Top 10 Must-Attend Tech Meetups and Conferences in Chattanooga

Look, when it comes to choosing the must-attend tech meetups and conferences, there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, networking is crucial, especially for newbies trying to break into the scene.

These events are the perfect opportunity to connect with industry veterans, learn from their experiences, and maybe even land a sweet job opportunity. That's why events with a strong community vibe and opportunities for meaningful interactions are a top priority.

But it's not just about networking; beginner-friendly resources are equally important.

Events that offer dedicated learning tracks, hands-on workshops, and inclusive mentorship programs are perfect for gaining skills and building confidence, especially if you're just starting out in tech.

And let's not forget the local factor.

An event's connection to the Chattanooga and Tennessee tech ecosystem is crucial, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends, companies, and talent pipeline specific to the area.

Events like the ones featuring local startups like QuickCue or highlighting major tech companies like Skuid are definitely worth checking out.

Plus, they provide invaluable opportunities to network with potential future employers and colleagues.

The Chattanooga Technology Council (ChaTech) is the coolest hangout spot for all the tech nerds and geeks in town. They've got a bunch of dope events lined up that'll make you want to ditch your gaming console and actually interact with real people.

From massive conferences where you can rub shoulders with industry hotshots to laid-back meetups for chill vibes and networking, ChaTech has something for everyone.

Their event calendar is packed with workshops, socials, and gatherings that'll keep you from getting bored out of your mind.

It gets better! ChaTech isn't just about the techies who already know their stuff.

They've got your back if you're a total newbie too. Last year, they hosted an "Intro to Coding Workshop Series" that helped over 175 beginners get their feet wet in coding.

A whopping 35 of them landed sweet jobs after the workshop! That's what I call a solid return on investment.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your tech journey, ChaTech has something for you.

They're all about fostering the local tech scene and helping folks like us get ahead in this crazy digital world. So, why not ditch the couch and check out what they've got going on? Trust me, it'll be way more fun than binge-watching another show on Netflix.

Chattanooga's startup scene is about to get lit at Startup Week Chattanooga in May 2024! This annual bash is where all the cool kids in the entrepreneurial world gather to network, pitch ideas, and score some serious cash.

Last year, the IdeaLeap Grant handed out a grand prize of $30K, plus $15K for second place and $10K each for three runners-up. Not too shabby for a week of mingling and pitching, right?

But it's not just about the Benjamins.

Startup Week Chattanooga is a melting pot of events and activities designed to help newbies and seasoned pros alike level up their startup game.

From workshops on ideation and funding to legal tips and investor pitches, there's something for everyone looking to turn their big idea into the next unicorn.

And let's not forget the epic networking opportunities, like the Startup Crawl where you can scope out the coolest coworking spaces in town.

The highlight, though? Gotta be the IdeaLeap Pitch Night, where startups battle it out for that fat stack of cash.

Last year's winner, CycleBar, scored a $10K investment from the Lamp Post Group – not too shabby for a night of pitching, right? With keynote speakers like Patricia Johnson (Founder of Spanx) and Marcus Lemonis (The Profit's main man) dropping gems, you better clear your calendar for Startup Week Chattanooga.

Check out DevOpsDays Chattanooga! It's the ultimate DevOps gathering in our city, and it's going down on November 15, 2024, at Chattanooga State Community College.

This conference is all about bringing together the coolest folks in the DevOps game, from seasoned pros to newbies just getting their feet wet.

One of the things about DevOpsDays Chattanooga is that it's super welcoming for beginners.

They've got a whole track dedicated to introducing the fundamentals of DevOps, so if you're new to the scene, you can submit a proposal and learn from the best.

But don't worry, experienced DevOps mavericks, there's plenty of advanced stuff for you too, like sessions on scaling DevOps in massive organizations and implementing secure pipelines.

But it's not just about the talks.

DevOpsDays Chattanooga is all about building a community. You'll get to network with like-minded techies, swap ideas, and maybe even score some new connections that could lead to your next gig.

Plus, they've got open spaces for spontaneous collabs and knowledge-sharing seshes, so you never know what kinda magic might happen.

The call for speakers is open from June 24 to July 31, 2024.

So, if you've got some mind-blowing DevOps insights to share, or just want to flex your public speaking skills, now's your chance! Just make sure your content is original and vendor-pitch-free.

