Bloomington Combine Conference returns April 7-8 with live drone light show in Trades District: Families and the community invited to enjoy the immersive light experience featuring 75 aerial drones

After a 2-year hiatus, The Combine Conference returns April 7-8 for an in-person event celebrating Midwest creativity, community, capital, culture, and code. The 2022 event will be held April 7-8, 2022, at the Mill, Bloomington’s center for coworking and entrepreneurship.
 
In addition to a ticketed conference featuring presenters on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship trends, this year’s Combine will include a free public immersive drone light show on Friday. Individuals and families are encouraged to arrive early, grab a good viewing spot, and explore the Startup Showcase while awaiting the light show.

 “The Combine is back, and what better way to celebrate creativity, innovation, and technology than with 75 aerial drones,” said organizer Mike Trotzke. “Thanks to the support of our sponsors, we can invite everyone, whether they can make it to the conference or not, to enjoy the drone show. It’s a fully customized show, featuring artwork and animations unique to the Combine, Bloomington, and Indiana.”

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Since launching in 2010, The Combine has become a critical touchpoint for the rapidly growing Midwest startup community, connecting hundreds of innovators, creators, and investors. An annual nonprofit, volunteer-run event, the goal is to be a catalyst for creators, builders, and doers to discover new business and technology ideas.
 
 This year’s single-stage speaking event will include an eclectic mix of presenters on topics including startup exits in the region, blockchain technology, raising capital, elevating under-represented startups, and what’s next for our region’s innovation ecosystem.
 
Some of the speakers include: 

• Mark Achler, Managing Director MATH Venture Partners and author of Exit Right
• Michelle Cole, COO of Acadis
• Brad Wisler, Founder Periodic
• Ganesh Gandhieswaran, CEO Coversight AI
• Jennie Moser, CEO Stagetime
• Adam Quirk, Co-founder of Cardinal Spirits
• Sheldon Trotman, EIR devlabs

Tickets for the Combine are $49 and include lunch and a copy of Mark Achler’s new book, “Exit Right.” Purchase tickets at: https://www.thecombine.org/. All are welcome to attend the Startup Showcase, starting at 8:00 p.m., which will include demos and founders from approximately 15 regional startups. Following the Showcase, the immersive drone show produced by Sky Elements Drone Shows will be visible from the grassy areas west of the Mill near Maker’s Way, starting at approximately 9 p.m.