Traditions are great. Whether it’s grandma’s cheesy potatoes at Christmas time or your yearly trip to the coast every July, rituals are the best way to build friendships, cultivate memories, and spread joy. And while Tech.Co held a conference to quell your tech-based tradition needs, a little change never hurt anyone. That’s why we have partnered with Consumer Technology Association (CTA) to bring you Innovate! and Celebrate, a 3-day conference in Silicon Valley that celebrates startup founders and budding entrepreneurs with talks, panels, parties, and llamas. Yes, llamas.
While traditions keep you coming back to Tech.Co’s conferences, new is always better. Together with CTA, we have a ton of fresh talent, unique sessions, and new speakers to make Innovate! and Celebrate 2016 an event to remember. You’ll be treated to everything from entrepreneurs headed to the moon to parties thrown in glass houses. Sounds pretty great, right?
If you want to know the specifics of the new events at the conference, check them out below:
Fireside Chat with Naveen Jain
To the moon! The founder of Moon Express, the first private company to be given permission to go the moon, will be part of a fireside chat at Innovate! and Celebrate 2016. Try to contain your excitement. The talk will cover his journey as an entrepreneur, and his companies experience with trying to make space the next frontier for private enterprise.
CTA Holiday Sales
While the holidays are quite a ways out, thinking about your Christmas sales numbers is a year long endeavor. That’s why Innovate! and Celebrate attendees will hear from CTA’s insightful analysts Steve Koenig, the senior director of industry analysis and Shawn DuBravac, Ph.D, the chief economist and senior director of research, on what types of technology consumers will have on their gift lists this holiday season.
Startup of the Year Party
The Startup of the Year Competition is a heated battle between 50 startups that want to go home with cash and prizes that include top accelerators interviews and bragging rights. But after that, conference attendees can enjoy networking, drinks, snacks, and conversation in the GlassHouse, a trendy Silicon Valley venue with glass walls from floor to ceiling. You’ll have a chance to meet all 50 startups in person while taking some time to relax and enjoy the conference.
Prizes
As mentioned above, the prizes for the Startup of the Year Competition are more than just cash. Startups will also have a chance to jump to the front of the line and get final interviews with top accelerators from around the country. Participating accelerators include Tech Wildcatters, 500 Startups, TechStars, and Dreamit Ventures.
CTA Media Training Workshop
This annual CTA Innovate! favorite will be a new addition Celebrate fans. It welcome Tyler Suiters, vice president of communications at CTA, Annie Scranton, the founder and CEO of Pace Public Relations, and Michael Sorrentino, the founder and principal of Sorrentino Media, to the stage to share media tactics from their work with broadcast and journalism.
Finals Judges Q&A Session
The judges of the Startup of the Year Competition are a veritable who’s-who of tech giants, genius entrepreneurs, and startup gurus. And lucky for you, the startups in the competition won’t be having all the fun. In this session, you’ll have a chance to to ask top industry leaders and investors such as Jeff Clavier, the founder of SoftTech VC, at our special Q&A session prior to Startup of the Year winner announcement.
Mentor Sessions
CTA and Tech.Co will offer mentor sessions in one-on-one and group formats throughout the conference. Tech leaders, experts and influencers in their respective areas of expertise will be offering a limited number of private 30-minute 1:1 and group sessions to attendees who wish to take a deep dive into challenges facing their startup or business and gain valuable insight and advice to help build their business. Mentors include Justin Fishkin of Local Motors, Carla Seig of Revolution Ventures, Marc Nager of TechStars, and many more.
Excursions
This experience will be familiar to Tech.Co fans but Innovate! attendees will see something new in our exciting excursions. Attendees can sign up to experience Silicon Valley outside of the conference setting and participate in activities designed to build relationships and have fun. Previous activities included: tours to technology companies, food tours, mixologist training, or yoga class.
Register Now to Attend Innovate! and Celebrate 2016
Come join us at the Innovate! and Celebrate conference in San Jose, CA. The event will take place September 20 – September 22, and is held in partnership with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).
Photo: Flickr / Tech.Co