Vermont Business Magazine The inaugural Maker Places Conference in Burlington last week involved over 40 attendees, ranging from local makers to representatives of towns and cities across the state of Vermont. Even a couple from Sydney Australia attended, so they could learn how to build a maker space in their community. Others attended from Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. There were tours of Burlington’s makerspaces, numerous workshops led by invited speakers, a showing of a Maker-centric film and three outstanding keynote speakers.
“This was a great outcome for the first year,” said organizing director, Doug Webster. “We’re already looking forward to what next year’s conference will bring. I am pleased the conference included important topics on how making addresses education, economic development and our emerging opiate crisis."
Keynote speaker Peter Hirshberg attracted the largest audience of the conference, speaking on Maker Cities Tuesdaymorning. His presentation “The Maker City: Invitation to Innovation” reinforced the main themes of the event and the Maker Movement at large. “Makers believe they can do stuff,” he said, “They wake up and just believe they can do stuff.” Other Keynotes included Scott Bailey of Mass Challenge, an organization that promotes business startups, and Steve Cremer of FIRST Robotics, who discussed the culture needed to create and innovate.
The Maker Places Conference was part of the larger Maker Movement that is thriving in Vermont. The next event is the Champlain Mini Maker Faire that will happen on September 24 and September 25. To learn more about the Champlain Mini Maker Faire and to get involved, visit www.champlainmakerfaire.com.