11 Things to Know Before iKC 2013

iKC: The Unconference is right around the corner! We’re ramping up for what promises to be a day full of unexpected collisions with unimaginable outcomes. In order for you to prepare for the unexpected, we’ve put together a list of everything you need to know so you can make the best of iKC 2013:  

1. Check-in starts at 8:00am.  Check-in at H&R Block World Headquarters on the first floor (and come early to guarantee your free t-shirt!). 
2. Welcome presentations will begin at 8:45am.  From there, the day will be divided into 4 sessions (to be determined the morning of the unconference). 
3. The agenda will be voted on and created live from 9:30am-10:30am. This hour may seem a little chaotic, but it allows plenty of opportunity for collisions and conversations to happen! Attendees will be able to submit ideas for session topics as they arrive and register.
4. Free parking is available in the Annex Garage off 13th & Grand (but you must print a parking voucher beforehand!).
5. Attendees can make the unconference whatever they want it to be.  We suggest having an open mind and to be prepared to discuss, learn and contribute to conversations happening. 
6. Attendees have the opportunity to get facetime with some of the leaders of Kansas City by applying for the UnMentor Program.  Apply here.
7. Dress casual! 
8. Walk over to Alamo (1400 Main) after the last iKC session for the Closing Session, brought to you by Google Fiber. 
9. Your iKC ticket doubles as your free pass to the world premiere of Tech Trek at 6:30pm at the Alamo Drafthouse during the Closing Session. 
10. You have the chance to participate in the Open Mic Awards and personally recognize and award another iKC attendee on their participation and ideas during the Closing Session. 
11. And never forget the 4 (un)written rules of the unconference:
1. Whenever it starts is the right time. Whenever it is over, it is over.
2. The people who come are the right people.
3. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened.
4. If you are not learning or contributing, it is your responsibility to use your own two feet to find someplace where you are. 

iKC 2013: The Unconference wouldn’t be possible with our great sponsors. A big thanks to H&R Block, Husch Blackwell, Garmin, Mazuma, Sprint, Red Bull and Google Fiber. We can wait for iKC 2013 and hope you’re just as anxious as we are! 

Top 5 Reasons You Need to Be at iKC 2013

iKC: The Unconference is all about taking great ideas and turning them into action.  So why do you need to be at the unconference on October 3?  

1. You decide the topics you want to talk about At an "unconference," attendees submit and vote on ideas ahead of time to decide what the day's agenda will look like.Therefore, what the conference looks like is entirely up to you. Submit your ideas here.   2. Increase collision density in Kansas City Collision density is the level of collisions made between entrepreneurs, innovators, connectors, and investors in a single area. The higher an area's collision density, the more quickly and efficiently innovative development can occur. 3. This isn't a lecture hall. iKC incorporates the "Law of Two Feet." Unconference Rule #4 says, "if you're not learning or contributing, it is your responsibility to use your own two feet to find someplace where you are." If the session you're in is not a good fit, we encourage you to go find a conversation that makes more sense for you. 4. Get 1-on-1 mentorship from some of KC's most respected entrepreneurs and business leaders We're lining up some of the city's most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders for the UnMentor Program. Apply for the UnMentor program and you may have an opportunity for a 20-minute session with one of our UnMentors during the conference.   5. The After Party. No, really.  At 4:15, we'll head to the Alamo Drafthouse for the iKC Closing Session (sponsored by Google Fiber) where you can enjoy free drinks and appetizers. There will also be Open Mic awards where attendees can grab the mic and personally award prizes to a person they think had the most impact on their day. Plus! At 6:30 p.m., you'll be one of the first to see The Tech Trek, a Google Glass-enabled documentary, and learn all about the capabilities of Google Glass from the eyes of KC entrepreneurs.  **This screening is free for iKC attendees. General public tickets will become available if space permits. Claim your iKC ticket today! We will see you October 3!

