About the rvatech/ Women in Technology Conference 2026

Tuesday, November 17 • 8:00am – 5:00pm • Richmond, Virginia • Science Museum of Virginia – Dewey Gottwald Center

 

The rvatech/ Women in Tech Conference is Richmond’s premier annual, all-day event celebrating and empowering women in technology.

We bring together 500+ professionals, leaders, and innovators to share insights, develop skills, and inspire future generations. This event frequently sells out.

About our Sessions

Session Types

We welcome submissions in the following session styles:

Technical Sessions (45 minutes)

Deep dives for those passionate about building, shipping, and innovating. These sessions showcase women as strong, capable technologists and cover hands-on tools, systems, and technical concepts.

Power Skills Sessions (45 minutes)

Strategic sessions focused on leadership, influence, and career advancement. To qualify, submissions must include a concrete, actionable application — something attendees can put to work immediately.

Topics We're Accepting

We welcome submissions across the following areas:

Artificial Intelligence & Data

• AI Tools in Practice — real-world applications, workflows, and implementation • Ethical Implications of AI • Data & Analytics / Data Storytelling • AI Big Data & Machine Learning • Navigating AI in Your Career — the risks, opportunities, and what’s next

Core Technology

• Cybersecurity • Cloud & Infrastructure • Software Engineering & Development • Emerging Tech, New Ideas & Innovations • Technology in Education

Entrepreneurship & Impact

• Women Founding & Funding Tech • Tech Start-Ups • DEI in Tech & Building Inclusive Teams • Lessons Learned in Technology

Power Skills

• Leadership & Influence • Communication & Executive Presence • Career Growth & Advancement • Using Data to Advocate for Yourself (compensation, promotion, scope)

About Speaking at Women in Technology

Code of Conduct

Our Expectations

Conference Code of Conduct

All attendees, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers are required to follow this code of conduct. We expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe, respectful, and harassment-free environment for everyone.

Need Help?

Contact our team at info@rvatech.com.

Code of Conduct

Our conference is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate in any conference setting, including talks, workshops, parties, social media, and other online spaces. Harassment includes offensive verbal comments, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Sponsors are also subject to this policy and should not use sexualized images, activities, clothing, uniforms, costumes, or other materials that create a sexualized environment. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the conference without a refund. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of conference staff immediately. Conference staff will be happy to help participants contact venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment so they feel safe for the duration of the conference. We expect all participants to follow these rules at conference and workshop venues, as well as conference-related social events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept virtual speakers?

Please Note

All sessions are held in person in Richmond, Virginia. Virtual or remote presentations are not available at this time.

Do you accept international speakers?

Please Note

At this time, we are only able to accept submissions from speakers based in the United States, as we are unable to accommodate international travel expenses.

Do you provide travel reimbursement?

  • rvatech/ will reimburse for Economy/Business Class, round trip flight/train for Speakers traveling from a distance greater than 200 miles.

  • OR

  • rvatech/ will reimburse round trip mileage for Speakers driving from a distance greater than 50 miles.

  • rvatech/ will reimburse for a single room accommodation up to $250 for one (1) night for out-of-town guests.

  • Reimbursements will be paid out upon submission of all receipts to rvatech/.

  • Any expense items not specified in this agreement, including, but not limited to, room service, phone calls, laundry, dry cleaning, in-room moves, entertainment, and limousines are expressly excluded from reimbursement.

    • What are your terms of agreement?

  • The Speaker grants permission to rvatech/ to copy and distribute the presentation, videos, and any related materials used during the Presentation. This includes providing links to these materials from both the rvatech/ and rvatech/Women in Technology Conference websites.

  • The Speaker understands that permissions granted to rvatech/ do not prohibit the Speaker from using the Presentation or other materials from rvatech/Women in Technology Conference in the future in the Speaker's professional or personal work.

  • The Speaker authorizes rvatech/ to use his/her name, likeness, photograph, and biographical data in connection with the use and promotion of any aspect of rvatech/Women in Technology Conference archived marketing.

    • This Call for Papers closes on June 30, 2026

    Complete this form to submit your propsal:

    About You

    Your Name(Required)
    Your Email Address(Required)
    Have a blog or some other website you'd like to have listed with this profile? If so, this is the field for you.
    The name of your company, organization, or affiliation if you have any.

    Talk Details

    Tell us about your proposed presentation.
    You have 300 characters to sell your talk. This is known as the "elevator pitch". Make it as exciting and enticing as possible.
    What format is this talk best suited for?
    Who is the best target audience for this talk?
    The description will be seen by reviewers during the CFP process and may eventually be seen by the attendees of the event. You should make the description of your talk as compelling and exciting as possible. Remember, you're selling both the organizers of the events to select your talk, as well as trying to convince attendees your talk is the one they should see.
    Notes will only be seen by reviewers during the CFP process. This is where you should explain things such as technical requirements, why you're the best person to speak on this subject, etc...
    Focus Area(Required)

    Separate tags with commas

    These tags are being used by this event to organize submissions. Please tag your submissions with the appropriate tags (ex: JavaScript, Coding, UI/UX, Leadership, etc.)
    List Co-presenters
    Please list any co-presenters & their organizations (First Name Last Name, Organization)
    A link to a video of a previous speaking engagement, if available
    Submission Requirements(Required)
    By checking here I acknowledge that I am aware that: • This conference is only able to accept submissions from speakers based in the United States , as we are unable to accommodate international travel expenses. • All sessions are held in person in Richmond, Virginia. Virtual or remote presentations are not available at this time. • By submitting to this CFP you are accepting this event's Code of Conduct