"We believe that technology is transforming the way we work, live and relate: only if you understand technology can you take advantage of the opportunities it creates." (Tech Open Air 2019)
"We make you future-proof" was slapped onto every TOA poster across the city and became the recognized slogan for this year's conference. It sounds like another buzzword in the tech industry, but at its root, it refers to the fact that technology is rapidly evolving and that people and companies need to be on top of the trends before they fall behind.
TOA Makes You #FutureProof
When I chose to work for Tech Open Air, I was aware that I wouldn't be working at the typical kind of tech company I had originally aimed for. However, I knew that this would provide me with the most exposure to the entire tech industry as a whole. The Tech Open Air conference provides the perfect space for everyone from students to CEOs to come together and network. As the marketing intern, I had the opportunity to roam around the event and share the highlights on social media, so I truly got a taste of the entire festival. Over 100 speakers attended the event and shared their insights from their personal backgrounds working at influential companies. Topics ranged from education in AI to sustainability to diversity in tech and so much more.
After the event, it became clear to me that the conference is for more than making connections and promoting your own business. It's about understanding how changes in technology are pushing us towards a new world and how we can be conscious about the work that we do. Tech Open Air might not be changing the world itself, but it creates a space for change-makers to gather and discuss their latest ideas. I know I'm not the only one who left the conference feeling motivated and inspired, and that's exactly how everyone should feel in order to tackle their next business ventures.
With that, I’d like to end with a quote from Charles Darwin: “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.” Adaptation is the key to keep up with a quickly-changing industry such as tech — Tech Open Air provides its attendees with the tools to learn and adapt.