A look back at 2024: Celebrating a year of connection, innovation, and community

What a year! In 2024, we set out to do what we do best: bring the tech community together, foster meaningful conversations, and create spaces where people could learn, collaborate, and connect. And boy, did we deliver.

This year alone, we hosted 50+ events that brought together over 3,500 people — from founders and executives to investors and innovators. These weren’t just numbers on a page; they were people shaking hands, sharing ideas, and sparking collaborations that will shape the future of tech.

We were also thrilled to partner with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Microsoft and Google, helping us push boundaries and bring even more value to our attendees. From tackling AI opportunities to empowering startups, these partnerships made our events bigger, bolder, and more impactful than ever before.

Among the highlights was being invited as a media partner to Clio’s campus for their Series F celebration. Watching a Vancouver-grown company reach such a milestone was nothing short of inspiring, and we were proud to help tell their story.

We also joined forces with Deloitte to co-host the highly anticipated Summer Social — a standout event of the year. With an incredible turnout and a rooftop full of notable CEOs and tech leaders, it was a testament to what happens when community and conversation come together in the right space.

2024 event highlights

From thought-provoking discussions to high-energy socials, we curated experiences that addressed the pressing questions facing tech today.

At Microsoft Vancouver Presents: Capturing the AI Opportunity in B.C., industry leaders explored how British Columbia can harness the power of artificial intelligence to stay competitive on a global stage. AI remained a core theme throughout the year, with it also being the featured topic at #VTJTalks: Adopting AI in Business. During this panel event, practical strategies for AI integration took centre stage.

We also dug into the startup journey with #VTJTalks: Scale Your Startup, a hands-on workshop offering actionable advice for growing companies. Later in the year, innovators gathered again for the Canadian Founders Mixer co-hosted with Easly, a warm-weather networking event that buzzed with energy and ideas.

Another standout was our panel on Breaking Barriers: Challenges and Opportunities for Underrepresented Voices in Tech, where candid conversations opened the floor to diverse perspectives and new ways forward.

Meanwhile, our Tech Industry Socials (VTJ x CBRE's HTFG) continued to be the place to meet and mingle, bringing together professionals across the ecosystem for casual yet impactful networking.

We even tapped into Vancouver’s love of books and learning with the first-ever Vancouver Tech Business Book Swap, proving that big ideas don’t just happen online.

These events, along with our regular Vancouver Tech Morning Coffee sessions and co-working days at WeWork, fostered consistent spaces for connection — because sometimes the best collaborations start over coffee.

Looking ahead

The momentum we built this year is only the beginning. As we look to 2025, we’re excited to double down on what worked, explore new opportunities, and continue building events that matter.

To every partner, sponsor, speaker, and attendee who showed up, engaged, and brought their energy to the room: thank you. You made 2024 an unforgettable year, and we can’t wait to see where we go next.

Here’s to another year of connections, collaborations, and community. See you in 2025!

If you’re interested in partnering with us for events next year, get in touch with me at [email protected].

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