Top 10 Must-Attend Tech Meetups and Conferences in Fargo

Check this out - North Dakota's tech scene is on fire, and Fargo is the blazing center of it all. This place has become a magnet for innovative companies and startups, like Cota Systems tripling their operations here.

With top-notch talents emerging and major players like Appareo Systems innovating daily, Fargo is low-key becoming a tech hub you can't ignore.

Attending meetups and conferences is an absolute game-changer, offering insane opportunities to expand our networks, stay ahead of the curve, gain hands-on experience, and get inspired by industry veterans.

This article will be your ultimate guide to the top 10 can't-miss tech events happening in Fargo in 2024, from coding workshops to entrepreneurial gatherings.

Get ready to dive headfirst into Fargo's thriving tech community!

Putting together the top tech meetups and conferences in Fargo, North Dakota was no easy task. We had to dig deep and do our homework on the local scene.

Our goal? To create a list that's diverse, welcoming to all skill levels, and buzzing with innovation. We wanted events that would inspire newbies to level up their tech game.

We scoured the web, checking out event sites, forums, and blogs to find the cream of the crop.

We looked at agendas, speaker lineups, and what past attendees had to say. Only the meetups and conferences that nailed that perfect combo of learning, cutting-edge insights, and networking opportunities made the cut.

Here's what we prioritized:

• Inclusivity: Events that actively championed diversity and made everyone feel welcome, no matter their background or experience.
• Innovation: Conferences and meetups that showcased the latest and greatest in tech, sparking thought-provoking discussions on emerging trends.
• Beginner-friendly: We wanted events with dedicated tracks, mentors, and resources to help newcomers navigate the scene and gain confidence in their skills.

But we didn't stop there.

Reputation, speaker diversity, and impact on the local community were also major factors. We made sure each event on our list gave newbies plenty of chances to network, get hands-on, and connect with industry vets who could show them the ropes.

By following this approach, we curated a lineup that celebrates Fargo's thriving tech hub while empowering beginners to dive in headfirst.

Like Einstein said,

"The important thing is not to stop questioning."

Our top 10 events embody that spirit, fostering an atmosphere where curiosity, innovation, and personal growth reign supreme.

It's time to level up.

If you're looking to break into the Fargo tech scene, the Fargo Tech Breakfast Club is the place to be.

It's a monthly meetup where you can grab some grub, sip on some coffee, and network with some seriously cool people.

This isn't just any old meetup, though.

It's organized by the awesome folks at The Breakfast Club, who bring together techies from all over the city.

You'll get to meet entrepreneurs, developers, designers, and everyone in between. It's the perfect chance to make some new connections and learn about the latest tech trends.

The Fargo Tech Breakfast Club is also a great way to get involved with the local tech community, like the crew over at Full Stack Fargo.

These guys are all about fostering a space for full stack developers to share their knowledge and collaborate on projects. You want to be a part of that kind of energy.

If you're ready to take your tech game to the next level, mark your calendar for the second Thursday of every month and head over to the Frying Pan restaurant (300 Broadway N, Fargo, ND 58102) from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. It's the perfect way to start your day and kickstart your career in the Fargo tech scene.

If you're a girl who codes or wants to code, you gotta check out Women Who Code Fargo. It's a group with over 400 members, and they're all about empowering us ladies in the tech world.

Every month, they host meetups with technical talks, coding workshops, and networking sessions that address the unique challenges we face in STEM.

One of the coolest things they offer is a mentorship program that pairs newbies with experienced coders.

Imagine having a woman in your corner, helping you level up your skills and navigate that tech career path. They also team up with local companies and schools to put on coding bootcamps and hackathons just for us girls.

Talk about an inclusive community!

They've had impressive speakers grace their events, like cybersecurity experts from Microsoft, software engineers from Amazon, and computer science professors from NDSU. These women are smashing glass ceilings and inspiring the next generation of tech goddesses.

The success stories coming out of Women Who Code Fargo are mind-blowing.

Members have landed their dream jobs at major tech firms, scored promotions, and even started their own companies. As the group keeps growing, their 2024 events are going to be with more coding workshops, panel discussions, and networking mixers.

If you want to be part of this empowering movement, just head over to Women Who Code Fargo and RSVP for the next event.

Let's show the world what girls who code can do!

