Conference attendees donned custom designer apparel
OLIVEBRIDGE – Technologists from New York City and beyond visited the Ashokan Center this weekend for the first ever “Catskills Conf” sponsored by the Ulster County Economic Development Alliance, AT&T New York and Evolving Media Network.
The conference hosted presentations from leading professionals in a myriad of technology-driven fields, featured group activities unique to Ashokan such as blacksmithing and nature walks, as well as musical performances, initiating many opportunities for the diverse group of tech professionals to interact. Talks varied from Dennis Crowley of foursquare.com who spoke on start-up life, to Associate Professor at OCAD University Kate Hartman’s demonstration of innovative wearable technology.
Dan Stone, co-founder of Catskills Conf, said they were looking to create a different experience from the many other annual tech conferences and believes it has been a success.
“It’s been really great; we felt a little bit experimental about mixing a lot of the topics from the conference with a lot of the activities we’ve been doing but, it’s really been a great mix of people,” said Stone. “The highlight has really been the people who have come. I think people have really enjoyed themselves and have really had a lot of exposure to this region in a way that maybe they wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
Christian Bovine, a visiting user experience/ digital web professional, had nothing but good things to say about his experience at the conference.
“It was an amazing mixture of technology, art and amazing things that are happening upstate and they just did a beautiful job of, basically, blending all that together in one amazing weekend,” said Bovine.
Dennis Crowley said although he has been to many different tech conferences, this one has stood out to him.
“Overall, I mean I’ve been to a lot of different tech conferences and this one is very unique in that it feels very Hudson Valley; it feels very Catskills,” said Crowley. “There were a couple talks in the morning and then there was all these interesting activities you could do in the afternoon; we went foraging; some people went blacksmithing. There was a lot of fun things to do here; it’s been great so far.”
Crowley, who frequently visits the Catskill area, added that he would not be surprised if the conference grows two, or even three, times the size it was this year by next year based on his experience.