It’s Time to Vote for Your Favorite iKC Topics

Thanks to our strong startup community, we have received many different topic ideas in order for us to build the agenda for iKC: The Unconference. A huge thanks to everyone who submitted an idea or a topic--the unconference would not work without you!

But now, it’s time to vote. Starting September 26, voting for your favorite iKC topics will open on the IdeaScale platform. Here’s how it works:

1. Visit http://ikc.ideascale.com/ to view a list of all iKC topic ideas 
2. Vote for or against topic ideas using the “I agree” and “I disagree” buttons
3. The most popular ideas or topics will be displayed at iKC: The Unconference on October 3
4. iKC attendees will then vote or comment on the popular ideas during the opening reception of the unconference
5. The iKC staff will then build an agenda around the most popular ideas from the morning

A big thanks to our Agenda Creation Sponsor, Husch Blackwell. And of course, to those entrepreneurs, innovators, investors and connectors who have contributed to the IdeaScale platform for iKC to make it an action-oriented day for Kansas City! See you on October 3! Haven’t purchased an iKC ticket yet? Now’s the time to do it! Purchase your ticket here.

iKC Invites You to its Closing Session & Celebration!

PHOTO CREDIT: ExploreKansasCity.com

From what we’ve learned after planning multiple events for entrepreneurs and innovators, some of the best conversations happen after the event doors close. And that’s precisely why we are inviting all iKC attendees as well as the general public to join us to the iKC Closing Session immediately after the iKC: The Unconference at 4:15pm at the Alamo Drafthouse downtown (sponsored by Google Fiber!).

What can you expect at the Closing Session? More than the typical event closing...

Drinks, Apps and Networking
What’s a closing ceremony without drinks, appetizers and networking? You’ll work up a thirst and a hunger during iKC: The Unconference, so be sure to walk over to the Alamo Drafthouse immediately after iKC for refreshments and power networking.

Open Mic Awards (Brought to you by the City of Kansas City, Missouri)
Did someone stand out to you during iKC? Did someone contribute something to the unconference and you’d like to give them recognition for it? Did you notice that someone stepped out of their comfort zone and participated in the unconference? If so, we want you to recognize that person! The City of Kansas City, Missouri’s Open Mic Awards gives you the opportunity to reward someone for their iKC participation or contribution during the Closing Session. Simply select a gift, step up to the microphone and speak to the crowd about who made a big impact during the unconference. (Oh, and did we mention we have gifts from Boulevard, Indigo Wild, The Kansas City Chiefs, Z Strike and more?)

The Tech Trek Premiere
We are thrilled to announce that the iKC Closing Session will also feature the premiere showing of The Tech Trek, a Google Glass-enabled documentary shot by local Kansas City entrepreneurs. The premiere starts at 6:30pm. Tickets to The Tech Trek premiere are free to iKC attendees and $10.00 for the general public.

As busy entrepreneurs, we understand that sometimes you just don’t have the time to attend a full-day conference. But if you’re anything like us, you also hate missing out on the action. So even if you are unable to attend iKC: The Unconference on October 3, we want to invite you to our iKC Closing Session. And trust us when we say you won’t want to miss out.

A special thanks to Red Bull, our sponsor for Closing Session beverages and DJ. Also, thank you to Google Fiber, our sponsor for the Alamo Drafthouse arcade. To see a full list of event sponsors, click here.

Announcing the iKC Ambassadors

For the second year in a row, we have teamed up with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce to bring KC an (un)conference unlike any other.  iKC: The Unconference is an open format conference to facilitate collisions between innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and connectors.

Unlike any other event in Kansas City, iKC is all about taking great ideas and turning them into action.  And that’s also where the iKC Ambassadors come into play.  The iKC Ambassadors will not only be in attendance at iKC on October 3, but they will play an integral part in bringing iKC awareness to the community and fostering more collisions and connections both prior to and during the unconference.  

