“RI Tech and Innovation Report”— Ocean Inno Tech Fest, Pryor, and Robots
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
In technology, there are sometimes glitches.
Last year’s inaugural Ocean Inno Tech Fest had to be postponed—to this year—due to weather (it was supposed to be at McCoy Stadium). It’s happening April 27 at Waterfire Arts Center with Hasbro as head sponsor, and tickets are on sale. GoLocalProv caught up with David Gomez, event organizer and RED DWG Library co-founder to talk about finally getting what promises to be a day of great fun and professional development going.
Gomez is especially excited to have designed a family-friendly event—there will be opportunities abound for children to enjoy and discover the “exciting technology being developed by local companies”—and the opportunities for local college students to network with tech companies during the NetFest Happy Hour. Those students may attend the fest for free.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“We are trying to retain and attract top talent before they graduate,” Gomez said. “Our mission is to (foster) diversity, equality, and inclusion in the tech ecosystem.”
And, if you do go, be sure to use #SilliconeRhode in your social posts.
GoLocalProv: What did you learn from organizing what was supposed to be your inaugural event that shaped how you approached it this year?
Gomez: We are having it indoors a more conducive venue (Waterfire Arts Center).
GoLocalProv: How did you design and select the workshops?
Gomez: We designed our speakers, panels and workshops around organizations that are developing or supporting amazing innovation in and around little Rhody. We currently scheduled one workshop by Matter Communications on “How to Communicate Your Mission & Technology to Media, Investors, and Clients.”
GoLocalProv: What would you say is the most exciting aspect of the fest?
Gomez: The celebration of innovation being developed here in the smallest state in the union. This is not like a standard conference or expo. This is meant to celebrate the individuals and organizations creating innovation for a better future. Why not have fun while networking, having great and food and drink by Russel Morin, and possibly land your dream job. Rhode Island is poised to be the next Silicon Valley. The most exciting presentation would be what Hasbro is bringing to the stage—sculpting, model shop and 3-D printing, animatronics, CakeMix Studio, DropMix Music Game, Light Saber Academy Demo, and Herovision Demo.
GoLocalProv: How and why did you select your keynote speakers?
Gomez: One of our initiatives is women empowerment, and Kimberly Arcand is the epitome of that. She is Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel in one, a genius of science, an educator, a mom and a huge supporter of our mission. Brian Gruttadurla is originally from Rhode Island, and is the elephant in the room with Oracle Cloud team, who also invests in the startup culture. This is about introducing amazing companies like Oracle to SiliconeRhode.
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Related Slideshow: “RI Tech and Innovation Report”— Ocean Inno Tech Fest, Pryor, and Robots - April 10, 2019
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