AFROTECH season is here, and this year’s lineup is one for the record books. With speakers like Issa Rae, Timbaland, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, ticket holders will leave with tons of gems to propel their futures.
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But what good would it be, to have powerhouse speakers like those, events that amplify the culture, and hundreds of opportunities for networking if you did not take advantage of it all? Coming to AFROTECH Conference means having a plan of attack to prevent you from being overwhelmed.
The conference hosts didn’t coordinate the schedule for you to be in over your head. This year’s conference is designed for you to level up and make the most out of each day you are present.
Each year, attendees leave empowered, filling social media with reels and photos that detail how they left no stone unturned.
Here are a few tips that can help you make this year’s experience one you’ll be talking about for years to come.
Director of Product Management Breenae Washington attended in 2022, and she made the most of her experience — offering a few tips for attendees and recruiters alike to take full advantage of their AFROTECH experience. But for Washington, the first step to crafting experiences that will last a lifetime begins with taking all the vibes in.
“AFROTECH last year was just a warm hug, and I had attended the virtual one the year before, right when we were in the thick of COVID, and it was nice to connect, but it just didn’t feel the same. Coming back after that, I feel like it was such a good balance of new people looking to break into tech, people who had been industry leaders, and you could find your space within any organization or group. So, for me, it was just like a family reunion,” Washington explained.
Although recruiters are there looking for talent, networking is a two-way street. Maximizing connections is mutually beneficial for everyone involved. AFROTECH Conference brings top names to the stages, but movers and shakers across several industries fill the exhibit halls each day.
You never know who you will meet, what opportunities will be birthed from that meeting, and how it can be the missing variable from all you’ve been working on.
“The networking was impactful for me. I went into it being very intentional, trying to connect with as many people as possible,” Washington said.
In addition to networking with thousands of like-minded people, taking advantage of every session can pay dividends. The speakers are booked and ready, but have you identified which one you want to hear the most?
Taking it all in from some of the most anticipated speakers can create lasting memories and deposit nuggets of wisdom that will last a lifetime.
“Mark Cuban was there [last year],” Williams recalled. “Everybody knows who Mark Cuban is, but seeing the Black leaders and the thought leaders in the space around him with his platform was nice. I like that he gave them space to talk about their contributions from his company’s perspective.”
Although Nov. 1-5, 2023, is still a little ways away, it is close enough to know what to expect and have a strategy for navigating the mega tech conference. While the plan is essential, the AFROTECH experience is only magnified when you bring your authentic self.
“The biggest advice I would give is just to bring your true self and be open. Maybe step out of your comfort zone and do something you haven’t done because you’ll get different results. So bring your true self, be open, step out of your comfort zone, and just really meet new people,” Williams noted.
AFROTECH is less than 30 days away, and you don’t have to scramble on the day of — have your plan prepared and make this year’s conference the best one yet.
Check out the schedule of events here, and use this link to stay on top of any updates.
Most importantly, tickets are selling fast, so register now.
