Things to Do

5 Must-Attend Events to Make the Washington Tech Scene

Want to be a tech pro? Check out these local meet-ups and conferences.

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1. General Assembly’s Intro to the DC Startup Community

When: About twice per quarter.

Where: 1133 15th St., NW.

What: Introduces neophytes to the people, companies, investors, and events crucial to the area’s tech ecosystem.

2. DC Tech Meetup

When: Monthly.

Where: Varies.

What: Hundreds-strong events at which start-ups do product demos; also open-mike session to share job opportunities.

3. Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Titans Breakfast Series

When: Four to five times a year.

Where: Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner.

What: Early-morning speaker series that in its long run has hosted Steve Ballmer, Michael Dell, and Bill Gates.

4. Fosterly Collaborate Conference

When: Once a year.

Where: Varies.

What: Private- and public-sector innovators gather for two days of speakers, workshops, pitch practices, and more.

5. DC and NoVA Nightowls

When: Two to three times a month.

Where: Various co-working spaces.

What: Entrepreneurs and techies meet to work on personal projects in after-hours sessions that stretch past midnight.

This article appears in our May 2015 issue of Washingtonian, in our Tech Titans feature.

Staff Writer

Michael J. Gaynor has written about fake Navy SEALs, a town without cell phones, his Russian spy landlord, and many more weird and fascinating stories for the Washingtonian. He lives in DC, where his landlord is no longer a Russian spy.