RenderATL is a tech conference dedicated to diverse perspectives in Atlanta

RenderATL is a distinct form of tech convention that’s far-off from the tech heartland of Silicon Valley. Primarily based in Atlanta, it’s all about bringing extra numerous engineers and other people into the group of technologists.

Began in 2019 by Justin Samuels, founder and CEO of RenderATL, the occasion now brings an financial influence of over $6.5 million to Atlanta and it expects greater than 5,000 attendees at this yr’s occasion happening June 12 to June 14 at America’s Mart throughout Atlanta Tech Week.

Render isn’t your typical firm; it’s made for know-how professionals by know-how professionals, Samuels stated. And it’s the place the worlds of collards and code seamlessly intertwine, creating an atmosphere the place folks can authentically be themselves with out feeling like they’re simply there to examine a field, Samuels stated in an interview with VentureBeat.

General diversity in the tech industry remains to be fairly small. Around the globe, males are about 92% of software program builders. Within the U.S., ladies are about 22% of software program engineers. Black engineers are underneath 5%, whereas Hispanic/LatinX individuals are 6.9%, in line with a report in 2022.

The occasion options greater than 70 companions and greater than 100 keynote addresses, seminars and workshops. By design, it’s not the same old circuit of audio system. RenderATL options audio system together with NFL legend Shannon Sharpe; distinguished Google engineer Kelsey Hightower; and entertainer DJ Pee .Wee (AKA Anderson .Paak).

Samuels hopes to carry folks into the world of know-how in order that they’ll form its route. It’s going to characteristic talks on synthetic intelligence, software program engineering, design, product and undertaking administration, tech management and extra.

These experiences will present attendees with not solely insights into the most recent developments and developments however have the chance to deepen their understanding of cutting-edge applied sciences and acquire sensible abilities to drive success of their respective fields in addition to a platform for employer recruiting with excessive profession placement success charges.

RenderATL is in contrast to some other tech convention because it has a dedication to bridging the hole between tech and tradition. Render attendees might be on the forefront of the intersection between the 2, with not solely empowering discussions and workshops, but additionally witness a few of immediately’s prime musical acts carry out and community throughout all industries in a novel method.

Origins

I requested in regards to the genesis of the occasion.

Samuels himself is a baby of immigrants. His father got here from Montego Bay, Jamaica, within the Seventies. He had an entrepreneurial spirit, at all times amassing random gadgets and making one thing with them. Someday, he gave a pc to the younger Samuels, who turned it on and figured it out. He performed a recreation referred to as The Oregon Path obsessively.

“That was the place I first received uncovered to tech,” he stated. He began making Geocities pages and received onto MySpace. He picked up tech abilities alongside the way in which and made his method into the tech business.

“I used to be going throughout the nation continuously to do persevering with training as a software program engineer. In our line of labor, it’s important to get persevering with training credit. It lets you preserve up to date and stay updated in your abilities as a result of software program is continually altering.”

He began asking himself why he couldn’t do these occasions on the East Coast, and why he couldn’t do it in a metropolis like Atlanta, with its extraordinarily busy airport.

“I assumed that if we had been in a position to do it right here, we might interact with cultural parts that you just often don’t discover at a tech convention. And make it a like a illustration of not only one specific group of the business, however make it consultant of everyone throughout the board,” he stated.

So Samuels stated he began work on making a premier place for know-how professionals seeking to improve their persevering with training and seeking to get these abilities in order that they might transfer their organizations ahead.

His timing might have been higher. He began the occasion in 2021, proper in the course of the pandemic.

He added, “I used to be uninterested in the isolation. I used to be at all times blessed to have a distant job. However I wanted to satisfy some folks nose to nose. I wished to interact. I wanted social interplay. Folks had been receptive to it.”

So he created a small occasion in September 2021 the place folks had been nonetheless prepared to enterprise out. Regardless of the dangers of COVID, about 350 folks nonetheless got here out to the occasion in Atlanta. There have been 20 company companions and the occasion offered out that yr. In June 2022, the occasion drew 1,200 folks. In June 2023, it drew 3,000.

Now Samuels anticipated having his greatest occasion but, the place there are tons of demos and exhibit cubicles for corporations attempting to recruit expertise.

The 2024 occasion

This yr, RenderATL is ready to have cultural shifters like Shannon Sharpe, recognized for his legendary 14 season profession within the NFL and his acclaimed podcast “Membership Shay Shay” because the keynote speaker. He’ll speak about organizational and government management in a session moderated by Revolt Media and TV CEO Detavio Samuels.

Samuels stated that Sharpe is fascinating as a podcaster and YouTube persona who can speak about government management, tips on how to construct a group, tips on how to lead and encourage others to be their finest.

RenderRTL does a survey the place it asks 38 questions of its attendees, audio system and extra in order that it may determine their backgrounds, with permission. Over 40% of the attendees determine as having African descent, and about half determine as ladies, which is big for the male-dominated business, he stated.

Kelsey Hightower, distinguished Google engineer, will converse as a developer advocate. Others embody musical expertise akin to DJ Pee .Wee (AKA Anderson .Paak), R&B star Rotimi, D Smoke, CoCo and Breezy, Kamaiyah and DaniLeigh.

“2024 marks a pivotal second for the tech group as we collect in Atlanta for RenderATL,” Samuels stated. “As a know-how convention we introduced collectively one of the best audio system and workshop conductors for one of the best steady studying atmosphere to assist allow our attendees to go additional of their profession and advance know-how past slicing business data, particularly with our cornerstone focus in A.I., for this yr’s expertise. The vitality surrounding this convention is infectious, and we’re thrilled to shine gentle on all the expertise this convention brings every yr.”

RenderATL has the help of Zillow as its title sponsor. “At Zillow, our goal is to assist increasingly more folks get dwelling, and we attempt to do this by connecting with one of the best and brightest expertise. RenderATL presents group for prime expertise, and we can not wait to get to Atlanta for one more yr of connection and constructing on the intersection of know-how, innovation and tradition,” stated Roz Francuz-Harris, vp of expertise acquisition and engagement & belonging for Zillow, in a press release.

The occasion has the help from the mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickets.

“For us to develop into a prime 5 tech hub, we have to construct and form our expertise pool. Events like Atlanta Tech Week and RenderATL Convention, assist us join Atlantans to coveted profession alternatives and coaching, which strengthens our ecosystem and extra importantly- can change somebody’s life,” stated Donnie Beamer, senior know-how advisor to the mayor, in a press release. “Atlanta Tech Week and RenderATL additionally invitations aspiring technologists and entrepreneurs to see what Atlanta has to supply. We’re excited that RenderATL continues to name Atlanta dwelling, is making it a vacation spot for the business and reaches populations which have lengthy been missed. Collectively we’re constructing one thing particular.”

“I at all times inform people who, whereas we’re a various convention, our primary mission is to be the premier know-how convention for persevering with training,” he stated. “It was deliberately made for folks to search out any individual they might determine with. That’s essential as a result of studying and training is available in many sizes and styles. We may be extremely sensible folks, however we most likely don’t be taught in the very same classroom setting. Some folks be taught higher on-line or in school. You want totally different avenues and media for folks to be taught and be one of the best they are often.”

Studying at a tech convention is one more medium, he stated.

“It permits folks from a number of backgrounds that come to collect and to be taught in an atmosphere that they really feel comfy in,” he stated.

Samuels can be chairman and founding father of Atlanta Tech Week, which received began in 2023 and runs this yr from June 9 to June 15. It options occasions taking place throughout the Atlanta space. Now there are folks coming from different areas like different states within the South.