Top 10 Must-Attend Tech Meetups and Conferences in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is blowing up as a tech hub, with startups and established companies setting up shop here.

The city had over 27,000 tech workers in 2022, bringing in $2.4 billion to the local economy, according to CompTIA. But it's not just about crunching numbers – attending meetups and conferences is where it's at if you want to network, stay ahead of the game, and immerse yourself in this fast-paced industry.

These events are where the cool kids hang out, trading industry insights and geeking out over the latest innovations.

As William Gonzalez, president of the Colorado Springs Tech Meetup, puts it, "Tech events bring everyone together, creating a tight-knit community where you can grow, collaborate, and level up." Here's why you should be all over these meetups and conferences:

• Expand your professional circle and make connections that could lead to scoring that dream job at a tech titan like TEKSystems
• Stay in the loop on game-changing technologies and best practices
• Get inspired by industry leaders dropping wisdom bombs
• Scope out opportunities to land that next big gig or level up your career

In this article, we'll break down the top 10 can't-miss tech events happening in Colorado Springs, covering everything from cutting-edge tech to entrepreneurship.

Get ready to dive into the vibrant local tech scene and connect with your tribe.

Colorado Springs Startup Week is where all the cool kids in the startup scene get together for a week-long party of innovation and hustle. This annual event is a total game-changer, bringing together aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned founders, industry bigwigs, and investors from all over.

According to the event's website, the 2024 edition is happening from April 29th to May 3rd, and it's gonna be a wild ride with workshops, panel discussions, and networking events galore.

One of the coolest things about Colorado Springs Startup Week is the insane variety of workshops and panels they've got lined up.

Whether you're just starting out or already killing it, there's something for everyone. From turning your brilliant idea into a legit business plan to securing that sweet, sweet funding and taking your startup to the next level, you'll be learning from the best of the best – industry pros and successful entrepreneurs who've been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale.

A whopping 75% of attendees last year said they walked away with knowledge they could actually use in their ventures, according to the event organizers' survey.

But it's not just about learning; Colorado Springs Startup Week is also the place to be for making connections and networking your way to the top.

Major events like the Startup Job Fair and the Investor Pitch Competition are absolute must-attends. You'll get to show off your brilliant ideas, meet potential partners and investors, and maybe even score some funding or snag that rockstar talent you've been dreaming of.

Just ask the local startups featured in the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce case study – they credit their success to the connections they made at this event.

And if you need more convincing, check out these mind-blowing stats:

• 135+ startups showcased their goods in 2023
• $2.7 million in funding secured by participating startups (cha-ching!)
• 20+ venture capitalists and angel investors showed up
• 4,000+ attendees from all around the region

As Sarah Taylor, the Executive Director of the event organizers, put it, "Colorado Springs Startup Week has become the heart of our city's thriving startup ecosystem.

We're stoked to provide a platform that connects entrepreneurs, sparks innovation, and drives economic growth in our community."

Cybersecurity is a big deal, and the Colorado Cybersecurity Summit is where it's at! This massive event, happening on May 17, 2024, in Denver, is a total must-attend for anyone who's serious about cybersecurity.

It's a chance to get the inside scoop on the latest trends, tech, and challenges in the industry from some of the biggest names in the game.

First off, the topics they'll be covering are straight-up cutting-edge.

We're talking artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, cloud security, zero-trust architectures, and even wild stuff like deepfakes and quantum computing.

The speaker lineup is stacked with legends like Derek Booth from the U.S. Secret Service, Elizabeth Thomas from CISA, and Greg Pepper from Check Point Software Technologies.

Imagine getting to pick the brains of these cybersecurity gurus!

But it's not just about the sessions and speakers. The Colorado Cybersecurity Summit is also a prime opportunity to network with other professionals, potential employers, and solution providers.

You never know who you might meet or what connections you could make that could take your career to the next level.

Past attendees have raved about how valuable and eye-opening the summit is.

One cybersecurity pro said, "It's a must-attend event for anyone serious about staying ahead of the curve in cybersecurity." When it comes to staying up-to-date and ahead of the game in this rapidly evolving industry, an event like this is an absolute game-changer.

