Top 10 Must-Attend Tech Meetups and Conferences in Spokane

Spokane's tech scene is absolutely exploding in 2025, with startup activity hitting record levels and transforming our city into a legit innovation powerhouse.

The local tech community is seriously stepping up its game with must-attend events that are changing how we network and learn. Major events like TechFest 2025 at Northern Quest Resort are bringing in industry giants to share their knowledge, while smaller meetups keep the community tight-knit.

What's really cool is that Spokane Valley Tech is introducing new ways for students and professionals to connect through events like Pitch Day, where real feedback from industry pros helps shape future innovations.

The startup scene is particularly exciting, with LaunchPad Inland Northwest mentoring over 30 local companies in the past year and a half.

Whether you're grinding on your startup idea or looking to level up your tech skills, these events are where opportunities happen. The community's focus on embracing both newcomers and veterans makes it super approachable, and with the increasing number of tech companies setting up shop here, there's never been a better time to get involved.

When selecting the best tech events in Spokane, we focused on what actually matters to attendees in 2025. According to CompTIA's research, up to 85% of tech jobs come through networking, making events with strong connection opportunities a top priority.

We looked at factors like the potential for meaningful interactions and whether events offer both in-person and virtual formats, since 48% of tech workers now work remotely.

Beyond just networking, we considered what industry experts identify as key success metrics: speaker expertise, content relevance, and practical learning opportunities.

For example, events featuring hands-on workshops score higher in our rankings than those offering only presentations. Another major factor was whether events provide clear value for time and money invested, considering factors like registration costs, quality of speakers, and networking opportunities.

We made sure to include events that cater to different experience levels, from coding bootcamp graduates to senior developers. Each selected event had to demonstrate a track record of delivering actionable insights and fostering meaningful professional connections.

The final list represents a mix of established conferences and emerging meetups that collectively offer the best opportunities for professional growth in Spokane's tech community.

The upcoming AI Implementation and Ethics Workshop in Spokane promises real-world insights into leveraging artificial intelligence for business growth.

Unlike typical tech talks that overcomplicate AI, this event cuts straight to practical applications that actually work. The speakers include successful project leaders who have implemented AI solutions that deliver measurable results.

Through structured business consulting approaches, participants learn how to integrate AI tools effectively while maintaining ethical standards.

The workshop covers essential topics like automating routine tasks, enhancing customer service, and making data-driven decisions. Recent success stories from local tech ventures demonstrate how AI implementation has led to significant revenue growth and operational efficiency.

The event features networking opportunities with industry experts and hands-on demonstrations of AI tools in action. Taking place at the Bionic Offices near Fenchurch Street, the session includes practical examples of AI integration across different business sectors.

For tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs looking to stay ahead of the curve, this workshop offers valuable insights into building sustainable AI-powered business models.

The speakers will share their experiences with both successes and challenges in AI implementation, providing a realistic view of what it takes to leverage these technologies effectively.

The Tech Academy, a licensed trade school with a 95% job placement rate, is hosting their game-changing event "Tech Talk: Using AI to Land Tech Jobs" this January.

Founded in 2014 by Erik Gross and Jack Stanley, The Tech Academy has transformed countless careers through their innovative boot camps and workshops.

This upcoming session, led by co-founder Erik Gross, tackles the crucial intersection of AI and job searching - perfect timing for anyone looking to level up their career game in 2025.

It's completely free and accessible online, running for 1.5 hours on January 10th. The event covers essential strategies for standing out in the tech job market, from optimizing resumes with AI tools to mastering AI-powered job platforms.

Participants will learn practical techniques for using artificial intelligence to identify promising opportunities, tailor applications, and track industry trends.

The Tech Academy's approach combines hands-on learning with real-world applications, helping both newcomers and experienced professionals navigate the competitive tech landscape.

Past participants have praised the practical nature of these sessions, with many securing positions at major companies shortly after applying the strategies learned.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to switch careers, this session offers valuable insights into leveraging AI for your job search. The event demonstrates how modern job hunting has evolved, and provides actionable steps to use these tools effectively.

With The Tech Academy's track record of success and commitment to practical education, this tech talk promises to be an essential resource for anyone serious about landing their dream tech role.

The Spokane Business Mastermind & Networking Event, happening January 8, 2025, at REMEDY, is shaping up to be an incredible opportunity for tech professionals ready to level up their careers.

Network In Action's meticulously crafted system brings together CEOs, innovators, and business leaders for genuine connections and growth opportunities.

What makes this event stand out is its laser focus on real results - attendees get access to mastermind groups, strategic referral networks, and cutting-edge business solutions.

The time-efficient format runs from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, perfect for busy professionals. Just a week before, on January 7, there's also a major career fair in Spokane that's worth checking out for those looking to expand their opportunities.

The momentum continues with rConnect's Journey to Growth event on January 21st, featuring James Jackson's incredible story of building a 20+ location business from scratch.

