QueerTech to host first-ever, QT Qonference this November
Over 500 members from the QueerTech community will come together for a two-day multi-sensory, interactive and immersive experience
Montreal, QC – October 24 2022 – Today, QueerTech, the not-for-profit advocacy group for gender, sex and sexual minority professionals in the technology sector, announced its first-ever hybrid conference, QT Qonference. QT Qonference will be hosted at Microsoft Canada’s headquarters in downtown Toronto on November 10th – 11th. This event will empower the QueerTech community across Canada with valuable insights and tools needed to succeed in the tech ecosystem. QT Qonference would not be possible with support from Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Microsoft and QueerTech’s Pride, Ally and Qmunity sponsors including Accenture, TouchTunes, BDC, Rangle.io, Canada Media Fund, National Bank, Telus, TD Bank, Google Chrome and Vena.
The theme of this year’s conference is Finding Your Queer Power and will take attendees on a journey of professional self-discovery, helping them push beyond current professional hurdles to embrace their full QueerTech power. Through facilitated workshops, presentations and expert panel discussions, attendees will take part in one of three guided conference experiences including Access to Tech, Advance in Tech and Fostering Entrepreneurship in Tech.
Notable conference speakers include Chris Barry, President at Microsoft Canada, Caroline Tutakiewicz, Senior Director, Fraud & Security Risk Oversight at RBC and AJ Fernandez Rivera, Managing Director at Accenture.
“We are very excited to bring our community together to connect, learn and be inspired” says Naoufel Testaouni, CEO at QueerTech. “As we grow QueerTech across Canada, we know that these moments and safe-spaces, both in-person and virtually, are important to encourage learning and growth allowing our QTs to thrive and find their Queer power,
“We need increased diversity and representation across the tech ecosystem in Canada, which is why Microsoft has proudly supported the QueerTech community since its inception in 2016,” says Lisa Gibson, Chief of Staff at Microsoft Canada. “We are honoured to host the first QT Qonference at our Canadian headquarters and provide a safe space for insightful discussion, learning and growth for the 2SLGBTQS+ tech community.”
Students, emerging professionals, early-stage entrepreneurs, people transitioning into technology and those looking to break into tech, are all welcome to attend QueerTech’s QT Qonference. To learn more about the QT Qonference and details on registration, please visit: queertech.org/qt_qonference.
About QueerTech
QueerTech is a Canadian non-profit organization that empowers and connects startups, corporations, and 2SLGBTQ+ technologists to increase diversity, inclusion, and representation in the tech industry. QueerTech has thousands of engaged members across Canada and hundreds of community and corporate partners that benefit from purpose-driven and solutions-oriented programs and events. These initiatives provide career opportunities, build capacity, create safe spaces, and offer support in ways that recognize and augment 2SLGBTQ+ voices. By breaking down barriers, QueerTech empowers 2SLGBTQ+ individuals in tech to achieve their personal and professional goals, to feel a sense of belonging, and to thrive in the tech industry with pride.
For further information:
- QueerTech, Naoufel Testaouni, [email protected]
- Microsoft Canada, Alena Atkinson, [email protected]