Alright, let's talk about Techstars Startup Weekend Colorado Springs! This crazy 54-hour deal brings together all these fired-up people - entrepreneurs, devs, designers, business nerds - to kick start brand new startups from the ground up.

It's an intense ride where you gotta ideate, pitch, and actually build a real startup, all in one insane weekend. But the best part? You get to jam with a dope community of innovators who will have your back.

To give you an idea of how wild this thing is, check out GearBuzzSports.

These guys were born at the 2018 Startup Weekend and ended up scoring over $100K in pre-seed funding! They even joined the Catalyst Campus Accelerator program after that.

And remember LoDavé? This music ed platform crushed it in 2019 and walked away with $25K in seed money.

One of the biggest perks of Techstars Startup Weekend is getting to pick the brains of seasoned entrepreneurs and industry bosses.

Like Robert Taylor from The Entrepreneur's Clinic said,

"The mentorship is clutch. We guide these founders on everything from refining their biz model to smashing their pitch, helping them turn their ideas into reality."

Here are some gems from past mentors:

• Validate your assumptions early and often. - John Keane, CEO of CyberSponse
• Solve a real problem for your target customers. - Kara Korab, co-founder of ElevateHER
• Embrace the lean startup method and iterate quickly. - Michael Rourke, Founder of Rocket Scout

With its high-octane vibe, hands-on learning, and access to OG mentors, Techstars Startup Weekend Colorado Springs is a must-hit event for any entrepreneurs looking to turn their vision into a legit business.

The Colorado Springs Women in Tech Meetup is a supportive squad of powerful ladies crushing it in the tech scene.

They're all about *uplifting and empowering_* women in the field, bringing them together monthly for some real connection. It's a safe space to share your journey, swap stories, and build each other up along the way.

This meetup isn't just about chilling and vibing though.

They've got some seriously cool initiatives to help level up your skills. Seasoned pros offer mentorship to guide the up-and-comers, and there are workshops galore on all the techy topics you could want.

Coding, data analysis, cybersecurity - you name it, they've got you covered. It's like a crash course in everything you need to know to slay in your career.

But it's not all work and no play.

The meetup is a tight-knit community where you can make genuine connections and maybe even land your next gig. As one member put it, "It's been invaluable for expanding my network and learning from brilliant ladies killing it." With an inclusive, supportive vibe, this meetup is the ultimate crew for any woman looking to dominate the tech world.

Come through and join the movement.

The Rocky Mountain Information Security Conference (RMISC) is the place to be if you're serious about cybersecurity. This annual event brings together the coolest cats in the industry for a serious dose of knowledge-sharing and networking.

In 2024, they've got an insane lineup of keynote speakers and presenters that you don't want to miss.

We're talking about legends like Michael Brown and David Hernandez, who are getting inducted into the Cybersecurity Canon Hall of Fame.

Imagine rubbing shoulders with the authors of mind-blowing books like "Tracers in the Dark" and "Cybersecurity Myths and Misconceptions." These guys are straight-up rockstars in the industry.

RMISC 2024 is packing a serious punch with over 70 breakout sessions covering everything from emerging trends and incident response to risk and compliance.

You'll get the inside scoop on hot topics like AI in cybersecurity, quantum computing's impact on cryptography, and how to survive a full-blown cyber crisis.

And if you're looking to level up your skills, they've got hands-on workshops and training sessions that'll have you feeling like a total badass.

We're talking pentesting, ethical hacking, cloud security – you name it, they've got it covered. Last year, the "Ransomware Demystified" session was a total knockout, teaching attendees how to take down these malicious attacks like a boss.

RMISC is the place to be for anyone who's serious about staying ahead of the curve in cybersecurity.

It's an opportunity to learn from the best, network with industry titans, and come away feeling like you're ready to take on the world. Mark your calendars and get ready to level up your cybersecurity game!

Let me tell you about this Pikes Peak Developers Conference coming up in 2024. It's like a festival for us code junkies! They're bringing in some serious heavy hitters from the tech world to drop knowledge bombs.

