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Courtesy photos.
Robert Scoble.
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Courtesy photos.
Gary Vaynerchuk.
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Courtesy photos.
Andy Grignon.
Birmingham has been recognized for its restaurants, breweries and growth over the past few years, but one thing it has not been recognized for is its tech industry.
TechBirmingham is working to change that.
This July, TechBirmingham is hosting Sloss Tech, a daylong technology festival, in partnership with Telegraph Creative to help kickstart a branding campaign for the Birmingham tech world. TechBirmingham President Jennifer Skjellum and member services manager Greg Wingo said the goal of a branding campaign is to help people realize Birmingham’s growth has led to more than a city with cool places to eat and drink.
“Birmingham has not just the lifestyle, but also opportunities for a career,” Skjellum said.
The city also offers multiple opportunities for a tech-based career, Skjellum said, meaning someone could come to the city and have options. “We’re not so much dealing with a negative perception [of Birmingham],” Wingo said. “We’re dealing with no perception.”
Sloss Tech will take place at the Lyric Theatre on Friday, July 15, the day before the Sloss Music & Arts Festival begins. The two festivals are working in partnership, Wingo said, to help show off a blend of what Birmingham has to offer. “It has that South by Southwest feel to it,” Wingo said.
Sloss Tech includes three guest speakers and seven events around the city. The speaker lineup includes VaynerMedia CEO Gary Vaynerchuk, entrepreneur Robert Scoble and Siberia Managing Director Andy Grignon.
Vaynerchuk is well-known for his work in social media, including investments in Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and other companies, as well as the #AskGaryVee show, where he answers questions about topics from social media to family businesses.
“I think Gary Vaynerchuk is a draw to anyone who loves blogging or social media,” Skjellum said, noting that he will bring in a focus on storytelling and media that can appeal to individuals outside of the tech world.
Overall, Wingo said the speaker lineup Sloss Tech has secured is big for an inaugural event. “Robert [Scoble] is a foremost expert in virtual reality, Andy [Grignon] designed the first iPhone,” Wingo said.
The day also includes speakers from local tech companies and a chance to see downtown and grab lunch. One reason they selected the Lyric is because of its location and proximity to local places to eat and local sights to see, Skjellum said. She added that they believe the weekend of Sloss Tech and Sloss Fest offers a good recruiting weekend, where companies can show off the city to target employees.
After the event wraps up, Skjellum said they hope to have all of Sloss Tech’s costs covered and to use revenue to fuel the branding campaign for tech in Birmingham. Seeing as partners were not secured and official planning did not start until early this year, Skjellum said the festival has seen sponsorship support that has it off to a good start.
“Oftentimes the best plans line up at the last minute,” she said.
For more information about Sloss Tech or to purchase a ticket, visit sloss.tech.
Sloss Tech
- WHEN: July 15, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- WHERE: The Lyric Theatre
- COST: $150
- WEB: sloss.tech