Put on Your “Thinc”ing Caps! Thinc Iowa 2012 Returns to Des Moines Next Week

The organization that has brought the Midwest knockout events such as Big Omaha and the Silicon Prairie News Awards is back and bigger than ever in the city of Des Moines, Iowa.  The team at Silicon Prairie News is returning to the humble city of Des Moines from October 9-11, 2012 to bring the entrepreneurial community its second annual Thinc Iowa conference.

This year it’s bigger.  It’s better.  And more importantly, it’s longer.

“Last year, I think the conference went by too fast!” said Brittany Mascio, event coordinator for Silicon Prairie News.  “This year, we are extending Thinc Iowa to 2 days in order to put people together, longer.  We want to enhance the conference and leave a lasting impression on these entrepreneurs.”

This year, the Thinc Iowa event will feature 15 speakers (including Steve Case, CEO of AOL), three can’t-miss parties and two full days of startup inspiration, entrepreneurial presentations and introductions to new, innovative concepts.

“Our focus is on entrepreneurship and innovation,” says Geoff Wood, COO of Silicon Prairie News.  “But we will be featuring both old companies and new startups.  I’m excited to listen to Gentry Underwood of Orchestra because I’ve heard him speak online before.  I can’t wait to see him live.  I’m also excited for Neal Sales-Griffin of The Starter League.  But I think I am most excited for the things that we don’t plan for during conferences like this—they are always the most interesting.”

Thinc Iowa is expecting around 350 attendees this year, a slight increase from last year’s 300.  Thinc Iowa will take place for the second year in a row at the Temple for Performing Arts.  Parties will take place at Wooly’s, Exile Brewing Company, Americana and West End Architectural Salvage.  All events will be taking place in Des Moines, Iowa.

“All three cities that we focus on—Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City—we want to see grow,” says Wood.  “A big part of this conference is for people to come in from outside and see what’s here.  We have attendees from 20 different cities.  We want them to become our ambassadors.”

“Des Moines is a place that was very open to the idea of the conference,” agrees Mascio.  “We believe it is a great area to highlight.  We really want to bring the demand of Big Omaha to the city of Des Moines.”

Thinc Iowa will take place from October 9-11, 2012.  To purchase tickets for Thinc Iowa, visit http://2012thinciowatickets.eventbrite.com/.  

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Big Omaha: The Summer Camp You Never Want To End

Most of us have been there.  Whether it was summer camp, horse back riding camp, sports camp or (for the geeks at heart) science camp, almost all of us have experienced the great outdoors, youth camaraderie and bad hygiene during camp.

And along with the arts and crafts, kayaking adventures and capture-the-flag games, we have also all experienced anxiety before camp begins and sadness after we have to say goodbye to our new friends and counselors.

Silicon Prairie News event coordinator Brittany Mascio believes that Big Omaha gives off these same emotions; anxiousness, excitement and sad goodbyes.

What is Big Omaha exactly?  It's an annual entrepreneurship and innovation conference that aims to share stories and connect the Omaha community with the rest of the country.  But if you ask any member of Silicon Prairie News (the organizers of the event) or any past attendee of Big Omaha, they will be sure to tell you that it's so much more than that.

This year, Big Omaha will take place May 9-11 at KANEKO, located in the Old Market.  The conference will feature 14 keynote speakers, a dynamite MC, plenty of food to go around and the opportunity to check out the Omaha startup scene...not to mention tons of networking and interactive fun.

"Big Omaha is a good place for entrepreneurs and others looking for inspiration to collaborate with one another," said Mascio.  "Big Omaha is at the forefront of what's going on in the tech center."

Big Omaha 2012 will follow the same structure as the 2011 conference, but with a few cool additions.  Although the Silicon Prairie News team wouldn't give all of the secrets away, they did inform us that this year, Big Omaha is adding artists into the mix.  The SPN team hopes that this addition will help the conference promote its theme of inner-connectivity.

So when Big Omaha closes and it's time to head home (tear!), what will you walk away with?  Mascio gave us the inside scoop:

1.  Advice. 
After Big Omaha, you will have a plethora of stories to reflect upon.  All of Big Omaha's 14 keynote speakers will tell founder stories and give an inside look at how to become a successful entrepreneur.

2.  Connections. 
You will leave Big Omaha with more than just a notebook full of entrepreneurial scribble.  You'll also leave with stacks of business cards, informational handouts, major swag and a completely full contact list.  Big Omaha is all about energizing people to connect with other attendees.

3.  Memories.
Just like summer camp, Big Omaha provides unforgettable memories and nonstop fun.  It's a conference that helps many startups out there realize that entrepreneurship can be fun.  It truly is that summer camp you don't want to end.

Unfortunately for you, Big Omaha is completely sold out!  The good news? Silicon Prairie is creating a waiting list for those entrepreneurs who are dying to get a foot in the KANEKO door.  To learn more, be sure to visit http://www.bigomaha.com/.

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