AfroTech World is one of the largest multicultural tech conferences in the United States, and this year, it will be an even more immersive event as a digital multi-day experience.
From Nov. 9 to Nov. 14, conference attendees will be transported to a sprawling virtual campus complete with over 40 lounges, offices, houses, shops, theaters, and halls. Various locations, engineers, venture capitalists, recruiters, technologists, and culture enthusiasts from all over the world will curate conversations on the tech industry’s current opportunities and challenges.
In addition, these leaders will gather in this digital space for community-building and exchange of ideas with the brightest minds in Black tech.
As an avatar, you can hit the beach for a dance party, meet up with fellow conference-goers, pitch to investors, and level up your career all from the comfort of your home.
Though you may be a whiz at Zoom meetings by now, this is a different experience altogether. So for first-timers and AfroTech vets, here’s the ultimate guide to navigating AfroTech World and getting the most from your experience.
Double-check your connection.
This is a tech-based experience, so spotty WiFi won’t let you be great in AfroTech World. Make sure your internet connection is strong. If you experience technical difficulties while downloading AfroTech World, please contact techsupport@blavity.com.
Also, if you’re in AfroTech World and need assistance, the Help Desk is located in the Center of Campus. Select a green ticket for technical support or a blue ticket for general support.
Mark your calendar.
Plan each day of the conference accordingly. Browse the schedule to find each event that piques your interest, then plug them into your calendar so you won’t miss anything.
Ditch distractions!
Quiet your at-home workspace to be truly present in AfroTech World. To help, set up your materials before each session: notebooks, pens, coffee mugs, etc.
Say hello to your AfroTech World avatar.
The fun begins the minute you’re in the changing room. There, you can create a customized avatar that reflects your look and personality. A word of advice? Give yourself some lead time to get your drip right before you drop into the campus. The selection of hairstyles, skin tones, facial features, clothing, and accessories is vast!
Grow your network.
Do not miss a chance to build authentically. Although this isn’t an in-person event, don’t be shy to speak to fellow AfroTech World attendees. Utilize public and private chats to share information and meet new folks. There’s a great opportunity to meet investors for your startup, tap folks about jobs, and even find out where the next virtual party is going down. You can also turn on your mic to participate during sessions and help others get to know more about you.
Be interactive.
Take a breather from networking between sessions to visit some of the most interactive spaces in AfroTech World, like the Gaming Lounge, Sponsored Spaces, the Wellness Louge, and AfroTech Merch Shop, where you can learn and leave with some swag.
Have fun!
All work and no play makes for a boring conference. Make some time to play soccer, dance on the beach, drive a boat, or chill on a rooftop. Though you can’t physically two-step with your BFF, there’s still plenty of fun to be had at AfroTech World.
