Blacks in Tech host inaugural Conference in Twin Cities, MN

Blacks in Tech host inaugural Conference in Twin Cities, MN

National nonprofit organization, Black in Technology (BIT) will host their inaugural Conference in the Greater Minneapolis- St. Paul area from October 11-13. The BIT Conference is the 2018 premiere event for black professionals to network in the tech industry.

Events include over 25 workshops, networking parties, a Tech Fest and career fair, pitch competition, city excursion tour, and a more! As the Twin Cities is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing hotspots for innovation, BIT will highlight the region’s tech, business, and political climate while inviting the nation’s leading companies to share expertise and source talent.

BIT Founder Greg Greenlee commented, “We listened to our community and we are excited to finally bring them a conference that they can be proud of as engineers, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

The BIT Conference is a celebration of the women and men who not only helped to build our incredible community, but are also doing amazing work in the technology industry that would normally go unrecognized.

We are compelled as an organization, to provide a space and a platform for them, so their voices are elevated and heard. The Black in Technology Inaugural Conference is here to deliver the ultimate tech conference experience. This 3 day event is celebrating black tech-xcellence.”

BIT has curated over 60 industry experts, creative, influencers, and executives to lead impactful discussions to further your business or career. Guest speakers include Y Combinator Founder of Squire App, Songe LaRon, Intel VP of Software & Service Group, Michael Greene, Salesforce Product Marketing Manager, Ayori Selassi just to name a few!  With expectations of over 1000 attendees, BIT will provide an interactive and innovative platform to increase and recognize the representation of black women and men in the tech industry.

To learn more about the BIT Conference, please visit bitcon2018.com.

Why Twin Cities?

Recently, Black in Technology (BIT) announced the Inaugural BIT Conference will be in Minneapolis, MN, October 11-13, 2018. Some may be wondering why Minneapolis? Could it be MN is becoming a hotbed for events hosting super bowl 52 this past February and hosting the X Games in July of 2018 or is it something else? Minnesota has been receiving a lot of shine in recent years for its tech scene.

In fact, Minnesota has rich history as a tech hub dating back to the 1950’s with corporations such as IBM establishing a presence in Rochester, Minnesota, and both Control Data Corporation and Cray Supercomputer launching out of  Minnesota in the 60’s and 70’s. Minnesota is largely a tech hub due to its pool of technical talent and an all-around great place to live despite the sometimes-harsh winters…Read More.

Overview

Day 1 – Thursday, October 11, 2018

Blacks in Tech will kick off Day 1 at Target Common Plaza in Minneapolis, MN. The festivities will begin with networking and a fireside chat with BIT founder, Greg Greenlee, who will share the story of BIT. Afterwards, Blacks in Tech will break out into sessions that focus on our conference track, Tech & Entrepreneurship. We will provide a unique program to provide insight on how to build your startup and company to attract clients, investors. We have also carved out a special session on how startups and small businesses can tap into government contracting opportunities and corporate supplier diversity programs  A few session include

Pitch Development for Financing & Investment

Raising Capital

The Advantages of Being at a Disadvantage: A closer look into Supplier Diversity

Accelerate to Innovate: A Conversation with Techstars & Y Combinators funded graduates

Patents: How to really protect your intellectual property

After breakout sessions finish, BIT will host a fast Pitch Competition called Techquity 180 where select attendees will have the opportunity to share their company or startup to a panel of judges and VCs with diverse portfolios. Winner of the pitch competition will have the opportunity to win $1000 seed funding. Day 1 will conclude with our Networking after Hours series at the W Hotel Foshay walking distance away from Target Commons. There, attendees will be able to further connect in a more relaxed setting.

Day 2 – Friday, October 12, 2018

Day 2 will commence with a keynote networking breakfast and special welcome from St. Paul’s first African American Mayor, Melvin Carter at the Intercontinental Hotel Riverfront in St. Paul, MN. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with one another alongside BITCON corporate partners. After breakfast ends attendees will breakout into sessions underneath our tracks Engineering & Innovation and Tech in Your Community. BITCON will also host various workshops in recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. A few sessions include:

The Current State of Cybersecurity: Leading During Chaotic Times

Inside the Mind of a CIO: From a Private and Public Perspective

Reclaiming Identity Through Virtual Reality Storytelling

A Matter of National Cybersecurity: How the DHS is safeguarding communities across America

Simultaneously BITCON will host a Tech Exhibit & Career Fair. This is a free event open to the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to check out the latest innovations in tech, meet with recruiters, and participate in onsite interviews. VIP guests will also be invited to take part in a city excursion to learn how the city is becoming more innovative and participate in a few corporate tours.

After the sessions and tech exhibit end at 3 pm, event festivities will resume across the street at the Science Museum of Minnesota. BIT will host a high energetic Employee Resource Group Speed Networking Party to kickstart the evening followed by an exclusive celebrity-filled panel soon TBA! After which attendees will have the opportunity to socialize and mingle while enjoying renowned DJs, handcrafted drinks, yummy bites and VR Demos compliments of Google and Youtube.

Day 3 – Saturday, October 13, 2018

The final day of the conference will kickoff bright and early at Best Buy Headquarters in Richfield, MN with breakfast and keynote from Michael Greene, VP of Intel, and General Manager, System Technologies & Optimization, Software and Services Group. After breakfast, attendees will breakout into what is being referred to as the “meat and potatoes” of the conference. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend a variety of sessions underneath all of our tracks. A few sessions include:

Agile: What is it and why do I care?

Navigating the Corporate Ladder as a Woman in Tech

Building Predictions: AI for Life and Work

Modern JavaScript & Front End Tooling

Crushing a Technical Interview & Whiteboarding demos

How to Crack into Sports Management, Marketing, & Entertainment

After sessions conclude around 4 pm, shuttle buses will return back to Minneapolis and drop attendees off at the Impact Hub and Finnegans Innovation Lab and Brewery for the BIT Gaming Experience. BIT has teamed up with Amazon Gaming Studios and Thunder Gaming to host an interactive gaming event. Attendees will be able to enjoy games, DJs, food and complimentary beer to culminate the conference.

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