Detroit is a city in transition and the FutureMidwest conference is intent on showcasing what is possible. Billed as “the region’s largest digital business conference,” this two-day event featured a variety of speakers that work in the digital space. From venture capitalists to web start-ups, the program featured many frank, practical, and hopeful lectures on business and how it can change the city.
All speakers centered on the five principles set by FutureMidwest, which include:

• Integrated marketing
• User experience
• Mobile
• Business Intelligence/Analytics
• Regional growth

Topics included everything from digital privacy to ways to improve in marketing campaigns. This year the conference took place at Eastern Market in Detroit. Although an unlikely venue, the ample space allowed attendants to wander and mingle.
The variety and scope of topics discussed gave everyone a lot to think about. Below are a few videos from the event:



The evening session, Funded By Night, featured many web-based start-ups looking to secure funding. Each company presented their product demo and competed for a chance at $100,000. This year, mobile app Gumshoe, won the prize. It was impressive to see all the creative ideas put on display. As a passerby commented, “You don’t see this type of creativity in the valley.”
The conference is put on by FutureMidwest Innovations, which has a variety of initiatives that promote the region, such as Accelerate:Detroit and Lemonade:Detroit. Although still in it’s infancy (this is it’s third year), the conference has been growing each year and will continue to do so. The future is in your hands Detroit.
Photo: Deborah Edwards-Onoro