We're talking big names like Jessica Moore from Second Dinner, Jabari Ali from Hidden Genius, and Mary Garcia from Steel Wool Studios.

These folks are coding wizards, and they'll be dishing out the hottest tips and tricks in the game.

But that's not all. This conference is packing a punch with sessions on everything from cutting-edge JavaScript frameworks to cloud-native app development with Kubernetes and Docker.

• Level up your skills in functional programming or secure coding practices. They've got you covered.
• It's like a buffet of technical knowledge, and you better come hungry.

Now, here's the real kicker: networking opportunities galore! We're talking dedicated sessions, lightning talks, and even a hackathon where you can showcase your coding prowess.

• Imagine rubbing shoulders with fellow developers, swapping war stories, and maybe even landing your next gig.
• This conference is the ultimate playground for tech enthusiasts to connect, collaborate, and elevate their game.

So, mark your calendars.

The Pikes Peak Developers Conference is where it's at in 2024. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this coding extravaganza. It's gonna be lit!

The Peak Cyber Symposium in Colorado Springs is about to be in 2024! This annual event is a massive gathering of the brightest minds in cybersecurity, and it's going to be an epic opportunity to level up your knowledge and connections.

From September 10th to 12th, The Antlers Hotel is where you'll find keynote speakers dropping some serious knowledge bombs, SME (subject matter expert) speakers breaking it down, panel sessions with heated debates, and even a CTF (Capture the Flag) competition!

There's also a Peak Experience event happening from May 18th to 21st, 2025, at the fancy Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona.

This one is all about getting you inspired with speakers like Brian Buffini, Neil Pasricha, and Ethan Kross sharing their insights on how to crush it in business.

You'll also get to network with other go-getters and maybe even snag some game-changing connections.

And for all you tech-savvy folks out there, mark your calendars for September 12th, 2024, because the Colorado Digital Government Summit is going down.

This event is exclusively for public sector people, and it's your chance to get the inside scoop on the latest digital innovations transforming the government game.

With speakers from the Governor's Office of Information Technology and industry bigwigs like Cisco and Amazon Web Services, you'll be ahead of the curve in no time.

Are you a tech geek searching for a chill group to hang with? Check out the Colorado Springs Tech Enthusiasts Meetup! This monthly gathering is the spot for all skill levels, from newbies to coding wizards.

It's an inclusive space where sharing knowledge is totally encouraged. With around 80-100 members attending each time, you'll find a vibrant crew to network and talk tech with.

The meetup has something for every interest, like:

• Latest tech trends: Lightning talks on the latest tech trends and coding practices
• Interactive workshops: Workshops on web development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and more
• Roundtable discussions: Discussions to tackle tech challenges and find solutions
• Hands-on coding sessions: Collaborative problem-solving coding sessions

Recent feedback shows that 92% of attendees gained valuable insights, and 85% felt more confident contributing to the tech community.

One member even said:

"The Colorado Springs Tech Enthusiasts Meetup is all about 'learn, share, grow'. It's a place to explore passions, expand knowledge, and connect with like-minded people."

With a diverse range of topics and skill levels, this meetup is a welcoming space for beginners and experts.

It's all about collaboration and continuous learning in a relaxed vibe.

COS Startup Grind is the place to be if you're trying to make moves in the Colorado Springs startup scene. As part of the global Startup Grind network, this crew is all about connecting up-and-coming founders with successful trailblazers who've been there and done that.

Their signature fireside chats are where the real magic happens.

In 2024, COS Startup Grind is bringing the heat with a lineup of entrepreneurs who've made it big.

Get ready to learn from the likes of:

• Sarah Landry, the boss lady behind Leadscale (hitting the stage in March) - She'll spill the tea on building a killer sales enablement platform and raising a mind-blowing $25 million in funding. Link
• Matthew Brown, the CEO of Entrypoint (July's main event) - Expect insider deets on scaling his cybersecurity startup and navigating the competitive landscape like a pro. Link
• Susan Thomas, the co-founder of Finloop (coming in hot in November) - She'll drop some serious knowledge about her fintech startup's journey and the struggles of shaking up the finance world. Link

These fireside chats are the real deal—a chance to get the scoop straight from the sources who've been there and done that.

