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Kansas' Biggest Tech Event

Ad Astra Tech Summit

Workforce Pathway to Possible: How Goodland Tech is Revitalizing Western Kansas

About the Session

Join us for an eye-opening session as we delve into the remarkable journey of Goodland Tech, a beacon of innovation and economic growth in Western Kansas. As communities grapple with the need to diversify their economic ecosystems, Goodland Tech serves as an inspiring case study.

Part 1: The Goodland Tech Story

Discover the inception, challenges, and triumphs of Goodland Tech, a startup that leveraged its roots in the Goodland community while embracing technology and innovation. Learn how a vision turned into remarkable success that has generated high-paying jobs that will help to reinvigorate the local economy.

Part 2: By the Numbers

We will present statistics contrasting Western Kansas with the rest of the state, as well as with tech hubs like Denver and the Silicon Valley. Understand the mutual benefit that can be achieved between the high-tech industry and rural communities.

Part 3: Ad Astra Per Aspera

Closing the session, hear an uplifting story of resilience that truly embodies Kansas’ state motto, “Ad Astra Per Aspera” (Through hardships to the stars). This narrative will offer a lens into the fighting spirit that has historically been embraced by our state for generations and now will enable our region to overcome adversity and aim for greater heights.

Join us to explore how tech industry growth can serve as a catalyst for sustainable economic development in communities far removed from traditional tech centers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Goodland Tech as a Model: Understand the company’s journey and its role as a growth catalyst in Western Kansas.
  • Data-Driven Insights: Looking at income, cost of living, and other economic figures, understand the disparity between different regions, and how those differences enable mutually beneficial economic growth.
  • Inspiration Through Resilience: A compelling story illustrating the region’s resilience, embodying the “Ad Astra Per Aspera” motto and offering a blueprint for revitalizing our communities.

About the Speakers

Flagship Ad Astra Technology Summit Speaker Ben–coumerilh

Ben Coumerilh

Goodland Tech, Founder & COO
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Ben Coumerilh

Goodland Tech, Founder & COO

Ben Coumerilh is co-founder of Goodland Tech, a workplace development company that has designed technical curricula with Northwest Kansas Technical College and developed a direct employment pipeline for graduates to work for leading companies that are focused on emerging technologies. Prior to founding Goodland Tech, Ben served as CIO of Northwest Kansas Technical College and then worked with USD 352, where he partnered with Apple to implement the nation’s first one-to-one iPad solution in local public schools.  Throughout his career, Ben has found ways to use technology to empower local and rural communities–and to develop long-term opportunities for people who want to change the world while remaining in their hometowns.

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Flagship Ad Astra Technology Summit Speaker Sky Goodwin

Sky Goodwin

Goodland Tech, CEO

Sky Goodwin

Goodland Tech, CEO
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