It seems we just finished hosting the recent Ed Tech Business Forum on November 29-30 in New York City (www.edtechbusinessforum.net) and we are already in the midst of planning the next Ed Tech Industry Summit in San Francisco. (www.edtechindustrysummit.net) Since I have been asked frequently about the differences in the two conferences, this seems like a good time to explain them.
Differences. The key difference is that the Ed Tech Business Forum is focused on the business and finance side of the ed tech industry, with the attendees typically being C-level executives focused on growing company revenues and profits, along with strategic investors and venture capitalists interested in growing their portfolios.
The Ed Tech Industry Summit focuses on ALL sides of an ed tech business: sales & marketing, business & finance, and technical & development. Therefore the attendees come from senior and exec staff looking at enhancing their product lines, fine-tuning their sales and marketing efforts, and growing their entire company.
Another key distinction is that the Ed Tech Industry Summit includes the annual CODIE Awards Program and Dinner. (www.siia.net/codies/2011/) We announce winners among the finalist products in the 25 Education Categories. New this year we will award the winners of the six education super categories. We will present the third Ed Tech Impact award to an individual with a high level of accomplishments and contributions to the education technology industry.
Similarities. Both conferences have a full K-20 focus so there are sessions and keynotes that address elementary, secondary and postsecondary markets. Both conferences host the Innovation Incubator Program and the infamous One-to-One Business Connections Program.
Both conferences are open to senior management teams from within the ed tech industry whether the company is an SIIA member or not. We do, however, give significant discounts on the registration fees to our members. At both conferences, you will meet education software companies, platform technology firms, solution providers and distributors, publishers, those in the financial community.
Bottom line. SIIA would, of course, like your company to attend both conferences. But whether you select just one or both, I can guarantee you will be glad you participated and will see the ROI of attending.
Karen Billings, VP Education, SIIA