Top 10 Must-Attend Tech Meetups and Conferences in St Louis

Hey, St. Louis is where it's at for digital dreamers! This city has a thriving startup scene and top companies leading the way in cybersecurity, AI, and DevOps.

With so many innovative success stories, it's the perfect place to connect with fellow techies and stay ahead of the game.

That's why we've rounded up the hottest tech meetups and conferences happening in 2024, based on event impact, speaker diversity, networking opportunities, and online buzz.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, attending these events is the way to expand your knowledge, build meaningful connections, and get inspired by the region's brightest minds.

The future is already here, so start marking your calendars and get ready to immerse yourself in St. Louis' electrifying tech world! And don't forget to check out Nucamp's guide to the city's top startups that tech pros should keep an eye on.

Have you heard of the Strange Loop Conference? It's like the ultimate tech party for coders and nerds! This banger has been poppin' off since 2009, bringing together the coolest cats from around the world to talk code, explore new languages, and get their geek on.

It's all about fostering a dope community vibe where you can learn, network, and have a blast!

Just last year, they had this mind-blowing keynote from AI expert Patricia Gonzalez, dropping knowledge bombs on ethical AI dev.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. They also had sessions like "All of this has happened before, and it will all happen again..." by Mark Allen, a deep dive into the history of programming languages and the lessons they offer us today.

And let's not forget the epic workshop on mastering functional programming with Haskell, led by coding guru Susan Lee. It was insane!

Now, get ready for the main event in 2024! Strange Loop 2024 is going down from September 12-14 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. Early bird tix are on sale now until June 30th, so you better move fast! We're talking over 100 sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities galore.

As Margaret Hamilton, the legendary software engineer, said after keynoting in 2022,

"Strange Loop is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about pushing the boundaries of software innovation. The energy and exchange of ideas is truly unparalleled."

You won't want to miss this party!

Check this out! The Gateway to Innovation Conference is about to go down on May 1, 2024, and it's gonna be lit! This epic event is all about keeping your IT game strong, so you can stay ahead of the competition and grow that tech scene in St. Louis. It's the perfect spot for all the IT bosses to link up, explore ways to maintain that competitive edge, and level up the tech industry in our city.

The conference is packed with opportunities to learn from the best, network with other tech pros, and get inspired by success stories from our region and beyond.

You'll get to jam with CxO executives in panel discussions, dive deep into interactive breakout sessions, and make valuable connections at unparalleled networking events.

Plus, they've got compelling industry keynotes lined up to drop some serious knowledge bombs.

This one-day extravaganza is going down at America's Center Convention Complex, and they've got a range of hotels nearby for those coming from out of town.

So, whether you're a local or traveling in, you can make a whole weekend out of it and experience the best of what St. Louis has to offer.

Registration is open to all IT professionals from local companies, but vendors and consultants who aren't sponsoring the event can't attend.

So, if you're serious about leveling up your tech game, make sure to secure your spot and get ready to immerse yourself in the latest innovations and trends shaping the future of IT.

The St. Louis Cybersecurity Conference is where it's at if you want to level up your cybersecurity game.

This annual bash is the spot for all the cyber pros in the Lou to connect, share insights, and stay ahead of the hacker curve. It's like a massive cybersecurity masterclass, packed with industry legends dropping knowledge bombs on the latest threats and defense tactics.

Last year's event was an absolute banger, with speakers like Chris Cockburn from CISA and Jonathan Kimmitt, the CISO from Alias Cybersecurity, delivering mind-blowing keynotes.

They covered everything from ransomware recovery to AI's role in security operations centers (SOCs). Talk about cutting-edge content, right?

But it's not just about sitting and listening.

This conference is all about hands-on learning, with workshops and panel discussions where you can pick the brains of the pros. Whether you're a seasoned vet or a newcomer to the scene, there's something for everyone to sink their teeth into.

Plus, the networking opportunities are insane – you'll be rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in the biz, forging connections that could seriously boost your career.

The 2024 edition is already shaping up to be even bigger and better.

Mark your calendars for April 25, 2024, and get ready to descend upon the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Louis – Westport for a full day of cybersecurity awesomeness.

Early bird registration is open, so lock in your spot ASAP and get hyped for an experience that'll take your skills to the next level.

Let's talk about TechNet Cyber - the massive cybersecurity event that's a total must-attend for anyone in the defense game.

