GRAND RAPIDS – Gone are the days of real and digital worlds

standing apart. Connection is the name of the game: organizations can operate

in both or exist in neither. Through a half-day conference on May 20, West

Michigan business leaders will explore the possibilities of a world where

everything – from what we eat to what we watch and how we share – is connected.

“The Connection Message” is a collaborative project brought

to you by AdFed, AMA West Michigan and aimWest. From creative elements and

messaging through technology, measurement and strategy, attendees will

experience in-depth exploration of how marketing efforts are planned, created,

displayed, measured and analyzed. Industry professionals of all positions are encouraged

to attend.

MITechNews.Com Editor and Publisher Mike Brennan will be

there to cover this event and hear your story ideas for www.mitechnews.com

Speakers

Alexandra Gonzalez, Google

Her current role focuses on AdWords. She works with small & medium sized

businesses and her expertise falls in the advertising/marketing sphere. She has

expertise in digital marketing, mobile marketing, getting your business online

(branding, creating a website, using site analytics), and Google advertising

products (AdWords, Analytics, YouTube).

Al Juarez, Gelo

Juarez makes Beacon & Sensor Tracking Hardware/Software, that transmits

Bluetooth signals to mobile apps that bring to the screen anything from retail

promotions to worksite orders to details of museum art and outdoor exhibits.

Beacon-triggered mobile communication technology is now being used in

industries ranging from retailing and marketing to construction, mining and

trucking.

Al is a Partner and Vice President of Sales, Marketing &

Business Development of Gelo. He was also the Regional Market Development

Planner for Amway Global in South America, a Financial Analyst for Aeroquip Automotive

North America and has helped launch several Michigan companies including

coreFenix, a company that translates big data into meaningful insight and

usable analytics.

Amanda Chocko, Seamless & Start Garden

Chocko is the Director of the Seamless IoT Accelerator, which runs out of the

Grand Rapids venture capital firm, Start Garden. Seamless is a consortium of

enterprises seeking IoT startups in healthcare, automotive, retail, workplace

and smart home.

In addition to managing Seamless, Amanda’s other roles at

Start Garden include engaging with startup communities around the state,

recruiting startups and partners, program development and event planning.

Co-currently with her work at Start Garden, she played a large role in the

organization of 6 Grand Rapids Startup Weekends, 3 Michigan Lean Startup

Conferences and other various meetups and events.

Andy Kemp, AddThis

Kemp has worked in digital media for over ten years helping corporations

of all sizes plan and execute ROI driven strategies online. Prior to working in

digital media, specifically, Andy worked at two holding company level

advertising agencies in the Detroit area, BBDO and JWT respectively, where he

learned how companies such as Ford Motor Company and Chrysler go to market with

new product launches. Andy currently oversees the Midwest region for AddThis as

Vice President of Sales out of their Troy, MI office.

To register, click on www.aimwest.org