The 9 Clouds team attempts a group jump in the Big Omaha Photo Booth. Photo Booth set up by Malone & Company Photography.
In its inaugural year, the mantra of Big Omaha 2009 was to bring “forward-thinking creatives, entrepreneurs and innovators to Omaha to rebuild the country from the inside out.”
The mantra of Big Omaha 2010 was along the same lines: “[Bring] together the region’s best and brightest to motivate, challenge, excite and connect with one another, and in turn raise the bar on the level of work we’re producing.”
Thanks to our sponsor
Although we were only able to fit 500 attendees in the event venue, KANEKO, the entrepreneurial energy extended throughout the region as Twitterers mentioned or hash-tagged Big Omaha (#BigOmaha) in over 4,700 tweets from May 6 to May 18.
Photo by Malone & Company Photography
Twitter Statistics
In addition, the Big Omaha tweets engaged Twitter users from 14 different countries, according to statistics released by Todd Murphy of Universal Information Services. Countries included France, Germany, India, Japan and Singapore.
More than 300 tweets were sent the night of What Cheer‘s Network Neighborhood : Big Omaha Opening Party at The Slowdown on May 13.
Day two of Big Omaha resulted in over 1,600 tweets, with Gary Vaynerchuk and Scott Belsky‘s presentation (left) among the sessions with the most Twitter activity.
The closing day of the event resulted in nearly 730 tweets, with the entrepreneur panel being the most tweeted session.
Confurrent reported the top five Twitterers:
- @davidburn – David Burn of Ad Pulp
- @JeremyHL – Jeremy Lipschultz of University of Nebraska at Omaha
- @MissusLippy – Sandy Lipschultz
- @snbaird – Susan Baird of s.n.baird communications
- @gabek – Gabe Kangas
Of the tweets sent, some users were mentioned significantly more than others. Confurrent reported these Twitter users to be the top five mentioned:
Universal Information Services reported that two words generated the most buzz throughout the event: Charitywater and Zappos.
Tweets
Here are some of the notable tweets from Big Omaha 2010:
@Todder4News: Location play 1% in t/ success formula for a distributed service. Creativity occurs everywhere & all t/ times … #bigomaha
@nealusa: Want to get more done? Do less stuff.” – @jasonfried at #bigomaha. Truer words have not been spoken.
@chronopositron: Chase the vision, not the money … The ironic thing is that the money will follow. – @zappos #BigOmaha
@Joe_Craig: @hunckler If life is a marathon, I am at t/ 13.5 mile mark. I run 8 minute miles. #BigOmaha was a @PowerBar! I’m adjusting…
@apavka: Omaha, Don’t move. Let’s build our tech scene here! There’s so much quiet talent. Let’s share & grow. #bigomaha
@tchap623: Giving up my birthday for charity: water on June 13 as seen at #bigomaha – hoping to raise $10K for 2 wells. www.mycharitywater.org/chapman
@Todder4News: You know you’ve made it when @scottblake turns your face into1 Barcode Art at #BigOmaha
@skidvis: It’s been said before, but Holy Spanks! @slobotski & @dustyd are the absolute best! BigOmaha rocked my clean-water deprived world!
@thenewdorothy: Reading all the tweets about @bigomaha makes me wish I would have called in sick & made the trek with @dietsche. But there’s always 2011!
The Blogosphere
Bloggers weren’t far behind the tweet pack as the Big Omaha’ers began filing away their thoughts at the crack of day one.
Here are some of the notable blog posts from Big Omaha:
Live: Big Omaha 2010
By Andrew Mager of ZDNet.com
Friday, May 14
Big Omaha is not your normal ‘tech conference.’ Unlike Web 2.0 Expo or South by Southwest, Big Omaha is about what’s next, not what’s already happened. Yea, it’s in the middle of the midwest, but that’s what makes it great. Big Omaha co-founder Jeff Slobotski said that his conference sold out this year at 500 attendees. He doesn’t want it to be the next SXSW, he wants to keep it intimate. I suspect that next year, the demand for tickets will be through the roof.
Big Omaha Has Heart, Like the City and Scene it Serves
By David Burn of AdPulp
Saturday, May 15
Yesterday afternoon Gary Vaynerchuk said Omaha is a ‘sensational city.’ He also said he’s driven by gratitude. Vaynerchuk is grateful that his family left Russia when he was three and that his parents instilled in him the need to hustle to get ahead. As a Nebraska native, I know what he means. There are no mountains here, and no ocean. However, there’s plenty of room to think, connect and build things of lasting value. There’s also a willingness to work and hustle, and the city’s solid economy is a testament to that.
I slept only 7 hours in 3 days (and no, I was not at SXSW)
By Rob LaGeese of Stuffleufagus
Sunday, May 16
Why didn’t I sleep? Because I was surrounded by amazing people that had amazing stories to share. And I may have shared a few of my own. They were willing to sit in the courtyard of the Magnolia with me from dusk until dawn and share what they knew (and a bit of brew!) … I am no longer in Omaha, but Omaha is now in me.
