Calendar: Not-to-Miss Events for Innovators in Dallas-Fort Worth

Here are our editors' picks. Plus, you'll find selections to "save the date."

North Texas is a big place, with plenty to do, see, hear, and watch. We scour the internet every week to find events and activities for you. As always, things may change at any time, so be sure to check the official website or registration page for the latest details. For ongoing events, click here.

Don’t miss anything: Get Dallas Innovates Every Day. And, if you know of a great event, tell us about it. Event details courtesy of organizers.

 

 




PROMOTED EVENT

Tuesday, November 12 – Thursday, November 14

Innovation Forward (IF2024)

Hosted by The Texas A&M University System
Kyle Field, Texas A&M University

Imagine a world free from today’s constraints—what heights could we reach? At Innovation Forward (IF2024), Texas A&M’s newest summit, that’s exactly the question. IF2024 unites visionaries and thought leaders to tackle pressing issues and pave the way for future advancements.

The event explores artificial intelligence and energy as critical areas, discussing tech solutions to meet global demands. With transformative sessions, interactive exhibits, and Future12—a spotlight on the top 12 innovations reshaping industries—IF2024 is more than an ordinary conference. “Every ‘IF’ sparks a new breakthrough,” showcasing innovations from Texas A&M’s network of experts and alumni.

Expect insights from leaders at Fortune 100 companies, thought-provoking discussions on AI’s impact on energy, workforce, and unmatched networking opportunities. Key sessions cover deep dives into AI’s role in energy, workforce development, and innovative financing. Attendees from across the globe will connect, driving collaborative change for a sustainable, tech-driven future.

Book your stay by October 18 to secure special rates, and don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and help shape tomorrow.

Secure your spot and learn more here.


Tuesday, November 12

Launching and Scaling AI Startups

Hosted by Dallas AI
Microsoft Campus Las Colinas, 7000 N. State Hwy. 161, Irving
6 to 9 p.m.

Join fellow entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts to learn the landscape of AI startups and networks with others.

Topics include:

  • What makes an AI startup different from other tech startups?
  • Validating ideas for your AI venture
  • How do you launch and scale an AI startup?
  • What is the landscape of AI startups in DFW?
  • Where do you go for help?

Agenda:
– Networking over pizza and drinks
– Keynote – Future of AI and the role of startups
– Presentation – AI startups in DFW
– Panel discussion and founder stories – What it takes to launch and scale AI startups
– Q & A
– Demos
– Networking

Learn more here.

eosera Live Pitch Competition

Hosted by the eosera foundation
Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth
5:30 to 8 p.m.

The eosera® foundation will celebrate its third annual live pitch competition and provide crucial seed funding and exposure to innovative women-owned start-ups. The finalists include three Texas-based women entrepreneurs who were chosen from among 125 entrants. Congratulations and good luck to Lynn Callaway of good dirt, Addison LaBonte of Sweet Addison’s, and TechFW Pitch Camp winner Dr. Meena McCullough of Body Spring.

Learn more and RSVP here.

Test What Matters Workshop

Hosted by Tech Fort Worth and led by Prototype Thinking Labs
Online workshop
noon to 2 p.m.

Did you know that the first 70% of validation can be achieved without design or development? We all know we should be testing and pivoting, but what exactly does that look like for your own offering?

Prototype Thinking is your tactical, systematic process to test what matters most, try all ideas, map the solution space, and commit to the right solution with confidence.

Learn this simple alternate toolkit & workflow that typically saves founders 4-12 months of runway compared to Lean Startup. Yes, really.

Learn more here.


Wednesday, November 13

Plug and Play Sportstech Frisco Expo

Hosted by Plug and Play Frisco
3800 Gaylord Pkwy., Frisco
4 to 8 p.m.

Save the date for the Fall 2024 Plug and Play Frisco EXPO. This free event will showcase the technology of top innovators from the inaugural cohort of the Plug and Play Sportstech vertical.

