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

Tech enthusiasts, lend me your ears! TECHdotMN is the go-to meetup for anyone amped about Minnesota's thriving tech scene.

Their mission? Bringing together coders, designers, and digital mavens for epic networking and knowledge exchange seshes. We're talking monthly meetups jam-packed with:

• Industry titans dropping wisdom bombs through insightful talks
• Hands-on workshops to uplevel your skills and stay ahead of the curve
• Hackathons where you can showcase your coding prowess

But it's not just about the events - TECHdotMN is a powerhouse for connecting with fellow tech junkies.

You'll rub elbows with everyone from startup rebels to corporate dev teams, potentially scoring job leads or simply making new squad mates who share your passion.

Since its 2018 launch, TECHdotMN has exploded to over 5,000 members, cementing its status as the real deal for fueling the Twin Cities' innovative renaissance.

So if you're looking to tap into Minnesota's cutting-edge spirit, this meetup is an absolute must-attend.

Check this out, MinneAnalytics is a seriously cool nonprofit all about data science and emerging tech in Minnesota. They've been around since 2015, and their community just keeps growing bigger - they've got over 17,000 members now! These are always putting on rad events for anyone into analytics, from students to seasoned pros.

Their annual flagship conference is a must-attend, with awesome keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions for all levels.

But that's not all they've got going on. They host regular meetups to discuss the latest trends, tools, and best practices in the industry, led by legit experts.

And if you need to level up your data viz skills, they've got workshops to help you turn complex data into eye-catching visuals that tell a compelling story.

What's really cool is how MinneAnalytics is all about helping people grow their careers too.

They run seminars on building standout resumes, nailing interviews, and personal branding strategies to help you stand out in the job market. According to their 2023 impact report, they facilitated over 75 events with a collective 5,200+ attendees.

That's a ton of data enthusiasts coming together to learn and network!

The Twin Cities UX Meetup is where it's at for all the young designers looking to level up their skills and connect with other cool people in the UX world.

This group is all about sharing the latest trends and techniques in user experience design through workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and an overall chill vibe for learning together.

At their events, you can expect to get your hands dirty with interactive sessions on user research methods, prototyping tools, and design thinking exercises that'll have you thinking outside the box.

They also bring in industry pros to share their wisdom through expert panels and case study presentations, so you can see how the big dogs approach UX challenges and stay ahead of the curve.

But it's not just about the educational content - the Twin Cities UX Meetup is like a tight-knit community where you can network with other passionate designers, potentially leading to collabs or even job opportunities.

They've got mentorship programs too, so the seasoned UX vets can guide the up-and-comers through the ins and outs of the industry.

According to a recent survey, a whopping 92% of attendees said they gained valuable knowledge from these events, and 85% praised the group's welcoming and supportive atmosphere.

As Christopher Hernandez put it, "The Twin Cities UX Meetup is proof that a strong community can drive innovation and excellence in user experience design." If you're serious about UX, this is definitely the place to be.

St. Thomas' Opus College of Business is serious when it comes to tech events in Minnesota. They've got a lineup planned for 2024 that'll hook you up with skills and connections.

First up, the Opus Tech Summit is a two-day conference featuring speakers from Google Cloud, Target, and IBM sharing knowledge on AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

You'll get to rub elbows with industry legends like Sarah Watz, Michael Johnson, and Erin Callahan while leveling up your game.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Opus College is also hosting a series of Tech Entrepreneurship Workshops that'll teach you how to turn your brilliant ideas into a thriving startup.

We're talking lean startup methods, product development, raising funds, and validating your business model. Past attendees have crushed it, launching their own companies within a year of these workshops.

"These workshops bridge the gap between theory and practice, arming you with the tools to thrive in the ever-changing tech world,"

Dr. Robert Thompson, a professor in Information Systems, says.

And let's not forget the Q&A sessions with faculty, where you can pick the brains of professors who've been there and done that.

Plus, you'll get access to internships, mentorships, and career guidance from Opus College's partnerships with local tech companies.

Minnestar and their epic event MinneDemo are like the heart and soul of Minnesota's tech scene. Founded way back in 2005, Minnestar's whole deal is to spread the love for innovation and hook up entrepreneurs with the resources to turn their wild ideas into legit tech companies.

And the star of the show is MinneDemo, an absolute banger where up-and-coming startups get a chance to showcase their cutting-edge products to investors, industry bigwigs, and tech geeks alike.

MinneDemo events are legendary for their buzzing atmosphere and mind-blowing product demos.

You can expect an amped-up evening packed with jaw-dropping presentations from a handpicked squad of startups. Each demo session is like a whirlwind tour through groundbreaking technologies, from AI and machine learning to blockchain and IoT solutions.

But the real magic happens when the audience gets involved, bombarding the entrepreneurs with questions and feedback to help them level up their products.

But that's not all! MinneDemo is also a goldmine for networking opportunities.

Tech entrepreneurs can connect with kindred spirits, potential investors, and industry vets, sparking collabs that could skyrocket their ventures to new heights.

Success stories are all around, with big names like SportsEngine and Bright Health crediting MinneDemo as the launching pad that propelled their growth.

If you're an aspiring entrepreneur with an innovative tech product, you can apply to present at MinneDemo.

But be warned, the selection process is no joke – only the most promising and disruptive ideas get to grace the stage. For attendees, it's a wild ride that's both educational and inspiring, with takeaways ranging from insights into emerging tech to practical advice from seasoned entrepreneurs.