Free Ride to Big Omaha 2011
By Levi Rosol of Levi Writes
Sunday, May 16
Big Omaha was amazing. If you didn’t go, I truly feel story for you. But have no fear! Levi is here! And I can help. If you live in the Des Moines area, or anywhere near I-80 between Des Moines and Omaha, I will provide your transportation to and from Big Omaha 2011, May 12-14. Even if you don’t know me, contact me. I will get you there.
Synthesis: Big Omaha 2010 (Part 1)
By John Kreicbergs of Patchchord.com
Tuesday, May 18
The brainchild of SiliconPrairieNews.com founders Jeff Slobotski and Dusty Davidson, Big Omaha was created to bring together entrepreneurs, innovators and creatives and inspire them to ‘follow their passions, build the businesses they love and strengthen their creative communities.’ The inaugural event was held last year in 2009 and proved to be a wildly successful happening. Now in its second year, it is obvious that Big Omaha has an undeniably precocious potential.
Thank You!
Although we’ve only shared some of the memorable tweets and blog postings, we appreciate of all the pre- and post-Big Omaha 2010 coverage. Thank you to all of those who dedicated special attention to the event and help us carry out our mission of supporting entrepreneurs and creatives.
Complete Coverage
As of Monday, June 22,* this is the most recent list of press coverage and blog posts that gave attention to Big Omaha 2010.
Pre-Coverage
- April 9 – NE Creative: Big Omaha 2010 Conference and Identity
- April 12 – Jonathan Kay, Grasshopper’s Grasslands: The Entrepreneurial Blog: Big Omaha 2010: Helping entrepreneurs build the businesses they love
- April 15 – Greater Omaha Chamber: Big Omaha is Coming!
- April 19 – Andrew Mager, ZDNet: Midwest Tech: Q&A session with Big Omaha founder Jeff Slobotski
- April 29 – Keith Ferrazzi, keithferrazzi.com: Omaha’s New Annual Meeting: Big Omaha
- May 5 – Josh Fleming, AdMavericks: Big Omaha + Social Media Case Study = Twitterview
- May 6 – Joe Sparano, Oxide Design Co.: Big Omaha identity
- May 6 – Adam Templeton, Nebraska Entrepreneur: Big Omaha acting as conduit for Midwest’s entrepreneurial energies
- May 7 – Cheril Lee, KIOS: Big Omaha Conference focuses on entrepreneurship, networking
- May 7 – Christy Nelson, Toolulu: Prepping for Big Omaha
- May 7 – Robert Murphy, Ram Hatter: Countdown to Big Omaha: Jason Fried
- May 8 – Jeff Beals, Grow Omaha: Show #316
- May 9 – Ross Boettcher, Omaha World-Herald: Big Omaha conference feeds ideas
- May 9 – Brent Pohlman, The Midwest Laboratories Blog: Big Omaha 2010
- May 10 – Tara Charter, Examiner.com: Big Omaha 2010 schedule includes 24 timeslots
- May 11 – Frank Gruber, Tech Cocktail: Big Omaha conference this week
- May 11 – Robert Murphy, Ram Hatter: Countdown to Big Omaha: Mission
- May 12 – Tom Becka, KFAB: Tom talks to Jeff Slobotski about the Omaha conference
- May 12 – Robert Murphy, Ram Hatter: Countdown to Big Omaha: Discovery
- May 13 – Robert Murphy, Ram Hatter: Countdown to Big Omaha: Omaha
Post-Coverage
- May 13 – Dan Flanagan, Metro Magazine: Big Omaha Kick off Party
- May 13 – Andrew Mager, ZDNet: Preview: Big Omaha 2010
- May 14 – Robert Murphy, Ram Hatter: Big Omaha: Day 2 (AM)
- May 14 – Robert Murphy, Ram Hatter: Big Omaha: Day 2 (PM)
- May 14 – Andrew Mager, ZDNet: Live: Big Omaha 2010
- May 14 – Elizabeth Parmeter, Gaming Angels: Big Omaha 2010: May 13 – 15
- May 14 – David Burn, AdPulp: Big Omaha is a Big Deal
- May 15 – Bluffs CPA: Big Omaha, Big Ideas
- May 15 – Elizabeth Parmeter, Gaming Angels: Big Omaha 2010: Day One
- May 15 – Robert Murphy, Ram Hatter: Big Omaha: Day 3 (Melody McCloskey)
- May 15 – Robert Murphy, Ram Hatter: Big Omaha: Day 3 (Dennis Crowley)
- May 15 – David Burn, AdPulp: Big Omaha Has Heart, Like the City and Scene is Serves
