Top 10 Must-Attend Tech Meetups and Conferences in Fayetteville

Fayetteville is where it all goes down for techies! This place is a straight-up hub for awesome startups and success stories, with meetups and conferences popping off all the time.

These events are the real deal, letting you network with fellow tech geeks, stay on top of the latest trends, and level up your skills with some killer workshops.

It's like a buffet for your brain, served up by industry pros spilling all the insider knowledge.

Here's why you gotta hit up these tech gatherings:

• Make connections that could lead to your next job opportunity.
• Get the inside scoop on cutting-edge tech skills employers are craving, straight from the source.
• Learn game-changing tips and tricks from veterans like John Williams who've been there, done that.
• Flex your coding muscles at epic hackathons and collabs.
• Surround yourself with a community of tech nerds who just get it, you know?

It's the perfect way to plug into the local scene and take your game to the next level.

Plus, networking events and hackathons are great for making valuable connections, so don't sleep on those either.

The notable startups making waves in Fayetteville's tech scene kick things off with the highly-anticipated Fayetteville Tech Fest, a two-day extravaganza igniting the local community since 2014.

This annual event draws over 1,200 attendees from across the region, making it one of the largest tech gatherings in Northwest Arkansas. For beginners, here's what's in store:

• Diverse sessions: The Tech Fest offers diverse sessions catering to various skill levels and interests. Newbies can benefit from hands-on workshops, intro coding classes, and talks on emerging tech. Popular tracks include Web Development, Mobile App Development, Data Science & Analytics, Cybersecurity, and Entrepreneurship & Startups.
• Networking prospects: Beyond learning, the event provides ample networking prospects with over 40 sponsors and exhibitors. Attendees can connect with industry pros, potential employers, and like-minded individuals. Notably, the Tech Fest features a dedicated "Beginner's Lounge" where newcomers mingle and receive guidance from mentors.

As a first-timer, expect a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

Sessions cater to all experience levels, and volunteers assist with navigation and questions. According to a survey,

"92% of beginner attendees felt encouraged and motivated to continue their tech journey after attending."

Boosting your network by volunteering at local tech events and hackathons is also a smart move.

The Startup Junkie Con is one epic event you can't afford to miss if you're an aspiring entrepreneur or startup fanatic in Fayetteville.

This annual conference, hosted by the entrepreneurial powerhouse Startup Junkie, is your golden ticket to networking, learning, and leveling up your game.

With a laser focus on startups and entrepreneurship, Startup Junkie Con brings together industry heavyweights, successful founders, investors, and ambitious entrepreneurs all under one roof.

Get ready for an insane lineup of keynote speakers and hands-on workshops specifically designed to help startups slay at every stage.

Past speakers have included entrepreneurial legends like John Furrier, the founder of SiliconANGLE, and Kristian Andersen, the co-founder of Collective Bias. These pros will drop some serious knowledge bombs, sharing their invaluable insights, strategies, and lessons learned on their journeys to building kickass ventures.

The conference offers a smorgasbord of workshops and breakout sessions covering all the essentials you need to crush it, like:

• Crafting a pitch deck that'll blow minds
• Fundraising strategies to fuel your startup's growth
• Building a company culture that rocks
• Leveraging social media to skyrocket your growth
• Navigating legal and regulatory frameworks like a boss

These interactive workshops are the real deal, giving you hands-on experiences and equipping you with the tools and knowledge to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

But it's not just about the education.

Startup Junkie Con is a networking paradise. This event attracts a diverse crowd of entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and industry pros, creating the perfect breeding ground for making valuable connections and fostering epic collaborations.

As Karen Jones, founder of FitBit Analytics, put it, "The connections I made at Startup Junkie Con were game-changers for my startup's growth.

I met potential investors, advisors, and even found my co-founder."

The NWA Tech Summit is the ultimate tech party in the region, and it's going down in 2024.

