Tech conference succeed with diversity on stage

I must have attended a hundred tech start-up conferences over the years. At many I’ve been one of few female participants and almost the only female speaker. Imagine my joy during entering TechBBQ this year to find it buzzing with people of all genders and colors!

TechBBQ must have made a conscious effort with the programming because in almost all stage sessions - and there was more than 50 of these - there were female representation. If not among the speakers, then at least in form of the moderator (The first of which is vastly more impactful than the second but even the second is better than nothing.)

It may seem trivial to care about diversity on stage but this matters; because we’re sending a signal of what success, innovation and thought leadership looks like when we decide whom to put on stage. We make them role models. And subconsciously, the audience looks to these role models to find people like themselves to give them confidence and faith that they too can reach big goals.

During my early career there were rarely anyone who looked like me among the speakers. I would have been inspired by that and felt more included.

Similarly inspiring was the audience. Among the 7000 participants there was a decent diversity in ethnicity, gender and style. There were people in colorful shirts and in head scarfs. Gone are the days with two dress codes: suits for the VCs and hoodies and sneakers for the entrepreneurs. I hope that made lots of people feel welcome in the industry. Both because I think they deserve so, but also because the tech industry is in a desperate shortage of talent.

I want to give a special shout-out to the organizers, not least CEO Avnit Singh, head of program Kay Michelsen and COO Sam Esrati. This has certainly been the result of very hard work. Thank you for lifting the standards. You’re an inspiration to other conference organizers whose job finding female speakers is now as simple as to check your program.

Image credit to Danske Maritime