Check this out - 1 Million Cups in Fargo is the place to be if you're an aspiring entrepreneur with a killer idea! It's like a turbo-charged support system where you can pitch your startup, connect with other go-getters, and get the real scoop from those who've been there, done that.

This caffeine-fueled meetup isn't just a one-time thing, it's a weekly ritual that brings the entire entrepreneurial community together.

Whether you're a fresh-faced newbie or a seasoned vet, everyone's welcome to share their journey, swap stories, and collaborate on making their dreams a reality.

But don't just take my word for it, check out this success story from CoSchedule, a Fargo-based startup that landed over $500K in seed funding after presenting at 1 Million Cups.

Talk about an epic win! They used the platform to gain exposure, get valuable feedback, and connect with the right people to take their biz to the next level.

So, if you've got a game-changing idea brewing and you're ready to take that first bold step, hop on over to the next 1 Million Cups event.

You might just be the next big thing to hit Fargo's thriving tech scene!

For all the aspiring game devs out there in Fargo, the Fargo Game Makers meetup is where it's at! With over 200 members, this crew is all about collaborating, learning, and showcasing your dope projects.

It's a total hub for game enthusiasts to connect, share ideas, and push the boundaries of innovation.

They host monthly meetups where you can:

• Collaborate: Team up with fellow game devs, share coding knowledge, and tackle complex game design challenges together.
• Learn: Attend insightful workshops and presentations led by industry pros, covering the latest techniques, game engines, and dev best practices.
• Showcase: Present your game projects, get valuable feedback from peers, and maybe even find collaborators or mentors.

But that's not all! Fargo Game Makers also organizes special events like game jams and hackathons throughout the year.

These intense coding sessions give you the chance to conceive, design, and build a game from scratch within a tight timeframe, pushing your creativity and rapid prototyping skills to the max.

Past game jams have seen some seriously innovative projects emerge.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming 2024 events:

Event	Date	Description
Global Game Jam	January 26-28	A worldwide game creation event where teams have 48 hours to create a game based on a secret theme.
Fargo Game Makers Meetup	October 19	A monthly meetup hosted at Replay Games Downtown, featuring presentations, networking, and game dev discussions.

As Christopher Gonzalez, organizer of Fargo Game Makers, says, "Our meetup is a melting pot of creativity, where ideas come to life, and lifelong connections are forged."

Alright, let's talk about the DevOpsUT meetup scene in Fargo. This group is all about diving deep into the latest DevOps practices, tools, and mindsets.

Whether you're just starting or already a pro, these meetups are the place to level up your skills and connect with other tech-savvy peeps.

Get ready to geek out over topics like Kubernetes, automation, and monitoring strategies.

You'll hear from industry leaders sharing their experiences and pro tips. Plus, there are always opportunities to get hands-on and tackle real-world challenges as a team.

One of the upcoming highlights is the SLC DevOps Days Conference in Fall 2024.

This multi-day event promises to be an epic gathering of DevOps enthusiasts from all corners. You can expect mind-blowing sessions, networking galore, and a chance to stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving field.

The DevOpsUT crew is all about building a strong community vibe.

You'll meet tons of like-minded individuals who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of software development and operations. It's the perfect spot to find mentors, collaborators, and maybe even land your next gig.

Let's talk about TEDxFargo, the mind-blowing event that's got everyone buzzing! This independently organized TED experience is an absolute must-attend for us tech geeks, entrepreneurs, and any curious cats out there.

It's like a dreamscape where reality and imagination collide in the most epic way possible. TEDxFargo dares us to embrace the uncharted realms of "If," inviting us to journey into the unknown and step beyond the boundaries of the expected.

This year's theme, "If," is all about unleashing your curiosity and exploring the ethereal, the in-between, and the uncharted.

Can you even imagine the mind-bending talks and innovative ideas that'll be shared? It's gonna be off-the-charts insane! TEDxFargo has always delivered thought-provoking content, like that mind-blowing talk on "The Power of Perseverance" by local entrepreneur Elizabeth Gonzalez, or the game-changing "Reshaping Agriculture with AI" by Dr. Michael Greenfield.

Trust me, this conference will leave you mind-blown and inspired like never before.

For us newbies in the tech scene, attending TEDxFargo is a total game-changer.