A big thanks to our iKC Ambassadors:

• Sam Bao, Curator at StartupDigest
• Adam Coomes, Kansas City Entrepreneur
• Katie Peterson, Director at iStart, Manager in Networks and Innovation at the Kauffman Foundation
• Perry Pucetti, President and CEO of Triple-I
• Carrie Royce, Founder of Shabby Hats and Prodigy Arcade
• Ryan Weber, President of KCNext–The Technology Council of Greater Kansas City 

In addition to our Ambassadors, iKC: The Unconference will also feature a 1-on-1 UnMentor program.  Current UnMentors include Keith Bae, Pat Doherty, Dr. Julie Edge and Ryan O’Connell.  Stay tuned as we announce more UnMentors in the coming weeks.  Attendees can sign up to be mentees of the UnMentor program by filling out the online application.  In order to apply for the 1-on-1 program with one of our UnMentors, you must purchase an iKC ticket. 

iKC: The Unconference takes place on October 3, 2013 at H&R Block World Headquarters in downtown Kansas City.  A big thanks to our iKC Location Sponsor, H&R Block and the iKC Agenda Creation Sponsor, Husch Blackwell.  A special thanks to our newest sponsors including Centrix Innovations, Kansas City Business Magazine, Adopt-a-Highway, Inboun, CBIZ and Microsoft BizSpark.  To see a full list of sponsors, click here.

Get tickets to iKC: The Unconference!

The 3 Best Ways to Prepare for an Unconference

We’ve all been there: stuck in a room for hours listening to speaker after speaker. We say we are there for work, professional development or networking, but we’re actually just horribly bored and unengaged. You guessed it; we’re at a typical run-of-the-mill conference. 

Sure, the concept of a conference is a great one.  But too often, traditional conferences are poorly executed. That is where the unconference concept comes into play. What is an unconference, exactly?  It’s a lot like a conference, but less structured and more participatory. The attendees have just as much to do with what the agenda looks like as the organizers. While one says he or she is at a conference to network, the unconference is where it actually happens.

An unconference is still a fairly new concept, but it may just be the future of professional development events. With that in mind, and with iKC: The Unconference right around the corner, here are the 3 best ways for you to prepare for your next unconference: 

1.    Keep an open mind

The unconference model doesn’t work if you walk in with preconceived notions of what should or shouldn’t happen. A true unconference is not a super structured event and therefore, those who attend shouldn’t be either.  In other words, keep an open mind throughout the entire unconference--no matter what sessions you attend, speaker you engage with or networking experience you have. 

An unconference should also be a safe space where people should feel comfortable to freely share their ideas and receive feedback from others. This way, ideas keep flowing and innovation and connections are allowed to happen (after all, that’s the point!). 

2.    Be prepared with ideas to share and questions to ask

Now that you’re ready to meet and speak with anyone and everyone at an unconference, you’ve got to have something to say! Don’t be afraid to share your ideas or provide feedback...no idea is a bad idea at an unconference.

For example, if another attendee presents a new product or idea to you, let them know your honest opinion. If someone brings up a topic that you don’t understand, ask him or her to clarify. An unconference is not an event where you let the speaker’s words flow in one ear and out the other. This is your chance to discover new ideas, get feedback and take action on those ideas.

3.    Practice your listening skills

We love industry disruptors and innovators, but please don’t be an interrupter! An unconference is a great place for real collisions to happen and relationships to form. Listen carefully to what the speaker or fellow attendee is saying so you can provide thoughtful comments or feedback. An unconference is anything but fluff or saying something just to say something. An unconference is the ideal place of meaningful action – and listening to others lets that occur.   

Anyone who’s a quick thinker with an open mind, who also knows when to shut up and when to speak up, is the best kind of unconference attendee. Now that you know what it takes, why not get in on the unconference action?

Don’t be shy; get your tickets for iKC 2013 today!

Just 1 Month Until iKC: The Unconference!

