Urban Tech Weekend: Innovation, IT Resources & STEM Focused Event Returns to Houston, Texas

HOUSTON - June 22, 2014 - PRLog -- Houston is poised as host city of the 6th Annual Urban Tech Weekend. The event will be held Thursday through Saturday, September 25-27, 2014, at the Wyndham Houston Energy Corridor.

Annually, the event  attracts thought-leaders from across the country for an intensive three days of workshops and collaboration, a research and technology symposium, high-tech vendor expo and recruitment fair, certification training and countless networking opportunities.

More than 40 dynamic speakers, entrepreneurs, industry experts and panelists from over 20 states will convene in Houston to attendees to dialogue and offer solutions to bridging the digital divide, address the underrepresentation of African Americans and other minorities in IT, Tech careers and silicone valley and work collectively on solutions to close the equity gaps and eliminate barriers to entry in silicone valley and beyond.

With President Obama recently calling for government and industry to train 10,000 new U.S. engineers every year as well as 100,000 additional STEM teachers by 2020, Urban Tech Weekend is well timed. African Americans hold less than eight percent of all information technology (IT) jobs and fewer than three percent of IT leadership positions. Even more startling, African American women hold less than two percent of IT positions in America where African Americans make up approximately 14 percent of the population.

“As tech companies like Facebook, Google, IBM, Yahoo and Microsoft turn to lobbying the government for an increase in temporary visas to fill projected vacancies, the need remains great for more representation of African Americans in IT professions and STEM-related disciplines,” said Urban Tech Weekend Founder and President Andrew West. “Sadly, the IT profession is behind all other major professions when it comes to African American representation. This is particularly important because it is believed that if the various IT industries don’t do a better job of diversifying its ranks, there will be less confidence that a career as a black IT professional is one that is accessible and attainable to all people.”

Urban Tech Weekend programming will include 3 days of STEM education, innovation, technology leadership, empowerment, career planning, entrepreneurship, and proven practices that will push the leading edge of the industry, while motivating the pursuit of excellence.

“We selected Houston as the conference host city this year again, because the city is in forefront of technology innovation, start-up accelerators and software development design and engineering in the nation,” said Urban Tech Weekend Founder and CEO, Andrew West.

“With organizations like NASA, Conoco Philips, Cisco and HP, and incubators such as the Start and Surge accelerators, Houston is a smart choice to nurture diverse technology growth in an urban global market.”

The 6th Annual Urban Tech Weekend - National Technology Conference & Career Expo will include symposium subjects such as:

1.         Urban STEM Innovation & Technology

An Entrepreneurial (self-reliance) mindset coupled with careers in STEM are vital to the long-term success of African Americans or any disadvantaged group of people.

2.          Women in STEM and Technology Leadership

No longer the minority, the emerging majority: Empowering a dynamic workforce of women innovators, STEM practitioners and global information technology leaders.

3.         Urban Economics & Entrepreneurship

Managing in an interconnected world: Pioneering business and technology excellence in your own silicone backyard.

4.         Urban Education & Opportunity - "All Things Educational"

Fostering a winning mindset and preparing a global workforce in STEM: Adding educational practitioners to the STEM workforce crisis discussion.

5.         Urban Technology Career Options Decoded

Approaching STEM, advancing information technology careers, climbing the ladder to C-Level and digital entrepreneurship pathways.

6.         Innovate Africa - "Emerging Global Markets"

Seizing global tech opportunities in often overlooked markets.

7.     Urban Economics & Tech - "If it doesn't make dollars, it doesn't make sense"

To submit a presentation proposal or to suggest a speaker, please review the requirements on http://nbitlo.org/nbitlo-is-seeking-proposals-for-its-6th...  Submissions will be accepted online through July 1, 2014.

In addition to a call for speakers, organizers have also opened early registration for Urban Tech Weekend. Register online at http://www.urbantechweekend.com

Corporations interested in exhibiting, are invited to share information related to careers, innovations or products and services at the Tech Expo and Diversity Career Fair. Visit http://nbitlo.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/NBITLO-Urban... to sponsor, parnter or exhibit.

Attendees will experience four days of dynamic programing, which include:

·      Four thought-provoking keynotes and two focused roundtable discussions

·      Over three days of information packed days of IT professional resources

·      High Tech Expo and Diversity Career Fair

·      Urban STEM Thought-Leadership Symposium

·      Urban High School Code-a-Thon

·      Urban Hack-a-Thon

·      Pitch Competitions

·      Countless Networking Events & Mentorship Opportunities

·      Urban Innovators Gala

Urban Tech Weekend culminates with the NBITLO Urban Innovators Awards Gala. During the gala, the best of the best in urban innovation, STEM and the technology community at-large will be recognized for their efforts to make a difference in their educational opportunities, innovations, inventions and diversity hiring practices. The gala will be held on Saturday, September 27, at the Houston Museum of African American Culture, 4807 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77019.

The NBITLO Urban Technology Weekend (Urban Tech Weekend) is the crowning annual program of NBITLO.  A multi-day summit, the objectives of Urban Tech Weekend are to help create an environment and network to achieve the following: bridge the digital divide, create equity in the information technology workforce, diversify the STEM pipeline, and incubate and equip innovators with world class inventions and global business ideas. Visit www.urbantechweekend.com for more information.