This conference goes all-in on the latest cyber threats, cutting-edge tech, and strategies to keep our nation secure. Here are the highlights from the 2024 edition that'll blow your mind:

• Keynotes from Gen. Timothy D. Haugh (the boss at U.S. Cyber Command) and Lt. Gen. Robert J. Skinner (Director of DISA) dropping some serious knowledge
• Over 100 breakout sessions covering everything from cybersecurity and AI/ML in defense to cloud security and zero trust architectures
• Dedicated tracks tailored for government/military pros and private sector players
• Hands-on training workshops like "Delivering Cyber Excellence: An Introduction to the DoD Cyber Crime Center" and "Defending the Nation: How DIU Pivoted on an Asset Tracking Project and Delivered Results with AI/ML"

The breakout sessions are where it's at.

You've got panels like "Aligning Capabilities to Meet Global Security Challenges" featuring DISA's top brass discussing the latest challenges and opportunities.

Then there's sessions like "Post-Quantum Security: The Road Ahead" with the NSA breaking down the future of cryptography. And don't miss "Enhancing Cybersecurity with Cloudera: A Generative AI Approach for the Department of Defense" - a deep dive into using AI for cyber threat detection.

TechNet Cyber 2024 is going down June 25-27 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Registration is open now, with discounted pricing for government/military ($595) and academia ($345) attendees. This event is a total must for cybersecurity pros from the DoD, federal agencies, state/local government, defense contractors, and cutting-edge tech companies.

Let me tell you about the St. Louis Women in Tech Exchange - it's like the coolest crew for gals who slay in the tech game. Their mission? Lifting each other up, networking like bosses, and making sure the local tech scene is as diverse as it gets.

Get hyped for their upcoming events in 2024! The Women in Tech Leadership Summit on October 12th is gonna be off the chain, with keynote speaker Dr. Emily Richards dropping some serious wisdom.

And don't even get me started on the Coding for Causes Hackathon from September 20th-22nd - where you get to use your skills for the greater good.

But it's not just about the epic events.

The Exchange is all about that casual networking life too. Their bi-monthly Tech Mixer is the perfect spot to mingle and swap ideas with tech enthusiasts.

Plus, their online community on Slack keeps the convo flowing 24/7.

Last year's Women in Cybersecurity Conference was an absolute game-changer, with cybersecurity legends like Christopher Moore dropping major knowledge.

One attendee, Patricia Rodriguez, said it best:

"The conference was a game-changer. It empowered me to embrace my passion for cybersecurity and inspired me to pay it forward by mentoring other aspiring women in the field."

So, if you're a tech-savvy queen looking to level up, hit up stlwomenintech.org and get involved.

Become a member, volunteer your skills, or even sponsor the org to show your support for diversity and inclusion in the tech world. The St. Louis Women in Tech Exchange is where it's at!

DevOps Midwest is bringing the heat to St. Louis from September 4-6, 2024. This mind-blowing conference is where the tech MVPs converge to share their knowledge on software development and IT ops.

Get ready to level up your skills and expand your network with industry titans like Jez Humble and Gene Kim.

The agenda is packed with mind-bending keynotes and hands-on workshops led by pioneers who've been there and done that.

You'll be drinking from the fountain of knowledge on topics like DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code, and observability in distributed systems.

It's like a masterclass in pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

"It's like a masterclass in pushing the boundaries of what's possible."

DevOps Midwest is also serving up interactive workshops where you can get your hands dirty with cutting-edge tools like Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, and GitOps.

It's the ultimate playground for mastering the latest techniques and technologies that are shaping the future of software delivery.

• Level up your tech skills at DevOps Midwest.
• Interactive workshops with cutting-edge tools.
• Network expansion with industry titans.

Early bird registration is open until August 14th, so lock in those discounted rates and get ready to level up your game.

You won't want to miss this epic gathering of minds at DevOps Midwest 2024.

Check this out! The St. Louis Machine Learning & Data Science crew is where it's at for anyone into the AI and machine learning scene.

These guys are seriously killing it with their rad meetups and events. Like, they've had some crazy dope speakers drop knowledge bombs on everything from deep learning to natural language processing.

I'm talking industry bigwigs, academics, and straight-up AI gurus sharing their genius.

They've got this upcoming meetup on September 12th that's all about AI for Healthcare.

Can you imagine the possibilities? AI diagnosing diseases, discovering new drugs – it's like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. And guess what? You can catch talks from real-life experts like Dr. Richard Harris and Elizabeth Anderson spilling the tea on this cutting-edge stuff.