Kansas City’s newest unconference, iKC, is one month away! Have you purchased your tickets yet? Submitted your ideas? Gotten involved? Now’s the time to do it!

iKC: The Unconference takes place on October 3 at H&R Block World Headquarters. And if you’re anything like us, you simply cannot wait. In order to ease your anticipation, we encourage you to do a little preparation. This year, iKC 2013 will be powered by you, the attendees, through topics submitted through our IdeaScale platform. The ideas that are submitted will then be turned into unique breakout sessions like unpanels, Q&As, short format presentations and more.

Want to get involved with iKC: The Unconference? Partner with us! Join outstanding supporters like H&R Block, Garmin, CommunityAmerica, Google Fiber, Sprint, Inboun, Mazuma Credit Union and Park University.

And be sure to stay tuned to the @iKC2013 Twitter feed for more info about the unconference like new sponsors, speakers and ambassadors.

QUICK LINKS:

• Purchase tickets
• Become a sponsor
• Submit an idea

Why Kansas City Needs High Collision Density (And How We Can Get It)

It’s no secret that certain cities across the United States are “the place to be,” especially for entrepreneurs. We all hear about the startup successes in Silicon Valley, Boulder, Austin and Silicon Alley. But have you ever wondered why these cities are experiencing a startup boom? According to recent research, it probably has something to do with a little thing called “collision density”. 

What is Collision Density?

Collision density can be defined as the level of collisions made between entrepreneurs, investors and connectors in a single area. The higher an area’s collision density is, the more quickly and efficiently innovative development can occur. Therefore, the more collision density a city has, the better.

Collision Density in Kansas City

While entrepreneurship hotbeds like Silicon Valley, Silicon Alley, Boulder, and Austin have high rates of collision density, Kansas City’s is rather low. One of America’s most famous entrepreneurs, Philip Rosedale, has even noted that “collision density is 20 times less likely to occur in Kansas City than it is in San Francisco”. In our opinion, that is 20 times too many.

Kansas City’s lack of collision density doesn’t just hurt our local entrepreneurs. It can also negatively affect the KC economy. Without collision density, innovation is stopped in its tracks. Without collision density, people can’t meet and ideas can’t be acted upon. Without collision density, communities–and society, for that matter–can’t progress.

We aren’t the only ones bothered by KC’s lack of collision density. Some of Kansas City’s entrepreneurial leaders are also concerned. In a recent Silicon Prairie News article, leaders like Jo Anne Gabbert, president of JAG Portfolio services and Maria Meyers, CEO of U.S. SourceLink and KCSourceLink, bring awareness to the collision density problem.

In the article, Gabbert said, “What we think the future looks like is making sure [Kansas City’s assets like funding and community support] are all connected and interconnected in that ecosystem so it's very easy for an entrepreneur to navigate the Kansas City ecosystem. Yet somehow they're a bit fragmented or dysfunctional at times."

Myers adds that “One of the things that Kansas City's looking at is not so much that dearth of funding, but better organizing what's here."

But the future isn’t hopeless. According to Rosedale “it seems likely that [Omaha, Kansas City, and Des Moines] actually could have a vibrant/growing startup community, if only it could establish this high level of communication and proximity between a good number of its tech people.”

Increasing Kansas City’s Collision Density

So what can we do about Kansas City’s low collision density? We can start getting the entrepreneurs, innovators and investors together under one roof. Think Big Partners and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce hopes to bring these like-minded individuals together for iKC: the Unconference this October.

This unconference is like a regular conference, only better. It lacks a formalized structure so ideas and information can flow freely between innovators, entrepreneurs and investors. In this way, all of the great thinkers in Kansas City and the surrounding area are together, realizing they should be together more often. Thus, an increase in Kansas City’s collision density.

This year’s iKC will be held on October 3, 2013 at the H&R Block World Headquarters. Until then, you can submit ideas, apply for the 1-on-1 program and buy tickets to help us increase Kansas City’s collision density.


Want to improve Kansas City’s collision density before @iKC2013? Contact Think Big Partners to get started!

iKC: The Unconference Tickets Now Available!

