Summerfest Tech Sees Big Results for Seventh Annual Conference with Record Number of Registrants, Expanded Programming, and More

MILWAUKEE, WI (July 8, 2024) – In its seventh year, Summerfest Tech, produced by Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., continues to build momentum with a big increase in the number of registrants along with the expansion of programming.  Milwaukee’s premier tech event, which was held June 24-27, 2024, recorded big results:

• Expanded to four-day event
• Attracted nearly 2,900 registrants, a 37% increase from 2023, from 37 states and nine countries
• Hosted 48 programming sessions with 98 speakers

The annual conference remained FREE of charge and accessible virtually. Summerfest Tech leverages the Summerfest brand to showcase technology and provide a forum for attendees to network, educate, and celebrate the evolution of technology. Since 2018, the event has cemented itself as a convergence of diverse perspectives and a global collective for idea generators.

Programming highlights of Summerfest Tech 2024:

• Missy Hughes, CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, moderated a panel discussing Wisconsin’s opportunities to further develop a robust tech ecosystem with Hugh Forrest, Co-President and Chief Programming Officer of SXSW. Additional panelists included representatives from Microsoft, TitletownTech, and Molson Coors.
• The annual Pitch Competition, sponsored by Molson Coors, and produced by Young Enterprising Society, attracted over 145 entries which competed for a portion of the $50,000 prize. The winner was Reach Pathways from Chicago, IL., a college and career pathway for high-performing, under-resourced students at the nexus of company and community.  The event also established a Hometown award, given to Roddy Medical, ensuring support for a regional Milwaukee startup.
• Dr. Abeba Birhane from Dublin, Ireland, discussed the ethical and societal implications of generative AI, including the critical role of data examination.
• AI was the featured topic during the conference, with 15 programming sessions discussing its best practices, strategy and implementation, new leadership positions in this space, its use in talent acquisition, and more.
• The cybersecurity workshop series “Secure, Recover, Sustain: Navigating the Future of Cyber Resilience” included four sessions covering offensive security, safeguarding data, third party support, future of cyber, and was highly attended.
• MKE Tech Community Impact Awards were presented and given to recipients Joe Poeschl of MKE Tech Hub Coalition and Blanca Gonzalez from i.c.stars Milwaukee for their commitment to tech in Milwaukee.

“The continued success of Summerfest Tech demonstrates a strong interest in this event from all corners of the tech ecosystem.  We are proud to showcase Wisconsin as a burgeoning tech hub and look forward to showcasing new initiatives in our region” said Sarah Pancheri, President and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.  “As we look ahead to 2025, we aim to bring even more opportunities for collaboration and learning, while driving even more attendees to Milwaukee.”

The 2024 Summerfest Tech programming will be available on demand HERE until the end of July.

Sponsors of Summerfest 2024 included: Generac Power Systems, Molson Coors Beverage Company, American Family Insurance, BMO, Charter, Potawatomi Ventures, RegalRexnord, Valor Technologies, AE Business Solutions, Aleysian, BizStars, DataBee/Comcast, Concurrency Inc., Eliassen Group (formerly Safenet Consulting), Expedient, Fortinet, Fresh Coast Labs, Genesis10/dev10, Husch Blackwell, i.c.stars, Insight, Midwest House, MKE Tech Hub Coalition, Nasuni, Netskope, Oliver Construction Company, Salesforce, Sitecore, STEP CG, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, UScellular Business, US Patent and Trademark Office, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee School of Information Studies, WIN Technologies with Aventus, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporoation, Zscaler, Badger Fund of Funds, Cato Networks, CDW, ClickUp, CustomerTimes, Cyera, Koantek, Milwaukee School of Engineering, nvisia, TeschGlobal, Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, Bridge to Cures, Inc., Milwaukee Area Technical College, Microsoft TEALS, Waukesha Conty Technical College, University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Business, Wisconsin Tech Association, and Wisconsin Technology Council. Media support provided by Experience Milwaukee. Production support provided by Majic Productions, Inc.

For more information visit Summerfest-Tech.com

About Summerfest Tech

Summerfest Tech began in 2018 with the goal of leveraging the Summerfest brand to showcase technology and provide a forum for attendees from the tech and business community to network, educate, and celebrate the evolution of technology. Summerfest Tech continues to champion the regional business community, while shining the spotlight on Wisconsin’s growing reputation as a tech hub, highlighting the growth and opportunity in the region. Programming from local, regional, and national speakers, as well as a cash-prize pitch competition, connects the tech community around relevant topics. For more details, visit Summerfest-Tech.com or Facebook, Instagram, and X @SummerfestTech.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.