Written by Rachel Maheshwari, RTC Director of Early Career Programs, and Christy Augsburger, RTC Director of Marketing.
After a few years of COVID and the isolation that came with it, many of us are looking forward to the connection, vibrant buzz, and possibilities that only good tech conferences can provide.
For those in the tech industry, tech conferences are an excellent opportunity to connect with peers, network with recruiters and hiring managers, and learn from subject matter experts in their field. They are also a fantastic opportunity to shape your career goals, suss out companies that have piqued your interest, and build relationships that can further your career.
We’re highlighting some of the tech conferences that early-career women in tech should consider attending in 2023.
So go ahead, check out these conferences below, and we hope to see you at one soon!
- NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers)
– When? March 22-26, 2023
– Where? Kansas City, MO
– What’s unique about NSBE? NSBE is one of the largest student-governed organizations in the country. This year will be the 49th annual convention, hosting a 3,000+ general session and a career fair with over 300 companies. The flagship career fair is one of the largest recruitment events in the US for aspiring and current black engineers and technologists. It’s not too late to attend NSBE – grab your tickets here!
- AI + Big Data Exposition
– When? May 17-18, 2023
– Where? Santa Clara, CA
– What’s unique about AI + Big Data Expo? It’s the leading event for Enterprise AI, Machine Learning, Security, Ethical AI, Deep Learning, Data Ecosystems, and NLP. There are six co-located events covering AI + Big Data, IoT, Cyber Security and Cloud, Blockchain, Edge Computing, and Digital Transformation, with over 250+ companies showcasing the latest technologies. You can grab a 40% early bird discount here! - Grace Hopper Celebration
– When? September 26-29, 2023
– Where? Orlando, FL
– What’s unique about Grace Hopper? Simply put, Grace Hopper is the largest gathering of women and non-binary technologists in the world. It’s a place to connect with peers from around the US and the world and get inspired by the phenomenal companies, speakers, and overall inspirational vibe during this annual event. There will be over 300 speakers and 200+ sessions at GHC 23. The annual event also provides several scholarships – see if you qualify and apply here! - Lesbians Who Tech Summit
– When? Virtual: October 16-18, In-Person: October 18-20
– Where? San Francisco, CA
– What’s unique about LWT? The 2023 Summit will host over 15k LGBTQ women, women of color, non-binary and Trans techies and allies from all over the world. The summit will be both indoor and outdoor and there will be a daycare, a kids meetup, ping pong, basketball hoops, mentoring and more. Past speakers include Stacy Abrams, Megan Rapinoe, Alicia Garza, Kamala Harris, and Bozoma Saint John, among others. Register and grab your tickets here! - Society of Women Engineers
– When? October 26-28, 2023
– Where? Hybrid + Los Angeles, CA
– What’s unique about the WE23 Conference? The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is a global organization supporting the advancement of women in tech and is holding a hybrid conference in Los Angeles, CA, in October. SWE has been around since 1950 and provides various training and development programs, networking opportunities, scholarships, and advocacy activities for women in tech. Keep an eye on the event page for updates on the fall conference here! - AFROTECH
– When? November 1-4, 2023
– Where? Austin, TX
– What’s unique about AFROTECH? AFROTECH is the place to be for all things black in tech. It’s an event that creates a safe space for Black people in tech to engage in emerging trends and networking opportunities with industry leaders and top tech recruiters. It was designed to help introduce attendees to tech-related careers they may not have considered. Get your registration information and tickets here! - SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers)
– When? November 1-5, 2023
– Where? Salt Lake City, UT
– What’s unique about SHPE? SHPE is the largest association in the nation for Hispanics in STEM. The organization envisions a world where Hispanics are highly valued and influential as leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. You can sign up to be notified once registration opens here!
The conferences mentioned above offer a range of opportunities for women in tech, including workshops, panels, networking events, and mentorship programs. By attending these conferences, early-career women in tech can gain valuable insights, develop their skills, and invest in their future.
Interested in being part of a community that supports you before, during, and after you attend a tech conference? Join Rewriting the Code’s free Early Career community of over 6,500 women worldwide!
Join UsMembers can win up to $2k to cover conference and travel fees for a conference of their choice in 2023 for participating in our annual Early Career Survey (for women 1-5 years into their careers).
Are you a college or graduate student? RTC members can apply for a conference scholarship to attend many of the conferences we’ve shared here. Become a member today — our private community is always free.
To learn more about the RTC Early Career Community, please visit the In Your Career page.
Stay connected with RTC through Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or join our community of 17,000+ women in tech at teamRTC.org.