See you on Zoom: 11 tech meetups, seminars and conferences to attend virtually in May

Events Roundup is a Technical.ly column where we highlight events happening in the Philly area each month. Got a submission? Email us the details so we can consider it for our next roundup: philly@technical.ly.

Happy May, folks. We made it.

Anyone else feel like March lasted an entire decade and April flew right by?

Well, we’re here, and we’re actually getting a hang of all this Zooming and Hangout-ing. Which is good news, because while we do have to stay at home right now, we don’t have a bare calendar.

This month, too, is the kickoff to Philly Tech Week 2020 presented by Comcast, and we bring you our first-ever daylong virtual conference. Expect some notable faces and salient words of wisdom from folks across the mid-Atlantic region (and beyond).

And while some of us are itching to keep grinding at a new business or level up their skill sets during this time, it’s OK to want a low-pressure way to stay connected. This month, we bring you a mix of virtual events with some professional meetups, some job seeking advice and oh, yeah — a chance to watch the movie “Snowpiercer” together.

I’ll bring the popcorn. Check out these events:

Out in Tech Philadephia

This nonprofit, with branches in 15 cities across the world, is hosting a happy hour for LGBTQ+ technologists in the Philly area. The org exists on the Out In Tech Slack, and has been hosting virtual events in various other cities over the last few months. An invite for the Zoom meeting comes with registration.

“Your local Out in Tech team will introduce you to the organization, and you’ll have a chance to e-mingle and network with fellow LGBTQ+ techies in Philadelphia,” the event says.

• Friday, May 1
• 6 to 7 p.m.
• Free

Philly is Blind

Netflix’s hit dating show “Love is Blind” is coming to Philadelphia … well, sorta. Billy Penn wrote about “Philly is Blind,” a dating show with actual Philadelphia singles participating, trying to find love on video-less Zoom calls. The show premieres Sunday evening, and you can buy a “ticket” aka access to the Facebook page where the episodes will be posted.

• Sunday, May 3
• Starting at 1 p.m.
• $8, tickets here

LIFT Labs Accelerator AMA

Are you an entrepreneur looking for some connections, advice and direction? Wondering what an accelerator program could do for your business? Comcast’s LIFT Labs is hosting an AMA for folks to learn about the program and meet the team. Companies focused on the future of work (like enterprise automation, collaboration tools and talent management); interactive and immersive experiences/entertainment; digital wellness; IoT and connected home and life; security and privacy; wireless communication systems; AI and machine learning; accessibility tech; and personalized marketing and consumer insights are encouraged to apply.

• Monday, May 4
• 3 p.m.
• Free

Intro to Content Strategy

This two-part series, hosted by Think Company Content Strategy Advocate David Dylan Thomas, attendees will review how content strategy can work for them and their business, and how to apply strategy to their own careers. Proceeds from the event will go toward the PHL COVID-19 Fund.

“Content strategy is a plan that uses content to achieve a business goal,” the event says. “Many people are asking for better content strategy at their organizations, but very few really understand what that means.”

• Tuesday, May 5, and Thursday, May 7
• 6 to 8 p.m.
• $49

Lunch & Learn: Product and Design Leadership

This lunchtime conversation held by folks over at Chariot Solutions is about designing and building products right now. “It is not just about figuring out the tools and processes that will allow us to manage our work. It’s also about understanding the mental and emotional toll this shift has had on all of us and exploring how we may cope. It’s about sharing ideas and learning from the perspectives of our peers,” the event page says.

• Wednesday, May 6
• Noon to 1 p.m.
• Free

Discussion on COVID-19 Fraud from an FBI Perspective

Join the Philadelphia Women and Cybersecurity meetup group for a virtual chat with local FBI agents about cybersecurity concerns during the coronavirus pandemic. Hear from FBI special agents and specialists in cyber criminals.

• Wednesday, May 6
• 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Free

Introduced | Virtual by Technical.ly

This year, because of social distancing guidelines, we’re bringing one of our signature Philly Tech Week events to you via Zoom. That’s right, Introduced | Virtual is coming at you May 7, for a day’s worth of speakers, panels (one hosted by yours truly) and a keynote. We’ll be diving into topics like “how hiring changes during a recession” and “tell your hometown’s innovation story.” Join us for the full day or log in whenever is convenient for your schedule.

• Thursday, May 7
• 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Free

Career Webinar: LinkedIn and Networking Tips

Job hunting right now? JEVS Human Services is hosting a webinar on how to keep your job search on track whether you were already in the process of job hunting, or are doing so as a result of a current layoff or furlough. Career counselors will provide tips on how to productively use this down time to prepare for the next phase of your job search.

• Friday, May 8
• Noon to 12:30 p.m.
• Free

Little Sisters Learning Code: Mother/Daughter Coding Workshop

Just before Mother’s Day, Philly Tech Sistas is teaming up with TechGirlz for this workshop that invites parents or guardians to build a website with girls in 5th through 10th grades.

• Saturday, May 9
• 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Free

Science on Tap: Untapped at Home

Join a bunch of other Philadelphians on Netflix Party, for the Wagner Free Institute of Science’s Untapped series. “Guests can talk to our Science On Tap experts through the chat function, asking questions in real time and learning more about the myths and misrepresentations in some of our favorite movies,” the event says.

This event happens weekly, and folks must register, as space is limited. The May 11 event will follow the movie “Snowpiercer.”

• Monday, May 11
• 7 p.m.
• Free

One Million Cups Philadelphia May

This monthly event series, organized by Philly Startup Leaders, was designed to educate, engage and accelerate early-stage startups. Folks can virtually drop in to this event every third Wednesday of the month to connect with each other and hear stories from other founders

• Wednesday, May 20
• 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
• Free