During 2018, approximately 150 technology conferences will take place in the United States. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an investor, an executive in a tech-oriented business field, or just a tech fan, there’s a conference to suit your needs.
Here are 10 to look for:
Bronze Valley Conference
February 14, Birmingham
A new event launching in 2018, this conference is part of a larger initiative to create an education-to-opportunity-to-outcome pipeline for underrepresented communities. Bronze Valley’s dual mission is to generate sustainable growth, while expanding the breadth and depth of economic opportunity in Birmingham, throughout Alabama and across the Southeast.
Future Festival
Various locations
Billing itself as “the world’s best innovation conference,” the Future Festival is a one-day event that will take place in 12 U.S. cities — Orlando, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Dallas, Boston, Detroit, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Chicago — through July. There’s also a conference in London, along with a two-day event in New York and a three-day event in Toronto. Future Festival offers participants data-driven insights into the trends shaping the future of business.
IBM Think 2018
March 19-22, Las Vegas
Featuring IBM senior leaders and industry experts and luminaries, IBM Think seeks to “discover partnerships that unlock business opportunities and human potential.” Conference topics range from technologies that are making waves across industries, using the latest technology to optimize customer engagement and developing an IT infrastructure that positions your business to compete in the digital economy.
R&D Innovation Summit
March 21-22, Chicago
The summit features leaders in various tech-based industries sharing their expertise. Attendees are provided with tools and strategies for implementing successful R&D, developing programs to encourage innovation, supporting continuing development of their companies and contributing to the growth of the tech industry.
Tech Inclusion 2018
Multiple locations
Now in its fourth year of working to increase diversity and inclusion throughout the tech industry, Tech Inclusion focuses on five key impact areas: education, workplace, entrepreneurship, policy and ecosystem. This year’s conferences will take place in Atlanta, Washington, New York and San Francisco.
Gartner Tech Growth & Innovation Conference
April 30-May 2, San Diego
This conference is aimed at tech providers, helping them meet the “dual responsibility” of recognizing short- and long-term growth opportunities while also making innovative adjustments to their internal operations and customer interactions. The conference presents current and future technologies, business models based on innovation and strategies for customer-centric sales and marketing.
TechDay
May 10, New York
The largest startup-focused event in the United States, TechDay attracts more than 20,000 attendees. Over 500 startups participate, taking advantage of opportunities to showcase their brands, products and services to industry leaders, investors, tech talent, tech users and news media.
TechCrunch Disrupt
May 15-17 (New York), September 5-7 (San Francisco)
TechCrunch Disrupt debuts revolutionary startups, introduces innovative technologies and brings clarity to issues and opportunities being met by key innovators in the tech industry. Entrepreneurs, investors, hackers and tech fans gather for three days of discussion, competition and informational exchange.
GeekWire Summit
October 1-3, Seattle
An immersive two-day event, GeekWire is recognized as one of the premiere technology conferences in America. Focused on exploring the future of the innovation economy, it attracts more than 900 innovators, entrepreneurs, business executives, tech leaders and news media.
BE Tech ConneXt Summit
October 3-6, Oakland
Hosted by Black Enterprise magazine and promoting the black tech community in Silicon Valley and beyond, the 2018 conference will feature topics that include tips for tech startups, entering the technology field from the financial side and ways in which corporations are becoming more tech-oriented. In addition, 80 students representing 20 HBCUs will participate in a “hackathon” showcasing tech-based methods of problem-solving.
