IRL event alert: Tech Forum’s Summer Social will return July 21

With in-person events making a comeback after over a year of virtual meetings, conferences and happy hours, Tech Forum is returning with its casual event, the Summer Social.

No formal presentations this time — just socializing with other technology-oriented people in the community at Wilmington Brew Works on Miller Road, where they’re rolling out summer beers and ciders like Ciderosa Watermelon Sugar, Vacation Cosmo Surprise and Duvette Cherry Vanilla Limeade. Food will be available at La Pizzeria Metro.

In early 2020, Tech Forum rebranded and planned to expand its events beyond Delaware to the greater region, with a focus on short tech talks. The first event after the rebrand, called 7 in 7 Tech Talks, had been scheduled for March 18, 2020 at Studio 1 at The Grand Opera House, shortly after the COVID-19 lockdown began. The org soon pivoted to virtual events.

“We’re staying true to our roots, really focusing on technology,” said Greg Plum, director of marketing for Brandywine Technology and Tech Forum board member, about the rebrand last year. “We don’t want it to be a meetup or a Chamber event where people are focused on networking and business development. That is certainly a piece of it, working with peers and colleagues, but it’s really focused more on the technology and what’s emerging.”

Tech Forum no longer charges membership dues, instead charging for events individually, a decision intended to make them more accessible.

The Summer Social will take place on Wednesday, July 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.25.

For a look at how other tech orgs in the region are thinking about gathering in person again, check out this Technical.ly story on how Philadelphia’s Quorum event space is welcoming back visitors for hybrid IRL-virtual programming.