Bitmethod’s Amanda Morrow taught a Sketch it Out worskshop during day one of the I/OWA conference.
The inaugural I/OWA conference kicked off today at StartupCity Des Moines with co-working, workshops and a lunchtime ping pong tournament.
About 70 people gathered at the downtown Des Moines space to participate in hour-long workshops, mingle with fellow entrepreneurs and co-work throughout the day.
“With it being so last minute we didn’t know what to expect, but we’re kind of blown away by the response and support for this event,” said Lyndsay Clark, one of the event’s organizers.
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Day one also included a ping pong tournament, organized using Ames startup TourneyMachine’s scheduling platform. Omaha’s Travis Graham won the tournament and will receive five free drink tickets for this evening’s opening party.
Six workshops were held throughout the day on everything from risk management to incorporating sketching into day-to-day work.
“Sketching isn’t about drawing, it’s about working through ideas,” said Amanda Morrow, designer at Bitmethod, during her sketching workshop. Attendees sketched designs for stopwatch apps and storyboarded the secret weapon they would use to take over the world if they were an evil villain—perhaps a raygun that turns everything into cheese.
The conference continues this evening with a happy hour, hosted by the Technology Association of Iowa, at Gramercy Tap from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by an 8 p.m. opening party in the Kirkwood lobby. Day two of the conference includes a lineup of six speakers at the historic Kirkwood Theatre.
For a complete schedule of events, visit the conference’s website.
From the masses
Hear what organizers and attendees are saying about the inaugural I/OWA conference:
Such an awesome turn out @startupcitydsm for #iowaconf. Blown away.
— James Eliason (@jameseliason) October 10, 2013
Sketch it out session getting the audience involved! @iowaconf #iowaconf @BitMethod pic.twitter.com/QzQhjE6fZk — Peter Awad (@peterawad) October 10, 2013
Ping pong is getting serious; badges are coming off! #iowaconf pic.twitter.com/CQz3JNGwlG
— Aaron Hoffman (@aaron_hoffman) October 10, 2013
Hey #iowaconf please welcome @colinismyname the first of tomorrow’s speakers to join us at @startupcitydsm
— Geoff Wood (@geoffwood) October 10, 2013
Follow the event on Twitter at #iowaconf.
Credits: Event photo from Facebook.
