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May 8, 2018
By Jamie DeMent
Images of Hammer pants and sporks appear on the Dig South Conference’s main stage as the emcee asks the question: “Are you relevant?”
I think, “What am I doing stay relevant?” Big existential question spurred by a spork, so to better process it, I narrow the scope to:
“How can I help support Charleston growing tech and startup community?” Whew, that’s better.
I love attending Dig South because it provides the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with local tech companies and I can ask, Why Charleston for tech? or How are you recruiting tech talent?
But I also get the opportunity to meet a lot of companies, entrepreneurs, and talent I didn’t know landed/started here.
It’s inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and get to know more about Charleston’s tech community – go to tech meet ups, attend pitch competitions – and find new ways to answer the question of Why Charleston for tech? No, I can’t speak fluently about blockchain, but I do want to know who in our community can. Maybe you do too?
So, I’m sharing my takeaways on how I want to stay relevant by supporting Charleston tech.
SUPPORT. LEARN. SHARE.
SUPPORT: Attend local entrepreneurial events to support these new age pioneers in their dreams to start their own innovative business. I’m ready to get my mind bent if not blown.
Example:
https://www.1millioncups.com/charleston
http://www.harborec.com/
https://www.startupgrind.com/charleston/
LEARN: Attend meetups/events NOT in my wheelhouse. A cybersecurity meetup or a bitcoin happy hour – to try and broaden my knowledge in the sector to help me connect with different people in a variety of sector niches.
Example:
https://www.meetup.com/Charleston-Women-In-Tech/
https://www.facebook.com/AFCEALowcountry/
https://refreshcharleston.com/
SHARE: Share stories about the growing tech community not only in the market but nationally to help tell the story of innovation and creation happening in Charleston.
Example:
Become a Charleston Open Source Digital Ambassador
http://www.charlestonopensource.com/digital-ambassadors/
Follow Charleston Digital Corridor on social media for up to date local tech news
https://www.charlestondigitalcorridor.com/
Follow and use the hashtag #CHSTECH!
It is an exciting time to live and work in Charleston’s tech community – with 250+ companies and 11k+ employees – it’s an even more exciting time to SUPPORT. LEARN. SHARE. with the region’s tech community. Please join me! And if you have an event, group, or meetup you want Charleston Open Source to promote, please email [email protected].
Contact Us:
Jamie DeMent | Marketing Services Manager
843.760.4522 | [email protected]
[email protected] or call us at +1 843.767.9300