RenderATL is a technology conference dedicated to diverse perspectives in Atlanta

RenderATL is a different type of tech conference, far from the tech heart of Silicon Valley. Based in Atlanta, its goal is to bring engineers and more diverse people into the technology community.

Launched in 2019 by Justin Samuels, founder and CEO of RenderATL, the event now brings more than $6.5 million in economic impact to Atlanta and expects more than 5,000 attendees at this year’s event taking place from June 12-14 at America’s Mart during Atlanta Tech. Week.

Rendering is not a typical endeavor; it’s designed for technology professionals by technology professionals, Samuels said. And that’s where the worlds of collard greens and code intertwine seamlessly, creating an environment where people can be authentically themselves without feeling like they’re just there to check a box, Samuels said in an interview with VentureBeat.

Overall diversity in the tech industry is still quite low. Worldwide, men make up about 92% of software developers. In the United States, women make up about 22% of software engineers. Black engineers make up less than 5%, while Hispanics/LatinX make up 6.9%, according to a 2022 report.

The event brings together more than 70 partners and more than 100 keynote speeches, seminars and workshops. By design, this is not the usual speaker circuit. RenderATL features speakers including NFL legend Shannon Sharpe; Google Distinguished Engineer Kelsey Hightower; and artist DJ Pee .Wee (AKA Anderson .Paak).

Samuels hopes to bring people into the world of technology so they can shape its direction. It will feature lectures on artificial intelligence, software engineering, design, product and project management, technology leadership and much more.

These experiences will provide participants not only with insight into the latest trends and developments, but will also have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of cutting-edge technologies and gain practical skills for success in their respective fields, as well as a platform- form of recruiting employers with a high career. placement success rate.

RenderATL is unlike any other technology conference because it is committed to bridging the gap between technology and culture. Render attendees will be at the forefront of the intersection between the two, with not only thought-provoking discussions and workshops, but they’ll also see some of today’s best musical artists perform and network across all venues. sectors in a unique way.

Origins

I asked about the genesis of the event.

Samuels himself is a child of immigrants. His father was from Montego Bay, Jamaica in the 1970s. He had an entrepreneurial spirit, always collecting random items and making something with them. One day he gave a computer to young Samuels, who turned it on and figured it out. He obsessively played a game called The Oregon Trail.

“That’s where I first learned about technology,” he said. He started creating Geocities pages and logged onto MySpace. He picked up technical skills along the way and moved into the tech industry.

“I was constantly traveling across the country for continuing education as a software engineer. In our profession, you must obtain continuing education credits. This helps you stay informed and up to date on your skills as software is constantly evolving.

He began to wonder why he couldn’t do these events on the East Coast, and why he couldn’t do it in a city like Atlanta, with its extremely busy airport.

“I thought if we could do it here, we could interact with cultural elements that you don’t typically find at a tech conference. And make it representative of not just a particular group in the industry, but make it representative of everyone at every level,” he said.

So Samuels said he began working on creating a premier place for technology professionals looking to increase their continuing education and learn these skills so they can move their organizations forward.

His timing could have been better. He launched the event in 2021, in the middle of a pandemic.

He added: “I was fed up with the isolation. I have always been lucky to have a remote job. But I needed to meet people face to face. I wanted to get involved. I needed social interaction. People were receptive to it. »

So he created a small event in September 2021 where people were still ready to venture out. Despite COVID risks, about 350 people still attended the event in Atlanta. There were 20 partner companies and the event was sold out that year. In June 2022, the event attracted 1,200 people. In June 2023, it attracted 3,000.

Samuels now planned to host his biggest event yet, where there would be tons of demonstrations and exhibition booths for companies trying to recruit talent.

The 2024 event

This year, RenderATL is expected to welcome cultural figures like Shannon Sharpe, known for his legendary 14-season NFL career and his acclaimed podcast “Club Shay Shay” as keynote speaker. He will speak on organizational and executive leadership in a session moderated by Detavio Samuels, CEO of Revolt Media and TV.

Samuels said Sharpe is interesting as a podcaster and YouTube personality who can talk about executive leadership, how to build a team, lead and inspire others to do their best.

RenderRTL conducts a survey in which it asks 38 questions of its participants, speakers and more so it can identify their backgrounds, with permission. More than 40 percent of participants identify as being of African descent and about half identify as women, which is huge for a male-dominated industry, he said.

Google Distinguished Engineer Kelsey Hightower will speak as an advocate for developers. Others include musical talents such as DJ Pee .Wee (AKA Anderson .Paak), R&B star Rotimi, D Smoke, CoCo and Breezy, Kamaiyah and DaniLeigh.

“2024 marks a pivotal moment for the technology community as we come together in Atlanta for RenderATL,” Samuels said. “As a technology conference, we have brought together the best speakers and workshop facilitators to create the best continuous learning environment to enable our attendees to go further in their careers and advance technology beyond of narrowing down industry knowledge, especially with our primary focus on AI, for this year’s conference. experience. The energy surrounding this conference is contagious and we are excited to highlight all of the talent this conference brings each year.

RenderATL is supported by Zillow as a presenting sponsor. “At Zillow, our goal is to help more and more people get home, and we strive to do that by connecting with the best and brightest talent. RenderATL provides a community for top talent, and we can’t wait to arrive in Atlanta for another year of connecting and building at the intersection of technology, innovation and culture,” said Roz Francuz-Harris , vice president of talent acquisition, engagement and ownership for Zillow. , in a report.

The event has the support of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickets.

“For us to become one of the top five technology hubs, we need to build and shape our talent pipeline. Occasions like Atlanta Tech Week and the RenderATL conference help us connect Atlantans to coveted career opportunities and training, which strengthens our ecosystem and, more importantly, can change someone’s life,” Donnie Beamer, the mayor’s senior technology advisor, said in a statement. “Atlanta Tech Week and RenderATL also invite future technologists and entrepreneurs to discover what Atlanta has to offer. We’re excited that RenderATL continues to establish itself in Atlanta, making it a destination for the industry and reaching populations that have long been overlooked. Together we are building something special.

“I always tell people that although we are a diverse conference, our core mission is to be the premier technology conference for continuing education,” he said. “It was intentionally designed for people to find someone they could relate to. This is important because learning and education come in many shapes and sizes. We may be incredibly intelligent people, but we probably don’t learn in exactly the same classroom setting. Some people learn better online or in school. It takes different means and media for people to learn and give their best.

Learning at a tech conference is yet another way, he said.

“It allows people from diverse backgrounds to come together and learn in an environment they feel comfortable in,” he said.

Samuels is also president and founder of Atlanta Tech Week, which began in 2023 and takes place this year from June 9-15. It features events happening throughout the Atlanta area. Now there are people coming from other areas like other southern states.