Geeks && Tech Takeover, Riverwalk After Party + Coding Competition

Geeks && is taking over Startup Week with inspiring tech talks, career development sessions, and live discussions with technical leaders from San Antonio and Austin. Whether you’re an engineer, founder, student, or just curious about the future of tech, this is the event you don’t want to miss. It’s totally free to attend but make sure to RSVP at San Antonio Startup Week so you can use their app and see the full schedule. Event Agenda 12:00 PM: Doors Open + Activations BeginMassage tables to unwind (until 2pm)Crashpad: a Decompression Zone for sensory-friendly breaks (until 4pm)Coworking spaces with outlets (until 6pm)Volunteer station – give back while you’re here (all day - while supplies last)Headshots – refresh that LinkedIn pic! (all day)Graffiti wall – leave your mark on Startup Week (all day) 1:45 PM: Opening remarks 2:00 – 2:50 PM: Staying Safe with AI | Richard North III, Intel AI tools are powerful—but they can also leak your data, trick your trust, and fuel misinformation. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to protect your privacy, test tools that detect scams and deepfakes, and design your own AI-safety workflow. With live demos, quick-fire challenges, and practical frameworks, you’ll walk away with digital confidence and clear strategies to keep yourself—and your data—safe in the AI era. 3:00 – 3:50 PM: How to Future-Proof Your Career in the Age of AI | Wendii Lord, Manager Tools Strong technical skills alone won't guarantee you stand out in the future of this industry. In this session, you'll discover practical methods to differentiate yourself, build resilience, and future-proof your career. We'll unveil a first-of-its-kind skills matrix designed to help you identify your unique edge, grow beyond the purely technical, and stay indispensable in a rapidly evolving landscape. 4:00 – 4:50 PM: The Hidden Cost of AI (Live Working in Tech Podcast Recording) | Juwon Isola-Osobu + Uche Uboh There's a real issue going around with over-reliance on AI. So much so that even NPR and the NYT are reporting on how doctors are losing their edge, forgetting more, and less likely to detect anomalies because of their usage of AI. In this live podcast recording we'll dive into why this is happening, learn actionable skills to catch yourself before you start outsourcing your thoughts to ChatGPT, and learn how this plays into the role of tried and true tech professionals and their careers. 5:00: Break Time (explore activations, grab some food, relax ahead of joining us at 6pm for the Riverwalk Party + Live Coding Competition.) This year we are wrapping it up our Tech Takeover on the iconic San Antonio Riverwalk with an after party where the geeks can truly unite! Hosted by award-winning LynZ, it’s not just another happy hour – we’ll have drag queens, presentation karaoke and a LIVE coding competition! There will be light refreshments, drinks and DJ Chaku playing 2000’s vibe throwbacks. 6:00 PM: Doors Open 6:15 - 6:45 PM: Presentation Karoke Presentation Karoke is a fun game where participants are called up to the stage one at a time to present on a slide deck they've never seen in their life! The topics are random and silly, and serve as a low-pressure professional development tool for people to practice thinking on their feet, and get more comfortable with public speaking. 6:45 PM Official Welcome Announcement 7:15 – 7:45 PM: Bolt UX Frontend Coding Competition Our first ever live coding competition is coming to the Geeks && Riverwalk Party during San Antonio Startup Week. Introducing: Bolt UX! Bolt UX is a front-end (HTML, CSS) competition where contestants compete to implement a website design given only a screenshot. The catch is that no previews of the results are allowed during the implementation, and no measuring tools can be used. The winner is decided by the audience. Sign-up deadline: October 3rd at 11:59 PM CTParticipants: Only 5 coders will be selected How It Works:5 coders take the stage during the MixerEach has 15 minutes to rebuild a webpage based on a provided screenshot (you'll be given a web editor and assets)No frameworks, no js, no previews - just you, the editor, and good ol' fashioned HTML & CSSThe most accurate webpage (based on audience applause) wins a new portable monitor To Participate, You Must:Be registered for the this event (if you're reading this you're in the right place)Sign up to compete by October 3rd at 11:59 PM CTBe onsite no later than 5:00pm on Wednesday Oct 15 (we'll do some AV tests to make sure everything is ready to go)Be able to bring your own laptop and charger Sign up to compete in the coding competition HERE. 8:00 – 9:00 PM: Open Networking There's a real issue going around with over-reliance on AI. So much so that even NPR and the NYT are reporting on how doctors are losing their edge, forgetting more, and less likely to detect anomalies because of their usage of AI. In this live podcast recording we'll dive into why this is happening, learn actionable skills to catch yourself before you start outsourcing your thoughts to ChatGPT, and learn how this plays into the role of tried and true tech professionals and their careers. Find more details about the talks + speakers HERE. Sign up to compete in the coding competition HERE. Things to [hidden] Co-Working Spaces: If you need to work in between sessions, we have some spaces for you.Sensory Friendly Break Spots: We know it’s a long day, but we love our introverts so we have some intentional quiet spaces for you to step away as needed.Food & Drinks: We'll have coffee for you all day long, and some lite bites along the way. Don't expect a meal, but if you'd like some snacks we gotchu!Raffle: Join our raffle by attending sessions and activations throughout the day! Parking Info (Provided by San Antonio Startup Week)Houston Street Garage – 240 E. Houston St. | $2/hr, $10 maxSt. Mary’s Street Garage – 400 N. St. Mary’s St. | $2/hr, $10 maxRiverbend Garage – 400 N. Presa St. | $2/hr, $10 maxOn-Street Parking – $1.50/hr (free after 6 PM + all day Sundays) City Tower, Rand, Central Library Garages and more nearby More Info below.