Zapier co-founder Mike Knoop was one of six speakers during the second day of the I/OWA conference.
The inaugural I/OWA conference continued Friday at the historic Kirkwood theater in Des Moines with more than 120 attendees gathered to hear six speakers from Iowa and beyond.
“I would say definitely it was a success overall,” said Kaylee Williams, one of the event’s organizers. “I think the community support was one of the biggest reasons this has gone so well—from our sponsors to the ticket holders to the venues that allowed us to come in. From day one to day two the attendance exceeded expectations across the board and the energy is something we couldn’t have predicted.”
The morning began with a bloody mary and bacon bar—hosted at the Gramercy Tap. Speakers for the inaugural conference began shortly after 11 a.m. and included Karin Brandt of coUrbanize, author and world traveler Colin Wright, Zapier co-founder Mike Knoop, Entrepreneurial Technologies‘ Erin Rollenhagen, digital brand strategist Shannon Drake and 5by founder and CEO Greg Isenberg.
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While Rollenhagen was the only local speaker, Brandt is an Iowa native and Iowa State University alumna. Knoop and Wright also have Missouri roots.
“I think that’s the difference between a place like Boston and Des Moines: there’s a lot of startup mentors who had successful companies and are now retired with money that they can just sit down with you and help you grow your business faster,” Brandt told Silicon Prairie News Thursday. “It’s a great resource in terms of the capital but also in helping grow your business.”
Brandt says she thinks the Des Moines startup community will get there though—”it might just take a generation.” She reiterated the sentiment during her speech Friday, telling attendees to own their Iowan roots and embrace how they make for different entrepreneurs. coUrbanize recently exited TechStars Boston, an experience Brandt says helped her immensely as a first-time entrepreneur.
More than 70 people gathered at StartupCity Des Moines Thursday for the first day of the conference, which included co-working, breakout sessions and a ping pong tournament. The conference closes tonight (Friday) with a happy hour at Big City Burgers in Des Moines.
Although Williams says organizers haven’t formally discussed a second year for the conference, she says she would love to see I/OWA continue as a grassroots, community-organized event.
From the masses
Hear what organizers, attendees and speakers are saying about day two of the inaugural I/OWA conference:
“I’m from Iowa.. own the fact that you’re a different entrepreneur” – Karin Brandt at #iowaconf #iowaproud #iowalocal
— Eric Bailey (@estrattonbailey) October 11, 2013
Let your life guide your work, don’t let your work guide your life. #iowaconf @colinismyname — John Shelley (@jpshells) October 11, 2013
“We live in the future. There is no longer goodbyes, there are ‘see you laters’” #IowaConf @colinismyname — Ryan Morrison (@tweetrymo) October 11, 2013
Ain’t no party like an #iowaconf party. Over 500 drink tickets used last night and this morning. Data visualization soon to come. — Levi Rosol (@LeviRosol) October 11, 2013
“Your career trajectory is like Plinko: it’s a normal curve, it takes effort to get to the outer limits” (cool stuff) – @mikeknoop #iowaconf
— Eric Bailey (@estrattonbailey) October 11, 2013
Love talk from @erinrollenhagen at #IowaConf because it had nothing to do with tech and everything to do with team, leadership and culture. — Darrin Dowell (@DarrinDipity) October 11, 2013
“If something is bringing in revenue, but killing your ‘awesome’, get rid of it because it’s not worth it.” – @erinrollenhagen #IowaConf — Derian Baugh (@DerianBaugh) October 11, 2013
A theme of overcoming fear and challenges at #iowaconf today from @shantastical and @erinrollenhagen. A lesson for not just entrepreneurs. — Marco Santana (@marcosantana) October 11, 2013
“I love Iowa.” @gregisenberg #iowaconf — Aaron Hoffman (@aaron_hoffman) October 11, 2013
Credits: Event photo from Facebook.