Participating startups have harnessed the power of Artificial Intelligence and other combinations of technologies to drive technological advancement within the industry, including:

  • Human Potential and Performance
  • Smart Stadiums
  • Devices and Wearables
  • Immersive Training

Featured startups will have spent the past 8 weeks working alongside Plug and Play’s network of corporate partners, investors, and mentors to scale up their companies, cultivating an environment conducive to rapid growth and expansion.

Come celebrate these startups’ success, featuring compelling pitches, enlightening conversations on the future of technology and entrepreneurship, and invaluable networking opportunities with industry peers. Registration begins at 4 p.m., with the pitches following at 4:30 to 6:15, and networking capping off the evening from 6:15 to 8 p.m. 

Learn more here.

Million Cups

Various North Texas locations and times

Every Wednesday, 1 Million Cups communities around North Texas and the country meet to give each other “support, encouragement, and feedback over a cup of coffee.” Entrepreneurs present their businesses to the group, but “it’s not a pitch; it’s a chance to learn, collaborate and grow,” organizers say. In North Texas, you’ll find multiple 1MC groups in locations including Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Frisco, Northeast Tarrant County, and Wichita Falls. Some have Zoom live feeds.

Find your community here.

 


Thursday, November 14

Global Perspectives with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell

Hosted by the Dallas Regional Chamber in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth
Music Hall at Fair Park, 909 1st Ave., Dallas
2 to 3 p.m.

The Dallas Regional Chamber, together with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and World Affairs Council of DFW, invites members of the community for a conversation with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Learn more and get tickets here.

IoT Happy Hour: BlackBerry QNX – Solving Autonomous Challenges in Defense Vehicles and Robotics

Hosted by IoT Texas
SpringHill Suites Dallas-Richardson, 18180 Highland Springs, Dallas
6 to 7:30 p.m.

With autonomy advancing in defense robotics and vehicles, a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) plays a crucial role in ensuring safety, reliability, and real-time performance. Speaker Rich DesMarais with BlackBerry ZNX will discuss IoT defense applications in challenging conditions.

Learn more here.

Plug and Play Enterprise & AI McKinney Expo

Hosted by Plug and Play McKinney
Collin College Conference Center, 2400 Community Ave., McKinney
4 to 7 p.m.

You are invited to join Plug and Play McKinney for an exciting day filled with pitches, enlightening innovation discussions, and valuable networking opportunities with startups, corporates, investors, mentors, and industry experts.

If you are a VC, angel investor, corporate partner, or startup wishing to be part of a future cohort you don’t want to miss it. This event will showcase the technology of top innovators from the Batch 2 cohort of the Plug and Play Enterprise & AI program. Many of the startups in these programs are leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, and other combinations of technologies to accelerate innovation within their respective industries.

Featured startups will have spent the past 12 weeks working alongside our network of corporate partners, investors, and mentors to scale up their companies, cultivating an environment conducive to rapid growth and expansion.

Come celebrate these startups’ success, featuring compelling pitches, enlightening conversations on the future of technology and entrepreneurship, and invaluable networking opportunities with industry peers.

Learn more here.

The IQ Brew: Embracing Generative AI – A new resource for your business

Hosted by The Richardson Innovation Quarter (IQ)
IQHQ, 1302 E. Collins Blvd., Richardson
8:30 to 10 a.m.

Using ChatGPT in real time with audience participation, Kellye Kamp will guide you through practical examples of how easy it is for anyone to use these tools without any need to learn a new platform or spend money. Kamp, Founder and Owner of SourceKamp, is an entrepreneurial GenXer on a mission to help technically non-savvy people navigate the fast-paced landscape of Artificial Intelligence.

The IQ® Brew is a free, public networking and educational series featuring short presentations from entrepreneurs, small business owners and subject-matter experts. The goal of The IQ® Brew is to share the successes and challenges the Richardson business community has faced and to pass along the knowledge needed to start and grow a business here.

Learn more here.


Saturday, November 16

Wings Over Wetlands (WOW) Celebration of Art, Nature and Innovation

Hosted by The John Bunker Sands Wetland Center
The John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, 655 Martin Lane, Combine
5 to 9 p.m. Save the date.

John Bunker Sands Wetland Center spans nearly 2,000 acres and is one of one of the largest manmade wetlands in the United States and it reflects the vision of conservationist John Bunker Sands.

