Scottsdale gears up for DesTechAZ

Technology continues to find its roots in Arizona, not only attracting startups and already-established companies looking to expand their operations, but the likes of entertainment superstars and Silicon Valley elite. In fact, heavy hitters in those respective areas are coming together to show support and shine a light on the future of tech in a number of industries right here in Arizona.

DesTechAZ, held on October 11 at the JW Marriott Camelback resort in Scottsdale, will be a day filled with all things tech. From innovation to discussions, blockchain to education, DesTechAZ will aim to highlight the direction tech is going in multiple industries. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of a little garage startup called Apple and Woz U—his company that intends to change how tech education is offered—will be on hand to speak at the event along with Armando Christian Perez, more commonly known as the rapper Pitbull.

Perez, who opened his own charter school in the fall of 2013, is putting an emphasis on blockchain innovation in the music industry. Last month, the Miami rapper hosted a month-long coding competition, inviting tech-savvy participants from around the world (they don’t call him Mr. Worldwide for nothing) to disrupt the music industry in terms of funding and generating revenue in the age of digital streaming.

The winner of the competition, a Singapore-based crowdfunding startup platform named HyperValence, which aims at allowing fans to support emerging artists by buying digital collectibles, will be present at the event alongside Perez and Wozniak, who both are speaking at DesTechAZ.

“DesTechAZ develops an atmosphere for attendees to collaborate on ideas and learn from leaders in the tech space with their viewpoints on the latest strategies being implemented in industry,” says Shelly Murphy, CEO of Woz U Foundation. “Not only will the evening be about innovation and technology, it will also be about giving back. In partnership with the Woz U Foundation, the proceeds raised from this event will help the foundation fund technology initiatives for schoolchildren and future outreach.”

Phoenix is quickly becoming a preferred destination for venture capitalists, business leaders and innovators to come together to focus on the development of technology in multiple industries. Events like DesTechAZ are only helping to boost that idea.

“Arizona is on its way to becoming the next hub for the technology industry with innovative start-ups and well-regarded tech companies coming to Arizona to utilize the deep talent pool in the workforce throughout the state,” says Murphy.

To learn more information about this event, visit destechaz.com