Forward Fest 2024

1:00pm CDT

Improv for Personal Growth & Development

Tuesday August 20, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Learn and practice the basics of improv with Adam Jun as we explore why the Fortune 100 and MBA programs at Notre Dame, Stanford, Duke and more feature improv in their curriculum. Improv can make you better at thinking on your feet and has been shown help your lateral thinking skills and creativity!

S1B0906, Spark | Meeting Room B, Dream Bank

For more information, check out these resources:
Why Top Companies And MBA Programs Are Teaching Improv
How to think faster, talk smarter, and shine when the pressure is on

Hosted by making608.com

Event Organizers

Adam Jun

Adam Jun teaches both improv and stand up comedy classes on Comedy Sundays at 100state coworking located in downtown Madison at 17 S Fairchild St on the 7th floor – next two 8-week sections begin Sunday July 15th at 10am and 1pm – In celebration of ForwardFest – attendees are... Read More →

Tuesday August 20, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
DreamBank

Premium Event, Improv for Personal Growth and Development

2:00pm CDT

3D Printing for Small Business and Entrepreneurs

Tuesday August 20, 2024 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Sequoya Library

Come join to get an introduction to 3D printing, its use in personal, and professional space. Join in and take your own custom 3D printed souvenir from the session.

Hosted by STEMforce Org

Event Organizers

Damini Dhawal

Sponsors

STEMforce

Tuesday August 20, 2024 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Sequoya Library

Premium Event, 3D Printing

3:00pm CDT

Pressure Chamber 2024

Tuesday August 20, 2024 3:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

Majestic Theatre

Website

SEPARATE REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR ALL - https://members.madisonbiz.com/events/details/pressure-chamber-2024-23873.

Pressure Chamber returns for its 11th year as emerging companies again compete for the coveted “golden suitcase,” as well as a reserved spot in the Chamber's exclusive Greater Madison startup meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms this fall.

Participating companies will pitch in front of a panel of out-of-state investors, business executives and a live audience, with the winning company chosen based on a combination of judges scoring and audience votes.

Hosted by: Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce

Event Organizers

Alanna Thiede

Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce

Sponsors

AirDeck

Fetch

Johnson Financial Group

JP Cullen

Michael Best

The Gialamas Company

WARF/UW-Madison Office of Business Engagement

WEDC

Tuesday August 20, 2024 3:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Majestic Theatre

Premium Event, Pressure Chamber

12:00pm CDT

StartingBlock / Feed Kitchen Hot Lunch

Wednesday August 21, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT

StartingBlock, 3rd Floor Cafe

Community Lunch at StartingBlock with catering by Thailand in a Truck. Menu details to come.

To ensure we provide the best experience, we will be placing a catering order in advance. Therefore, it is essential that every person who plans to attend RSVP by adding this event to their Sched calendar. Thank you!

Hosted by StartingBlock Madison

Event Organizers

Leslie Weissburg

StartingBlock

Sponsors

StartingBlock

Wednesday August 21, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
StartingBlock, 3rd Floor Cafe

Premium Event, StartingBlock | Feed Kitchen Hot Lunch

4:00pm CDT

Gain a Foundational Gen AI Skillset in Just Two Hours

Wednesday August 21, 2024 4:00pm - 7:00pm CDT

TBA

Website

Join us for "Gain a Foundational AI Skillset in Two Hours by Think In Prompts," a transformative event designed to reshape your perspective and enhance your problem-solving abilities by delving into the unique and powerful aspects of AI. This engaging session kicks off with a 1.5-hour presentation featuring audience participation and real-time demonstrations, aimed at unlocking those “holy shit" moments. By grasping AI fundamentals, you'll start to see challenges in a new light and tackle problems with innovative solutions. The presentation is followed by a 30-minute Q&A, which allows for a deeper exploration into how AI can reshape your daily work and creative thinking. Elevate your technological acumen and change your approach to challenges with the power of AI.

Hosted by Think In Prompts

Event Organizers

Eric Townley

CMO, Think In Prompts

Eric is a seasoned marketing professional with extensive experience in leading marketing strategies and innovative campaigns across various industries. As the Chief Marketing Officer at Think In Prompts and Flamingo Theory Marketing, he specializes in strategic marketing management... Read More →

Sponsors

Flamingo Theory Marketing

Nation's Lending - Monona

RE/MAX Preferred

Think In Prompts

Wednesday August 21, 2024 4:00pm - 7:00pm CDT
TBA

Premium Event, Gain a Foundational Gen AI Skillset

9:00am CDT

DevFest WI 2024

Thursday August 22, 2024 9:00am - 4:30pm CDT

UW Memorial Union - Tripp Hall

Website

DevFest WI is an inclusivity-themed conference for any and all folks in tech. Now in our sixth year, we're returning again to the beautiful UW Memorial Union for a day filled with a wide variety of talks on topics related to building inclusive and accessible products, teams, and environments.

