#gDaysKe14

As much as the weather was gloomy this past Saturday, the colorful #gDaysKe14 event quickly warmed up the ambiance and raised the spirits of all those who attended. And that in itself will go a long way to try and explain why days later, I am still hung up on that particular occasion. Yes, that is how good this past weekend was!

The event kicked off with the keynote speech from the one and only +Elijah Kitaka {Google}. He shared with the audience some of the cool opportunities that are available at their disposal, including the UX MasterClass which I shared with you here.

His session was closely followed up by +Kobe Subramaniam who talked about a whole new world of endless opportunities with the Arduino and RaspPi among other cool things such as the CladLight – an innovation aimed at motorists  in order to reduce the number of accidents on the road.

+Femi TAIWO {GDG Lagos} then took to the stage to give a presentation on the Google cloud platform. One thing that really stood out for me about this particular session was when he mentioned that we do not have to wait for an application to be perfect in order for it to leave our local host. This was one remark that was specifically directed to me because I struggle with perfectionism.

Shortly after him, +Nsubuga Hassan {GDG Mbale} talked about building for the future apps. I especially loved the Android L Material Design preview. I am definitely considering on incorporating it in one of my projects sometime soon. UI and UX has never looked better! This was the session standing between us and lunch but after our energy levels were rekindled, we had one Eugine Mbugua creator of the Young Rich program which airs on +K24TV tell us how the internet has changed television.

Then there was none other than +Jack Rooster {DJ} and +Willie Gichora {Space Radio} who did a great presentation on digital revolution in the Kenyan Media and SpaceRadio which Africa’s first electronic dance music radio station. 

The last speaker of the day was +Linus Lennstrand {Duma Works} with a really interesting presentation about how to not want to shoot yourself at work. At one point in our lives, we will all need this!

I have really tried to debrief the days’ happenings for you but if you want more information on what was said, find the presentations here. You can also follow the conversation using the hashtag #gDaysKe14

After all was said and done, the day culminated to a wonderful cocktail party with a live band and guess who had the opportunity to show off here musical prowess? Sell, none other than me of course. I took to the stage and sang my little heart out. And here I thought my talent was only confined to the walls of my shower! Record label signings…Anyone? No?

The decor was amazing...

By the way, after the closing remarks by the MC there was a cake which marked the G|Days Kenya’s fourth birthday! We sang and it was cut. However, the networking session must have been the bomb dot com because I do not seem to recall ingesting that cake…Something which is so not Jackie! Therefore, anyone who has any clue about what became of that white frosted yummy looking cake, please let me know!

Lunch :)

This day could not have been a success without the brilliant work of the entire organizing team +Alifiyah Ganijee, +Said Fuad, +Mercy Orangi, +Kenneth Kinyanjui, +Anthony Nandaa, +Louis Wajeiya, +Mulunda Kisika, +Jacquey Njue and all other GDGs, GBGs and GSAs, +Oduor Jagero for the services offered by his company in the making of this event flawless, +88mph Accelerator for hosting the event, the MC +Andrew Mwangi who made the event jovial and fun, +Musa Alfan for the cool branding {though I missed a t-shirt (-_-)}, the speakers who I mentioned above, Google who sponsored the entire thing {+Chukwuemeka Afigbo, +Ayodele Marcus, +Elijah Kitaka} without them this event would not have been possible, the lively crowd also gave us something to write home about so a big shout out to +Eric Mwangi, +George Kamau. +June Tessy, +Victor Mutua, +Dennis Thungu. +Brian Breezy, +Vivian Akinyi, +EUGINE BWIRE, +Dorcas Adhiambo, +Mugambi Neville, +BOB RAPHTONE AFWATA and so many other guys. However, most importantly God, for making everything possible.

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words so let's blame them for the length of this post and not the fact that I talk too much, hehe! And other than the Africa Connected Success Stories event that I shared with you a couple of months ago, I don’t think I have attended any other event with this many pictures taken. 

So along with the words, I have shared with you some of those pictures and hope that from them you can read and interpret more awesome details that took up the first beautiful Saturday of the month!

That is all from G|Days Kenya 2014, hope to see ya’ll in the next edition of the same event.

Until then, always remember to do cool things that matter

Have a G|Day! 

#HappyDays

{Photo credits +Kobe Subramaniam, +Kenneth Kinyanjui, +GDays Kenya, +Chintan Gohel}