The Alexa Conference has found a major sponsor in Chattanooga's utility provider, EPB.
The Alexa Conference, set to take place in January in Chattanooga, draws hundreds of attendees from around the world.
"EPB has played a central role in Chattanooga's story as a technology-oriented city," Bradley Metrock, producer of The Alexa Conference, said. "EPB's partnership with The Alexa Conference demonstrates a continued level of commitment to Chattanooga's evolution."
Hodgen Mainda, who leads community development for EPB Fiber Optics, says sponsoring the Alexa Conference is an opportunity to showcase Chattanooga's community-wide gig-speed network.
"EPB is proud to sponsor the Alexa Conference because we want to help cultivate thought leaders, developers and entrepreneurs who are focused on the rapidly growing voice-enabled technology industry," Mainda said. "When Chattanooga became the Gig City a few years ago, part of our vision was to offer our community-wide network as a living laboratory for new technologies. Hosting the Alexa Conference is an incredible opportunity for us to join with those who are on the cutting-edge of one of the technologies that is accelerating the development of the Internet-of-Things."
EPB will lead a tour of the city of Chattanooga, in partnership with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau, allowing tech talent attending The Alexa Conference to see all that the city offers. Additionally, The Alexathon, a competition to develop an Alexa skill in a short period of time during The Alexa Conference, will now be branded "The Alexathon, Powered By EPB."
"We're excited the Alexa Conference chose Chattanooga, and we're looking forward to hosting entrepreneurs and developers who are using voice-enabled tech to grow the innovation economy," Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke, said. "Through our ultra, high-speed internet and the work of our Innovation District leaders, Chattanooga is letting the world know we're a place for innovation. The Alexa Conference is a great opportunity for visiting businesses as well as exposure for Chattanoogans who want to work for or build the next great tech company."
The Alexa Conference takes place in Chattanooga January 17-20, 2018. More information, such as the speaker lineup and registration information, can be found at www.AlexaConference.com.