For tech professionals serious about networking, these events offer practical tools, direct access to decision-makers, and real pathways to collaboration. The events combine structured networking with actionable insights, making them essential for anyone looking to make meaningful professional connections in Spokane's growing tech scene.

With monthly meetings, professional leadership, and state-of-the-art technology integration, these networking opportunities are designed to deliver tangible results for attendees' careers and businesses.

The Spokane AI Networking Group is seriously changing the game for tech enthusiasts in Washington.

Meeting at the Steam Plant Restaurant & Brew Pub on December 21st from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, this event brings together everyone from curious beginners to seasoned pros.

The venue's historic brick walls and industrial vibe create the perfect backdrop for talking about cutting-edge tech. What makes this even better is that it's totally free to attend, making it super accessible for students and young professionals looking to break into tech.

The group is part of a bigger tech movement in Spokane, with other local tech meetups focusing on everything from .NET to Python.

What's really cool is how the AI scene is expanding - there's even an EmPOWER AI Conference coming to Spokane in September 2024, hosted by Avista.

These events are perfect for anyone interested in learning about practical AI applications, from solving real business problems to exploring the latest developments in machine learning.

During the meetups, we dive into hands-on workshops, share ideas about AI projects, and connect with others who are just as excited about tech as we are.

It's not just about listening to presentations - it's about building relationships that could lead to your next job opportunity or collaboration. Plus, the Steam Plant's atmosphere makes networking feel less awkward and more like hanging out with friends who share your interests.

Whether you're still in school, just starting your career, or looking to switch into tech, this group is definitely worth checking out.

TechFest 2025 is shaping up to be the biggest tech event in the Pacific Northwest, hosted at the stunning Northern Quest Resort.

What makes it even better? It's completely free for school district administrators! The lineup is impressive, featuring Mark Sparvell from Microsoft delivering the opening keynote on "The Power of Possible," followed by Charles Lopez's unique take on tech through the lens of baseball fandom.

The packed schedule runs from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring breakfast, lunch, and multiple breakout sessions covering everything from AI and cybersecurity to interactive panel integration.

The breakout sessions are particularly exciting, with topics like "Code without Shadows: Illuminating AI Equity" and "The Power of the Prompt: Using Copilot to Support Your Work." Each session is designed to give practical, hands-on experience with the latest tech trends.

What really sets this conference apart is the mix of people you'll meet - from school district tech leads to Microsoft education consultants, creating amazing opportunities to connect with others in the field.

Plus, with the conference growing bigger each year, you'll be part of the largest EdTech gathering in the region. Whether you're into AI, cybersecurity, or educational technology, there's something here for everyone interested in the future of tech in education.

INTERFACE Spokane 2024 is set for October 16, 2024, at the Spokane Convention Center, bringing together the best minds in tech. As a no-cost, CPE-accredited educational conference, it is perfect for students and professionals looking to level up their IT game.

The event runs from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, packed with sessions on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies. The conference brings together local experts and organizations to tackle real-world challenges like ransomware and security threats.

With seven theaters running simultaneously, you can choose sessions that match your interests and career goals. Borre Ulrichsen, CIO of Gonzaga University, is among the speakers, sharing practical insights on implementing agile methodologies.

The exhibit hall will showcase cutting-edge solutions from companies like BlackPoint IT, Structured, and 11:11 Systems.

Plus, there is a chance to win a $1000 grand prize just for networking with sponsors. What makes this event seriously cool is the mix of hands-on demonstrations, including live hack sessions that show exactly how AI can be used—both for good and bad.

Whether you are into information security, infrastructure, cloud computing, or disaster recovery, there is something here to help boost your tech career. The best part? You will walk away with actual CPE credits and connections to some of the biggest names in tech, all without spending a dime on registration.

The "Entrepreneurship for Engineers and Tech Employees" online event is seriously changing the game for tech professionals who want to start their own businesses.

This eight-week program tackles real challenges like marketing strategy, sales techniques, and getting past perfectionism—stuff that often holds engineers back from launching their own ventures.

The best part? You can keep your current job while building your business, which is perfect for anyone worried about taking that first leap.

What makes this different from other entrepreneurship events is how it's specifically designed for tech minds.

The Technology Entrepreneur Center reports that participants who combine technical expertise with entrepreneurial skills are significantly more successful in both startups and large companies.

The program includes practical workshops on picking the right business idea, creating solid business plans, and rewiring your brain for success. Plus, you'll learn from someone who's actually been there—an entrepreneur coach with a computer science degree from Penn and Microsoft experience.

The timing couldn't be better, as Berkeley's entrepreneurship programs show that tech professionals are leading the way in creating successful startups.

Whether you're tired of asking for time off or ready to build something of your own, this training provides the framework to turn your technical skills into a profitable business within two months.