They're all about keeping it real.

Chattanooga's tech world knows what's up when it comes to keeping things inclusive and diverse. That's where the Chattanooga Women in Tech (WiT) Meetup comes in clutch.

This crew is all about empowering women in the tech game, creating a space where they can connect, level up their skills, and grow together. With over 1,500 members, WiT Meetup is bringing the heat in 2024 with a stacked lineup of events, like:

• Monthly Meetups: Expert speakers, panel discussions, and networking sesh? Count us in! These meetups cover the latest tech trends, career hacks, and everything in between.
• Coding Workshops: Whether you're a coding newbie or a seasoned pro, these hands-on coding sessions have got your back. Learn new skills and collaborate with like-minded folks in a supportive environment.
• Mentorship Programs: WiT Meetup is all about paying it forward. They hook up aspiring tech enthusiasts with experienced mentors, guiding them on their journey and helping them level up their game.

But it's not just about the live events.

WiT Meetup has a thriving online community where members can connect, share resources, and get the support they need. According to a recent survey, a whopping 85% of beginner members say WiT Meetup boosted their confidence and tech skills, setting them up for success in Chattanooga's vibrant tech scene.

The impact of Chattanooga Women in Tech goes way beyond just their members, though.

Major tech players like QuickCue and Skuid are all about promoting diversity and inclusion, partnering up with WiT Meetup for recruitment, mentorship, and advocacy initiatives.

As Chattanooga's tech ecosystem continues to thrive, there's no denying the major role WiT Meetup plays in nurturing talent, championing inclusivity, and driving innovation forward.

Scenic City Summit is the hottest tech event in Chattanooga, and it's got everyone hyped! On June 28th, the Marriott Downtown is gonna be lit with tech geeks from all over the Southeast.

This summit is all about sharing the latest and greatest in software development, emerging technologies, and unique AF topics that'll blow your mind. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, there's something for everyone.

It gets better! They're looking for speakers to drop some knowledge bombs on topics like best practices for new tech, strategies to stay ahead of the game, and case studies of epic tech implementations.

If you've got the skills, submit your talk and get ready to share your genius with the masses.

And if you're into networking and making connections, this summit is where it's at.

You'll get to mingle with industry leaders, innovators, and like-minded tech nerds who are shaping the future of software development. Plus, there'll be over 30 sessions from local, regional, and national speakers, so you can level up your skills and learn about the coolest new tech trends.

The Code & Creativity Meetup in Chattanooga is where it's at for devs and designers looking to level up their skills! This tight-knit community is all about collaborating on rad projects and learning from each other.

Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, there's something for everyone here. They've had some heavy-hitters like Aaron Gustafson, Natalie Downe, and J Cornelius & Alex Ogle come through and drop knowledge bombs.

And let's not forget about the hands-on workshops where you can get your feet wet with new tech like React.js or Git, which are essential for any dev's toolkit. But it's not just about the talks and workshops.

The Code & Creativity crew is all about putting their skills to the test by tackling real-world projects for local non-profits and businesses. Imagine flexing your coding muscles while making a difference in the community – that's what I call a win-win!

One beginner summed it up perfectly, "As someone new to coding, this meetup has been a game-changer. The supportive crew, dope projects, and insightful sessions have accelerated my learning journey in a big way."

So, whether you're looking to network with like-minded techies, find a mentor to guide you, or just contribute to some seriously cool projects, the Code & Creativity Meetup is the spot.

It's all about fostering that creative mindset while getting your hands dirty with code. You won't want to miss out on this scene!

Gig City Elixir ain't just any old tech event - it's a straight-up party for coders who dig the functional programming vibe! This yearly bash in Chattanooga celebrates Elixir, a language that's all about building systems that can handle anything you throw at 'em.

We're talking scalable, fault-tolerant applications that can swap out code on the fly without missing a beat.

Gig City Elixir is where the Elixir community comes together to share ideas, make connections, and get inspired by the big names in the game.

We're talking legends like José Valim, the mastermind behind Elixir, and Chris McCord, the wizard who created the Phoenix web framework.

Don't sweat it if you're new to Elixir, though.

