Partnership Contest Winners Heading to South by Southwest Interactive Conference
Through DM Startups Take SXSW, a contest held by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and aimed at promoting and enhancing Greater Des Moines’ (DSM’s) Startup Community, Kaylee Williams, of VolunteerLocal, and John Jackovin, of Bawte, have been selected to attend 2014 South By Southwest (SXSW). The contest asked startups why they would want to go to SXSW and how they will share their experience with the rest of their community. The interactive festival features five days of presentations from the brightest minds in technology and scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders.
“SXSW is the quintessential technology conference to attend,” said Jackovin, CEO of Bawte. “As we re-launch Bawte, attending SXSW will allow us to extend our reach and have the opportunity to get in front of the major influencers in technology. We simply would not have been able to attend without the generosity of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. This gesture illustrates the commitment they have to advancing and promoting Des Moines startups.”
The interactive portion of the festival will take place March 7 – 11 in Austin, Texas and attendees have the opportunity to hear from the best in the technology industry. From creative workshops to big-picture analysis of the future, SXSW has become the place to experience a preview of what is unfolding in the interactive world.
"I am so excited to attend SXSW Interactive for the first time,” said Williams, Director of Business Development for VolunteerLocal. “This is huge for me, the startup community, and VolunteerLocal. I'm looking forward to sharing our service with potential customers and partners, forming strategic relationships with leaders in our industry, and learning how technology can empower social change.
The Partnership will be at the conference to promote Central Iowa’s successful startup community, showcase the entrepreneurial-friendly community, and to encourage talent from the tech industry to relocate to Iowa. The programming at SXSW Interactive makes this a perfect opportunity to reach out to a specific audience and spread the word that Central Iowa is on the forefront of innovation, has a thriving technology ecosystem, and is a hotbed for startup activity. While at the conference, the Partnership will be joining the State of Iowa to host an Iowa Party on March 9.
“When we, as an organization representing the business community, have a presence at national conferences like SXSW, it shows that we are invested in making meaningful connections and educating the attendees that Central Iowa is a vibrant community to start a business and have a career,” said Mary Bontrager, Executive Vice President of Workforce/Education for the Partnership.
For more information, visit DSMpartnership.com or call (515) 286-4950. Media inquiries should be directed to Susan Ramsey at (515) 286-4954 or sramsey@DSMpartnership.com.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 330 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.