The first Mini Maker Faire lands in Miami; resounding success!

By rickherrero, Nov 23, 2013

Let us put to rest any doubt of South Florida’s amazing resourcefulness. The first Miami Mini Maker Faire was the collection of nearly 80 maker exhibits, demonstrations, workshops and presentations. Not only did the first Mini Maker Faire display a diverse spectrum of creativity, but it attracted over 1700 attendees  over the course of the 8 hour event from Miami, the tri-county area, and beyond.

As producers for a first-of-its-kind event in Miami, it was very exciting and gratifying to see the community; most importantly children and their parents; engrossing themselves in the energy and excitement that was teeming throughout The LAB Miami, The Light Box and OCinema. We are incredibly thankful for the passionate makers who believed in our ability to execute on this grandiose vision.

I personally walked through and spoke with each maker I could find and can share that they felt as warmly about the reception as the production team did.

Just want to send you a real big “Thank You” for allowing us to participate in your successful event.  The crowd was amazing and the exhibitions exceeded everyone’s expectations.
– Edwin Robledo, Cadsoft Computer via email

It was a wonderfully successful Maker Faire and a huge kickstart to what will no doubt be a productive movement for the South Florida community. One of the things I have always respected, and think has been a key to the success of the Maker Movement, has been that it celebrates the people who get it done more than the people who hype.

I know my kids had a great time and our program has received wonderful feedback from parents with young children who see these hands-on learning activities as a supplement/alternative to traditional education and are looking for programs that provide that.

– Ryan Moreno, REM Learning Center via email

The Twitterverse was busy with nothing but wonderful things to say about our event!

We also had some great coverage from others who weren’t entirely sure what the whole maker movement was. We are happy that the Miami Mini Maker Faire was a great catalyst which sparked some interesting questions. See clip from Fusion TV:

And we had some GREAT coverage from our partners and sponsors. Here are a few excerpts:

The turnout far exceeded expectations for the fair — part science and technology exhibition, part crafts show, part carnival. More than 1,700 people packed The LAB Miami, a co-working, education and events space for creatives, and two other nearby venues in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood.

Read more from Nancy Dahlberg here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/11/16/v-fullstory/3758939/miami-maker-faire-draws-plenty.html

The event, supported by Knight Foundation, offered the opportunity for South Florida makers and do-it-yourself innovators to showcase their products and ideas. The Faire attracted throngs of people of all ages and backgrounds, showing the growing interest in Miami as a place where ideas are built.

Read more from the Knight Foundation blog at http://www.knightfoundation.org/blogs/knightblog/2013/11/22/miamis-first-mini-maker-faire-colorful-community-collision/

“There are so many international communities in Miami, and they have a history of being very resourceful – they are makers by necessity, and it is great to see them show off their creativity.”

Coverage from MAKE Blog can be found at http://makezine.com/2013/11/16/miami-mini-maker-faire-2013/

Inventors, startup companies and nonprofit groups displayed innovations at the first ever Miami Mini Maker Faire in the city’s hip Wynwood neighborhood on Saturday.

Read an article from South Florida Business Journal reporter Paul Brinkmann at http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/blog/morning-edition/2013/11/see-what-happened-at-hip-miami-maker.html