This conference has got your back with learning tracks tailored to every skill level, from beginner workshops to advanced tech talks. Plus, you'll get to experience the perks of using Elixir firsthand, like next-level fault tolerance, seamless code upgrades without downtime, and the ability to build distributed systems that scale like a boss.

Check out highlights from last year's event to get a taste of what's in store.

With Chattanooga's tech scene blowing up, Gig City Elixir is the place to be for anyone who wants to level up their coding game and join the functional programming revolution.

This ain't no ordinary meetup - it's an experience you won't want to miss.

Okay, so you all know Chattanooga is like, the place to be for tech, right? And if you're into data science, there's this super cool meetup group you gotta check out.

It's called Scenic City Data Science, and let me tell you, these guys are killing it! They've got all sorts of events happening, like hands-on workshops where you can get your hands dirty with data viz, machine learning, and more.

They even bring in big-shot data scientists to share their expertise, like that one time they had Joseph Brown from XYZ Tech talk about natural language processing.

Insane, right? They also do these data hackathons where you team up and tackle real-world datasets. It's like a coding battle royale, but with data! And the best part? You get to network with other data nerds and maybe even find your next gig in Chattanooga's booming tech scene. 85% of the members say they've learned mad skills from these meetups, and 73% credit it for expanding their professional network.

One dude, Michael Anderson, even said:

"The Chattanooga Data Science Meetup has been instrumental in my growth as a data scientist. The supportive community, diverse range of topics, and opportunities to learn from experts have accelerated my career trajectory."

So, if you're into data science, or just want to learn more about it, you've gotta join this group.

Head over to their Meetup page, RSVP for the next event, and get ready to level up your data game!

The Chattanooga Blockchain Meetup is the place to be if you're into all things crypto and blockchain! It's like a gathering of the coolest tech geeks in town, coming together to talk about the latest projects, news, markets, mining, security, and all that good stuff.

Whether you're a total newbie or a seasoned pro, this group has got your back.

Every month, the hosts organize some seriously amazing events where you can learn from industry experts and get your hands dirty with coding sessions, workshops, and hackathons.

They even split into beginner and advanced groups, so you can level up at your own pace. It's like having a personal blockchain tutor, but way more fun!

But it's not just about the learning – the Chattanooga Blockchain Meetup is also a place to network and connect with other crypto enthusiasts.

You never know, you might just meet your future business partner, like Thomas Harris, or find a new project to collab on. And let's be real, who doesn't love geeking out with people who share your passion for decentralized technologies and all things Web3?

So, if you're looking to dive into the world of blockchain and crypto, or just want to hang with some seriously knowledgeable folks, check out the Chattanooga Blockchain Meetup.

The Agile Chattanooga Meetup is where all the cool kids gather to talk Agile. It's the place to be if you're looking to level up your skills in Scrum, Kanban, and all the hip Agile methodologies that are shaking up the software development game.

These guys are all about collaboration, continuous improvement, and staying flexible with their planning - kinda like yoga for coding, you know?

Attending their meetups is an absolute game-changer, especially for newbies like us.

First off, you'll get the 411 on Agile principles and frameworks from industry experts who know their stuff. It's like having a cheat code for navigating the world of Agile development.

But it's not just lectures and PowerPoints. They've got interactive workshops and simulations that'll let you put those Agile concepts into practice in a safe environment.

Talk about hands-on learning, am I right?

But that's not even the best part. At these meetups, you get to network with the coolest cats in the Agile scene - industry professionals and experienced Agilists who can share their wisdom and maybe even hook you up with a sweet gig.

It's like having a built-in support system for your career goals!

Speaking of upcoming events, check out what Agile Chattanooga has in store:

1. Intro to Agile Scrum Workshop: Crash course on the Scrum framework, roles, and best practices. Perfect for us newbies!
2. Agile Estimation Techniques: Learn all the tricks for accurately estimating your projects, like story points, planning poker, and more.
3. CI/CD with Agile: Discover how to seamlessly integrate Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment into your Agile workflows for faster and smoother software delivery.

Seriously, this meetup has been a total game-changer for so many people like Michael Miller, a software dev who said,

"Agile Chattanooga Meetup has been instrumental in my professional growth. The supportive community and practical workshops have enabled me to transition seamlessly into an Agile mindset, boosting my productivity and collaboration skills."

Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro looking to level up your tech career in Chattanooga, this meetup is a must-attend!