Organizers of the Summerfest music festival are adding new programming to its annual technology showcase, which preludes the weeks-long concert series.
In addition to bringing back a pitch competition, programming this year will include a stop from the Dell Technologies Tour, where the company showcases its computer and digital products from a 53-foot expandable trailer, more breakout sessions and a hackathon organized by The Commons, an entrepreneurial skills accelerator for college students in southeast Wisconsin that's an initiative of the Greater Milwaukee Committee.
The two-day showcase, now in its third year, will be held June 23-24. A full schedule with locations for events associated with Summerfest Tech will be announced in the spring.
“By leveraging the Summerfest brand to showcase technology, Summerfest Tech champions the regional business community and spotlights Wisconsin’s growing reputation as a tech hub,” Don Smiley, president and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, which runs Summerfest, said in a statement. “From STEM education partners, to advanced manufacturing CIO participation, all levels of business and technology are invited to participate in this growing initiative.”
Topics to be discussed this year will include venture capital, health care, water technology, and hiring and recruitment. Mike Ellis, chief digital and customer officer at Johnson Controls will deliver a keynote presentation.
Last year's event included a keynote from Dell vice president Dennis Hoffman and a question and answer session with Grammy-nominated music producer Steve Aoki.
Prize money and judges for the pitch competition, which is being sponsored by an area accounting and consulting firm and produced by Startup Wisconsin, will also be announced at a later date.
