We sat down with Ashley Scheideman, executive director of FalgshipKansas.Tech, to talk about their upcoming Ad Astra Technology Summit on 9/12. FlagshipKansas.Tech is one of the longest-serving members at Groover Labs, and we love having them in the building. Read below to learn more!

What is the Ad Astra Technology Summit?

Our Ad Astra Technology Summit is a day to connect the tech industry with education. It’s the perfect opportunity to join the brightest minds in Kansas tech and education to propel our technology industry forward. Anyone interested in Kansas tech education, tech business and workforce development is invited to attend.

We’ll have 3 tracks: Education, Workforce Development and Business/Entrepreneurs. It all kicks off at Riverfront Stadium, then attendees will board party busses and be taken to 3 different locations in downtown Wichita for 4 robust sessions and lunch at each location, then back to Riverfront for the awards ceremony and networking happy hours.

The tech summit is an all-day event on Monday, September 12. What should people who are thinking about attending but haven't taken that final step know?  

There’s something for everyone at Summit. Some of the key takeaways will include strategies to attract and retain tech talent in Kansas, workforce training and digital literacy initiatives, teaching methods and partnership with higher-ed for computational thinking in primary and secondary classrooms, investing, AWS for startups, and more. Plus it’s affordable. Only $35 for educators and FlagshipKansas members, and $45 for everyone else.

It’s important that educators and industry representatives have the opportunity to connect and discuss needs for the next generation workforce. And for educators, they can receive up to one credit hour of continuing education through WSU for attending.

Why hold a statewide tech summit?

FlagshipKansas.tech is a statewide organization focused on raising awareness for the tech sector, building a robust workforce pipeline and supporting educational programs for tech across the state. There are some amazing things happening in tech in all parts of our state, and it’s important to bring everyone together to talk about them. By spreading the knowledge of what innovation is taking place in all parts of the state, we will continue to elevate Kansas as a tech hub and a place where the tech industry can thrive.

The segment about the Ad Astra Technology Summit was the most-read from our last newsletter. Why do you think that is?

People are eager to learn more about what’s going on in the tech world in Kansas. Tech is a part of our everyday lives, and the opportunity to learn from and connect with some of the brightest tech minds in Kansas at an affordable cost is appealing.

What does FlagshipKansas.Tech have in store for the rest of the year?

We are rolling out a new Registered Apprenticeship Program for our members. It’s a great way to recruit and fill those open tech positions that many companies are facing right now. Plus, there’s a financial incentive for companies alng with help from each apprentice’s education.

We’ll also have a Community Skills Initiative campaign helping all Kansas communities upskill their residents through free, online training for job seekers and help them navigate paths to in-demand careers.

Fantastic! Thank you, Ashley. And good luck with the Ad Astra Technology Summit. To learn more or to get tickets, click here.