Dallas Innovation Alliance and CARDBoard Project Present the Second Annual
Get Connected Dallas Event: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity
DALLAS, TX – September 26, 2024 – The Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) and CARDBoard Project are back with a thrilling new edition of Get Connected Dallas. Set for Saturday, October 5th, at For Oak Cliff, this event will kick off Dallas Digital Inclusion Week, bringing the latest in tech, connection, and innovation to the heart of the community.
This year’s event, made possible by Santander Consumer USA, Capital One, and EY, features live performances, workshops, tech exhibits, and cutting-edge interactive experiences. It’s the perfect place to learn, connect, and get inspired by Dallas’ brightest tech minds. Check out all the activities to get stamped for raffle entries, including laptops, State Fair tickets, gift cards, and more! To keep guests in the fair spirit, enjoy carnival rides, food trucks, and make a stop at the digital caricature artist before you shop at the For Oak Cliff Farmer’s Market!
Unleash Your Creativity with the Innovate & Create Digital Art Challenge
New this year is the highly anticipated Innovate & Create Digital Art Challenge, in collaboration with the City of Dallas Office of Community Care, Arts & Culture, and the Dallas Public Library. Artists across the city have been working on innovative digital masterpieces, and now the top finalists will take the stage at Get Connected Dallas! Attendees will have the unique opportunity to **vote live** for their favorite artwork as it’s showcased throughout the event. The Audience Choice Award winner will receive prizes including a laptop, a family pack of State Fair of Texas tickets and more!
Submissions are now open until October 1st at 8:00pm!
The winner, crowned by public vote, will take home exclusive prizes and gain recognition as a digital art trailblazer in the Dallas community. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a tech enthusiast, this competition will demonstrate the powerful intersection of creativity and technology.
Robot Petting Zoo: A Futuristic Playground
Another highlight not to be missed by kids and adults alike is the awe-inspiring Robot Petting Zoo, presented by RobotLab, Trilogy NextGen Solutions, and BEST of Texas. Here, you can meet, greet, and even "pet" a variety of robots designed for education, industry, and fun! Interact with cutting-edge robotics technology that’s shaping the future—from agile robotic arms to friendly AI companions, this exhibit is an interactive exploration of the tech that’s transforming the world around us.
This experience isn’t just for tech lovers—it’s for anyone curious about the future of robotics and how these advancements can impact our everyday lives. Whether you’re 9 or 90, the Robot
Petting Zoo will spark your imagination and show you how robots are becoming part of our world.
Entertainment to Keep You on Your Feet
The Get Connected Dallas event promises high-energy performances from DJ 13lackbeard, the official DJ of the Dallas Cowboys, who will be spinning tracks that will keep the crowd moving all day long. SpaceBoi Fresh, a crowd-favorite MC, will bring his vibrant energy to the stage as he hosts the event and engages the audience. Infinite Arts Movement will join the action onstage at 12:00pm.
Get Connected
Getting connected to the internet and to the resources available are a huge part of Get Connected Dallas - explore workshops to sharpen your digital skills in cybersecurity and design and visit our "10-Step Resource Alley" showcasing organizations that provide access to services ranging from transportation and shopping to education.
“This event is more than just a tech showcase—it’s a celebration of innovation, creativity, and community to provide human and digital connection," said Jennifer Sanders, Executive Director of the Dallas Innovation Alliance. "We can’t wait for attendees to experience these exciting additions, from the art challenge to the robot petting zoo, workshops, and incredible live performances."
Armando Cantu, Executive Director of the CARDBoard Project, added: "Get Connected Dallas is about bringing people together to bridge the digital divide. We’re not just talking about access to the internet—we're talking about empowering our community with tools for better education, job training, and healthcare. Events like this are vital for showing everyone how technology can improve their lives."
Event Details:
· Date: Saturday, October 5th, 2024
· Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
· Location: For Oak Cliff, 907 E Ledbetter Dr, Dallas, TX 75216
· Admission: Free and open to all
For more information, and to register, visit www.getconnecteddallas.org.
Join us for a day packed with music, art and tech, and help us bridge the digital divide, one connection at a time.
About Dallas Innovation Alliance
The Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) is a 501(c)(3) public-private partnership dedicated to supporting the design and execution of the City of Dallas' smart cities strategy. We define a smart city as one that lives at the intersection of data, technology, and community to improve quality of life, economic development, and resource efficiency. Through collaboration, we develop innovative solutions to pressing challenges for the benefit of the City and its residents.
About CARDBoard Project
CARDBoard Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on November 2, 2016, with a mission to bridge the digital gap and educate under-resourced communities on the importance of internet access and assistance in navigating digital tools. Our goal is to provide resources to help our guests achieve self-sufficiency.