As spring warms the Gulf Coast, Louisiana technologists, investors, students and the tech-curious have plenty of chances to gather, talk tech and make connections.
Whether it’s a laidback happy hour or a conference drawing innovators from around the country, there’s something on the calendar for just about everyone.
Here’s the full list of events from now through the end of April, bringing together Louisiana’s tech community.
To find even more Louisiana tech events, or share your own, visit the #events channel in Technical.ly’s community Slack.
NOLA Bitcoin Meetup
When: Apr. 6, 2026
Where: New Orleans
Cost: Free
NOLA Bitcoin hosts a meetup on the first Monday of every month. The April edition will take place at the Nieux from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for drinks and Bitcoin chat. No crypto expertise is required, and organizers say everyone is welcome.
Fireside Chat with Gerard Taylor
When: April 7, 2026
Where: Baton Rouge
Cost: Free
Southern University Law Center’s Tech and Entrepreneurship Clinic is behind a chat led by Gerald Taylor on careers at the US Patent and Trademark Office. The event, which runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 616 Harding Blvd., will focus on navigating the job market, understanding specific roles and building a career path in IP law, according to organizers.
#FrontEndParty
When: Apr. 14, 2026
Where: New Orleans
Cost: Free
The NOLA Coders meetup takes place on the second Tuesday of each month. In April, a featured speaker will give a quick “lightening [sic] talk with ‘BYOB’ (Bring Your Own Bug),” according to the event listing, followed by feedback and a show-and-tell featuring attendees’ latest projects.
Technology Forum on AI
When: Apr. 14, 2026
Where: Shreveport
Cost: Free
Held at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, this all-day forum is hosted by Bossier Parish Community College’s Business and Information Technology Division and will feature speakers with expertise in AI. Scheduled speakers represent AWS, IBM, NVIDIA, Oracle, Fortinet, Nexus, Subterra and Obeny.AI. The event will also include two keynotes, panel discussions and tutorials on AI tools.
2026 Louisiana Remote Sensing and GIS Workshop
When: Apr. 14-16, 2026
Where: Lafayette
Cost: $30 to $175
The 38th annual LARSGIS Workshop will feature educational presentations, panel discussions, a keynote speaker, a student poster contest and a vendor expo. Participants can learn about remote sensing and GIS work across the state, while also earning credit toward GIS Professional certification.
Organizers will also recognize two technologists with the Distinguished Service Award for the Advancement of Spatial Analysis in Louisiana and the Louisiana Special Achievement Award in Remote Sensing and GIS.
StartupNOLA x Tulane Innovation Institute Open MIC Night Pitch Competition
When: Apr. 15, 2026
Where: New Orleans
Cost: Free
The Tulane Innovation Institute will run a pitch competition featuring health and wellness tech ideas with a chance to win cash prizes. A happy hour will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Organizers encourage anyone interested in new technologies, startup practices or networking to attend.
AI Without the Risk: How to Build Safety Controls into Your Automation
When: Apr. 15, 2026
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Business owners and technologists concerned about AI mistakes — such as authorizing financial transactions or leaking private information — can attend this event from Nicholls State University from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. to learn how to prevent AI mishaps.
Led by Gerald Cullison of Daystar New Media in Metairie, the session will cover guardrail protocols and veto gates designed to ensure AI tools do only what is expected.
Baton Rouge .Net, SQL Server and PowerBI User Groups Meeting
When: Apr. 15, 2026
Where: Baton Rouge
Cost: Free
This meeting is for tech professionals who use .Net, SQL Server and PowerBI, sponsored by and hosted at the Jones Creek Regional Library. The event runs from 5:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. and begins with a half-hour of food-and-drink networking, followed by introductions, presentations and an open forum for questions.
Never Miss a Lead Again: Set Up a 24/7 AI Phone and Booking System
When: Apr. 16, 2026
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Held by Nicholls State University from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., this event, led by Michelle Cullison of Daystar New Media, focuses on preventing calls from going to voicemail — or, as organizers put it, “where leads go to die.” The seminar will explore how to deploy human-sounding AI voice agents that mimic a live employee.
Those systems, organizers say, can handle caller objections and schedule appointments.