This year's theme, "Homegrown," is all about highlighting the skills and innovations coming straight outta Northwest Arkansas. We're talking AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing, and more cutting-edge stuff that'll blow your mind.

But it's not just about geeking out over the latest tech trends.

The summit is a total networking goldmine. Last year, over 60% of attendees landed sweet new business connections or job opportunities just by showing up and mingling.

Talk about a game-changer!

And if you're just starting to dip your toes into the tech waters, no worries! The NWA Tech Summit has got your back with a ton of beginner-friendly workshops, mentorship programs, career development sessions, and networking events specifically designed for newcomers.

It's like having a personal guide to help you navigate the tech scene without feeling lost or overwhelmed.

One attendee put it perfectly:

"The NWA Tech Summit was a total game-changer for me. As a beginner, I felt welcomed and empowered to explore new technologies and connect with industry veterans."

With its focus on inclusivity and knowledge-sharing, this summit is shaping up to be the ultimate tech event for anyone looking to level up their skills and connections in Fayetteville.

The Northwest Arkansas Developers Group is an awesome community for tech-savvy folks who want to level up their skills and connect with like-minded people.

They host monthly meetups, usually on the second Tuesday, where you can learn about the latest and greatest in the tech world.

What makes this group so cool is how diverse their events are.

You'll find a mix of insightful presentations, coding workshops, and panel discussions covering all sorts of topics like:

• Web development: (React, Angular, Node.js)
• Mobile app dev: (iOS, Android)
• Cloud computing and DevOps: Enhance your understanding of cloud technologies and operations.
• Data science and machine learning: Dive into data and predictive analytics.
• Cutting-edge tech: (blockchain, AI, IoT) Explore the latest innovations shaping the future.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, there's something for everyone.

As Meetup member John Gonzalez says, "The Northwest Arkansas Developers Group has been an incredible resource for me as a newcomer.

The welcoming community and beginner-friendly sessions have accelerated my learning curve significantly."

But it's not just about learning; this meetup is a hub for networking and collaborating.

You can connect with others, exchange ideas, find mentors, and maybe even land your dream job. With the local tech scene booming, the Northwest Arkansas Developers Group is the place to be for anyone who wants to grow both personally and professionally in the tech world.

The Women in Technology of the Ozarks (WITO) is an awesome crew all about lifting up the ladies slaying it in tech. Their whole vibe is creating a welcoming space where women in the Ozarks can level up their skills and connect with other boss babes in the industry.

WITO's calendar is stacked with cool events to get involved in:

• Networking and sharing experiences: These chill hangouts let the ladies network, swap stories, and chat about the latest tech buzz. Newbies can pick the brains of the seasoned pros.
• Industry insights: Industry rockstars drop knowledge bombs on cutting-edge tech, best practices, and what's trending. There's something for every skill level.
• Skill development: Level up your coding game with hands-on workshops covering languages like Python, JavaScript, and more. They make it super beginner-friendly, so no one feels left behind.
• Mentorship and guidance: WITO connects aspiring tech goddesses with experienced mentors who can provide invaluable guidance and career advice.

But it's not just about events.

WITO fosters a tight-knit community vibe through online forums, social media squads, and networking shindigs. As their website says,

"We believe in the power of collaboration, where women can learn from one another, share experiences, and uplift each other on their tech journeys."

This supportive atmosphere creates a safe space for newbies to ask questions, seek advice, and build that confidence.

Check out their upcoming meetup at Ozark Beer Company on July 9th if you wanna get in on the action!

The Fayetteville WordPress Meetup is where it's at for all you WP geeks! They got mad sessions lined up for 2024, covering everything from theme customization to plugin development, SEO, and e-commerce.

For the newbies, they got workshops to help you get a grip on the WordPress dashboard, content creation, and basic website management. It's a chill vibe where you can ask all the questions without feeling like a total noob.

One of the coolest things about this meetup is the networking game.

