Can you believe that Quickbase has been hosting Empower since 2015?!
Much has changed since then (even how we spell "Quickbase") but Empower is still Empower: the best place to connect with others who use and love Quickbase.
Today we hear from Qrew Captain Dwight Munson, aka DwightMunson1.
What are you most excited about for Empower this year?
(e.g., sessions, speakers, networking, product updates, etc.) While I'm not attending in person this year, I'm excited to see the product direction, especially how Quickbase is evolving with the Juiced Technologies and Solvice acquisitions. Last year, hearing directly from the product team, interacting with them, and seeing where the platform was heading was one of the most interesting parts of the event.
What challenges or goals are you hoping to focus on while you’re there?
This year, in general, besides continuing to push modernization, my focus is understanding how new capabilities around AI, optimization, and integrations can be applied in real-world use cases. Users constantly are looking for ways to automate, reduce manual effort, and improve data visibility across teams.
Why did you decide to attend Empower? I attended last year for the opportunity to connect with other builders and learn how others are solving similar problems. That peer-to-peer collaboration is hard to replicate anywhere else. I don't have a in-person Qrew Meetup around these parts...yet.
What would make this event a success for you? Even from a distance, success would be walking away with a clear understanding of where the platform is heading and how that aligns with the problems that we're trying to solve internally. If I can take a few ideas and start applying them right away, that's a win.
Tell us about your first Empower experience. Where was it and what was memorable? My first Empower experience was actually during COVID, so it was fully remote. Even though it wasn’t in person, it was still a great experience. The breakout rooms based on different experience levels were great to focus on what I wanted to, while the recordings were great to be able to go back and watch, so I didn't miss anything. They did a great job of still making it engaging with the scavenger hunt and the pasta class.
What’s been the best Empower in your opinion? What stood out? Last year was definitely the best for me. It was my first time presenting at that level in the civilian world, which made it especially meaningful. Being back in New Orleans was a great experience, but what really stood out was the people. I connected with so many members of the community and the product team and even had the opportunity to meet with Ed Jennings. That combination of presenting, networking, and direct access to leadership made it a standout event for me.
How was it getting back to an in-person event after virtual-only years? It made a big difference. Virtual events are useful, but they don’t replace the spontaneous conversations and deeper discussions you get in person. Being able to sit down with other users, exchange ideas, and dig into real challenges face-to-face added a lot of value. I wish it was kind of hybrid though, possibly with live broadcasts of the sessions. I would probably pay, a discounted rate, to be able to attend virtually in that manner.
If someone is on the fence about attending this year, what’s your pitch? Why attend Empower 2026? If you’re actively building in Quickbase or responsible for improving processes in your organization, Empower is worth it. You get direct access to the product team, exposure to how other companies are solving similar problems, and ideas you can take back and implement immediately. It’s one of the few places where strategy, product direction, and real-world application all come together.
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