people from the outside exposed to the Utah business and tech environment. I envision one room being dedicated to just booths from Utah companies. If attendees from Utah show - that of course is great. However, the majority of the attendees would be from out of state.
Left by Chris Knudsen on 03/15/2008