AI and Philosophy
When: Apr. 16, 2026
Where: New Orleans
Cost: Free to $100
The University of New Orleans (UNO) alumni association is creating a space for philosophers to reflect on AI. Held at the Earl K. Long Library from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the one-day event is free for UNO professors and students, with tickets available for the general public. The school is also inviting submissions for discussion topics, which organizers say may include AI consciousness and whether AI can create art.
Apps to Apply Computer Classes
When: Apr. 21, 2026
Where: Shreveport
Cost: Free
From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Shreve Memorial Library’s David Raines Tech Center, adults ages 19 and up are invited to attend this beginner-friendly class on navigating essential apps that can make daily life easier.
EBA — Work Smarter, Grow Faster: AI Tools for Today’s Entrepreneur
When: Apr. 21, 2026
Where: New Orleans
Cost: $35 to $40
The Elmwood Business Association is holding a lunch-and-learn on how AI can support businesses. Running from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Moore, the session will focus on AI tools aimed at boosting productivity.
Technical.ly ‘Pitch a Reporter’ Happy Hour – New Orleans
When: Apr. 20, 2026
Where: New Orleans
Cost: Free
Technical.ly is hosting a happy hour with the chance to pitch Technical.ly’s new Louisiana reporting team. The relaxed meetup will include light snacks and refreshments.
All are welcome, including innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders and anyone curious about the region’s future.
Technical.ly ‘Pitch a Reporter’ Happy Hour – Baton Rouge
When: Apr. 21, 2026
Where: Baton Rouge
Cost: Free
Technical.ly is hosting a happy hour with the chance to pitch Technical.ly’s new Louisiana reporting team. The relaxed meetup will include light snacks and refreshments.
All are welcome, including innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders and anyone curious about the region’s future.
Technical.ly ‘Pitch a Reporter’ Happy Hour – Lafayette
When: Apr. 22, 2026
Where: Lafayette
Cost: Free
Technical.ly and Opportunity Machine are hosting a happy hour after the first day of Innovate South. Running from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the relaxed meetup will include light snacks, refreshments and the chance to pitch Technical.ly’s new Louisiana reporting team.
You don’t have to attend Innovate South to join. All are welcome, including innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders and anyone curious about the region’s future.
1st Annual Technology Day at the Lake Hosted by H2O Subsea
When: Apr. 22, 2026
Where: Lafayette
Cost: $30 to $500
This one-day event will feature networking and technology demonstrations alongside a private lake on the property. According to organizers, attendees can expect exhibits and demos from ROVs, AUVs, ASVs, sonar manufacturers, camera and lighting companies, and other manufacturers.
Big Towns
When: Apr. 22-23
Where: Lafayette
Cost: $250
This two-day summit at the Acadiana Center for the Arts centers on cities that are too small to count as big cities but too large to be considered small towns. Big Towns and its speakers focus on ideas relevant to midsize America. Speakers include mayors from Beaverton, Oregon, and Fayetteville, Arkansas, as well as former New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet.
Innovate South
When: Apr. 22-24
Where: Lafayette
Cost: $30 to $70
Organized by economic development org Opportunity Machine, Innovate South is a three-day gathering for founders, technology professionals and innovators to collaborate and connect. The program includes keynote speakers, panel discussions and intentional networking time.
Financial Foundations — Session 2: Protect and Strengthen Your Business
When: Apr. 23, 2026
Where: Alexandria
Cost: Free
This event from leaders at Louisiana State University of Alexandria is designed to help business owners protect themselves against fraud. Held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Chambers Hall 143, the session will cover topics including technology that can streamline operations and improve security, as well as retirement planning options for small businesses.
POWERUp 2026: New Orleans
When: Apr. 27-30
Where: New Orleans
Cost: $200 to $2,795
This IBM i community event is slated for the end of April at the New Orleans Marriott. Attendees will hear about the latest IBM innovations, take part in hands-on training and attend sessions with experts. Over the course of four days, there will also be keynote speakers and plenty of opportunities to network.
SWLA Cyber Club April 2026
When: Apr. 29, 2026
Where: Lake Charles
Cost: Free
The SWLA Cyber Club will hold a seminar from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux featuring a session on modern cloud security and real-time threat detection. The discussion is intended to help organizations using platforms such as AWS and Azure better secure their data.
