Marketing Leaders and Creative Pros to Gather in Downtown Madison for Widen's First Annual Digital Asset Management User Summit

Attendees Will Include Representatives From Widen Customers in Manufacturing, Medical Technology, Apparel, Advertising, Higher Education and Other Industries


MADISON, WI--(Marketwire - Sep 6, 2012) - Widen Enterprises' digital asset management (DAM) software is known in the DAM industry not just for quality, but also for the excellent customer service that comes with the product. Yet Widen customers rarely interact with the Madison-based software company face-to-face.

That will change drastically September 17-19, when about a hundred Widen software users representing dozens of brands from all over the world will converge on downtown Madison -- at the Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club -- to learn best practices and share insights on how best to manage their expansive digital asset libraries (that is, their marketing images, documents, video, and other digital media).

"I don't think we could be more excited about this event," said Jake Athey, Widen Marketing Manager. "We pride ourselves on -- and our customers value -- the personal, partnership-style relationships we develop with users of our software. Finally gathering a large group in one place to share knowledge and fun is going to take those relationships to whole new levels."

Topics covered at learning sessions will include best practices in metadata, building software user adoption, personnel and administration structure, and the future of Widen's software-as-a-service DAM. Attendees will also have the opportunity to provide ideas on what they want to see next in the product, receive personalized training, and guidance in developing plans to take back to their respective organizations.

Brands represented at the inaugural Widen User Summit will include, among others:

  • HON
  • Trek Bicycle
  • AO North America
  • Glanbia Nutritionals
  • Carl Zeiss Microscopy
  • Colosseum Athletics
  • Krueger International
  • Knaack
  • Messer
  • Webroot
  • Cornell University
  • Pentair
  • Kerry Ingredients & Flavors
  • Allsteel
  • Mercury Marine
  • Dorel
  • American Woodmark
  • Shenandoah Cabinetry
  • Waypoint Living Spaces
  • Brady

The event will incorporate learning sessions (led by Widen staff as well as outside thought leaders) and panel discussions featuring some of Widen's customers. There will also be entertainment by Chicago-based sketch comedy group The Second City (also a user of Widen DAM software) and Madison magician Matthew Teague.

"Of course, our objective is to ensure our customers take valuable skills and insights back to their organizations. But we're also playing host in a city we're proud of. We want to make sure they not only have a good time, but tell people back home how much they liked Madison," said Widen CEO Matthew Gonnering, who InBusiness Madison recently named one of Madison's "40 Under 40."

To that end, Widen will be allowing time for conferees to explore the downtown Madison area. Groups will break off and visit local restaurants for at least one meal, as well as any late-night fun they might want to have.

Widen has aggressive growth plans, and the company expects this to translate into growth in the size of its annual event over the coming years.

"After this first go, we'll have plenty of customer reactions, video and other materials to give people a better idea of what attending would entail. We managed to attract about 100 people with little more than a reputation and a plan," said Marketing Coordinator Nicolás Jiménez. "Next year will be big."

For more information, visit http://widenusersummit.com.

Contact Information:

Nicolas Jimenez
608-443-5407