The Markens Group Sponsors Talk By Apple Cofounder Steve Wozniak

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Press release from the issuing company

SPRINGFIELD, MA - The Markens Group, Inc. (TMG)—folding carton industry consultants and the association management firm of the Paperboard Packaging Council—sponsored Apple Computer cofounder Steve Wozniak to speak in Springfield, MA, on May 1, 2015.

Wozniak, who is also credited for inventing the first personal computer, spoke to 2,500 attendees from across New England at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA as part of a local speaker series.

Candid and often hilarious, “Woz” told the crowd that small ideas often lead to big progress. In fact, Wozniak said that he actually financed parts for the first Apple computer on 30-day credit. According to Wozniak, he would buy computer parts on credit, build a machine in 10 days, sell it, use the profits to pay off the debt, and then repeat the process. From these small victories, he said, grew the wildly successful computer business we all know today.

Wozniak also discussed his decision to leave Apple early on so that he could attend the University of California at Berkeley. He talked about his lifelong relationship with the late Steve Jobs as well as his ongoing contributions to technology education, particularly with elementary school children.

Among other interesting info, Wozniak conceded that as we continue to have computers make more and more decisions for us, humans may one day become technology’s “family pet.” He also predicted that students may have personal computers for teachers in the future and urged the audience to get a little fun out of everything they do.

“I can’t understate the importance of bringing inspiring speakers like Steve Wozniak to our city,” said Ben Markens, President of TMG. “So given the opportunity to sponsor his talk—and as a longtime Apple enthusiast—I jumped on board immediately.”

The Wozniak sponsorship is just one example of TMG’s commitment to the local community. Markens currently serves as board vice chair for the local chapter of the United Way, and TMG staff participates regularly in volunteer events and donates funds to local charities.