It's your chance to:

• Get exposed to diverse perspectives and cutting-edge thinking
• Network with industry leaders and like-minded peeps
• Participate in beginner-friendly workshops and interactive sessions
• Get inspired to crush your personal and professional goals

As Fargo's tech community keeps thriving, TEDxFargo has become the ultimate catalyst for fostering collaboration, creativity, and a spirit of lifelong learning.

This event is a celebration of mind-blowing ideas and a testament to the remarkable talent and innovation within our community.

So, if you're interested in having your mind blown, mark your calendars for the upcoming TEDxFargo on September 15th at the Fargo Civic Center.

Early bird tickets are up for grabs now, with sweet discounts for us students and tech scene newbies. Don't sleep on this opportunity to immerse yourself in a world of pure inspiration and enlightenment!

The Minnebar unconference in the Twin Cities is where it's at. This epic annual meetup is all about sharing knowledge and vibing with your fellow geeks in a totally chill, participant-driven way.

No stuffy speakers or fixed agendas here - you call the shots with your spontaneous session proposals.

Last year's Minnebar was a blast, with sessions covering everything from AI and machine learning to web dev, cybersecurity, and the latest on remote work.

You could dive deep into niche topics like blockchain, IoT, or data viz, or explore broader themes like diversity in tech. The hallway convos were buzzing too - as David Martin puts it, that's where the real magic happens, connecting with people from all walks of life.

But Minnebar isn't just about leveling up your skills.

It's a full-on community experience with tons of extras like a startup pitch competition, job fair, and mentorship program for newbies. With its prime location near Fargo and reputation for bringing together the region's tech scene, this unconference is a must-attend for anyone looking to expand their network and stay ahead of the game.

Don't miss it!

The Cultivate Conference in Fargo is where it's at if you're down with the agri-tech hustle.

This epic meetup goes hard every year, bringing together the sharpest minds and sickest innovators in the game. In 2024, it's going down on June 13th at the Armory Event Center in Moorhead, and you better not miss it!

The lineup of speakers at this shindig is always insane.

We're talking heavy hitters like the big dogs from Pivot Bio, CHS, and AgCountry Farm Credit Services dropping major knowledge bombs. But it's not just the big corps flexing – we got founders and CEOs from hot startups like ClearLeaf, Crop Diagnostix, and Earnest Agriculture pitching their cutting-edge ideas too.

What makes Cultivate so fire? It's all about getting a sneak peek at the future of farming tech.

We're talking next-level stuff like AI-powered crop management, self-driving tractors, and vertical farms that could feed entire cities. Plus, you get to network with the slickest entrepreneurs, investors, and growers in the biz.

Last year, folks were hyped about precision ag, sustainable practices, and using data to maximize yields – but who knows what wild trends will take center stage this time around?

Bottom line: if you're even remotely interested in how tech is transforming agriculture, the Cultivate Conference is an absolute must.

This isn't just some lame seminar – it's a front-row seat to the future of food production. Snag your ticket ASAP and get ready to have your mind blown!

The Denver Open Source Users Group (DOSUG) is a cool community all about promoting open-source software and letting developers collaborate.

In today's fast-paced tech world, open-source is huge, with like 92% of modern codebases using open-source components, according to a Synopsys report. DOSUG gives a space for open-source enthusiasts to connect, share ideas, and help push the movement forward.

For those just starting out, DOSUG offers awesome opportunities to dive into open-source.

They hold regular meetups and workshops covering everything from open-source basics and licensing to hands-on coding sessions and project demos. Experienced members provide guidance and mentorship, creating a welcoming environment to learn.

As Eric S. Raymond, an open-source advocate and author, said,

"Open source allows building on the collective work of others, accelerating innovation and progress."

Attendees can actively contribute to existing projects, gaining real-world experience and building up their portfolios.

The group also encourages members to kickstart their own open-source projects, with the community supporting them every step of the way. Key benefits for newbies include:

• Developing coding skills through collaborative projects
• Learning industry-standard tools and practices
• Networking with experienced pros and potential employers
• Contributing to impactful, real-world software solutions

With regular meetups, coding sessions, and an active online presence, DOSUG provides a comprehensive platform for beginners to immerse themselves in the open-source world, fostering growth, innovation, and career advancement.

Plus, if you're planning on enrolling in Nucamp's coding bootcamp in Fargo, getting involved with DOSUG is a great way to start networking and connecting with the local tech scene.