At last year's inaugural Ad Astra Technology Summit in Wichita, speakers emphasized the opportunity for Kansas to be bold in striving to become a technology industry leader.
In year two, the summit itself is walking the walk.
FlagshipKansas.Tech, the locally-based technology council behind the event, announced Wednesday that Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Wozniak will be the featured speaker at this fall's conference.
The summit is set for Oct. 2 at Woolsey Hall and Koch Arena on the Wichita State University campus.
"I think this is going to be the biggest technology event that the state has seen," said Luis Rodriguez, FlagshipKansas.Tech's immediate past chair, who will be moderating a fireside chat with Wozniak.
"When we all think of Apple, we think of Steve Jobs, but there is zero Apple without Steve Wozniak," Rodriguez said.
As it did in year one, the Ad Astra Technology Summit aims to bring startup entrepreneurs, industry leaders, government officials and educators from across Kansas together to learn, explore and discuss current issues across the tech landscape.
Landing an industry legend as a speaker is not the only notable change for the summit this year.
After last year featured events at Riverfront Stadium, as well as breakout sessions across downtown, 2023's daytime conference takes place at a single location, the new Woolsey Hall, from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The summit then moves to Koch Arena, where there will be an evening technology awards ceremony followed by Wozniak's chat with Rodriguez, the former Keycentrix president, that will include the opportunity for audience questions.
Arena doors open at 5 p.m and there will be more than 6,000 seats available, Rodriguez said.
Tickets start at $60, with sales expected to go live later this month. Those interested can go to the summit's website to sign up for early ticket access.
Rodriguez said the event will likely be in high demand — not only for locals but for those across Kansas — so he encouraged people to buy tickets early.
"Midwesterners are really good about buying tickets a few weeks before the event — except if it's Taylor Swift," he said. "We're literally going to have the Taylor Swift of technology in our city and our state. So you should probably not count on buying the tickets in late September. You should just do it when tickets go for sale."
Rodriguez said Wozniak will not only talk about his time at Apple, but also issues of the day, including artificial intelligence.
"I am excited to support the FlagshipKansas.Tech mission through this event, which represents a vital gathering of some of the most exciting people in the Kansas technology sector," said Wozniak, who has been a technology entrepreneur and philanthropist for more than four decades, in a news release. "I look forward to the fruitful discussions that will no doubt emerge from it.”
Rodriguez said FlagshipKansas.Tech knew it wanted to go bigger with the summit in its second year and saw Wozniak as a great fit based, not only on his Apple experience, but his personality and interest in education.
"First, he is an incredibly kind, gentle human that aligns with our Midwestern values," Rodriguez said. "He's got high energy. He's super brilliant, but he also feels like one of us."
Those purchasing tickets for the daytime conference — which has a capacity of 300 — will automatically be able to attend the evening event. There will also be an opportunity for the public to buy tickets for just the evening awards ceremony and keynote.
Ad Astra's website includes additional information on sponsorships and nominations for the awards, which include Tech Educator of the Year, Tech Student of the Year, Tech Visionary of the Year, Tech Community Innovator of the Year and Tech Start-up of the Year.
Sponsorship options include the chance for a VIP Wozniak book signing, and Rodriguez said FlagshipKansas.Tech is looking for "like-minded organizations to join up, sponsor and help us pull off this event."
Additional details on sessions and other speakers will be announced later this summer.
Educators who attend the summit — which will include apprenticeship programs, industry panels and a focus on digital skills development — can receive a full continuing education credit, which is included in the cost of admission.
"This one-day event is not just a conference; it's a platform for innovation and collaboration," said Larisa Genin, dean of WSU's Barton School of Business, in the release.
Rodriguez said he expects a big showing from Wichita and the state this fall.
"I am optimistic that our community will show up and send the message across the country that we are brilliant business and technology professionals and technology educators, because that's what our community needs," he said.