To help raise awareness about the facility and its ability to serve as a model, the Wetland Center announced it is launching a public outreach and education campaign over the coming year, beginning with the “Wings Over the Wetland” WOW Event on Saturday, November 16.

WOW will feature renowned artists Martin Hill and Philippa Jones, whose work has been highlighted in the BBC series “Nature and Us, A History Through Art.” The artists will create a one-of-a-kind environmental art installation at the Wetland Center, using native wetland plants to symbolize the interconnectedness of beauty, creativity, and sustainability.

Learn more here.


Wednesday, November 20

WEDallas Business Showcase + Pitch

Hosted by The DEC Network and sponsored by Capital One
Capital One Conference Center, 8036 Dominion Pkwy., Plano
6 to 8 p.m.

WEDallas (Women Entrepreneurs Dallas) is a signature program created by Capital One & The DEC Network. This year-round program is designed to equip, inspire and empower women entrepreneurs in North Texas. The 2023 WEDallas Cohort sponsored by Capital One is ready to pitch! They will showcase their businesses in a supportive environment, gaining valuable feedback and confidence in presenting their entrepreneurial vision.

Learn more here. 

CodeLaunch World Championship 

Produced by Improving
Gilley’s Dallas
Save the date.

The CodeLaunch World Championship will bring together eight of the most promising startups from previous CodeLaunch events held in the U.S, Canada, and Mexico, offering them a platform to showcase their innovative solutions and compete for top honors in front of a panel of esteemed judges and potential investors. Produced by Improving, a leading IT consulting and software development company based in Plano, Texas, CodeLaunch support to early-stage tech startups, which receive professional software development assistance, enhancing their ability to turn visionary ideas into market-ready products.

The 2024 CodeLaunch World Championship promises to be an unparalleled event, combining high-stakes competition with engaging entertainment. With as much as $50,000 in investment ready to be deployed live on stage, startups will not only vie for the Championship Belt but will also benefit from extensive networking opportunities with industry leaders, potential collaborators, and investors.

Learn more here.


 

Wednesday, November 20 – Thursday, November 21

Texas Blockchain Council: North American Blockchain Summit

“The Premier Digital Asset Policy Conference”
Hosted by Texas Blockchain Council
George W. Bush Presidential Center, Dallas

Join top industry leaders and innovators at the North American Blockchain Summit for two days of networking, keynote speeches, panels, and workshops. This prestigious event will explore blockchain’s transformative potential across sectors, drive collaboration, and offer insights into decentralized technologies for societal and economic growth. The summit includes an exclusive happy hour on November 20th for relaxed networking.

Speakers include: Former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Former CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Former Senator Pat Toomey, Congressman French Hill, CFTC Commissioner Summer Mersinger, CEO Anthony Pompliano, Former Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper and more.

Learn more and secure your ticket here.


Thursday, November 21

Dallas History Makers 2024 Luncheon

Hosted by The Dallas Historical Society
Fairmont Dallas, 1717 Akard St., Dallas
11:30 a.m.

The Dallas Historical Society is thrilled to announce the Dallas History Makers luncheon, formerly the Awards for Excellence.  The Dallas Historical Society is kicking off its second century with a new awards luncheon logo and name while continuing to honor its traditions and the Dallas History Makers of today.

Since 1981, outstanding individuals and organizations are selected for this honor from nominations solicited from the Dallas community.  The recipients are chosen for their contribution to the quality of life in Dallas in ten categories – Arts Leadership, Business, Creative Arts, Education, Health/Sciences, Humanities/History, Philanthropy, Sports Leadership, Volunteer Community Leadership or for the special Jubilee History Maker Award.

Learn more here.


Saturday, November 23

[Artist Credit: Sculpture “Of Another Kind” by Cayce Leahy, Dallas College, Bill J. Priest, Innovation Lab]

Cedars Open Studios Tour

Hosted by Cedars Open Studios Cedars Neighborhood, Dallas
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Celebrate 22 years of the Cedars Open Studios Tour in the historic Cedars neighborhood just south of downtown Dallas. Explore exhibits, live music, and performances showcasing over 100 Cedars artists in studios, galleries, and public spaces. Enjoy free transportation around the neighborhood and join a bike tour with Bike Friendly Cedars. The day culminates with a closing reception at 6:00 p.m.

