At the end of the year, the MKE Tech Hub Coalition takes a moment to celebrate the growth, innovation, and positive momentum happening in our region during our anniversary event. In alignment with holiday spirits and in our efforts to continue growing strong connections within the community, we launched Gather & Grow this year – an initiative that puts on small group dinners for folks to share a meal and have meaningful conversations.
These gatherings intentionally turn a meal into connections, belonging, engagement, and mutual investment in growing our region’s tech-powered economy. In a time when digital connection often overshadows human connection and interaction, these dinners remind us that real change starts at the table. By breaking bread together in small, curated gatherings, we create space for trust to form, ideas to spark, and cross-sector connections to develop. Each meal becomes a moment of cultivation to help grow our region’s collective impact.
The result from our first iteration has been nothing short of inspiring. We’ve learned that moments like this are important to create real connections and continue fostering a strong ecosystem. See what the community thought:
“Nights like this remind me how strong and vibrant the Milwaukee tech community really is.” —Ryan Pearl, VP of Client Partnerships at Connective
“What a wonderful evening with wonderful people it was! From organic, riveting conversations to incredible food, last night’s MKE Tech Hub Coalition’s Gather & Grow holiday dinner was unforgettable.” —Punita Miller, Technology Consultant Manager at Rockwell Automation
“The best part… It was real connection, the “lift each other up” kind…That’s the kind of network that actually matters… The kind where you leave thinking, “I’m glad I know these people now.” —Brian Kohlmann, Director of AI, Emerging Technology, & MarTech at Bader Rutter
Special thanks to our Gather & Grow sponsors in helping make this happen: Connective, Godfrey & Kahn, Johnson Financial Group, and Molson Coors.
We’re grateful to be able to celebrate a year of collaboration, innovation, and shared growth as our ecosystem continues to flourish and connections continue to deepen. Happy Holidays!