The second annual Maker Faire Detroit took place recently at The Henry Ford – and Compuware was there. Correction: Compuware wasn’t just there. We were there in a big, bold, memorable way. One of my former General Motors clients used to say, “Come strong, or don’t come at all.”
Well, we came strong.
Maker Faire bills itself as: “The world’s largest DIY [Do It Yourself] festival – a two-day family-friendly Faire with something for everyone – a showcase of innovation, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker mindset.” The event began in San Mateo, California in 2006 and has since migrated to only two cities: New York and Detroit.
Make no mistake – Maker Faire is a really big deal for both exhibitors and visitors. I can honestly say that I was genuinely blown away by the size and scope of the Faire and the size and enthusiasm of the crowds.
For those who couldn’t make it to the Faire, Compuware, as an official sponsor, had our own exhibit space – inside the museum, out of the scorching heat. Our theme was “Get Your Geek On!” Our presence can perhaps best be characterized as a fun, somewhat irreverent celebration of “geekdom.” We modeled our space after “that apartment down the hall where all the geeks hang out.” It was a high-tech living room with comfortable couches, tables and plenty of electronic equipment.
In addition, we designed and built a mobile app especially for Maker Faire called MakerQuest. Once downloaded to iPhones or Androids, the app allowed Faire-goers to create their own personal schedule of activities and take part in the MakerQuest challenge – a scavenger hunt-type of game requiring players to scan nine QR codes scattered all around the Faire in an effort to win an iPad 2. Everywhere you looked was a sign with the Compuware logo inviting you to download the app. We even had the QR code for the app emblazoned on the backs of our “Get Your Geek On!” T-shirts. Faire-goers actually scanned us.
Our app was named one of only 20 “new and noteworthy” applications on Apple’s iTunes. And the Android version of MakerQuest made Google’s list of “currently hot apps.” Pretty amazing . . . especially for a temporary app!
Our give-away was a pair of “geeky glasses” – complete with adhesive tape wrapped around the bridge. Never in a million years could we have anticipated the demand for these plastic glasses with the Compuware logo! We gave away our entire stock – 2,000 pairs – by lunchtime on Saturday. People who got the glasses wore them as they roamed around the Faire and this caused countless others to track us down. We heard “We found them!” time and again!
As those who work with me know, I believe that the secret to communication success lies in capturing an audience’s imagination – not merely getting their attention. Well, we did that in spades this past weekend.
And the results:
The local NBC affiliate did a feature story on us.
- More than 1,300 people downloaded our MakerQuest app.
- Hundreds and hundreds of people visited our display, met some very cool Compuware people and learned about a few of our latest technologies.
- And the Maker magazine, the architect of the Faire, presented Compuware with their coveted “Editor’s Choice” award.
And perhaps best of all, Compuware was at a place where no one expected us to be, doing things few would have expected us to do. As a result, a lot of people left with a different perspective on who we are and what we do.
But for me, the coolest part of the whole thing was the way Compuware people from throughout the company came together for a common purpose.
What a team. What an event. What a company!
Check out our Facebook page and YouTube channel for photos and video of Compuware at Maker Faire Detroit.
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