As Washington’s tech sector continues its rapid growth, are we adapting fast enough?
That’s the central question that participants in Tuesday’s FullConTech conference will address. Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) is leading this first-of-its-kind conference for industry leaders, government officials, educators and community voices. During the day-long event, participants will explore the top 12 challenges of our region through a unique “reverse bracket” conference format. It's the ultimate tournament for technologists!
After the morning panels, participants break out into 12 teams to take on the big issues in each bracket, including how we attract and retain top talent, how we can better prepare Washingtonians for the jobs of the future, how we can build the infrastructure our region needs to sustain growth, and – perhaps the hottest topic of them all – how we can manage the cultural changes that accompany such rapid growth.
The teamwork-themed conference will be kicked off by former Seattle Supersonics Head Coach and three-time NBA Hall-of-Famer Lenny Wilkens. You can still get your tickets for the conference here. Crosscut is a media sponsor, and you can join Drew Atkins of Crosscut and the Washington Technology Access Foundation's Uma Rao in a working group looking at measures to increase diversity in Washington's tech industry.
Whether you attend or can’t make it, here’s some background reading to turn you into a smartypants on Washington's challenges in tech.
Building Tomorrow’s Infrastructure
"In South Lake Union, explosive growth is just getting started" Crosscut, Sept. 9
"Amazon angst: from traffic to housing, we’re all worked up" Seattle Times, Aug. 4
"Why Seattle needs better public transportation, in one eye-opening GIF" Geekwire, Aug. 17
"Who is going to lead Seattle? City seems absolutely stumped as growing pains take toll" Geekwire, July 16
"Puget Sound's Transportation Future: Some key considerations" Crosscut, June 4
"Can coders fix the Seattle area's traffic problems?" Crosscut, March 25
Managing Cultural Changes
"Southeast Seattle: ‘We Can’t Afford To Live In Our Own City' " KUOW, July 9
"Big Tech Doesn’t See Race. That’s a Big Problem" Seattle Weekly, June 30
"Seattle growth: How to stand up to developers, City Hall" Crosscut, July 13
"Whitest big county in the U.S.? It's us " Seattle Times, July 3
Attracting Top Talent
"Seattle No. 1 for techies looking to flee California" Seattle Times, June 10
"Talent pool sharks: The game can get intense when these Puget Sound-area recruiters compete for the hottest tech talent" Puget Sound Business Journal, May 29
"You think tech recruiting is hard? It’s easier here than in most places" Puget Sound Business Journal, May 21
"Dreams delayed: A PSBJ investigation into high-tech immigration" Puget Sound Business Journal, May 8
Developing the Local Pipeline
"Washington Tech Industry Plans Software Apprenticeship Program" Xconomy, Sept. 10
"STEM student scholarship fund gets 21 million" Seattle Times, Sept. 2
"UW courts students with disabilities to engineering field with new MakerSpaces" KUOW, Aug. 12
"New standards to be set for high school computer science training" The News Tribune, June 10