- May 16 – Ross Boettcher, Omaha World-Herald: Big Omaha inspires big ideas
- May 16 – Andy Peters, Ninth Division blog: BigOmaha 2010 iPhone App Story
- May 16 – Catherine Bosley, Care Hound: My Big Omaha review
- May 16 – Chris Kovac, chriskovac.com: Gary Vaynerchuk (@garyvee) at BigOmaha on the Thank You Economy
- May 16 – Rob LaGeese, Stuffleufagus: I slept only 7 hours in 3 days (and no, I was not at SXSW)
- May 16 – Robert Scoble, Scobleizer.com: The king and queen of location-based services
- May 16 – Levi Rosol, Levi Writes: Free Ride to Big Omaha 2011
- May 17 – Nathan Wright, Lava Row: Some thoughts on Big Omaha 2010
- May 17 – NE Creative: Big Omaha 2010 Conference and Identity
- May 17 – Ben Pankonin, Table This: Big Omaha, the Shaping of a Culture
- May 17 – Todd Versteeg, Performance Marketing: Big Omaha: A Game Changer
- May 17 – Jodi Stevens, Performance Marketing: Big Omaha Was Big
- May 17 – Brian Wetjen, brianwetjen.com: Big Omaha & Big Ideas
- May 18 – Heather Mangan, The Post SD: Defining the Silicon Prairie and its value to entrepreneurs
- May 18 – Giang Biscan, AsAble.com: My personal diary of #BigOmaha
- May 18 – Geoff Wood, Wood 2 Your Moms: Big Omaha 2010
- May 18 – Mark Dauner, Travel and Transport: Big Omaha!
- May 18 – John Kreicbergs, Patchchord.com: Synthesis: Big Omaha 2010 (Part 1)
- May 18 – Heth Gerlock, heathgerlock.com: BigOmaha 2010: Jason Fried
- May 18 – John T. Meyer, 9 Clouds blog: Avoid Post-Conference Hangover
- May 18 – Jodi Stevens, Performance Marketing: Because David Hauser Manned The Stage We All Cheered
- May 19 – Robert Murphy, Ram Hatter: Big Omaha & iPad
- May 19 – Katie Miller-Smith, Catchfire Media Blog: Big Omaha Presenter from charity: water Shares Insight on Social Media Successes
- May 19 – Ramsey Mohsen, ramseymohsen.com: Video Blog: “How do you make badges on Foursquare?”
- May 19 – Amy Colgan, 9 Clouds blog: Big Omaha with the Big Kids
- May 20 – John Kreicbergs, Patchchord.com: Synthesis: Big Omaha 2010 (Part 2)
- May 20 – Amy Martin, Delivering Happiness: BIG Omaha!
- May 20 – Wendy Townley, Do I dare/Disturb the universe?: Big Omaha 2010
- May 21 – Tim Jahn, Beyond the Pedway: foursquare
- May 24 – Giang Biscan, AsAble.com: AsAble.com interview of Jeff @Slobotski, Founder of #BigOmaha & Silicon Prairie News
- May 25 – Adam Templeton, Nebraska Entrepreneur: Big Omaha 2010 Brings Professionalism to the Plains
- May 25 – Andrew Warner, Mixergy: How Big Omaha Created a Profitable Tech Conference in the Midwest – with Jeff Slobotski
- May 25 – Greg Hauenstein, greghauenstein.com: Big Omaha 2010 – My tribe
- May 25 – Mike Templeton, Catchfire Media Blog: Grasshopper’s David Hauser Shares Thoughts with Big Omaha on Standing Out
- May 28 – Tim Jahn, Beyond the Pedway: Grasshopper
- May 28 – Robert Murphy, Ram Hatter: Big Omaha…and Jesus 2.0
- June 1 – Jodi Stevens, Performance Marketing: A Lot of Ideas Don’t Happen
- June 2 – Melody McCloskey, melodymccloskey.com: Big Omaha Recap (or how to make a bunch of people mad at you)
- June 2 – Heath Gerlock, 5Q Communications blog: BigOmaha 2010: Jason Fried
- June 4 – Brian Lambelet, Techneur: Big Omaha 2010: The Convention, The Parties, and Our Good Friend, Gentleman Jack
- June 4 – Tim Jahn, Beyond the Pedway: Interview with Melody McCloskey, founder of StyleSeat
- June 7 – Joe Myers, Interaction Design: Big Omaha
- June 9 – Shane Mac, Gist: Big Omaha. A Game Changing Event. – Part 1.
- June 11 – Tim Jahn, Beyond the Pedway: Interview with Scott Belsky of Behance
- June 22 – Joe Sparano, Oxide Design Co.: Big Omaha identity [part 2]
- July 18 – Josh Rubin, CNN: Techies reject coasts for ‘Silicon Prairie’
If we’ve missed one, please add it in a comment below or email me at andrea@siliconprairienews.com and we’ll update the list.
*We’ll be updating this list as more coverage is published.