Gateway to Innovation (G2I), the St. Louis area’s preeminent technology conference which donates net proceeds to a variety of technology needs, is approaching $2 million in cumulative community giveback. That milestone is within reach thanks to record-setting attendance by approximately 1,500 technology professionals at America’s Center Convention Center complex in downtown St. Louis Thursday April 25.
Initial 2019 giveback contributions included a $20,000 check presented at the conference to Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis, an amount that was matched twice by other benefactors creating a $60,000 impact for the non-profit.
Cardinals Care received $12,500 in G2I giveback, which was presented to St. Louis Cardinals Vice President and General Manager Michael Girsch, who spoke at the G2I VIP reception April 24. The remainder of the 2019 community giveback proceeds will be awarded at a special ceremony in the coming weeks.
Between 2006 and 2018 the conference contributed $1,679,951 to 56 organizations, awarded 62 individual scholarships, endowed six scholarship funds, supported numerous STEM initiatives, and funded other technology needs for the region.
“G2I community giveback is made possible through conference registration fees, plus critical corporate and vendor support,” said 2019 Gateway to Innovation Conference Chair Jill Rausch of WWT Asynchrony Labs. “We are committed to developing our region’s technology ecosystem. G2I gets bigger and better each year, which only increases the positive impact we can deliver.”
Renowned keynote speakers Alison Levine (On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from Mount Everest and other Extreme Environments), Boaz Rauchwerger (The Tiberias Transformation – How To Change Your Life In Less Than 8 Minutes A Day), and Kai Kight (Composing Your World) highlighted the one-day conference. G2I also featured 30 break-out sessions on pressing issues facing technology and information technology.
The conference planning committee also announced that the 14th Gateway to Innovation Conference will be April 23, 2020 at the America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis.
About Gateway to Innovation: Gateway to Innovation is the premier annual collaboration and networking event for IT Professionals in the St. Louis region. Gateway to Innovation inspires innovation through premier educational opportunities led by the industry’s top leaders, provides an opportunity to share best practices and fosters collaboration with colleagues who face challenges and opportunities in our fast-paced industry. Since the first event in 2006, Gateway to Innovation has donated $1,679,951 for IT scholarships and for technology-related grants to St. Louis area educational and non-profit organizations. More information can be found at http://www.g2iconference.com or by contacting Kristin Tucker at 314-276-7600.