CEDAR RAPIDS, IA-FEBRUARY 15, 2011 – The EclecTech Society, a new group of professional and enthusiast Iowa technologists, is pleased to announce its inaugural event, an evening discussion about “Building Mobile Apps,” featuring speakers that include the developers of some of the most popular apps on the Apple iTunes App Store. Co-hosted with the Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC), a Cedar Rapids-based business accelerator, the event will take place on February 22 at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids, IA.
The “Building Mobile Apps” event is a technical forum for budding and current mobile developers to network, exchange ideas, and learn from presentations by experienced developers, says EclecTech Society Co-founder, Karl Becker. “Whether you have an idea for the next great app but don’t know how to make it a reality, or you already have created an app, this event is the place to both meet experienced entrepreneurial developers in the Eastern Iowa area and learn from some well-known developers.”
Becker added, “We contacted EDC to assist us in reaching out to a broader audience of technologists. This event is a great first step in taking the group to the next level. This is an exciting opportunity for local technologists to be exposed to today’s leading mobile app developers.”
The developer speakers include:
- David Frampton, Wellington, New Zealand: developer of Chopper 2 for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, featured on Gizmodo, Touch Arcade, TUAW, and other major tech news outlets
- John Haney, Chicago, IL: developer of Flashlight, one of the most popular free utilities on the iTunes App Store
- Wil Shipley, San Francisco, CA: developer of Delicious Monster, the inspiration for the user interface behind Apple’s iBooks app
- Karl Becker, Cedar Rapids, IA: developer of Car Care, featured in MacWorld, The New York Times, and Edmunds
- Steven Mitchell, Iowa City, IA: University of Iowa graduate and developer of Memorize Words, a popular vocabulary builder app utilizing the Spaced Repetition algorithm that understands – and adapts to – how the user learns
The speakers, both live and virtual, will discuss what it takes to bring a mobile application from idea to success on the app store. Though speakers are most familiar with the iTunes App Store, anyone interested in Android or Windows Phone should also attend and ask questions.
“This group represents the kind of innovative thinking and collaboration our area needs to embrace,” said Josie Heskje, VP of Marketing for EDC. “EDC is pleased to provide this networking opportunity to foster mobile application development in Iowa. Getting these developers together in one room could have significant impact on the commercialization of new technologies.”
The EclecTech Society began as an informal group of mobile developers meeting monthly in Iowa City. The informal group has already inspired members to organize their own entrepreneurial endeavors, so the next logical steps were to broaden the geographic area, and to broaden the focus from mobile development to other topics.
While first event, “Building Mobile Apps,” is focused on mobile technology, future events will cover other areas where technology applies; sustainable and green tech, electronic and distance learning trends, website development topics, among other relevant topics.
Event details
When: Tuesday, February 22 from 7 pm to 9 pm
Where: Kirkwood Center for Continuing Education
7725 Kirkwood Blvd. SW Cedar Rapids 52404
Cost: Free (includes light appetizers and beverages)
RSVP: Space is limited. Visit www.eclectechsociety.org to register.
About EclecTech Society
The EclecTech Society is dedicated to building a community of regional talent in the Midwest with a range of technical interests. Both professionals and enthusiasts are encouraged to join. For more details, visit www.eclectechsociety.org. Follow the EclecTech Society on Twitter: http://twitter.com/eclectechsoc
About EDC
The Entrepreneurial Development Center was incorporated in 2003 as a community-sponsored, non-profit business accelerator. The company provides economic growth through the development and expansion of entrepreneurial enterprises and has successfully assisted over 400 Iowa-headquartered businesses. Its focus is on creating local wealth for area re-investment by growing and cultivating regional, national, and international businesses at all stages-from start up to mature.