The interactive sessions happen twice weekly, with real-time feedback and networking opportunities that actually lead somewhere. It's basically everything I wish someone had told me when I first started thinking about launching my own tech venture.

The Internet Of Things - Business Perspectives 1 Day Workshop is happening on January 16, 2025, from 9 AM to 5 PM PST in Washington, DC. This intensive training is worth checking out if you're into tech and want to understand how IoT is changing the game.

The workshop's got everything covered - from basic IoT concepts to real business applications.

• Emerging Technologies: The hands-on experience you'll get with emerging technologies like cloud computing, big data analytics, and social media integration in IoT.
  - Plus, there's a whole section on security challenges that's super relevant given all the recent tech breaches.
• AI Security Focus: I'm particularly excited about their coverage of AI security and cyber risks in IoT systems, which is crucial for anyone looking to work in tech.
• Practical Application: The workshop isn't just theoretical - you'll learn practical IoT monetization strategies and get to work on actual lab activities.
• Industry Insights: They're also including some really interesting case studies and future predictions that'll help you understand where the industry is headed.
• Accessible to All: The best part? You don't need to be a tech genius to attend - just having basic knowledge of internet concepts and cloud computing is enough. Whether you're a business analyst, IT professional, or just someone interested in tech, this workshop offers solid value.

The $595-$795 price tag includes all course materials, lunch, and even a completion certificate.

You'll want to register soon though, since refunds are only available up to 7 days before the event.

The #StartupMoves Virtual Job Fair / Career Expo is seriously changing the game for tech job hunting in 2024. As research shows, these virtual events are becoming super popular because they're efficient and actually connect people with real opportunities.

The event, running through Wertual's platform, brings together around 170,000 professionals and 7,000 recruiting companies, making it one of the largest virtual career fairs out there.

What makes this even better is that companies can showcase their work culture and job openings through enhanced digital profiles, while job seekers can prep ahead of time for meaningful conversations.

The event's mission focuses on connecting startup professionals with recruiters while providing resources for long-term career growth.

Starting with a simple online registration, participants can access everything from technical roles to creative positions across industries like software, healthcare, and telecommunications.

The platform lets you schedule meetings with potential employers, share your resume instantly, and network with other tech professionals - all from your laptop.

This setup is perfect for anyone starting their tech career or looking to level up, especially since you can join from anywhere without spending money on travel.

Plus, recruiters can better prepare for conversations, leading to more meaningful connections and better job matches. Technology is making job hunting less stressful and more accessible for everyone in tech.

The Spokane Tech Community is bringing together tech professionals for an exciting sustainability-focused event at Brick West Brewing this November.

As a student passionate about green tech, I'm stoked to share that this meetup isn't just another tech talk - it's actually changing how we think about our digital carbon footprint.

The event explores real solutions to tackle the tech industry's growing environmental impact, which currently makes up 4% of global emissions. Upcoming sessions for 2024-2025 will dive into practical ways we can code and build tech more sustainably.

They're not just talking about the problems - they're showing us how to fix them.

The meetup will feature hands-on workshops covering energy-efficient coding practices, green data center solutions, and smart ways to handle e-waste.

These aren't just boring lectures - they're interactive sessions where you can learn actual skills to make your projects more eco-friendly. What makes this even better is that the local tech community is fully backing these initiatives, with companies like IntelliTect providing space and support for developers to collaborate on sustainable solutions.

The best part? You'll get to network with other developers who care about making tech that's good for both users and the planet.

Whether you're just starting in tech or already working in the field, this event is perfect for learning how to build a more sustainable digital future.

Plus, with attendance averaging 20 people at recent events, you'll have plenty of chances to connect with others who share your interests. Remember to grab a spot early - these meetups are becoming super popular as more people realize the importance of sustainable tech practices!

Spokane's tech scene is seriously taking off in 2025, with an incredible mix of events that are shaping our city's digital future. The TECHSPO technology expo series is bringing cutting-edge innovations right to our doorstep, while LaunchPad Inland Northwest is creating amazing networking opportunities for tech enthusiasts like Michael Smith.

I'm particularly excited about new startup initiatives that are transforming our city into a legit tech hub.

What's super cool is seeing companies like Vega Cloud and CarbonQuest getting recognized in the Journal's 25 People of Influence, showing that Spokane isn't just talking about innovation - we're actually making it happen.

The upcoming conferences and meetups are perfect for anyone looking to break into tech or level up their skills.

• Hands-on workshops: Experience practical sessions that help you apply new skills directly to your projects.
• Networking events: Connect with local and national tech leaders to expand your professional network.
• Industry leader connections: Opportunities abound to engage with those leading the charge in tech innovation.

There's never been a better time to get involved in Spokane's tech community.

Trust me, being part of this scene is absolutely worth it - whether you're a beginner or already working in tech, these events are where real connections and opportunities happen.

The energy here is unreal, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for our growing tech ecosystem.