We are thrilled to announce that tickets for iKC The Unconference, taking place at H&R Block World Headquarters this October, are now officially on sale! If you’re unfamiliar with an unconference, here’s the brief run-down: an unconference is an open-format conference in order to facilitate activity, conversations and collisions between individuals. Attendees actively create the unconference agenda with the assistance of a skilled facilitator where all the sessions become relevant and engaging.

Unlike like your run-of-the-mill conferences, unconferences adhere to four strict (un)written rules:

1. Whenever it starts is the right time. Whenever it is over, it is over.
2. The people who come are the right people.
3. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened.
4. If you are not learning or contributing, it is your responsibility to use your own two feet to find someplace where you are (The Law of Two Feet).

If you’re seeking great collisions with unexpected results, iKC The Unconference is the event for you. After you’ve purchased your tickets be sure to submit your ideas to the ideascale so you can contribute to an agenda worth your undivided attention.

If you would like to get involved with iKC: The Unconference, consider becoming a sponsor!  Join outstanding supporters like CommunityAmerica, H&R Block, Garmin, Google Fiber, Mazuma Credit Union, Sprint and Park University.  Learn more about sponsorship here. 

Purchase your tickets to iKC: The Unconference right here!

Your Chance to Win 2 Tickets to iKC: The Unconference is Just an Idea Away

By now, you’ve probably heard of iKC: The Unconference, Kansas City’s newly formatted conference on innovation and entrepreneurship.  And if you’ve read anything about iKC: The Unconference, you’ve also probably noticed that it isn’t your typical Kansas City event.  As a matter of fact, we are turning to the Kansas City community to submit ideas and topics that will be covered as sessions during the unconference on October 3.  That’s right--you submit an idea to the idea scale platform and it has the potential of becoming an entire session topic during iKC: The Unconference!

We have received some very interesting submissions so far:  Startup and the Media, How to Podcast, Hiring vs. Contracting, Starting a Company as a Developer, Workplace Productivity and even Cross-generational collaboration.  But we are looking for more great ideas from you, Kansas City!

Submit your idea to iKC: The Unconference before August 1 and you will be entered to win a pair of tickets to iKC (up to a $278.00 value!).  So what are you waiting for?  Submit your topic idea to iKC: The Unconference and enter the chance to join us at the event on October 3. 

SUBMIT HERE!

And be sure to follow iKC: The Unconference on Twitter for more updates! @iKC2013 

Fired up from 1Week KC? The Next Big Entrepreneur Event is On Its Way!

There’s no doubt about it--the second annual 1Week KC event was a huge success.  We saw more innovative collaborations, more networking, and more ideas than any other single week here in Kansas City.  But now we need to focus on what we should do with all of the great ideas we developed during 1Week KC.  That’s where iKC: The Unconference comes into play--it’s the opportunity to take all of the great ideas you’ve generated and turn them into action. 

What is iKC: The Unconference?  

First, allow us to define “unconference” for you.  An unconference is an open format conference that facilitates activity, conversations and collisions between individuals. Attendees actively create the unconference agenda with the assistance of a skilled facilitator where all the sessions become relevant and engaging. 

iKC: The Unconference is unlike any other Kansas City conference you’ve been to before.  iKC is a brand new way to  unite entrepreneurs and innovators in Kansas City and initiate action throughout the community. 

Here’s How It Works!

1. Submit a Topic:  What the day looks like is entirely up to you!  If you have a great idea, submit it to iKC: The Unconference.  Who knows?  An entire session may be built around your idea. 
2. Come to the Unconference: On October 3, join us at iKC: The Unconference and see your ideas come to life!  
3. The Agenda is Created: Based off of your submitted ideas, the iKC agenda will be created.  The morning of the unconference, you will see which ideas become conference topics.

Take Action Now

Unconferences are only as successful as the ideas that people submit for them.  We’re asking you, Kansas City, to submit topic ideas that YOU want to see covered at iKC!  From your submitted topic ideas, we will create the schedule for iKC.  Remember; no idea is too crazy (we’ve already had one submission about nap time increasing productivity!). Submit your ideas here.

