Top 10 Must-Attend Tech Meetups and Conferences in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City's tech scene is absolutely exploding right now, with major players like Paycom and Dell leading the charge. The data tells an exciting story - industry employment jumped 25% between 2001-2020, with R&D activity doubling.

The momentum keeps building, as economic development projects are set to create over 7,000 new jobs and bring in $3.7 billion in investments.

Pratt & Whitney just dropped $255 million on a massive aerospace facility here, while companies like innovative startups are reshaping our local economy.

For anyone looking to break into tech, our meetups and conferences are where it's at - they're perfect for picking up new skills, getting career guidance, and connecting with pros who've been there.

Whether you're into coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, or UX design, these events offer hands-on experience and insider knowledge. The tech community here is super welcoming to newcomers, and there's never been a better time to jump in.

With the city scoring major federal funding for tech development, including a $35 million grant for biotech innovation, the opportunities are just getting started.

When it comes to picking the sickest tech meetups and conferences, you gotta keep your ear to the ground. Check this out – they're saying you need to look for events that can hook you up with hyper personalized experiences.

Like, imagine getting hooked up with session suggestions and networking opps tailored just for you, based on your interests and what you're vibing with on-site.

That's some next level stuff right there.

But it's not just about the fancy tech and AI matchmaking, feel me? These folks are dropping knowledge on the real must-haves, like making sure the event platform is user-friendly and has all the features you need.

Nobody wants to be struggling with a clunky interface when you're trying to level up your skills and make connections, ya dig?

Speaking of connections, that's like a major key when scoping out these events.

You want to be able to link up with people on the same wavelength, get some face time with industry legends like Daniel Martin, and maybe even line up your next gig.

This article is spitting facts about considering the networking opportunities and the event's rep before you commit.

At the end of the day, it's all about finding the right fit for where you're at in your tech journey.

If you're just getting started, look for events with beginner tracks, hands-on workshops, and a supportive atmosphere where you can ask questions and learn without feeling lost.

But if you're a seasoned vet, maybe you're hunting for more advanced content and chances to connect with other trailblazers in your field. Whatever your vibe is, do your research and don't sleep on the events that can help you level up your game.

Have you heard about the Game Developers Conference? It's like the ultimate meetup for anyone in the gaming world or aspiring to break into it.

This massive event happening in San Francisco from March 18-22 is where all the industry heavyweights come together. We're talking NVIDIA's GTC, which showcases the latest in AI and accelerated computing, and the Code BEAM America conference dedicated to the Erlang and Elixir programming communities.

But the Game Developers Conference is on a different level.

They've got an insane lineup of lectures, panels, and roundtable discussions covering every aspect of game dev - from programming and design to audio, business, and advocacy.

Plus, there's a massive expo showcasing the latest tools and services from tech companies. It's like a playground for developers.

What sets this conference apart is the interactive workshops and networking opportunities.

You get a chance to get your hands dirty with coding sessions and rub shoulders with industry legends. And if you're just starting out, they've got a whole beginner's bootcamp track to help you get up to speed with the fundamentals.

The best part? The Game Developers Conference is all about fostering an inclusive and welcoming community.

They want everyone to feel at home, whether you're a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into the gaming world. It's the perfect place to make connections, learn from the best, and get inspired to take your skills to the next level.

If you're serious about leveling up your game dev skills or breaking into the industry, this is the conference you can't miss.

Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable experience.

As a member of Techlahoma's growing network of 7,000+ tech enthusiasts, I can tell you these meetups are seriously game-changing.

The foundation runs 26 free user groups and 3 annual conferences, covering everything from coding and data science to mobile app development. What makes these events special is how they bring together pros, students, and complete beginners in a super supportive environment.

Their mission to enrich Oklahoma's tech scene through education and connection really shows - they've built this amazing community where everyone helps each other level up their skills.

The coolest part? All their programs are volunteer-run, which means you're learning from people who are genuinely passionate about sharing their knowledge.

Whether you're trying to land your first dev job or tackle advanced technical challenges, there's always something new to learn. Every meetup feels like a mini tech festival where you can network, learn, and maybe even find your next career opportunity.

Plus, with events happening monthly across Oklahoma City, you can dive into different areas of tech without spending a dime. Trust me, if you're looking to break into tech or level up your skills, these meetups are where it's at!