See the full schedule on our website!

Who are we?
2024’s event is organized by a women and POC team comprising members of Google Developer Group Madison, Codecinella, Madison Women in Tech, and volunteers from the local tech community.

What is the conference like?
The conference is held in a wheelchair accessible space, and the Union has gender neutral bathrooms available. We provide breakfast items and lunch, and offer multiple breaks throughout the day to recharge or make a new friend.

Do you have a code of conduct?
We sure do! https://www.devfestwi.com/code-of-conduct

Who should attend?
You!

We specifically include a variety of presentations so that everyone can walk away with something new, whether you're a student or decades into your career - and you don't need to be a programmer! Because our theme is inclusivity, our content is deliberately applicable across a wide variety of roles and experience.

Schedule

You can see the full agenda on our website.
Arrival / Registration
8:30 - 9:00 AM
Welcome
9:00 - 9:15 AM
"Welcoming and Belonging in Open Source"
9:15 - 9:40 AM
"Confidently Lead in a Culture of Safety"
9:40 - 10:25 AM
Break
10:25 - 10:40 AM
"Nothing New Under The Sun"
10:40 - 11:25 AM
"Top 3 Ways to Run An Evidence-Based Software Experiment"
11:25 - 11:50 AM
Lunch
12:00 - 1:30 PM
"Unlocking Innovation: Integrating Art and Technology for Inclusive Problem Solving"
1:30-2:15 PM
"1 Step Behind You: Becoming a mentor early in your career"
2:15 - 2:40 PM
"Turning the Lighbulbs On!"
2:40 - 3:25 PM
Break
3:25 - 3:45 PM
"Finding your voice: becoming a (tech) speaker"
3:45 - 4:30 PM

Event Organizers

DevFest

Hilary Stohs-Krause

Forward Fest Board

Sponsors

Google

Memorial Union

Thursday August 22, 2024 9:00am - 4:30pm CDT
UW Memorial Union - Tripp Hall

Premium Event, DevFest WI 2024

2:00pm CDT

Fun Fiction Business Book Workshop

Thursday August 22, 2024 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

100State - Government Oversight Room

Website

Unleash Your Entrepreneurial Tales: From Chaos to Creativity! 📚✨

Ever survive days as an entrepreneur that seem too wild for reality? Transform your experiential business genius into a thrilling fictional adventure!

In this hands-on mini workshop, you'll:

Connect with fellow entrepreneurs over relatable (and unbelievable!) stories
Learn how to turn your experiences into empowering, entertaining tales
Discover the healing power of writing your own narrative

Led by Laura Paisley Beck, author of the groundbreaking "Licensed to Sell," you'll dive into fun creativity exercises, engaging writing prompts, and supportive sharing sessions. Plus, get your burning questions answered in a book publishing Q&A!

Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or just starting out, this workshop will ignite your creativity and inspire you to share your unique entrepreneurial journey.

Get ready to laugh, learn, and unleash your inner author! 🚀📝

Hosted by 100state

Event Organizers

Laura Paisley Beck

Head Content Creator, Wa'am Writes, LLC

Laura Paisley Beck, born and raised in Door County, WI, is a recovering insurance agent and award-winning salesperson from decades of corporate positions in Madison, WI. She has written articles and columns for various publications including the Peninsula Pulse, Door County Living... Read More →

Thursday August 22, 2024 2:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
100State - Government Oversight Room

Premium Event, Fun Fiction Business Book Workshop

10:00am CDT

Tribute to Tech

Friday August 23, 2024 10:00am - 5:30pm CDT

The Red Zone/ Annex

Website

Celebrate Wisconsin's Video Game industry! Meet the Video Game Developers that create your favorite games & Indie Games you should know! Talk Video Game Design & Esports with Wisconsin Universities & High School organizations & see what it's all about at the LIVE Esports Tournament. Plus, Virtual Reality, Gaming Lounge, Fun Vendors, Art & a few surprises. But it's not just about fun and games— Help Rally to Pass the WI Video Game Bill, ensuring the growth of our industry, growth of our economy and the preservation of local jobs. GG Wisconsin!

The daytime event is fun for the whole family! Children are welcome. The after party is strictly 18+ with live music and a bar.

The Tribute to Tech ticket offered by Forward Fest includes event entry, panel discussions, esports (viewing only), games, vendors, networking, and the after party (18+).
Doors Open at 9:30 Program at 10

Interested in a specific part of the day?
For after party only tickets: [Link coming soon]
For esports participation tickets: [Link coming soon]

Hosted by Git Gud Lounge

Event Organizers