Civic Tech in Chicago — July’s Top Events

| MSFT Chicago Staff

MSCHI-Events-July

July in Chicago — while some may dub it the dog days of summer, we’re moving forward like a fierce feline, keeping our schedules full and bringing technology to every corner of the city. Join us for our top picks for events this July:

July 5

Chi Hack Night
6:00pm — 10:00pm
Braintree Payments 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza 8th Floor, Chicago

The Chi Hack Night is a free, weekly event in Chicago to build, share and learn about civic tech and tools to create, support, or serve public good.

Join us every Tuesday from 6-10pm on the 8th floor of the Merchandise Mart to hear from interesting speakers, learn from each other and work on civic projects. Non-techies are very welcome!

July 6

Chicago City Data User Group — DIY Analytics
6:00pm — 7:30pm
Microsoft Technology Center 200 East Randolph Street #200, Chicago

With the advent of self-service, open-source and freemium predictive analytics it’s never been easier or less expensive to jump in and start doing data analysis yourself.  Whether you’re an interested alderman, city department head, student or 3rd party interested in the public sector, perhaps it’s time for you to determine what the future holds by examining the Chicago City data yourself.  As President John F. Kennedy stated “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future”.

Reid Karabush of Decision Systems will discuss how the City of Boston MA took the initiative and started using self-service, predictive analytics to analyze 311 call center data, and how you too can use self-service, open-source and freemium predictive analytics to examine the City of Chicago’s future.

July 7

WiSTEM Spring 2016 Showcase
6:00pm — 8:30pm
1871 – Auditorium 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, 12th Floor Chicago

Come join us at 1871 for a night of pitches and networking, hosted by WiSTEM, 1871’s program for women entrepreneurs.  This Showcase will feature the startups from our Spring cohort.

WiSTEM is 1871’s program designed to foster opportunities for women in technology – connecting women entrepreneurs to capital, community and technology resources. The 16-week curriculum-based program offers a tailored experience –a rigorous yet flexible program structured around the challenges and opportunities faced by women entrepreneurs.

July 12

Digital Politics: New technology in motion
10:00am
Online Webinar

This month on Modern Workplace, watch Digital Politics: New technology in motion, airing July 12th at 8:00 AM PDT / 3:00 PM GMT. Get a first-hand look at some of the new tools and innovations being put to the test in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

  • Stan Freck shares some of the tech innovations being used in political campaigns, including how new apps are informing an electoral process that is over 100 years old.
  • Patrick Stewart discusses how data visualization is playing a crucial role in the 2016 election cycle and takes a look at some of the emerging technologies.

July 12

Chi Hack Night
6:00pm — 10:00pm
Braintree Payments 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza 8th Floor, Chicago

The Chi Hack Night is a free, weekly event in Chicago to build, share and learn about civic tech and tools to create, support, or serve public good.

Join us every Tuesday from 6-10pm on the 8th floor of the Merchandise Mart to hear from interesting speakers, learn from each other and work on civic projects. Non-techies are very welcome!

July 13

AccessChicago
10:00am — 5:00pm
Navy Pier, Festival Hall A 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago

AccessChicago is the perfect event for people with disabilities of all ages and disabilities!

  • Test products, learn about new and existing services and connect with community organizations to learn about available disability-related social services.
  • Participate in new activities; such as cooking demos and interactive therapeutic art sessions.
  • Take part in various adaptive sports and recreational demonstrations.
  • Receive free health screenings in our health pavilion.
  • Discount parking will be provided.
  • Great family event! Fun activities for children!

July 13

July 2016 Founders’ Stories with David Kalt of Reverb
6:00pm — 8:00pm
1871 – Auditorium 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, 12th Floor Chicago

1871 is proud to host David Kalt, founder of Reverb, at their July taping of Chicago Founders’ Stories on Weds, July 13!