You can kick it with seasoned WordPress devs, designers, and bloggers during the networking breaks and after-parties. It's the perfect chance to pick some brains, maybe score a collab opportunity, and make some solid connections in the local WP community.

• Speaker Q&A Sessions: Grill the experts on your burning WordPress questions.
• Job Board: Scope out WordPress gigs and connect with potential employers or freelance clients.
• Mentorship Program: Get paired up with a WordPress pro for personalized guidance and career advice.

This meetup attracts all sorts of peeps, from bloggers just starting out to hardcore devs.

If you're a beginner, it's a super chill environment to learn, network, and level up your WordPress game. Just ask Charles Smith, a WordPress dev, who said:

"The Fayetteville WordPress Meetup has been clutch for my WordPress journey. The supportive community and knowledge bombs dropped at each meetup have been key to sharpening my skills and staying ahead of the curve."

Look, the HackGT College Hackathon is a freakin' huge deal! This annual event, hosted by Georgia Tech, is where all the tech wizards gather for an epic 36-hour coding marathon.

It's like a massive LAN party, but way cooler 'cause you're building crazy projects from scratch.

According to their website, HackGT has already welcomed over 1,500 hackers from across the world.

Can you imagine that many people, all coding their hearts out under one roof? It's intense, but that's where the real magic happens. You team up with other coding ninjas, pull all-nighters fueled by energy drinks, and create mind-blowing tech solutions.

The best part? You get invaluable mentoring from industry pros, attend dope workshops to level up your skills, and maybe even impress recruiters from places like the NSA.

And if your project is fire, you could walk away with some serious prize money or swag.

Even if you're a total newbie, HackGT has got your back. They offer beginner tracks with mentors to guide you through the chaos.

Trust me, after surviving your first hackathon, you'll feel like a coding demigod ready to conquer the tech world. It's an experience every aspiring developer needs under their belt, so mark your calendars for HackGT.

The Summit Conference at Crystal Bridges is about to go down in 2024, and it's shaping up to be an absolute must-attend event for anyone serious about the tech game.

This ain't no ordinary conference – it's a two-day exclusive workshop that'll give you a front-row seat to witness real-life supply chain improvements and gain insights from the heavy hitters in the industry.

We're talking over 10 hours of mind-blowing programming, special field trips, networking sessions, and presentations from industry-smashing speakers like notable startups making waves in the Fayetteville tech scene.

This conference is going down at the iconic Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, surrounded by the breathtaking Ozark landscape.

Can you imagine a better setting to dive into the cutting-edge of sustainability and tech innovation? The museum's commitment to artistic excellence and ecological harmony sets the perfect vibe for exploring responsible coexistence with nature while networking with the best in the biz.

The conference lineup is stacked with heavy hitters like JavaScript and Front-end Development experts, who'll share their insights on building interactive web experiences that engage users like never before.

The Summit Conference is all about inclusivity, so you can expect beginner-friendly sessions, hands-on workshops, and coding bootcamps tailored specifically for those just starting their tech journey.

Whether you're a seasoned vet or a fresh-faced newbie, this conference has something for everyone. You won't want to miss the chance to network your way into the Fayetteville tech scene by volunteering at local tech events and hackathons.

It's time to level up!

Nestled in the heart of Fayetteville, Nerdies Learning Labs is a place for tech geeks of all levels.

They're all about making STEM (science, tech, engineering, and math) fun and accessible through hands-on workshops and activities. They create an environment where you can feed your curiosity and fall in love with learning.

The labs have a ton of programs for learners of all ages.

Whether you're a kid looking to code or an adult trying to keep up with the latest tech trends, they've got something for you. According to their site, some popular offerings include:

• Robotics Camps: Build and program robots, leveling up your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Game Dev Workshops: Aspiring game devs learn to create their own video games using pro tools.
• 3D Printing Classes: Explore the world of 3D printing and bring your digital designs to life.

Nerdies Learning Labs understands that starting something new can be intimidating.

