AI for the Tampa Bay Area — What’s the Next Big Thing?

​Tampa Bay Tech is partnering with Slalom Consulting for an exciting, fast-paced innovation challenge where local developers, engineers, data scientists, and tech-forward business professionals come together to imagine the future of AI in our region! Designed for collaboration, creativity, and community impact, this event is the perfect team-building opportunity — bring your coworkers, your peers, or fly solo and join a new team onsite.

​Why Attend?

​Tampa Bay is transforming. Our region of 3+ million residents is thriving with new businesses, booming tourism, world-class sports, and cutting-edge innovation — but we’re also facing big challenges, from rapid growth to hurricane resilience. This immersive event calls on our local tech community to apply AI in meaningful ways that make life better for everyone in Tampa Bay.

​Your Mission

​Think back to your own experiences in Tampa Bay — sitting in beach traffic, searching endlessly for parking, navigating a packed game day downtown, or riding out a storm with limited info. Where could AI have stepped in to improve your day?

​In teams of 4–5, you’ll have one hour to design a transformative AI solution to a real Tampa Bay challenge. You can focus on mobility, tourism, sports, sustainability, public safety, business, or any area of community life. The goal: combine creative problem-solving with local insight to build something innovative, practical, and impactful.

​Registration is required and space is limited. This event is open exclusively to Tampa Bay Tech members with an active 2026 membership in good standing.

​***If you are registering as part of a team, please ensure everyone from your team also registers with their info.

​Agenda

​4:00 – 4:30 PM — Check-In & Team Assignments
Name tags, welcome drinks, light appetizers, introductions, and networking.

​4:30 – 4:45 PM — Generating Your Idea
Meet your team, choose a team name, and begin exploring your AI concept.

​4:45 – 5:30 PM — Shaping Your Idea
Use the white pad to build out your solution based on the provided judging criteria.

​5:30 – 5:45 PM — Articulating Your Idea
Craft a compelling pitch that clearly communicates the value and impact of your solution.

​5:45 – 7:00 PM — Presenting to the Judges & Event Concludes

​Whether you’re driven by innovation, community impact, or the thrill of building bold ideas with brilliant people, this event is your chance to help shape Tampa Bay’s AI-powered future.