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Embrace new opportunities in the coming year.
The new year often brings a time of reflection and a renewed focus on personal growth and professional development. This includes strengthening one’s professional brand, enhancing skills through customized learning paths, obtaining industry-recognized certifications, and cultivating meaningful connections within one’s field.
One key opportunity to consider in the new year is the AFROTECH™ Conference. This event has helped professionals land their dream roles in tech, secure speaking engagements, attract new clients, and open doors to countless other opportunities.
The annual event empowers the next generation through insightful discussions led by industry change-makers, hands-on activations, recruitment opportunities from leading companies, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies.
This year’s event — held in Houston, TX, at the George R. Brown Center between Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, and Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 — drew in a crowd of over 35,000 individuals.
The convening of professionals made the event worth attending for software developer Zora Barnett.
Barnett graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a minor in mathematics. Her experience at the historically Black college and university reinforced the importance of representation and the value of being surrounded by like-minded individuals who shared similar aspirations and goals.
“I’ve been eyeing the conference for a while, even when I was in college…When you see other people who look like you, talk like you, sound like you, doing the things that you say you want to do, it cements into your mind this is very much so possible…especially being early on in my career, not knowing exactly where I want to go,” she told AFROTECH™ in a virtual interview.
Barnett initially purchased a general admission ticket, which she later upgraded to a corporate ticket. She maximized her experience by exploring the recruiting expo floor and attending various panels, including an Apple-led discussion on spatial audio and its development tools.
Through her experience, she has come to realize the crucial importance of preparation in making the most of her time. HR leader Arianny Mercedes explains that preparation is essential to achieving success at any conference and ensuring that the dollars spent on a ticket are an investment in one’s career.
“Preparation is everything. Doing your homework, researching speakers, [and] sending a personalized connection request or reading a panelist’s latest LinkedIn post sets you apart and signals that you’re showing up with purpose,” Mercedes told AFROTECH™. “Whether it’s meeting industry leaders, soaking up knowledge, or understanding the space better, preparation ensures you’re walking in confident and intentional—and most importantly, walking away with something tangible. Whether that’s a new job lead, an investor, or a key connection, every conference should have a clear return on your investment. All of which starts with preparation.”
We’ve gathered valuable tips from both Barnett and Mercedes to help first-time AFROTECH™ Conference attendees maximize their 2025 experience.
Come In With A Plan
Prior to the conference, and especially by the first day, have a clear plan mapped out. Attendees can upload their resumes to the AFROTECH™ resume book, placing them on companies’ radar before the event begins. This can jumpstart interview opportunities, spark conversations, and lead to invitations to exclusive events with potential employers.
Additionally, create an agenda that outlines the events and panels you plan to attend but allows flexibility to accommodate the natural ebbs and flows of the day, such as spontaneous conversations or well-deserved breaks.
“Conferences like AFROTECH™ are full of opportunities you can’t predict, like running into someone hiring for your dream role or stumbling into a session that shifts your perspective completely. If you plan too rigidly, you might miss those moments,” explained Mercedes. “Use the conference agenda or app to structure your day, but keep it simple. Build in buffer time for breaks or to follow up on conversations you didn’t expect to have. The goal isn’t to attend everything—it’s to walk away with something that matters, whether that’s a connection, a new idea, or even just clarity on your next step.”
Focus On Making Real Connections
Networking is essential. While mastering fundamentals like a 20-second elevator pitch or a clear understanding of your personal value proposition is crucial, it’s equally important to be personable and let your authentic character shine. Recruiters will meet candidates with similar qualifications, but sometimes, the deciding factor is who appears more genuine and relatable.
Rather than viewing networking solely through the traditional lens of professional gain, approach it as an opportunity to form meaningful, long-lasting connections. This mindset can lead to more authentic interactions and relationships that extend beyond the conference.
“The key is to lead with curiosity and genuine interest in the people you meet. Instead of trying to impress everyone, focus on making meaningful connections. Start by asking thoughtful, engaging questions that spark conversation and make others feel valued,” mentioned Mercedes.
Refer to the conversation starters suggested below:
- What’s been the highlight of the conference for you so far?
- If you could design your dream panel discussion, what would it be about?
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten at an event like this?
- What’s one thing you’re hoping to take away from this conference?
“These questions create space for a deeper dialogue and help conversations flow naturally. Don’t stress about trying to meet everyone or collecting a stack of business cards. Instead, focus on building one or two strong connections that could lead to meaningful opportunities later on,” Mercedes stated.
Don’t Forget To Follow Up
Forming a connection is just the beginning — don’t forget the importance of following up. Send an email or a LinkedIn message before the conference ends or shortly afterward to stay top of mind. Remember, recruiters, event partners, and attendees are meeting countless people, so a thoughtful follow-up is essential to stand out and maintain the relationship.
“A quick message like, ‘I really enjoyed our conversation about [topic]. Your perspective was so insightful — I’d love to stay in touch,’ helps keep the connection alive and shows you value the exchange. Whether you’re walking away with a new friend, a potential collaborator, or a professional lead, the goal is to create a networking experience that feels natural and impactful,” Mercedes stated.
Barnett echoes similar sentiments. However, Barnett admits she fell short following up with those she met the conference and will use the upcoming conference as an opportunity to be more intentional in this area.
“I didn’t want to follow up with people for the sake of following up with them,” Barnett commented. “I did want them to be genuine, real connections that actually have substance behind them, rather than, ‘Oh, I’m just following up to as a what’s the word as a formality.’ So just do it, just go through the motion, but actually have some intentionality behind it.And I feel like the two to three people that I did follow up with, though it was less than my intended goal, I think it wasmore impactful with those two to three people then it would have been if I was just picking three to five people just to do it, or going through the motions.”
Scout For Future Roles
Lastly, the AFROTECH™ Conference offers a unique opportunity to engage with a diverse array of companies that might not otherwise be as accessible. Even if you’re not actively job hunting, exploring and building connections is still beneficial. For Barnett, the experience provided invaluable insights into the current job market and fair compensation standards. Rather than focusing solely on securing interviews, she used the expo floor to evaluate the job landscape and gain a deeper understanding of industry trends.
“I don’t think I personally prepared myself for a technical interview enough prior to AFROTECH™ but I think it was very eye-opening to see what is out there, what are they looking for, what is the current state of the job market and what are people doing at similar levels as me,” Barnett mentioned. “And kind of seeing, ‘Okay, they’re doing a, b and c, and I’m doing ABC, but they’re getting paid $20,000 [to] $30,000 more than me. Oh, there needs to be a discussion that needs to be had at my current job.’ Especially in the event that, hopefully next year, I’ll be a little bit more prepared for a technical interview and, do well in the interview, and receive an offer that I can counter at my job. Be like, ‘Hey, such and such is willing to do this and this, it’s much easier for you to keep me and increase my pay, rather than trying to replace me and retrain and go through that whole process.’”
We hope these tips will be helpful for first-time conference attendees. You can also get ahead of the curve by purchasing early bird tickets, which can be found here.
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