Even though WTIA is a 32-year-old organization, we still think like a startup. In a few weeks, we’re going to launch our biggest, most ambitious program to date: FullConTech. It’s our first tech industry conference in years. We know that when we bring open-minded people with different perspectives to engage in interesting conversations, magic happens.

When we started brainstorming about this conference, we knew we didn’t want to have another trade fair with demos and booths. At the end of the end, the tech industry is about our people, not about the software we develop or about the devices we build. And the rapid growth of the tech industry impacts everyone.

Because we’re creating a first-of-its-kind conference, of course, people want to know what this is all about. I’ve listed below some of the most popular FAQ about FullConTech. For the full list, read here.

Why FullConTech?

Washington’s tech sector is growing – fast. We have ten tech jobs for every person with the skills to fill them, creating a talent shortage that affects the entire sector; meanwhile, historically underrepresented populations are left out and existing populations are being displaced by rising cost of living. Rapid growth in Seattle and the Puget Sound is placing unprecedented pressure on our infrastructure and changing the cultural landscape at breakneck pace.

Everyone is talking about these issues. We wanted to actually bring together people who can do something about it.

Why should I attend FullConTech?

Because you’ll get to:

• start conversations and build relationships with people you normally wouldn’t get to meet who are also passionate about technology, education, and our community
• learn and be inspired by what is possible when people from different sectors come together to solve problems
• be part of something bigger than just yourself
• stop talking and start doing something

Why did you choose Lenny Wilkens, a basketball player, to be the keynote speaker at a tech conference?

FullConTech is not your typical tech trade conference. USA Olympic Basketball Dream Team coach Lenny Wilkens, who twice led a diverse group of players who had never played with each other before to win against tough competition (and led the Seattle SuperSonics to their one and only national championship), is the perfect match for what we are trying to do. FullConTech is bringing people from different sectors to help solve problems together. We didn’t want a keynote that comes from any of the sectors represented at the conference. We want an inspirational coach to set the tone for a day full of winning collaboration.

How did you choose the speakers?

We selected speakers who could talk about the issues of talent and ecosystem at the strategic level and engage in conversations with leaders from different sectors to stimulate thinking in that way because the facilitated afternoon sessions will be interactive, cross sector discussions. Check out the speakers here.

Is this conference good for business development opportunities?

If you think that business development means starting to build relationships with people by engaging in meaningful conversations, then yes. FullConTech lets you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise as a representative of your company in facilitated discussions, which is far more effective than just exchanging business cards for business development purposes.

How did you select the topics for this year? What do you mean by “talent” and by “ecosystem”?

This conference has been developed in close collaboration with community thought leaders and our advisory committee. Talent refers to the people needed to fuel the tech industry. Ecosystem refers to the environment the tech industry emerges from and is a part of.

What does the conference day look like?

The morning tipoff will be followed by a breakout into two brackets, Talent and Ecosystem. Each bracket kicks off with a panel discussion and then splits into another set of two simultaneous panels, designed to stimulate thinking and move us progressively toward more specific issues. After lunch, we split into 12 working groups for facilitated conversations to identify priorities and next steps. The results of these discussions will be shared at the end of the day and form the basis for a playbook, to be released on October 15. Every participant will be credited as a co-author.