About David:

David is founder and CEO of Reverb.com, an online marketplace for used, vintage and handmade guitars and gear, and owner of the Chicago Music Exchange, one of the world’s largest vintage guitar dealers. David’s background is a blend between entrepreneurship, building technology firms, and a passion for music and gear. Prior to Chicago Music Exchange and Reverb, David was CEO and Co-Founder of online broker optionsXpress, which he took public back in 2005. Like most good businesses, David started Reverb based on his frustrations buying and selling guitars online. Next challenge? Make buying and selling used gear a fun, easy and painless experience..

Check out the amazing founders that have joined us at Chicago Founders’ Stories by visiting Pat Ryan’s blog at http://www.coolerbythelake.com

July 14

Azure 101: Is it Time to Get Your Head in the Cloud?
11:30am
Online Webinar

Presenter: Senior Technical Instructor, Ben Culbertson
Is it time to get your head in the cloud? Join our event and learn all about Azure!

July 14

ITKAN Monthly Meeting
5:00pm — 7:00pm
Microsoft Technology Center 200 East Randolph Street #200, Chicago

Join us at the MTC July 14th as Adam Hecktman, Microsoft’s Director of Technology & Civic Innovation for Chicago, and Pat Maher, Director of Civic Engagement at SPR, discuss civic innovation and technology in Chicago and ways that it is impacting the disability community along with other historically marginalized groups and opening up channels of change and influence. See civic tech in action as Steve Luker, longtime ITKAN member, and Patrick Sier present the award-winning ChiSafePath mobile app from the 5th Annual CNT Urban Sustainability Apps Competition!

July 19

Chi Hack Night
6:00pm — 10:00pm
Braintree Payments 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza 8th Floor, Chicago

The Chi Hack Night is a free, weekly event in Chicago to build, share and learn about civic tech and tools to create, support, or serve public good.

Join us every Tuesday from 6-10pm on the 8th floor of the Merchandise Mart to hear from interesting speakers, learn from each other and work on civic projects. Non-techies are very welcome!

July 26

Chi Hack Night
6:00pm — 10:00pm
Braintree Payments 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza 8th Floor, Chicago

The Chi Hack Night is a free, weekly event in Chicago to build, share and learn about civic tech and tools to create, support, or serve public good.

Join us every Tuesday from 6-10pm on the 8th floor of the Merchandise Mart to hear from interesting speakers, learn from each other and work on civic projects. Non-techies are very welcome!

July 27 — 29

ThinkChicago at Lollapalooza

Chicago is a hub of tech innovation, a booming center for cutting edge companies to thrive – where young entrepreneurs grow big ideas, transform industries and shape technology and business as we know it.

From July 27-29th, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Lollapalooza, World Business Chicago, and the University of Illinois will invite 200 university students from across the country to tour Chicago’s fast-growing tech scene.

Attendees of the ThinkChicago program will have a chance to visit business headquarters, directly engage with entrepreneurs and leaders of some of today’s most innovative tech companies, and attend the 4-day Lollapalooza music festival.

July 29

IPRO Day at IIT
10:00am — 2:00pm
Illinois Institute of Technology Tech Park Idea Shop 3440 S. Dearborn St, Suite 050, Chicago

Professionals from the Chicago area are invited to attend as Guests or Feedback Judges to provide valuable feedback to our students. IPRO Day is a great opportunity to network with other professionals who are passionate about education, engineering, and design while interacting with some of the most talented students in the U.S. and learning about cutting-edge research at IIT. The IPRO Day event is the culmination of IPRO team work via exhibits. See IPRO Team descriptions here: http://ipro.iit.edu/project-listings/current-projects.

July 29

Microsoft’s New Computer Training for Seniors & CPL’s Digital Learn Platform

At the next Connect Chicago Meetup, we’ll be learning about two new technology training resources available in Chicago: Microsoft’s new Computer Training for Seniors & the Chicago Public Library’s Digital Learn Platform. Lunch will be served.

Come meet and network with computer trainers, nonprofit professionals,  technologists, and fellow residents who care about digital access & skills in Chicago. Learn about these new resources in Chicago and how you can incorporate them into your work and mission.

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