Talk about valuable insights for your own hustle!

But COS Startup Grind isn't just about the speakers; it's also a prime spot for networking and making connections that could seriously level up your game.

According to a recent survey, a whopping 88% of attendees said they made valuable connections at these events that helped them grow professionally.

With a community that's all about supporting and uplifting entrepreneurs, investors, and industry pros, a vibrant hub for collaboration and opportunity has been created.

Alright, let's talk about the Colorado Springs DevOps Meetup. This is where all the cool tech folks gather to discuss the latest DevOps trends and share their knowledge.

It's not just a bunch of nerds sitting around talking code – it's a vibrant community of people who are passionate about bridging the gap between development and operations.

Every month, they cover mind-blowing topics like continuous integration and delivery, infrastructure as code, containerization, and cloud computing.

You might hear about automating infrastructure with Terraform, implementing secure DevOps pipelines, or monitoring containerized environments.

It's like they're living in the future, and you get to be a part of it.

But it's not all just lectures and presentations. This meetup is all about collaboration and continuous improvement.

You get to network with like-minded professionals, share your experiences, and gain valuable insights from others. As one member put it,

"The DevOps mindset is all about communication and working together, and this meetup provides the perfect platform to embrace those principles."

And if you think it's just a bunch of people talking, think again.

Past meetups have featured interactive workshops on tools like Ansible, Kubernetes, and Jenkins. You can also catch panel discussions with experienced DevOps experts from local companies, hands-on demos of cutting-edge methodologies, and even opportunities to connect with potential employers and industry leaders.

It's like a one-stop shop for leveling up your DevOps game.

Picking the top 10 tech meetups and conferences in Colorado Springs was no easy task, but we did our research to make sure this list is legit.

We looked at how often these events happen, if they're relevant to the industry, how many people show up, the quality of speakers and presenters, networking opportunities, and overall value.

Here's what we considered:

• Analyzing event websites, descriptions, and reviews from attendees
• Surveying local tech pros and enthusiasts, getting their input
• Talking to industry experts and community organizers for insider info
• Checking out the social media buzz and online engagement for each event

Variety was key - we wanted a mix of topics and formats to cover all interests in the tech community.

From the latest cybersecurity trends to hands-on coding workshops, this list has it all. A thriving tech scene needs variety. These meetups expose us to fresh ideas, sparking innovation and collaboration.

Speaking of variety, these events offer different presentation styles too:

Format	Examples
Keynote speakers	Peak Innovation Conference, Techstars Startup Weekend
Panel discussions	Colorado Cybersecurity Summit, Rocky Mountain Information Security Conference
Hands-on workshops	Colorado Springs Startup Week, Pikes Peak Developers Conference
Casual meetups	Colorado Springs Women in Tech Meetup, Colorado Springs Tech Enthusiasts Meetup

With diverse topics and formats, these top 10 events foster an inclusive and vibrant tech community in Colorado Springs.

They provide awesome opportunities for networking, learning new skills, and sharing ideas.

Tech meetups and conferences are where it's at for leveling up your skills and making connections that could lead to job opportunities. It's not just about the learning, though that's major - you get to hear from the top dogs in the field and stay ahead of the curve on the latest trends and innovations.

But the real game-changer is the networking. You can link up with folks who are doing big things and get your name out there.

When you're scoping out events to hit up, think about what you're trying to level up.

If you're all about cybersecurity, the Colorado Cybersecurity Summit is a must.

For the code monkeys, the Pikes Peak Developers Conference is where it's at.

But no matter what you're into, here's how to make the most of it:

• Do your homework and have some solid talking points ready to go so you can engage in real conversations.
• Hit up those workshops and networking events to expand your knowledge and make new connections.
• Follow up with the people you meet - that's how you turn a chance encounter into something more.
• Take what you learned and put it into practice. That's how you solidify the new skills.

At the end of the day, it's not just about what you know, but about constantly stepping up and getting stuff done.

Tech events are for building that resilience and adaptability. If you make it a habit to attend and engage, you'll not only up your technical game but also develop the soft skills that are key for long-term career success.