North Texas has plenty to see, hear, and watch. 

But in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, things to do are a little different. We’ve rounded up a few events and activities for innovators so you can stay involved from the comfort of your home or six feet away. You’ll also find a few drive-through experiences among the options. Here’s our selection of technology events, creative activities, and business inspiration for innovators this week.

As always, things may change at any time, so be sure to check the official website or registration page for the latest details. 

Don’t miss a thing: Get Dallas Innovates Every Day. And, if you know of a great event coming up, tell us about it.

MONDAY, MAY 10

LEGISLATIVE SPEAKER SERIES WITH CONGRESSWOMAN BETH VAN DUYNE
Hosted by Dallas Regional Chamber
Online
2 – 2:45 p.m.

U.S. Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, representing the 24th District of Texas, will be joining the Dallas Regional Chamber to discuss the impact of her recent committee assignments on Dallas-Fort Worth. She serves on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the U.S. House Committee on Small Business.

Tickets are free for members and $15 for non-members
Find more information here.

TUESDAY, MAY 11

2021 STATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Hosted by Dallas Regional Chamber
Online
Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Texas Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Harrison Keller will be giving a keynote speech on the future of post-secondary workforce development, how colleges and universities continue to adapt during the COVID-19 crisis, and more. There will be a panel following the speech featuring:

• Dr. Mark J. Rudin, President, Texas A&M University-Commerce
• Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, President, University of North Texas
• Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, President, Paul Quinn College

Free
Find more information here.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12

THE PIPELINE: REAL SOLUTIONS FOR DEVELOPING AND RECRUITING DIVERSE TALENT
Hosted by D CEO
Online
8 – 9: 30 a.m.

As part of D CEO’s quarterly Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Series, featured speakers will focus on the recruiting, workforce development, and retention of diverse talent in this second installment. Speakers include:

• Nakia Douglas, Founding Executive Director, TRIO and Pre-Collegiate Programs, UNT Dallas
• Gradlin Franks, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, The Beck Group 

• Evelyn Torres-Gomez, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Solaris Technologies Services, LLC

Tickets are $20
Find more information here.

THURSDAY, MAY 13

CPG INVESTING AND RAISING CAPITAL
Hosted by DFW CPG
Online
4 – 5:15 p.m.

Jeff Richards, Founder and CEO of Mooala Brands, is moderating this panel on everything from investor consideration to the investment process. Speakers include:

• Blake Wiley, Co-Founder, Access Capital
• Jessica Gaffney, CEO and Executive Director, Beam Founders
• Heather Buffo, Republic Venture Growth and Partnerships Lead

Find more information here.

THURSDAY, MAY 20

WOMEN & WEALTH: WOMEN INVESTING IN WOMEN
Hosted by TechFW, Cowtown Angels, Texas Woman’s University, and Texas Women’s Foundation
Online
1 – 6 p.m.

This virtual event was created for female entrepreneurs and investors, with the goal being to educate women on how to invest in and support female entrepreneurs and to teach female entrepreneurs the ins and outs of funding. The importance of women investing in women, the art of pitching, and what investors look for are among the topics that will be tackled. Speakers include:

• Elyse Stoltz Dickerson, CEO of Eosera, Inc.
• Laura Baldwin, Managing Director at Golden Seeds
• Amanda Micallef, Co-Founder and President of Arsenic

Tickets are $15
Find more information here.

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DALLAS STARTUP WEEK SERIES | RAISING FUNDING FOR YOUR DALLAS SOFTWARE STARTUP
Hosted by The DEC Network
Online
4 – 5:30 p.m.

As a preview for what people can expect at this year’s Dallas Startup Week, three Dallas software startup founders will be sharing their stories of how they raised angel and seed funding for their companies. Dr. Tye Caldwell, CEO, and Courtney Caldwell, COO, of Shearshare, and Chris Brickler, CEO and co-founder of MyndVR, will be the featured guests with Greg Head, founder of Gregslist, serving as the moderator.

Free
Find more information here.

