This month was the second edition of Connected Gabrovo. It sure was a new experience for us. We want to take a moment to reflect on the event, share our vision for the future, and express our gratitude to those who made it all possible.
Following through on our promise
When we first envisioned the Connected Gabrovo event series, our goal was to create a recurring forum where like-minded people could come together to discuss ideas, share concerns, and build an IoT community here in the city of Gabrovo. With this latest iteration, Connected Gabrovo: Back to School Hackathon, we aimed to follow through on that original promise. We aimed to cultivate an IoT community in the heart of Gabrovo, a place where innovation and collaboration could flourish. This event was not just a one-time gathering; it was a step towards making this promise a reality.
The unexpected challenge: Hackathon hesitation
We anticipated that Gabrovo’s tech-savvy community would embrace the idea of a hackathon with open arms. However, we were surprised by the initial lack of interest. We suspect some may have felt intimidated by the “hackathon” branding. It may have sounded too technical and grandiose, scaring away potential participants who may have been nervous about the format. Have we set the bar too high? While this initial hesitation was unexpected, it gave us valuable insights into the perceptions and expectations of our community. We realized that moving forward, we needed to communicate the inclusive and collaborative spirit of the event more clearly to dispel any misconceptions.
Gratitude to our partners: Youth center Gabrovo
In the face of these challenges, we found incredible support from our partners at Youth center Gabrovo. They provided us with the space to host the event and showed unwavering enthusiasm and belief in our mission. Without their support, Connected Gabrovo would not have been possible. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Youth center Gabrovo for their generosity and commitment to the Gabrovo IoT community. Their trust in us empowers us to continue our journey towards creating a thriving hub for IoT enthusiasts.
Continuing our efforts
The road to building a vibrant IoT community in Gabrovo may have had some unexpected twists and turns, but we remain resolute in our commitment. Our goal is to continue working diligently to make Connected Gabrovo a safe innovation harbor. A place where all members of the IoT community can find inspiration, collaboration, and growth. We will learn from our experiences and adapt our approach to ensure that our events are more approachable, engaging, and in line with the needs of our community. We encourage you to share your thoughts and suggestions with us, as we are determined to evolve and create a welcoming environment for everyone interested in IoT.
Connected Gabrovo is not just an event; it’s a journey toward building a solid and connected IoT community in Gabrovo. Together with the support of our partners, the enthusiasm of our attendees, and the dedication of our organizing team, we are confident that we can achieve our vision.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. We look forward to welcoming you to our future events as we continue to grow and strengthen the IoT community in Gabrovo. Stay connected, stay innovative, and let’s build a brighter future together.