It’s hard to believe, but Summer is quickly drawing to a close. In just a few weeks, the kids will be back to school and before your know it, we’ll be ringing in the New Year.
If you’re like me, you’re already looking at your Fall/Winter calendar cringing at your crowded schedule. So let this list be a way to get you “booked” or atleast get you “contemplating’ before it’s too late.
But first, if you don’t run, or work for, a non-technical business, it can be easy to write-off tech events as irrelevant – but you shouldn’t. Here’s 5 Reasons a Non-Tech Company should attend a Tech Conference. (Source: Small Business BC).
To make this list, I have either attended the conference personally or the conference is repeatedly mentioned among my network as a “can’t-miss” event.
Without further ado, here are my picks for top tech conferences / events to attend before 2020.
Code to Win – Preliminary Challenge
Across Ontario (and Canada)
September 9th – October 31st (Windsor Challenge set for September 27)
Code to Win is a national competition for students to showcase their coding skills. The top students from across Canada will be accepted to the finals in January 2020 where they will have a chance to win $5,000, network with sponsor companies, and explore the Waterloo Region tech community. If you’re a student who loves computer science, programming or engineering, this is a challenge for you!
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2Z3utQe
Emerging Technologies Conference (Windsor, ON)
Caesars Windsor
September 10th, 2019
The Emerging Technologies in Automation Conference and Trade Show is your most effective method of reaching a target audience of automation companies, experts in advanced manufacturing and supply chain buyers while increasing your corporate profile and opening doors to a highly influential group of experts and decision-makers. This is your opportunity to connect with over 300 delegates and hear from industry experts focused on innovative and emerging technologies.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2BedTqb
Elevate (Toronto, ON)
September 20-26th, 2019
Elevate is a city-wide tech and innovation festival centered in North America’s fastest growing tech ecosystem. An essential destination for global professionals, tech leaders, investors, and creatives, the event features inspiring keynotes, topical content streams, experiential programming, and epic socials.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2K9Hy6e
National Ladies Learning Code Day
Across Ontario (and Canada)
September 21st, 2019
On September 21, Canada Learning Code is empowering adults in Canada to create experiences that users everywhere can enjoy.
In a collaborative environment, participants will learn the difference between User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) and how they work together.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2MWfvcr
Michigan DevFest 2019 (Detroit, MI)
Downtown Detroit
September 21st, 2019
The Detroit, and Ann Arbor Google Developer Groups are teaming up to bring you the Michigan DevFest on Sept 21, 2019 in downtown Detroit.
This is the 7th annual DevFest and they aim to put together a great day of networking and knowledge sharing for all involved.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/33wT9Uz
Digital Summit Detroit (Detroit, MI)
Cobo Center Grand Ballroom
September 25th, 2019
Digital Summit attendees are the movers and shakers influencing the growth and success of their company’s digital marketing — and the future landscape of the digital economy.
They come from a wide variety of companies and organizations — including national brands, CPG, agencies, service providers, technology pioneers, B2B providers, associations & nonprofits, startups, and much more.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2JQ2cKc
Waterloo Innovation Summit (Waterloo, ON)
University of Waterloo
October 1st, 2019
On October 1, 2019, the Waterloo Innovation Summit returns home after stops in Toronto, Vancouver, and London England. The Summit is an international speaker series where thought-provoking ideas and strategies on disruptive technology are surfaced, shared and discussed. Presented by the University of Waterloo, and sponsored by the Globe and Mail and The Logic, the focus will be on reimagining health with technology. Hosted by Nora Young of the CBC, the day offers access to world-class researchers, Donna Strickland, Nobel laureate in physics 2018, inspired Startup’s who are developing promising health technologies for tomorrow and more.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2JULZAR
Windsor-Essex DevFest (Windsor, ON)
Odette School of Business
October 5th, 2019
The Windsor Google Developers Group (GDG) is proud to host our second Windsor-Essex DevFest on Saturday, Oct 5, 2019 with the School of Computer Science at the University of Windsor Odette Building.
DevFests are Google sponsored software developer conferences that allow the local software development community to come together to network and learn about the coolest new technology out there.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2YZNgvV
LGBTQ+ STEM Conference (Windsor, ON)
University of Windsor
October 4-5th, 2019
DETAILS COMING SOON.
This event, one of the first of its kind in Canada, will be held in Windsor, Ontario from Friday, October 4 to Saturday, October 5, 2019. The Conference’s aim is to bring together researchers in all fields of STEM to highlight and celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. They hope to provide an important opportunity to discuss a broad range of scientific topics as well as issues pertaining to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, and to create new opportunities for collaboration.
DETAILS: https://lgbtqplusstem.ca/
Detroit CIO Executive Leadership Summit (Detroit, MI)
The Henry, Autograph Collection, Dearborn, MI
October 10th, 2019
Future State 2025 – Driving the Digital Roadmap to a Customer-Centric Enterprise
As companies strive to better meet the needs and expectations of its customers, CIOs and technology executives play a critical role in identifying how advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, Big Data, analytics, the Internet of Things, blockchain and cloud computing can be leveraged to enhance the customer experience, craft customer-focused business models and gain a competitive edge.
The innovative mindset and courageous leadership required to partner with the C-suite and board of directors to transform the business will be the focal point of the 2019 Detroit CIO Executive Leadership Summit.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2yUYLKg
CIX Summit 2019 (Toronto, ON)
October 16-17, 2019
CIX is Canada’s largest curated startup investment conference. Invited attendees are founders of Canada’s most innovative early and growth-stage tech companies and global investors and corporates.
CIX is the ‘must attend’ event to connect with Canada’s most promising startups.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2YFOuRz
Tech Week YQG (Windsor, ON)
October 21-26th, 2019
TECH WEEK YQG is a week-long showcase of all things tech that brings together tech leaders, academic institutions and the community to build a unique experience for entrepreneurs, tech lovers, researchers and investors.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2YX99Qs
Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN) Tech Summit
Toronto, ON
October 25th, 2019
This is the largest gathering of Black tech professionals in Canada. Hosted by the Black Professionals in Tech Network (BPTN), the event is a fusion of innovative topics, dynamic networking opportunities and career development led by industry leaders. This all will be taking place in Canada’s technology hub, Toronto.
BPTN bridges the talent gap in the tech industry by providing Black technical and business professionals with access to senior executive sponsorship, industry training and a strong peer network to support growth and career development.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2TrdyWv
Forbes Under 30 Summit (Detroit, MI)
October 27-31st, 2019
The 2019 Forbes Under 30 Summit is more an immersive experience than a static conference: a private music festival, A-list speakers, investor speed-pitching, industry-focused field trips, a legendary pub crawl, a world-famous food festival and a powerful day of community service.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/31uotSc
Move the Dial Global Summit (Toronto, ON)
Roy Thomson Hall
November 14th, 2019
An annual diversity and inclusion event like no other. This globally recognized Summit brings together thought leaders, partners and amazing humans of all identities to connect, learn and grow.
DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2LArdFw