FRIDAY, MAY 21

TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED DISRUPTION CONFERENCE: IMPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESS, LABOR MARKETS AND MONETARY POLICY
Hosted by the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta, Dallas, and Richmond
Online
Check schedule for times

With technology continuing to disrupt employees’ economic outcomes, this conference will evaluate possible solutions to the issue. Three Federal Reserve Bank presidents, including Dallas president and CEO Robert Kaplan, will lead the event, with other speakers including:

• Ross Perot, Jr., Chairman, The Perot Group and Hillwood
• Nitin Nohria, Dean, Harvard Business School
• Kathleen Hays, Global Economics and Policy Editor, Bloomberg
• Joe May, Chancellor, Dallas College

Find more information here.

STARTS FRIDAY, MAY 28

[Image: Courtesy NERF Challenge/Zoe Rain Photography]

NERF CHALLENGE
Hosted by Kilburn Live and HASBRO, Inc.
Dallas
Check schedule for times

The NERF Challenge is kicking off its 2021 tour at Fair Park, where it will be hosting what it calls “the ultimate gamified live experience.” From an obstacle course to a giant dartboard to a super-sized version of Foosball, the NERF Challenge will be hosting it all in 90,000 square feet at Centennial Hall through August 8.

Find more information here.

THURSDAY, JUNE 3

SPEAKER SERIES | JEREMY STEWART
Hosted by The DEC Network
Online and in Dallas
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Jeremy Stewart, the founder of sandal brand Hari Mari, will be discussing his entrepreneurial journey as part of this ongoing series. He and his wife Lila originally got the idea for Hari Mari after living in Indonesia and being consistently disappointed with their flip flops, according to The DEC Network. His brand will be opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Dallas this spring.

Free
Find more information here.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9

[Image: Courtesy Digital Fight Club]

DIGITAL FIGHT CLUB: DALLAS 2021
Hosted by Digital Fight Club
Online
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

The Digital Fight Club says it’s going to turn the digital event world on its head for its first Virtual Edition. The Digital Fight Club is a no-holds-barred metaphorical “fight” that pits two technology gurus against each other. This year’s topics include the future of the cloud, the future of work, and healthcare innovation. For a sneak peek of what Digital Fight Club is like, you can check out our 2019 recap here.

Here are the 2021 fighters who have been announced so far:

• Roee Adler, CEO of Santa
• Hubert Zajicek, CEO of Health Wildcatters

Tickets are $10
Find more information here.

[Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow]

THURSDAY, JUNE 17 – MONDAY, SEPT. 6

IMMERSIVE VAN GOGH EXHIBIT DALLAS
Dallas
Check schedule for times

This immersive exhibition that sold out in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco is now coming to Dallas and is bringing the works of Van Gogh with it. Attendees will be able to walk through and view famous pieces of art including Starry Night, Sunflowers, and The Bedroom as the images move along the walls and floors in an immersive digital format. 

Tickets are $39.99 to $49.99
Find more information here.

STARTS FRIDAY, JUNE 18

JURASSIC WORLD: THE EXHIBITION 
The Colony
Check schedule for times

Dinosaurs are making a comeback this summer through a 20,000-square-foot immersive experience filled with life-sized dinosaurs and themed environments. The exhibition is based on the Jurassic World movie franchise and will feature the famous Jurassic World gates.

Tickets start at $29.50 for adults and $19.50 for children
Find more information here.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM 2021
Hosted by D CEO
Online
Check schedule for times

With “A Matter of Value” serving as this year’s topic, the all-day event will focus on women’s self-worth, the value of women in the workplace and in society, and what we value collectively and as individuals. Speakers include:

• Rebecca Acuña, Director of Government Affairs, PepsiCo
• Brittany Barnett, Co-Founder and Director, Buried Alive
• Cynt Marshall, CEO, Dallas Mavericks
• Roslyn Dawson Thompson, President & CEO, Texas Women’s Foundation
• Steve Demetriou, CEO and Chairman, Jacobs

Tickets are $50 to $100.
Find more information here.

[Image: Courtesy Perot Museum of Nature and Science]

THROUGH MONDAY, SEPT. 6

THE SCIENCE OF GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

Hosted by Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Online
Check schedule for times

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is taking guests behind the scenes of world record-breaking feats by highlighting stories from the people who accomplished them and the science behind it. From the largest Pac-Man game to the longest moustache, attendees will learn about some astonishing record breakers and get the chance to challenge themselves.

Find more information here.