Now, I know what you're thinking: How do I get in on this action? Easy peasy, just hit up their Meetup page and sign up.

These guys are super welcoming to newbies, so don't be shy. Trust me, you won't want to miss out on this AI and machine learning goodness.

The Agile Midwest Open Space 2024 is where it's at for all you Agile enthusiasts out there.

This epic event is going down on February 23rd at the Missouri Athletic Club in Des Peres. Get ready to dive deep into the world of Agile and discover the latest trends, best practices, and real-world success stories straight from the pros.

Agile2024, the world's premier Agile conference, is happening in Dallas from July 22nd to 26th.

This jam-packed event is all about learning from the top experts, innovators, and change agents in the Agile software development game. You won't want to miss out on this mind-blowing experience.

Agile Midwest, a weeklong extravaganza featuring classes, certifications, an unconference, and the main conference itself on August 30th in St.

Charles, MO. Last year, over 450 Agilists from the Midwest region joined forces for networking, learning, and sharing groundbreaking ideas. This year is sure to be even bigger and better!

Tech on Tap is where the cool kids in St. Louis' tech scene hang out. It's like a big, chill party for anyone into coding, startups, or just geeking out over the latest innovations.

These monthly meetups go down at breweries around town, so you can grab a cold one while swapping ideas with other passionate techies.

The vibe is super relaxed, but the conversations are always lit.

You might discuss mind-bending topics like AI, cybersecurity, or launching your own startup.

It's a judgment-free zone where you can pick the brains of seasoned pros or just kick it with fellow beginners. The goal is to build a supportive community for everyone in St. Louis' tech game.

Coming up, they've got meetups lined up at spots like Urban Chestnut on September 10th and October 8th. One event in December is going all out with a holiday party, panel discussion, and plenty of festive treats.

It's the perfect chance to expand your network and make some new friends who share your passion for all things tech.

The Gateway GIS User Seminar is the place to be if you're into the whole Geographic Information System (GIS) scene.

It's an epic annual event hosted by the Gateway GIS User Group, where they dive deep into the cutting-edge advancements, tricks of the trade, and real-world applications of GIS tech.

In August 2024, this shindig is going down from the 15th to the 17th at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel. Past seminars have brought in some heavy hitters, like Esri's Chief Technology Officer, who dropped some knowledge bombs about the future of location intelligence and how it's shaping decision-making.

They've also had sessions that explored how GIS is making waves in urban planning, with case studies straight out of the St. Louis region.

This year's lineup is shaping up to be just as stacked, with sessions like "Leveraging GIS for Environmental Conservation," "Spatial Analytics and Machine Learning Applications," and "GIS in Emergency Management: Enhancing Preparedness." But the real showstopper is the highly anticipated keynote address that's going to dive into the intersection of GIS and drone technology, showcasing some seriously innovative applications across various industries.

Jennifer Johnson, a GIS Analyst at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, summed it up perfectly:

"The Gateway GIS User Seminar is an invaluable platform for GIS professionals to network, exchange ideas, and stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving field."

Registration for the 2024 Gateway GIS User Seminar is live, and you can snag those early bird discounts until June 30th.

Head over to the official website to get the scoop on the event schedule and all the juicy details.

St. Louis is poppin' with hella dope tech startups that you gotta keep an eye out for in 2024.

The city's vibrant scene is buzzing with meetups and conferences where you can network, level up your skills, and stay on top of the latest trends. These top 10 events aren't just about learning though, they're about building a solid community of techies and industry leaders.

Attending these gatherings is a total game-changer.

A study by the Event Marketing Institute found that 79% of people said conferences and meetups played a huge role in their professional growth, while 62% credited them for scoring new business opportunities.

A CompTIA poll revealed that 88% of tech pros believe networking and collaboration are key for advancing their careers.

To really immerse yourself in St. Louis' tech scene, check out local orgs like:

• St. Louis Tech Meetup: With over 6,000 members, it's the spot to discover upcoming events, share insights, and connect with like-minded techies.
• ArchReactor: A collab workspace and community that hosts regular workshops, hackathons, and networking events.
• Venture Cafe STL: A weekly meetup that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators to network and share knowledge.

Online resources like Meetup.com and Eventbrite can also keep you in the loop on the latest tech happenings in the area.

As Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said,

"Collaboration is the new engine of innovation."

By getting involved in St. Louis' vibrant tech community, you unlock a world of opportunities for growth, creativity, and professional advancement.