The New Word of Mouth: A Community-Driven Marketing Workshop for Local Businesses

Presentation background:

This workshop introduces a new model of word-of-mouth marketing that can now be built, measured, and scaled. Attendees will learn the tools to turn real customers, community members, and athletes into advocates who drive trust and sales without relying on expensive traditional ads.

About DapUp:

DapUp is a marketing platform that turns word-of-mouth into a growth channel you can build, measure, and scale. We enable local businesses to create, manage, and run end-to-end campaigns with real voices in their own communities—turning customers, community members, and athletes into advocates who drive trust and sales.

About the speaker:

Ayden Owens is a 2024 Paris Olympian, Founder and CEO of DapUp, and a best-selling author. He holds an MBA, along with a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of Arkansas, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. A former Division I student-athlete, Ayden is a four-time NCAA Champion and the 2025 World Championship silver medalist in track and field, ranking second in the world. He also serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the University of Illinois and is an active member of the community. Today, Ayden works full-time as an entrepreneur, helping local businesses adopt modern strategies for growth, visibility, and community engagement.