Check this out - you don't need to be a tech whiz to get involved with civic hacking meetups like Code for OKC. This volunteer squad is all about using tech and open data to tackle community issues in OKC, and they roll out the welcome mat for newbies too.

Their Open Budget OKC project, for instance, takes the city's budget data and turns it into visuals that make it way easier for regular folks to understand where their tax dollars are going.

But Code for OKC isn't just about open data - they host these bi-weekly project nights where you can get hands-on with real civic tech projects, no matter your skill level.

It's like an interactive coding sesh where experienced mentors guide you through building cool stuff that actually helps the community. Plus, they've got beginner-friendly workshops covering the basics of civic tech and open data, front-end dev tutorials for creating snazzy user interfaces, and pair programming sessions where you team up with seasoned devs.

It's the perfect way to level up your skills while contributing to something meaningful.

On top of that, Code for OKC gets involved in all sorts of community events like hackathons and data dives, giving you the chance to connect with other tech-savvy folks passionate about using their skills for social impact.

As one volunteer put it,

"The supportive vibe and mentorship opportunities make it an awesome starting point for anyone eager to use their tech know-how to make a difference, even if you're just getting started."

The WordCamp scene is about to get wild. These events are the ultimate meetups for anyone obsessed with building websites and blogs.

The schedule for 2024 is packed with some seriously epic gatherings happening worldwide. From WordCamp Rio in Brazil to WordCamp Nairobi in Kenya, you'll find WordPress enthusiasts coming together to share their knowledge, swap tips, and geek out over all things WordPress.

The upcoming WordCamp Oklahoma City is a must-attend for anyone in the OKC area who's serious about leveling up their WordPress game.

Whether you're a total newbie or a seasoned pro, there's gonna be something for everyone. Imagine workshops breaking down how to set up your first blog, sessions on crafting epic content that ranks on Google, and talks from industry legends spilling the tea on e-commerce, security, and marketing tactics that'll blow your mind.

WordCamp OKC isn't just about gaining knowledge (although that's a huge part of it).

It's your golden opportunity to connect with other WordPress whizzes from around the region. You'll be rubbing elbows with developers who can customize themes and plugins like nobody's business, designers crafting mind-blowing websites, bloggers and writers killing it with their content game, and even agency owners running their own WordPress-powered empires.

The networking potential at this event is off the charts.

What sets WordCamp apart is the chill, inclusive vibe that makes it the perfect place for beginners to dive in headfirst.

No judgment, no gatekeeping – just a welcoming community stoked to share their passion for WordPress and help newcomers get up to speed. If you're even remotely interested in this whole WordPress thing, WordCamp OKC is an opportunity you can't afford to miss.

The OKC SQL Server User Group is a premier destination for those seeking to hone their database management skills and gain invaluable insights into the world of SQL Server.

This vibrant community welcomes beginners and seasoned professionals alike, fostering an environment of continuous learning and knowledge exchange.

For beginners embarking on their SQL Server journey, the group offers a comprehensive array of beginner sessions, meticulously designed to demystify the intricacies of database management.

These interactive workshops cover a wide range of topics, from SQL fundamentals and query optimization to data modeling and database administration best practices.

Attendees can expect to receive hands-on training, enabling them to build a solid foundation in SQL Server expertise.

A key highlight of the OKC SQL Server User Group is the networking opportunities it provides.

By bringing together professionals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, the group facilitates a dynamic exchange of ideas and lessons learned. Newcomers have the chance to engage with seasoned data professionals, gaining invaluable mentorship and guidance as they navigate the complexities of SQL Server.

Here are some notable networking opportunities:

• Monthly meetups featuring expert speakers and interactive discussions
• Dedicated Q&A sessions for addressing specific challenges and queries
• Structured networking events to connect with like-minded individuals

Furthermore, the group embraces a culture of continuous learning, offering its members access to a wealth of resources and educational materials.

From curated online repositories to hands-on workshops, attendees can stay up-to-date with the latest SQL Server advancements and best practices, ensuring they remain competitive in the ever-evolving data landscape.

As an aspiring data professional or a seasoned SQL Server enthusiast, the OKC SQL Server User Group presents an invaluable opportunity to immerse yourself in a thriving community, acquire cutting-edge skills, and forge lasting connections within the local data ecosystem.

