Network, Learn, Innovate…and Eat!

Those were certainly common themes at the conference in Dearborn, Michigan last week. Zuken Innovation World Americas kicked off our series of ZIW events taking place around the globe now through September.

Held in the Motor City, the event drew record attendance and rave reviews. We started with an inspiring keynote on Innovation from Josh Linkner, which was the perfect way to get everyone ready for the two full days of sessions to follow.

The sessions covered topics from product roadmaps to customer use studies, to tips and tricks and everything in between. The more popular sessions were delivered by partners and actual users. We love it when we’re able to share stories about how customers use our software to design and deliver innovative products.

Hands-on Experience

Between sessions and during lunch attendees visited exhibitor and Zuken product showcase tables where they could sit down with experts to learn more about our software and partner offerings. Besides the networking and munching opportunities, there were exciting displays to see and try including the newest 4K tablets from Panasonic and the Grand Prix racecar from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, both designed using our tools.

We introduced a conference app this year, partly as a way to cut back on our paper usage, but mainly as an innovative way to quickly distribute information and provide digital networking opportunities. By replacing the printed program booklets and session surveys with the app, we were able to put information at the attendees’ fingertips and even update on the fly if needed.

Dessert Anyone?

I’ve covered the Networking, Learning and Innovating, which was all exceptional, but the real buzz was about was the eating! Food seems to bring people together and get them talking, whether it’s sitting down to a leisurely meal, or having a quick chat over coffee. And speaking of coffee…with every coffee break came and assortment of tasty treats, some sweet, some savory, but all delicious. Topping my list were the lemon tarts!

And the eating didn’t stop…the closing dinner took place at The Henry Ford Museum where we had the chance to explore for the evening. So between wandering around cars, locomotives and other pieces of American history, we ate more. The local Michigan fare which included samplings of North Peak brews, Sanders hot fudge and Faygo floats is not something anyone will soon forget!

Moving On

Zuken Innovation World moved to Ulm, Germany last week, on to Coventry, England later this week and then across Europe. Visit our event page for a complete list of dates and locations. While you might not get the same incredible lemon tarts or Michigan wavy cake in France, I can assure you that you’ll find plenty of other reasons to attend. I hope we’ll see you there!

To see the pictures from the Americas conference, visit our Facebook page.