Sponsor iKC

iKC is looking for sponsors to become a part of the unconference!  Interested in sponsoring? Click here.

iKC: The Unconference will take place on October 3, 2013 at H&R Block World Headquarters in downtown Kansas City.  Tickets go on sale on August 1.  

Think Big Partners and The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Announce iKC: The Unconference on October 3, 2013

Last year, Think Big Partners and The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce held the very first iKC conference--a day-long even dedicated to Kansas City innovation and entrepreneurship.  We are extremely excited to announce a second iKC conference in the works.  Introducing--iKC: The Unconference! 

iKC: The Unconference is a day-long unconference that will be hosted at H&R Block World Headquarters on October 3, 2013.  The main mission of the unconference is to enable a higher level of “collision density”, the level of collisions made between entrepreneurs, investors and connectors in a single area.  At this time, collision density is 20 times less likely to occur in Kansas City than it is in San Francisco because entrepreneurs, investors and connectors are too spread out geographically.  iKC: The Unconference will solve this issue by uniting a large number of individuals under one roof to turn innovative ideas into actionable items. 

“We’ve seen great success come out of unconferences in cities such as Austin and Boston,” said Sarah Snyder, meeting planner and event organizer at Think Big Partners.  “After seeing firsthand the power of organic community-driven discussions and relevant collaboration, we are eager to bring this refreshing format to Kansas City to help improve the collision density of our community.”

To carry out its mission, iKC will take the form of an unconference.  An unconference is an open-format conference in order to facilitate activity, conversations and collisions between individuals.  iKC: The Unconference asks individuals to submit topic ideas before the conference.  A few days prior to the day of the conference, an agenda will be distributed based off of the submitted topic ideas.  Unconference sessions can take on many different formats including short presentations, group discussions, show and tell, “unpanels” and more.   After the sessions are complete, iKC: The Unconference will host Open Mic Awards in which attendees can publicly award prizes to standout community leaders as well as a networking after-party. 

In addition to the unconference format, iKC will also be hosting a 1-on-1 program for new entrepreneurs.  Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for the 1-on-1 program in order to meet with local, high-level mentors throughout the day of the conference.  To apply for the 1-on-1 program, visit www.ikctheunconference.com.

“In 2011, the KC Chamber launched the Big 5 goal of making Kansas City ‘America’s Most Entrepreneurial City,’ and, since then, there’s been no looking back,” said Jim Heeter, president and chief executive officer of the KC Chamber. “Each of our Big 5 goals for Big KC leverages assets already in place and each has great potential for adding to our regional economy.  iKC supports our vision of gaining global recognition for Kansas City as a premier location for launching and expanding innovative, high-growth companies, and does so in an unconventional way.”

iKC: The Unconference is currently looking for leaders in the Kansas City community to get involved through sponsorship opportunities.  To learn more about these opportunities, please visit www.ikctheunconference.com. 

iKC: The Unconference will take place on October 3, 2013 at H&R Block World Headquarters in downtown Kansas City.  Tickets for the unconference will go on sale August 1, 2013.  To purchase your tickets and learn more about iKC: The Unconference, please visit www.ikctheunconference.com. 

We hope to see you at our first ever unconference in October! Stay tuned...more details will be leaked along the way

Think Big Partners and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Gear Up for the 2nd Annual iKC Conference

First there was Think Big Kansas City.  Then came The Gigabit Challenge.  Then came iKC.  And now, Think Big Partners and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce the next event all about innovation and entrepreneurship—the 2^nd annual iKC conference!

iKC 2012 was one for the books.  The event brought in some of the region’s great innovators, entrepreneurs, startups and corporations together for a day of inspiration and innovation. 

iKC 2013 will be no different.  Get ready to set your creativity, your motivation and your entrepreneurial thinking ablaze for the second year in a row!  The 2^nd annual iKC conference will be hosted in Kansas City in June of 2013. 

More announcements about the upcoming iKC 2013 will be out soon...stay tuned.    

Follow iKC! @iKC_2012