With expertly curated panels and mentorship sessions, live podcasts, showcases featuring some of the best new talent and the “Welcome To Atlanta” dinner, sponsored by ChooseATL, the first day of A3C offered attendees a taste of everything the festival plans to offer over the next four days.

A3C partnered with SMASH’D Labs and Comcast to present a conversation about the intersection between Tech & Culture with industry vets James Andres, Troy Carter and Marlon Nichols. Following the panel, Troy shared how impressed he was with the conference.

Following the full day of panels and interviews, A3C partnered with ChooseATL for the Welcome To Atlanta dinner, which drew a crowd of government and industry luminaries, including Atlanta mayoral hopeful Michael Sterling. During the evening, A3C presented international star, Cee-Lo Green, with a Cultural Innovator Award, while Killer Mike received the 2016 Social Impact Award.