Four takeaways from eMerge Americas that can help Orlando's tech community.
May 03, 2022
With celebrities, city leaders and academia on board,
Miami conference showcases best of the region
Miami conference showcases best of the region
If a tech community is only as good as the events that it throws, then Miami is a damn good one. To watch city officials partner with big business, startups and the community for eMerge Americas in April should only have sparked conversations in communities like Orlando. But, while Orlando certainly has room for an eMerge-like conference to bring its tech scene together, there was still a lot to learn from the speakers and keynotes there. That’s the thing, right? If you are a startup or tech community, one of the most efficient ways to improve is to take lessons from those who are already creating.
That’s what I have always thought, anyway. We attended eMerge with a purpose: to bring back as many lessons we could from the entrepreneurs, celebrities and others who graced the eMerge stage.
Here they are, in no particular order.
The collaboration of industry, city leaders and finance is crucial
One thing that was unmistakable at eMerge was how “all in” everybody from Miami Mayor Francis Suarez to the earliest stage startup was on the community. It’s something I also witnessed as a technology reporter in the Midwest several years back. As we emerge from the pandemic, the energy that has started to make itself known in Orlando is encouraging. Miami’s conference plucked figureheads from entertainment, government, finance and other key industries for one reason: to present a cohesive, strong and consistent message to those in Miami’s tech community. That kind of collaboration only encourages entrepreneurs while they build and grow their companies. I am looking forward to help foster that kind of cohesiveness in Orlando as conferences return.
Be industry agnostic in supporting Orlando tech
At 302 Interactive, the majority of the work has to do with augmented reality and emerging technologies. However, company leaders regularly mingle and collaborate on Orlando tech initiatives with people in app development, drone technology and other industries that have any sort of presence in Orlando. That has to be the approach if Orlando hosts any tech-based events. Keep in mind the industries we are strong in but also see if any opportunities exist to showcase perhaps a smaller sector that we have businesses in.
When you look at eMerge, you saw small startups land stage discussions because they happen to be in data and artificial intelligence. The strategy appeared to be to showcase variety while emphasizing strengths. The results were an image of Miami that goes beyond its already perceived strength of blockchain-related technology. That’s how you start to diversify an ecosystem.
Leverage our education system and schools
Leverage our education system and schools
There was hardly a panel at eMerge Americas that did not mention the talent pipeline coming from University of Miami, Florida International University or Everglades University. I’m assuming that was no accident. A tech ecosystem, frankly, can only go as far as its pipeline will take it. Sure, for now, businesses have their workforce but down the road, experts have said we must prepare for a talent shortage. This isn’t a minor issue, either. Up and down the board, the talent has been slow to come for those in coding, data science, artificial intelligence and others. In Orlando, we have the second-largest university in the country in University of Central Florida. Full Sail University represents a very tech-driven school that regularly produces talent in entertainment with skills now used in most sectors. Add in a handful of colleges like DAVE School and UCF’s graduate program FIEA that focus on video game development and you have an environment that has been pumping up a tech workforce for years. That’s a good feather to have in our hat and we need to work diligently to both showcase that talent and build a community that they want to stay in after graduation.
Miami and Tampa are our friends, to an extent
I’m not about to start a regional conflict here, I promise. The limited time I have spent in Miami has been great and I have spent a lot more time in Tampa because of its proximity to Orlando. However, one thing I have spoken to Orlando tech leaders about casually is how much more advanced Miami and Tampa are in terms of organizing the tech community and pushing their narrative cohesively.
At eMerge Americas, we had a front-row seat to a tech community that has been doing everything right.
Collaboration. Cooperation. Energy.
Those are some of the more base ingredients of a thriving ecosystem. If I’m a tech worker just jumping into the workforce and I see that, it might be enough to clinch my decision of moving to Miami rather than staying here, where we still pitch Walt Disney World and other entertainment venues as our advantage. Tampa’s energy has been high for years.
Orlando needs to find that energy, match it and make sure it revolves around the industries we have here, which are some of the more exciting industries out there in 2022.
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