As their mission states, "Our goal is to make STEM education accessible and engaging for everyone, no matter their experience level." That's why they have instructors who can break down complex topics into bite-sized pieces, making the learning journey smooth for beginners and pros alike.

But it's not just structured programs – they also host community events and workshops to bring people together and share skills.

One cool event is "Tech Tots," where kids and their parents can explore coding and robotics together, proving that learning can be a shared, fun experience. As one participant, Richard Smith, said,

"The instructors at Nerdies Learning Labs have a knack for making complex topics approachable and fun, even for complete beginners like me."

If you're looking to level up your tech game, they are definitely worth checking out.

Check this out - the Fayetteville JavaScript Meetup is a killer scene for coders who live and breathe JavaScript.

These peeps are all about that versatile programming language that powers modern web apps. Whether you're a seasoned JS ninja or just starting to sling some code, this group's got your back.

Every meetup is a total JavaScript extravaganza, diving deep into the latest trends, frameworks, and best practices.

We're talking React, Angular, Node.js, Express - you name it, they cover it. Experienced devs share their wisdom through live coding demos, hands-on workshops, and mind-blowing presentations, catering to all skill levels.

If you're a newbie coder, this meetup is the perfect place to kickstart your JS journey.

They've got beginner-friendly sessions that'll walk you through the fundamentals: syntax, data structures, DOM manipulation - the whole nine yards. Plus, you can get guidance from mentors and take on coding challenges, making it a super collaborative learning experience.

But it's not just about the technical stuff.

The Fayetteville JavaScript Meetup is also a prime spot for networking. You can connect with fellow code enthusiasts, swap ideas, and maybe even land some sweet collab opportunities or job prospects.

The community is all about supporting each other and fostering that coding camaraderie.

Here's what one pumped-up attendee had to say:

"The Fayetteville JavaScript Meetup has been an absolute game-changer for me as a beginner. The welcoming vibe, knowledgeable speakers, and the chance to interact with experienced devs have skyrocketed my learning curve like crazy."

To get in on the action, aspiring devs can:

1. Stay in the loop: Check out the group's website or join their online community to stay updated on upcoming events.
2. Intro sessions and basics: Attend intro sessions or workshops focused on JS basics to get your feet wet.
3. Mentorship and networking: Chat it up with experienced members, ask questions, and seek out some mentorship.
4. Practice and challenges: Participate in coding challenges and hackathons to put your newfound skills to the test.

Whether you're a seasoned JS pro or just starting to code, the Fayetteville JavaScript Meetup is the place to be for a vibrant and supportive community to level up your skills and connect with the local tech scene.

When we were putting together this list of the Top 10 Must-Attend Tech Meetups and Conferences in Fayetteville, we made sure to keep newbies like us in mind.

We're talking about events that'll actually help us network and level up our skills, not just a bunch of snooze-fests for the tech elite.

Here's how we narrowed it down:

• Beginner-Friendly Vibes: These events have dedicated sessions, workshops, or mentorship programs to help us newbies feel welcome and gain real skills, not just leave us feeling lost.
• Networking Galore: Making connections is crucial, so we prioritized meetups and conferences where we can actually meet industry pros and other up-and-comers like ourselves.
• Cutting-Edge Topics: From cybersecurity to data science, we looked for events covering the latest tech trends and programming languages that'll keep us ahead of the curve.
• Inclusive Communities: Tech can be a bit of a boys' club, so we made sure to highlight meetups and conferences that support underrepresented groups like women and minorities, creating a space where everyone can thrive.

Trust us, we get how important it is to find supportive environments for learning, connecting with mentors, and staying on top of the latest tech advancements.

That's why we've done the legwork to bring you this curated list of Fayetteville's top tech events – perfect for anyone just starting out in this wild world of coding, cybersecurity, or whatever your passion may be.

With this guide in hand, you'll be able to dive into the local tech community, make valuable connections, and gain the skills and confidence to crush it in this industry.