Insights from Alaska Airlines' Innovating with AI and Emerging Tech Summit

AI & Emerging Tech Summit - Alaska Airlines

Niftmint CEO and Founder, Jonathan G. Blanco, had the privilege of speaking at Alaska Airlines headquarters during their AI and Emerging Tech Summit earlier this week. It was an enlightening experience, offering a glimpse into how this forward-thinking airline has historically innovated with their processes and technology. Jonathan shared his perspective on how brands are innovating and the challenges they face in this process.

Throughout the summit, several key points emerged that Jonathan believes are crucial for all brands to consider:

1. Proactive Innovation vs. Reactive Change

Innovation isn't about reacting to consumer demands; it's about predicting consumer wants based on their actions. True innovation requires foresight and a deep understanding of customer behavior trends. By anticipating needs before they're explicitly expressed, brands can stay ahead of the curve and offer solutions that customers didn't even know they needed.

2. The Power of Tokenization in Customer Retention

Engagement and rewards are fundamental to customer retention. In this digital age, tokenization offers a unique opportunity to incentivize consumers based on their participation. This approach not only enhances customer loyalty but also creates a more interactive and personalized brand experience.

3. Customer Experience Trumps Technology

While technological innovation is crucial, it should never overshadow the importance of customer experience. The most advanced technology is only valuable if it enhances the customer journey. Brands must ensure that their technological advancements are always in service of improving the overall customer experience.

The receptiveness of the Alaska Airlines executives in the room was truly encouraging. Their eagerness to delve deep into these concepts demonstrates a commitment to innovation that aligns with the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

This summit was a reminder of the exciting conversations happening in the realm of AI and emerging technologies. Since 2017, Jonathan has been engaging with major brands about crypto and Web3, and it's inspiring to see how far we've come. The potential for these technologies to transform customer experiences and brand interactions is immense.

As we continue to navigate this evolving digital frontier, Jonathan is looking forward to further conversations and collaborations. If you're part of a major brand and interested in exploring how emerging technologies like AI, crypto, and Web3 can enhance your customer experience, we'd love to connect. Let's discuss how Niftmint can help bring these innovative concepts to your executive team.

A special thank you to Julie Vandehey for the invitation to participate in this enlightening summit. Here's to pushing the boundaries of innovation and creating exceptional customer experiences in the digital age!

Watch a video short of the event here:

Insights Alaska Airlines Innovating AI Emerging Tech

Insights Alaska Airlines Innovation

To ng AI Emerging Tech

Niftmint CEO Advocates for Crypto Regulation at "Stand with Crypto: Founders Fly In" Event in Washington D.C.

Jonathan G. Blanco meets with WA/CA cohort founders and Senator Maria Cantwell

Jonathan G. Blanco, Founder and CEO of Niftmint, recently participated in the "Stand with Crypto: Founders Fly In" event in Washington D.C. The event, organized by Coinbase and the Stand with Crypto Alliance, brought together founders from various states to engage with policymakers on Capitol Hill.

Jonathan was part of the California, Washington, and Oregon cohort, joining other Washington-based founders including Jesse Adams, Cesar Tinajero, Arry Yu, and Devon Shigaki. The event aimed to educate policymakers about the positive impact of crypto on job creation, economic growth, and technological innovation in their states.

During his visit, Jonathan had a productive meeting with Senator Maria Cantwell and her staff. They discussed crypto, blockchain, and the pressing need for a regulatory framework that businesses can follow. Jonathan emphasized the importance of keeping innovative technologies in the USA and ensuring American leadership in the field.

Jonathan shared Niftmint's mission, explaining how Niftmint uses crypto technology to authenticate products and provide enhanced loyalty and rewards experiences for brands and their customers. He stressed the need for pro-crypto federal legislation to protect consumers and foster innovation.

The event highlighted key statistics for Washington state:

- 28,900 registered Stand with Crypto advocates

- Washington being one of the top five states with the highest percentage of crypto-owning population

Participants were encouraged to use social media to amplify their message, sharing photos and insights from their meetings using the hashtag #StandWithCrypto.

In addition to meeting with Senator Cantwell, Jonathan and his group also met with the staff of Senator Patty Murray and the two California Senators. Jonathan found it very interesting to see their responses firsthand and was particularly encouraged by Senator Cantwell's interest in crypto regulation.

Reflecting on the trip, Jonathan stated, "This trip made me even more confident in what we are building at Niftmint. I see us as the killer app consumers will be introduced to crypto with because they want the product from the brands they love and won't even care that it's crypto. Crypto needs to live in the background."

He emphasized the importance of the meeting with Senator Cantwell, saying, "It's imperative that innovative technologies stay in the USA and that the USA takes the lead. There is a need for pro-crypto federal legislation. I was given the opportunity to share what Niftmint is building and how we can protect consumers with authentication and tokenization."

The event underscored the need for clear crypto regulations to protect consumers, foster innovation, and maintain the United States' leadership in the global financial system. By participating, Jonathan and other founders aimed to provide policymakers with firsthand insights into the crypto industry and its potential for economic growth and innovation in their states.

Watch Jonathan's full recap from his Youtube Channel

Niftmint's Exciting Journey at Consensus Austin 2024 - Recap

Perry's - Consensus 2024 - Austin, TX

Niftmint, along with TF Labs, had an incredible experience at Consensus 2024 in Austin, with the team consisting of Jonathan G. Blanco, Erin Lowe, Bean Lowe, and Colin Fitzgerald joining remotely. The week was filled with engaging events, valuable connections, and the unveiling of their latest product, Niftmint Rewards.

One of the highlights of the week was the Web3 Rooftop Happy Hour, co-hosted by Niftmint and TF Labs at the stunning citizenM hotel in Austin. The event, which was attended by over 100 people, brought together a diverse group of founders, investors, and builders in the Web3 space, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of networking and friendship by the poolside, overlooking the city skyline. During the event, Niftmint showcased their exciting new product, Niftmint Rewards, which allows consumers to earn tokens, cash back, and exclusive rewards.

Earlier in the week, Niftmint hosted its 3rd Annual Web3 Lunch at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille, where the majority of guests indulged in the famous pork chop. The lunch provided an opportunity for the Niftmint and TF Labs teams to connect with their customers, partners, investors, and new friends on a personal level. The event began with casual networking and conversation, followed by a seated lunch where attendees introduced themselves and engaged in a thought-provoking discussion about their involvement in Web3 and their predictions for the future of the space.

Porkchop Lunch Perry's Grille

Throughout the week, Niftmint made significant strides in expanding their business, adding four new companies to their sales pipeline who expressed keen interest in utilizing Niftmint's tokenization APIs. Meetings were scheduled for the following week to further discuss potential partnerships. The team also reconnected with investors they had spoken to during the previous NFT market, and were pleased to hear their appreciation for Niftmint's perspective on using tokenization for authentication and rewards – a concept that had not garnered much interest two years prior.

Niftmint's journey at Consensus Austin 2024 was marked by growth, innovation, and the strengthening of relationships within the Web3 community. The team looks forward to building upon the momentum gained during this exciting week and invites those interested in partnering or attending future events to reach out.