Learn more at cedarsopenstudios.org.

Deep Ellum Block Party

Hosted by The Deep Ellum Foundation
Elm Street blocked off from Good Latimer to Malcolm X, Dallas
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Elm Street will be BLOCKed off from Good Latimer to Malcolm X for a traditional Block Party. From Blues to Punk, Deep Ellum has indelibly shaped the world of music. This one-day festival will celebrate the district’s contributions to diverse genres through performances by both up-and-coming artists and household names.

In addition to music, find food and drinks, family activities, scavenger hunt, hoops zone, classic cars, and more.

Learn more here.

 

ONGOING

Through Wednesday, November 13

Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas 

Hosted by Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club
2999 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas
4p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 24; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 to Nov. 13

The Fifth Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House benefitting the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club will be located in the Turtle Creek neighborhood. Once intended to become the city’s first Mandarin Oriental hotel, the property sits between the historic Rosewood Mansion and the planned Four Seasons Hotel & Residences, featuring a 25,000 SF two-story office building, 2.3 acres of undeveloped land, and a 60,000 SF below-grade parking garage. The Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas also benefits two local Dallas charities: Dwell with Dignity, a nonprofit agency dedicated to creating soothing, inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty; and The Crystal Charity Ball, whose mission is to aid, support and make contributions to children’s charities in Dallas County.

Learn more and get tickets here.


Through Sunday, November 17

Frida: Beyond the Myth 

Hosted by The Dallas Museum of Art
Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 North Harwood, Dallas
Wednesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The DMA presents
Frida: Beyond the Myth.
Composed of 60 works across media—paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs—the exhibition
will explore the life of one of the 20th century’s most well-documented artists, Frida Kahlo, who continues to elude our understanding of her as an individual.

Taking a chronological approach, this exhibition will lift the veil of myth surrounding Kahlo by delving deeper into the defining moments of her life and how she embedded symbolic motifs in her self-portraits and still lifes to cryptically express her emotive reactions to major events. These works will be supplemented with photographs of Kahlo taken by the friends and fellow artists who knew her best, capturing the vulnerability and sensuality that still compel us today.

Learn more here.


SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, December 5

Local Buzz: Pitching to Investors

Hosted by Create FW 
Create FW, 400 Bryan Avenue, Fort Worth
9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Join Spencer Traver, Director of Marketing at Sustainment, for Local Buzz: Coffee & Marketing Talks at Create FW. On December 5, conclude the series with “Pitching to Investors,” offering a marketing perspective for entrepreneurs ready to seek funding.

Learn more and register.

 

Art Brought to Life with AI – Having a conversation with art

Hosted by Dallas AI
Richardson IQHQ, 1302 E. Collins, Richardson
6 to 9 p.m.

Amir Tabei, CIO Dallas Museum of Art, will explore the innovative intersection of artificial intelligence and art. He will discuss how AI can animate and interact with artworks, transforming them from static pieces into dynamic experiences.
The presentation highlights the potential for AI to create new forms of artistic expression and engagement, allowing viewers to interact with art in unprecedented ways. It also addresses the challenges and ethical considerations of integrating AI into the creative process, emphasizing the balance between technological advancement and artistic integrity.

Learn more here.


Wednesday, December 11

Digital Fight Club: Marketing

Hosted by Digital Fight Club
Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Avenue, Dallas
5:30 p.m.

Tired of the same old marketing events? So is Digital Fight Club, which is turning the marketing panel on its head.

Brands want straight answers to hard questions from the marketing agencies they hire. So DFC decided to let the agencies argue it out in front of them. Eight agencies will fight in front of five brand referees and an audience full of even more brands and agencies. DFC will only let 10 AdTech vendors in. That way you won’t be swarmed. DFC promises this will be the best marketing networking event you will ever go to. The most fun marketing event you will ever attend. The most educational party you’ve ever been a part of…all in one amazing evening.

Learn more here.

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