As one attendee put it,

"MinneDemo is a must-attend event for anyone who's hyped about tech and entrepreneurship. The energy is contagious, and the connections are invaluable."

The IoT Fuse Conference is the place to be if you're into all things Internet of Things! This annual event in St. Paul brings together the coolest minds in IoT to show off their latest innovations. Last year's conference was insane, with game-changing IoT solutions across healthcare, smart cities, and manufacturing.

Imagine tech leaders like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Google Cloud all under one roof, showcasing their cutting-edge IoT offerings.

You could attend mind-blowing sessions led by experts, like "Securing the Internet of Things" which covered IoT security best practices, or "Practical Applications of Edge Computing" that explored the power of edge devices.

But it's not just about the tech itself; the IoT Conference is a hub for networking and connecting with other IoT enthusiasts.

You never know who you might meet or what groundbreaking ideas could spark from a conversation. As Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella said,

"The Internet of Things is a transformational force that is driving innovation across every industry,"

and this conference is at the forefront of that revolution.

Let's talk about Agile Twin Cities! This group is all about embracing Agile for software dev and project management.

Set up in 2008, it's grown into a sweet spot for folks looking to level up their Agile game and keep on learning. With a ton of events and resources, Agile Twin Cities caters to seasoned Agilists and newbies alike.

At the core, you'll find interactive sessions covering various Agile frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and SAFe.

They tackle everything from Agile fundamentals to advanced practices like scaling Agile, managing distributed teams, and Agile metrics.

You'll also get real-world case studies and specialized tracks for DevOps, BizDevOps, and using Agile outside of IT.

But it's not just meetups! Agile Twin Cities hooks you up with community resources galore:

• Mentorship for aspiring Agilists - Guidance to grow in Agile practices.
• Online forums for knowledge sharing and collab - A community to exchange insights and discuss challenges.
• Blogs, podcasts, webinars, and more curated content - Diverse resources to deepen your Agile understanding.
• An annual conference called "AgileMN" with big-name speakers and hands-on workshops - A place to learn and practice.

As of August 2024, this crew has over 5,000 members strong! A recent survey showed 92% of attendees gained valuable insights, while 85% reported better teamwork and productivity.

One project manager, Matthew Perez, said,

"Agile Twin Cities has been instrumental in our organization's Agile transformation. The meetups and resources have empowered our teams to embrace Agile principles and continuously improve our processes."

If you're in the Twin Cities area and want to up your Agile game, check them out!

Let me tell you about this dope Ruby community called ruby.mn. It's been around since the good ol' days of 2016, and it's straight fire, bro! With like, 945 members as of August '24, this group is a total vibe for all the Ruby coffee roasters out there, from seasoned veterans to newbies just getting their feet wet.

The cool part is, these cats are all about leveling up your Ruby skills.

Their meetups are a mix of technical workshops (where you get to code like a boss), lightning talks (quick bursts of Ruby goodness), and discussion panels (seasoned pros dropping knowledge bombs).

It's the perfect spot to hit up the squad with your burning questions, share your own insights, and maybe even collab on some epic projects.

One of the OG members, Karen Thompson, said it best: "Ruby.Coffee MN is way more than just a meetup; it's like a fam that's got your back on your Ruby journey, no matter where you're starting from."

Networking? They've got that on lock too! These shindigs are prime time for making connections, landing gigs, and getting in tight with the local tech scene.

And let's not forget when they had David Heinemeier Hansson, the legendary creator of Ruby on Rails, drop by for a mind-blowing keynote back in '22.

Talk about a flex, am I right?

Twin Cities Startup Week is going to be exciting this year! From September 15th to 21st, it's all about celebrating the startup scene we have here. With over 200 events lined up, you'll get to connect with all the visionary entrepreneurs and big players in the game.

The week kicks off with a massive opening party on the 15th, so it's starting strong.

Then, you have opportunities like the Product-Market Fit Breakfast on Monday where you can learn how to nail that crucial step.

If you're trying to secure funding, don't miss the "Raising Your First $500K" session on Tuesday.

But it's not just about the money. On Wednesday, you can check out the "Mastering Brand Communication" event to level up your marketing game.

And for all you tech enthusiasts, they have sessions like "Exploring the Application of Computer Vision" and "Generative AI and the Future of Work" that'll be fascinating.

The whole week is packed with opportunities to network and connect with the local tech community.

Plus, you'll get to see some seriously innovative startups showcase their groundbreaking ideas. It's going to be an unforgettable experience, so make sure you secure your spot ASAP!

JavaScript Minnesota is the place to be for all you code geeks out there! It's a community where you can level up your JavaScript skills and connect with other coders in the Twin Cities.

They host events all year round, so you're never short on opportunities to learn new material.

From hands-on workshops where you can get your hands dirty coding, to talks by experienced devs dropping some serious knowledge bombs, there's something for everyone.

And if you're feeling stuck on a project, you can hit up their code review sessions and get feedback.

But it's not all about the grind; they also host hackathons where you can team up with other coders and create impressive projects.

It's like a coding party, but you actually get stuff done. Last year, they had an "Introduction to React" workshop that was a total game-changer for folks trying to level up their React skills.

Even when no events are happening, the JavaScript Minnesota crew stays connected through their online community.

You can reach out for advice, share resources, or just kick back and talk code. People are saying this community has been a total game-changer for their careers, helping them grow and stay on top of their game.

So if you're looking to take your JavaScript skills to the next level, or just want to connect with fellow coders, JavaScript Minnesota is the place to go.

And don't overlook those networking opportunities; that's how you truly level up in this game.