As we head into the final weeks before Big Omaha, we want to highlight individuals who have been and ask them how it has impacted their lives. From left: Jake Stutzman, Jeff Slobotski, and Seth Carlson.
After hearing the buzz stemming from Big Omaha’s first year, Jake Stutzman knew he would not miss his opportunity to attend in 2010. Focused on bringing together creatives, innovators and entrepreneurs, a conference like this was new to the region.
Stutzman had worked as a designer and web developer at companies outside of Nebraska for the past decade. In 2002, he began the digital design firm Elevate as a side project and had been working towards building it to a point that would allow him to take it full time.
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He had high expectations for his first Big Omaha with a speaker list holding names Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, FourSquare founder Dennis Crowley and Charity Water’s Scott Harrison. And while he expected to find inspiration and fruitful connections at the event, he never thought it would make the impact it did.
“Many of the relationships started at Big Omaha have transformed into great collaborations and many friendships,” Stutzman said.
That’s something heard time and time again from Big Omaha attendees. Meaningful relationships are unexpectedly formed every year, many of which resulting in powerful partnerships. Furthermore, participants encounter inspiration that far outlasts the conference.
“The experience in 2010 actually led to the decision to move Elevate to Omaha from Virginia,” he said.
Three years later, Elevate has become one of the most well-respected design firms in region. The six-person team has worked with companies including ESPN, Hewlett-Packard, Caterpillar and Supra.
Jake has become a Big Omaha veteran since, even purchasing tickets for all Elevate employees.
We invite you to join Jake Stutzman, the Elevate team and an army of other creatives, innovators and entrepreneurs at this year’s Big Omaha from May 7-9 at KANEKO. You can claim your spot today at BigOmaha.com.
Credits: Photo courtesy Jake Stutzman
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[…] Digital design firm founder developed real relationships at Big Omaha – As we head into the final weeks before Big Omaha, we want to highlight individuals … and web developer at companies outside of Nebraska for the past decade. In 2002, he began the digital design firm Elevate as a side project and had been working towards … […]