iKC has let its hair down and switched to an unconference format for its October event.
With the recent release of the 1Week KC schedule, you may have been left wondering where Think Big Partners and the KC Chamber‘s iKC conference fits into this year’s program. First held last June during 1Week, the event is absent from this year’s schedule because it has a new date and direction—it’s shifting to a “unconference” and moving from June to October.
Thanks to our sponsor
This year’s event will take place October 3 at the H&R Block World Headquarters in Kansas City, Mo. Tickets are set to go on sale August 1.
The event’s new format aligns it with around a half-dozen other annual events in the Silicon Prairie, such as CityCampKC, Barcamp Omaha and Awesome Camp in Lincoln. The unconference structure puts the event’s attendees in the speaker spots by having them submit topic ideas and lead the sessions. After assembly by the organizers, the agenda features attendees leading sessions such as short presentations, show-and-tells, group discussions or “unpanels.”
iKC’s ticket prices—$99 for startups and $139 for corporations—may seem steep compared to other unconference Prairie events, but a similar Boston event, MassTLC Innovation Unconference, runs between $245 to $695.
“We’ve seen great success come out of unconferences in cities such as Austin and Boston,” Sarah Snyder, meeting planner and event organizer at Think Big Partners, said in a press release. “After seeing firsthand the power of organic community-driven discussions and relevant collaboration, we are eager to bring this refreshing format to Kansas City to help improve the collision density of our community.”
The Chamber found collision density—a measurement of the connections made by companies, entrepreneurs, investors and ideas in a defined area—to be a major concern in the community during its Big 5 conversations for making KC the most entrepreneurial city in America. According to the press release, density is 20 times less likely to occur in KC than in San Francisco because key groups are too spread out geographically. A driving force behind the event is to enable a higher level of density and provide the opportunity to take action.
In addition to the unconference format, iKC will include a one-on-one mentorship program with what it calls “local, high-level mentors” the day of the conference—entreprenuers can apply at the iKC site in advance.
A closing party, open to the public, will wrap up the one-day event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the iKC website.
