Dig South provides the contacts, content and capital opportunities you need to succeed in the South.
Our Story
In 2011, Stanfield Gray attended the AdAge Digital Conference in NYC. Connecting with tech executives and experts from Silicon Valley, NYC, Boston and other major tech hubs, he left inspired but frustrated that the same opportunities to work at the highest levels in digital technology and other creative industries were scarce in the South.
Why should the region’s top talent continue to leave the region? If someone chooses to go, great. Could be a smart move. But what if the best and brightest today could stay, launch and scale a global tech company HQ’d in the South? Michael Dell, Ted Turner, Ben Chestnut and Tim Sweeney have already proven the concept. Driven to build a stronger innovation economy for the region and, more specifically, his two young kids, Gray and his wife, Sunny, founded Dig South, the first Tech Summit and media company dedicated to elevating the South’s innovation economy and building opportunities for the next generation of exceptional founders and tech talent.
Officially, Dig South was born on July 4, 2012. Bootstrapping, the DIG Team rallied the community behind the idea and launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise a small seed fund to launch Dig South. Held April 12–14, 2013, at the College of Charleston TD Arena in Charleston, SC, the first Dig South Tech Summit drew 454 paid attendees with more than a thousand guests passing through the DIG Trade Show, nightly Shindigs, Space Walk and other free events. The Summit grew considerably each year, adding Wild Pitch (2014), Bitcoin ATM machines (2014), hackathons, NFT galleries, live music showcases, comedy and other programs, including the 2024 Charleston AI Summit.
To date, DIG SOUTH has welcomed more than 12,000 attendees and 1000 speakers from the world’s leading brands, including Oracle, Salesforce, Facebook, Microsoft, Netflix, IBM, Instagram, Bonobos, VF Brands, Jet, Casper, BuzzFeed, Twitter, Re/Code, WSJ, The New York Times, Forbes, Adobe, Epic Games and many more plus the South’s hottest companies, including Red Hat, Roadie, Kabbage, Blackbaud, Terminus, Benefitfocus, CNN, Coca-Cola, BoomTown, Atlanta Hawks and many more.
For 2024, Dig South is presenting the 1st Charleston AI Summit. We’re inviting innovative executives, entrepreneurs, founders, experts, developers, creators, attorneys, investors and you to explore the tectonic shift to an AI-powered economy.
Join us to connect with leaders in the field to discuss integrating AI into your business platforms and strategies, the implications for data analysis, marketing, intellectual property, talent acquisition, cybersecurity, problem-solving, scalability, creativity and how to increase revenue using generative AI.
Founders
Dig the FAQs
Dig South is the South’s Tech Hub. We focus on emerging technology, AI, business growth, digital marketing and culture, and publishing the best of what’s happening across the region in Dig Today newsletter. DIG SOUTH produces Charleston AI Summit, DIG SOUTH Tech Summit, South Pod and the DIG NATION member community.
Powered by Dig South, Dig Nation is the South’s Tech Tribe. Dig Nation provides the contacts, content and capital opportunities members need to succeed. Join today and get your ticket to Charleston AI Summit plus year-round events and member access. Visit dignation.co for benefits and details.
For 2024, Dig South is producing Charleston AI Summit in place of DIG SOUTH Tech Summit. Charleston AI Summit will be held March 27-28, 2024 at College of Charleston Sottile Theatre and other stunning locations across the Charleston Peninsula. Visit charlestonaisummit.com to join Dig Nation and receive your ticket.
Over the last 12 years, Dig South has welcomed more than 12,000 attendees and 1000 speakers from the world’s leading brands, including Oracle, Hubspot, Bonobos, Instagram, Facebook, Jet, Casper, BuzzFeed, IBM, Twitter, Re/Code, WSJ, The New York Times, Forbes, Adobe and many more plus the South’s hottest companies, including Roadie, Terminus, Blackbaud, Red Hat, Benefitfocus, CNN, Coca-Cola, BoomTown, Atlatl and many more. For 2024, Charleston AI Summit will welcome 30+ experts from across the region to discuss all things AI.
The Charleston AI Summit agenda and session schedule will be available in 3 locations:
1. Website (limited). Visit the charlestonaisummit.com website to view a limited, abbreviated agenda. You will not have access to the full Dig Nation member community until you are registered and have a ticket to the Charleston AI Summit. Purchase at dignation.co
2. Dig Nation Community (full access). If you are registered and already in the Dig Nation member community, visit dignation.co to view the full Charleston AI Summit agenda and connect with attendees, sponsors and speakers, and receive your year-round benefits.
3. Mighty Networks App (mobile). If you are registered and in the Dig Nation network, download the Mighty Networks app to access the Charleston AI Summit agenda and network mobile view, and stay connected year-round to the Dig Nation community. The Dig Nation member network will be associated with the email you used for registration.
Contact Stanfield Gray at info@digsouth.com. Exclusive sponsorships are still available and include year-round benefits!
Please contact info@digsouth.com and we’ll connect you to the best DIG Team member. Speaker applications to Charleston AI Summit are currently open at charlestonaisummit.com. Speakers are selected on a rolling basis until March 1, 2024. Sponsors are given priority consideration.
All Charleston AI Summit presentations will be held at Sottile Theatre at College of Charleston located at 44 George Street, Charleston, SC 29401. The College of Charleston’s beautiful and historic Sottile Theatre serves as a performance and event venue for the College and the community. In addition to the 785-seat theatre, this facility also offers several lobby areas, an outdoor balcony terrace, and a garden for reception venues. From operas, plays, musicals, ballets and concerts, to receptions and conferences, the Sottile Theatre is the perfect venue for most any event. Visit this link to learn more about the history of Sottile Theatre.
Yes, you have to be a Dig Nation member to attend the Charleston AI Summit. Please join us at dignation.co. Not only do you receive a ticket to Charleston AI Summit when you join Dig Nation, you will also have access to a fantastic network of innovators year-round and other great benefits including at least 4 other special events throughout 2024. Visit digsouth.com and select Dig Icon on the menu to view the 2023-24 season. *Special note: Dig South has not raised the price of Summit badges in more than five years – and we’re bringing more value than ever to our Dig Nation members – year-round!
Tickets for Charleston AI Summit can be purchased by buying a Dig Nation membership at dignation.co.
Due to hard costs and capacity, the Summit is unable to accommodate full or single-session passes for guests, including spouses, colleagues, friends or assistants.
Can I buy a ticket to just the Upload Charleston happy hour?
Yes, you may buy a separate ticket to the Upload Charleston event on Wednesday, March 27, 5-7pm. Please visit dignation.co to purchase.
Where do I pick up my badge?
Badges for Charleston AI Summit can be picked up on Wednesday, March 27, 5:00-7:00pm, at the Upload Charleston Shindig at The College of Charleston President’s House – Bishop Robert Smith House, 6 Glebe Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Or on the day of the Summit, Thursday, March 28, 9:00am-4:30pm at Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street, Charleston, SC 29401.