Hey there! DevOps Days is the place to be for anyone pumped about the tech scene. This conference series is happening worldwide and will be hitting up Kansas City in May 2024.

Get ready for a jam-packed couple of days filled with talks, workshops, and networking galore! It's going to be excellent, trust me.

What's even cooler is that DevOps Days is coming to our backyard in Salt Lake City on October 17 - 18, 2024! This is your chance to dive deep into the world of DevOps and explore the latest tools, trends, and techniques.

Imagine rubbing shoulders with industry experts, exchanging ideas with like-minded techies, and maybe even scoring your dream job – it's all on the table!

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just dipping your toes into the DevOps waters, this event has something for everyone.

From workshops on continuous integration and deployment to sessions on infrastructure as code and observability, you'll walk away with a wealth of knowledge and a serious edge in the game.

Plus, the networking opportunities alone are worth the price of admission. Who knows, you might even meet your future co-founder or mentor!

Looking to level up your web development skills in OKC? OKC WebDevs is where it's at! This multi-language programming group meets every other month at Clevyr, serving up free lunch and expert knowledge on everything from JavaScript and Python to HTML/CSS. What's really cool is that they cover both front-end and back-end development, plus trending topics like AI, mobile development, and game programming. Want to boost your career prospects? Check out their tech job opportunities while networking with their 936+ members.

Can't make it in person? No worries - events are streamed on Techlahoma's Twitch channel and later uploaded to YouTube. The group regularly hosts social events too, like their upcoming "Back to School" meetup at Angry Scotsman Brewing. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your skills, you'll find tons of networking opportunities here.

The community is super welcoming, and you'll get to connect with developers who actually work in the field. Plus, with sponsors like Atlas School and the Techlahoma Foundation backing the events, you know you're getting quality content that's relevant to today's tech scene.

Open Source Oklahoma is where open source vibes are at their peak! It's the coolest hangout spot for coders of all levels to collab on dope projects.

They've got kickass workshops and hackathons lined up, so you can get that hands-on coding experience on lock. Check this out – their annual Open Source Oklahoma Hackathon is going down in October 2024! It's a wild 24-hour coding party where you team up with other devs, unleash your creativity, and level up your skills.

Even if you're just starting out, they'll pair you with seasoned mentors who'll guide you through the process. Past hackathons have birthed insane apps for education and data visualization, so you can explore whatever sparks your interest.

Open Source Oklahoma also hosts beginner-friendly workshops on the regular.

You can get the 411 on Git and GitHub, learn how to contribute to open source projects like a pro, or even attend a coding workshop that'll break down the fundamentals in a way that's easy to understand.

With these sessions, newbies can gain the confidence to dive into open source communities headfirst.

Open Source Oklahoma has a sweet list of beginner-friendly open source projects where you can cut your teeth and work closely with experienced devs who'll show you the ropes.

It's an awesome way to gain real-world experience while making a meaningful impact. One software engineer even said,

"Open Source Oklahoma has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant and inclusive open source community in our city. Their events provide invaluable learning opportunities for beginners and experienced developers alike, driving innovation and collaboration."

Sounds like a win-win situation!

Calling all my fellow tech nerds and UX aficionados! The UX Design Club in Oklahoma City is for anyone trying to break into the user experience game.

This isn't just some boring meetup; they've got a rad community of UXers, engineers, founders, startups, and creators who are totally obsessed with crafting mind-blowing user experiences.

Whether you're a total newbie or a seasoned pro, their events have something for everyone.

They go all out with diverse topics that cater to both beginner-friendly sessions and expert-led workshops. You can expect to get your hands dirty with hands-on UX workshops, portfolio reviews, and even casual coffee chats to pick the brains of industry veterans.

But it's not just about learning; these guys know how to have a good time too.

They host epic events like brunches, coffee shop working sessions, and tech collaborations, so you can network and make connections while having a blast. And if you can't make it to the in-person events, no worries – they've got you covered with virtual and hybrid options.

The Slack group is like a 24/7 party where you can connect with fellow UXers, ask questions, and share your work.

Just don't be a troll, or else you'll get the boot faster than you can say "user interface." For a small fee, you can attend some events and support this rad community.

Get in on the action and level up your UX skills with the UX Design Club!