What to expect at Tribaja’s four-day, IRL Diversitech conference this May

For Shannon Morales, founder of diversity-focused community and hiring network Tribaja, the org’s annual conference is about giving technologists “a larger tech tribe than they came in with.”

Across four days in May, technologists from around the country will be converging in Philadelphia for Tribaja’s annual Diversitech conference, this year with a focus on transitions. Though the conference is in its third year, it’s the first time Morales has been able to hold the conference completely in person. Last year’s event was three days of virtual programing with an in-person reception in Philly.

Diversitech will bring together networking, career development, recruitment and professional development from May 3 to 5 at Rivers Casino in Fishtown.

The conference kicks off with Philly Startup Leaders‘ annual Entrepreneur Expo on May 2, also at Rivers Casino. That expo will give entrepreneurs, investors, industry professionals and startup enthusiasts the chance to connect and share resources. (We attended last year’s event and heard from a few founders about what they needed most at that moment.)

Entrepreneur Expo “is the chance for entrepreneurs and services to build relationships, get more visibility for your brand, support emerging founders in an equitable way, and recruit top talent,” said Isabelle Kent, CEO of Philly Startup Leaders, in a statement.

Diversitech’s dedicated programming is three days of tech talks, panels and networking. There will also be plenty of opportunities for socializing with a kickoff mixer at Center City’s Blind Barber on May 3, and a Cinco de Mayo after party at Offsite on May 5. In between, you’ll find conversations about financial inclusion, discrimination in the workplace, women in tech leadership, no-code tech careers and “turning setbacks into comebacks.”

Morales said she’s excited to bring in tech pros from around the country and introduce them to the Philly, noting that there will be speakers and attendees from across California, Seattle, Texas, Atlanta, Miami, the Carolinas and DC. She’s also looking forward to seeing technologists from different places in their careers meet, and “double up as mentors” throughout the conference.

“I think what I’m most excited about is the evolving culture of professionals and innovation. For the most part, I think most people might not traditionally see Philadelphia as a space where these ecosystems are,” Morales said. “My goal is to really shine some light on that. I always say there’s more to Philly than cheesesteaks.”

Morales said the conference offers different foci on different days, including a track on advancing your career, staying relevant in today’s job market or understanding the high-demand functions of the tech industry.

She emphasized that building up an attendee’s network is a mail goal of the conference, and “really genuine connections and content” that leave them with a lot to apply to their current role or job search.