Wisconsin Technology Month resumes on Tuesday, Oct. 1, with events across the Midwest that expand the opportunities, resources and innovation in Wisconsin as a regional technology hub.
Wisconsin Technology Month has been held for four years now to celebrate the technology industry. It began as an initiative declared by Governor Tony Evers in 2021 and was organized by Milky Way Tech Hub and Latin Americans in Technology. This initiative serves as a vehicle to help Wisokunsin’s BIPOC community navigate the growing tech industry through educational opportunities. This year, Technology Month will feature month-long celebrations across the Midwest, with Detroit and Chicago participating.
“This year, our focus is not necessarily on increasing the number of events, but on ensuring that the events are of high quality and meet our criteria of increasing access, awareness and educational knowledge base about artificial intelligence and the future. “We make sure we balance work and education,” said Nadiya Johnson, founder of Milky Way Tech Hub.
Wisconsin Technology Month has continued to grow throughout its four years. Initially, 40 events were held, but with a lot of support, the number increased to 80 the following year.
Last year, nearly 100 events were held across Wisconsin. This year, the volume of events will be about the same, but the effort will be focused on ensuring the highest quality possible.
Each week has a unique theme. The first week will be Milwaukee Tech Week and Tech Policy Day, as it is every year. Wisconsin Tech Month begins with a fireside conversation between Johnson and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, where the two discuss the importance of policy and advocacy in shaping the city’s tech industry. This will be followed by a panel discussion on economic growth and developing technology talent in the workforce with Milwaukee Commissioner Rayfayette Crump and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
The second week is “Future of Work” and the third week is “Community Empowerment.” Week 3 will focus on women in technology. The final week will be Midwest Tech Week, with Detroit and Chicago hosting their own events and workforce development in their cities.
“Wisconsin Technology Month is expanding its reach to the Midwest, further solidifying Wisconsin’s role as a leader in the Midwest’s innovation and technology sector,” Johnson said.
While each week has its own theme, Wisconsin Technology Month has an overarching theme. Johnson said Wisconsin Technology Month will continue last year’s overarching theme on artificial intelligence, as artificial intelligence technology remains a “hot topic.”
This year we are adding some new events. On October 2, Tech Month, Wisconsin will host the Tech Innovator Pitch Competition, where entrepreneurs, startups and founders will showcase their cutting-edge ideas and technology-driven solutions. Participants will compete for prizes, resources, and special gifts revealed in a pitch competition.
The Equity in Tech Summit, the flagship event of Wisconsin Tech Month, is back! The focus will be on AI and the future of work and education, and attendees will hear from technology industry leaders on promoting equity and inclusion in the industry.
“AI for Community Hackathon” will be a new participant at the summit. Participants will use AI to create impactful solutions for their communities.
Wisconsin Tech Month runs from Oct. 1-31. A complete list of events can be found on the Wisconsin Tech Month website.
