“The Overnight Website Challenge is a community-driven event, by the community and for the community,” said Nerdery executive director Ginger Bucklin in a release. “We’re excited to build capacity in the nonprofit community in the Kansas City area. And we’ll offer additional opportunities for technologists to connect, grow and volunteer.”

O’Neill: We’re not coining a phrase when we say ‘every company is a software company’ – people have been saying it for awhile. Derheim: But it’s not B.S. anymore. O’Neill: It’s true, but on the verge of stating the obvious: every company is a tech company, or has to become one to keep from getting Ubered. Derheim: Software developers drive world change. The Internet is the most significant milestone in human evolution. Bigger than the discovery of fire, the printing press, electricity, aviation, antibiotics, space travel, duct tape – you name it.

Dog-friendly interactive design company The Nerdery

IoT Tech Expo will host 200+ industry leading speakers who will be sharing their IoT experiences and case studies within the 8 conference tracks, namely, Developing & IoT Technologies, Data & Security, Smart Cities, Connected Services, Wearables, IoT Innovations, Connected Industry and Connecting Living.

“Following a record-setting year of success in finding and supporting Minnesota’s best and most passionate female techies, our goal with the awards program is to continue to inspire more young women to get involved in technology,” says Russell Fraenkel, Advance IT Minnesota’s Director of IT Career Pathways and Partnerships.