The Mayor's Office of Technology and Innovation, together with the Atlanta Collegiate Entrepreneurship Syndicate (ACES) will roll out the welcome mat for Avant South—a cutting-edge conference aimed to stoke the fires of innovation and entrepreneurship in Atlanta. The event is set to take place at the Exhibition Hall on Georgia Tech's campus on October 7, 2024, and Maria Taylor is on the docket as the keynote. Those interested should mark their calendars for a day filled with insight from movers and shakers across various industries.
Atlanta’s ambition to be at the forefront of technology hubs drives this partnership, having set its sights on being in the top five in the United States. According to the City of Atlanta's press release, Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized, "In Atlanta, we understand the importance of community and equity in innovation. To fuel Atlanta’s rise to a top five technology hub, events like this are crucial to scaling our technology infrastructure." A broad swath of attendees, from students to industry veterans, is expected to descend upon the conference to exchange ideas, spark collaborations, and get to swiftly network with potential mentors and investors.
At Avant South, the quest for knowledge can follow one of four focused tracks covering media and entertainment, sports, digital arts, and entrepreneurship. This format is tailored to hone in on the latest industry trends and anticipate how emerging technologies might shape the landscape—a glimpse into what’s next. The Innovation Showcase, another feature of the event, provides a hands-on opportunity to see the latest technological advancements up close. If rubbing shoulders with the brilliant minds of today is your alley, this showcase allows for just that type of engagement.
Donald Beamer, the City’s first Senior Technology Advisor, expressed his pride in facilitating the event: "As the City’s first Senior Technology Advisor, I am proud to help bring this event to Atlanta and connect our technology workforce with like-minded professionals and creatives," he told the city’s press release. Atlanta's talent is set to showcase their skills alongside industry heavyweights, including Julie Ann Crommett, Fonz Morris, and Lee Thomas, to name just a few of those scheduled to present.
With the backing of ACES—a consortium comprising institutions like Clark Atlanta University, Emory University, and Spelman College amongst others—the conference galvanizes the spirit of collaboration within Atlanta’s entrepreneurial scope. Access to such an assembly of thought leaders and decision-makers reinforces Atlanta’s commitment to being a beacon for tech and innovation on the world stage. For those looking to attend, tickets are going for $35 and can be booked through avantsouth.com.
