We’re thrilled to partner with GE at SXSW this year. GE Garages will give visitors the opportunity learn about invention, prototyping and manufacturing processes first-hand. People will be able to get help with product building, collaborate in hands-on workshops, participate in trainings on high-tech prototyping equipment and learn from leaders in the industry. After Austin, we’ll be heading with GE to Houston and San Francisco. More details on those events forthcoming.

In the meantime, if you’re SXSW bound, swing by and invent with us!

Here’s your chance. Ben will be joining Jay Rogers (CEO of Local Motors) and a list of awesome insiders to propose a panel called How Online Communities Co-Create Complex Real World Products at next year’s SXSW Interactive/Music/Film week.

The panel will talk about how companies are bringing concepts to life through collaborative development. Panelists will be discussing how to nurture ideas so that together, people can come up with cool ways of making them real. I know what you’re thinking — right up our alley!

So far, the following folks have signed on to join Ben and Jay on the panel:

David Ten and Derek Halley (Co-Founders of Ponoko)

Chris Anderson (Editor, Wired Magazine and Founder, DIY Drones)

Phil Borchard (VP Sales, Catia)

Dale Dougherty (Editor, Make Magazine)

Kickin’ line-up, right?

But to make it happen, we need you guys to share your thoughts and vote our panel onto the agenda. SXSW is a community-driven event, so they’re looking online to decide which topics should be covered.

Join the community and cast your vote here!

1. We make real products, not virtual ones.

2. Half our staff is on their way to production facilities all over the world to oversee the finalization of 5 new products coming off the line.

3. We design one brand new consumer product every week.

4. We intend to spend our travel budget selling your products to retailers worldwide rather then frolicking with internet friends.

5. It’s in Texas. (Just kidding… sort of)