Summerfest Tech Announces 2024 Keynote Speakers and Conference Details
Event to Grow to Four Days with High Profile Panels and International Speakers
MILWAUKEE, WI (February 15, 2024) – Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. (MWF) is excited to announce details for the seventh annual Summerfest Tech, Milwaukee’s premiere tech event. The conference will take place in person at Henry Maier Festival Park and Potawatomi Casino | Hotel, growing from three to four days in 2024 – Monday, June 24 – Thursday, June 27 and will remain FREE of charge. To register, visit Summerfest-Tech.com.
The 2023 edition recorded tremendous growth, with a 50% increase in attendance over 2022, with attendees from 31 states and 16 countries. The annual conference which began in 2018 provides a national stage for thousands of business and tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors, enhancing the region’s reputation as a tech hub.
“Amidst the vibrant energy of Milwaukee, Summerfest Tech is a unique opportunity to convene tech leaders and tap into innovation in the Midwest and beyond. This conference is a testament to the city’s collective drive to shape the future through imagination and ingenuity,” said Sarah Pancheri, President and Chief Executive Officer, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
New high-profile initiatives for Summerfest Tech include a collaborative keynote panel discussion on the intersection of entertainment, sports, and technology in an ecosystem. The panel titled “Brews, Beats, and Bytes,” will feature representatives from TitletownTech, Molson Coors Beverage Company, and Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., kicking off Summerfest Tech on June 24 at the newly renovated Aurora Pavilion at Henry Maier Festival Park.
Other featured national keynote speakers for Summerfest Tech 2024 include:
• Betsy Allen-Manning, renowned author, leadership speaker, and corporate culture expert – the session will explore human behavior, understanding employee skills, and how to attract, engage, motivate, and retain the best talent.
• Abeba Birhane, Global Cognitive Scientist, Senior Advisor in AI Accountability at Mozilla Foundation, and a TIME 100 Most Influential People in AI – the session will discuss the challenges and pitfalls of automating human behavior through critical examination of existing models and audits of large-scale datasets used for training models.
In addition to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and talent & culture, Summerfest Tech programming will explore energy and sustainability tech, biohealth, and cybersecurity, with breakout sessions focusing on business innovation and strategy, tech for good, and mentorship. Hands-on technical certification and badge sessions, along with entrepreneur/investor workshops will be featured during the conference.
The popular Summerfest Tech Pitch Competition, produced by Young Enterprising Society, in partnership with Molson Coors Beverage Company, is returning for 2024 and will begin accepting applications immediately. In 2023, over 100 start-ups from around the globe applied for the competition. Participants will pitch for the opportunity to win a portion of the $50,000 cash prize, $5,000 of which will be awarded to a “Hometown Winner” from the greater Milwaukee area. The deadline to apply is April 14, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. For more information, visit Summerfest Tech Pitch Competition.
New this year, Summerfest Tech is requesting a call for content provided and chosen by the community. Summerfest Tech programming themes listed above will be considered first, but others that focus on the tech ecosystem will also be considered. A steering committee will narrow down the entries, which will be followed by public online voting later this spring, to select the final topics. To submit, visit Community Choice Call for Content before April 14th, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
All 2024 conference attendees will receive FREE entrance to a networking luncheon on-site at Henry Maier Festival Park during Summerfest on June 27 and FREE admission to the music festival’s second weekend June 27-29, 2024.
Summerfest Tech is supported by Generac Power Systems*, Molson Coors Beverage Company*, American Family Insurance*, BMO*, Charter Manufacturing, Potawatomi Business Development Corporation*, Regal Rexnord, UScellular Business*, AE Business Solutions*, Concurrency Inc.*, Expedient*, Fresh Coast Labs, Husch Blackwell*, i.c.stars*, Insight Enterprises, Inc., MKE Tech Hub Coalition*, Sitecore, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County*, UW-Milwaukee*, UW-Milwaukee School of Information Studies*, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation*, Zscaler*, Bridge to Cures* and the Wisconsin Tech Council. Media support provided by Experience Milwaukee*.
*indicates a returning partner.
More details on the agenda and other speakers will be forthcoming – visit Summerfest-Tech.com for the latest information.
About Summerfest Tech
Summerfest Tech began in 2018 with the goal of leveraging the Summerfest brand to showcase technology and provide a forum for attendees from the tech and business community to network, educate, and celebrate the evolution of technology. Summerfest Tech continues to champion the regional business community, while shining the spotlight on Wisconsin’s growing reputation as a tech hub, highlighting the growth and opportunity in the region. Programming from local, regional, and national speakers, as well as a cash-prize pitch competition, connects the tech community around relevant topics. Summerfest Tech will be held June 24-27, 2024, free of charge, in-person and available virtually. For more details, visit Summerfest-tech.com.
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