Dogtown Media Talks Tech Economy and Open Government at Appcon 2016

To say that 2016 has been an exciting time for mobile app developers would be a dramatic understatement.

On the one hand, top-down initiatives like 18F are making incredible strides towards a more digital-savvy government. It’s no surprise that politicians care about mobile tech — the mobile ecosystem is driving the American workforce like no other events since the industrial revolution, promising a bright future for the national economy.

On the other hand, the ongoing public debate about encryption and the controversial Apple vs. FBI case has left many mobile app developers uncertain about what the future of tech in the US will look like. Many technologists worry that the US is falling behind other developed nations when it comes to digital government services and data-informed policy.

Whether or not this is true, the question for Los Angeles mobile app developers is this: what can we do about it?

Considering all the issues on the table, we’re very excited about being invited to attend this year’s AppCon in Washington D.C., where we’ll be meeting with key members of congress to discuss hot-button issues like encryption, medical tech, and much more. After all, the growing importance of mobile tech to the lives of Americans is one of many reasons we founded Dogtown Media in the first place back in 2011. AppCon will be a chance for us to learn about the thinking behind US policies that affect app sales and the industry in general, as well as a chance to share some of our stories and present what makes mobile app developers so important to US trade in general.

Understanding the perspective of mobile app developers is critical as policymakers consider actions that affect the tech workforce. We’re confident that communicating our concerns and needs as an industry will have a hugely positive effect on the local economy, and give politicians the tools they need to help us grow. For better or worse, federal laws affect how we do what we do best – building our community by building apps that solve problems and make life easier. Collaborating creates the opportunity for huge wins on both sides.

Follow us on Twitter @DOGTOWNMEDIA and check the #AppCon16 hashtag to stay up-to-date on our experiences in D.C.! We’ll be doing our best to serve the Los Angeles tech community that has provided us with so much support and opportunity in the past five years.