Welcome to our events page!

Did you know that we have a very active meetup group? Softec is the longest running technology meetup on the Central Coast. On our meetup page, you’ll find a regular recurring monthly events like Tech Brew, Side Hustle Sandbox, and AI for Leaders. This page is primarily for our major annual events.

9/16/26 – The Wave Forward: Women Accelerating Business, Leadership & Mentorship

A collaboration between SOFTEC and Women Making Waves

Wednesday, September 16 | 5:00–7:30 PM | Ventana Grill Reserve Your Seat →

The best rooms don’t just inform you — they change your trajectory. The Wave Forward brings together bold thinkers, rising leaders, and innovators across sectors for one evening of connection, mentorship, and momentum.

You’ll hear from women who’ve built real things — not just their successes, but the moments that shaped them. You’ll meet people building remarkable things across our community. And you’ll leave with fresh ideas, new skills, and relationships that outlast the evening.

Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, growing your career, or looking for your next chapter — Wave Forward is designed to help you think bigger, strengthen your network, and take your next bold step.

What You’ll Walk Away With

• Real talk from powerhouse women leading with courage, creativity, clarity, and authenticity
• Actionable insight in leadership, entrepreneurship, and mentorship
• Inspiration and connection, through candid talks and real conversation
• A seat at the table, as we redefine what leadership and community look like on the Central Coast
• A chance to be heard, in interactive sessions and story-driven exchanges
• A path forward — energized and equipped to take bold steps in business, life, and leadership

Meet the Speakers

Sandra Dickerson — Your People Professionals, HR Consultants Yessenia Echevarria — District Representative, Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-24); Community Organizer Dr. Ronda Beaman — Author, Speaker, Chief Creative Officer at Peak Learning Kelly Reeves — Founder & CEO, Scale Simply & Profit; Founder Growth Strategist behind $500M+ in client revenue; author of The Unfiltered Founder on Substack.

Together, they’ll share authentic leadership stories, practical insight, and the moments that shaped their journeys. This isn’t just another networking event — it’s an evening built to spark real conversation, build valuable relationships, and leave you with ideas you can put into action the very next morning.

Event Details

Ready to Make Waves?

Bring a friend. Bring a colleague. Bring your boldest self. This is where the Central Coast’s next wave of leaders builds momentum — together.

Reserve Your Seat →

#makewaves

8/1/26 – Beyond the Chatbot: AI agents, practical workflows, and zero hype

Most people have tried ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini — asking questions, drafting emails, summarizing documents. But AI is moving beyond simple chat. In this beginner-friendly, action-oriented workshop, SOFTEC board member Albert Qian will guide you through what AI agents actually are, how they work, and how to put them to use in real business, nonprofit, and professional workflows. No coding required — just a laptop and a willingness to try something new.

Register Here.

The cornerstone of our time together will be a dedicated hands-on hour where every attendee sets up their first working agent — guided, supported, and paced for beginners. Because a YouTube video can explain agents but it can’t set one up with you. You’ll apply what you learn to real scenarios — competitive research, grant prospecting, content scripting, market intelligence — and leave with something that can handle tasks currently eating hours of your week. With seats limited to 10, you’ll get the kind of individual attention a larger event simply can’t offer.

You’ll walk away with:

• A mental model that sticks — a clear, jargon-free understanding of what AI agents are and how they differ from the chatbot tools you already use.
• A working agent you built yourself — not a template someone handed you, but something you set up, tested, and can adapt starting this week.
• Realistic expectations — an honest picture of what these tools cost, where they shine, and where human judgment still matters most.

Grab your spot for only $149, with a portion of proceeds supporting SOFTEC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regional technology community.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Times:
9AM – Noon (Full)
2PM – 5PM (Register Here)

Location: StoryLabs Atascadero (8965 El Camino Real, Atascadero)

Workshop Outcomes:

Live Demos that will be shared:

What would be ideal for students to bring:

2/25/26 – Summit By The Sea

Join us for the Central Coast’s premier gathering of technology and business leaders at the stunning Ventana Grill on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Register Here.

Summit by the Sea brings together the region’s most influential decision-makers, innovators, and entrepreneurs for connection, recognition, and opportunity. This annual event celebrates the leaders who drive our local economy forward while creating meaningful opportunities to engage with the community that shapes our region’s future.

You’ll connect with CEOs from regional roundtables, members of Softec’s Entrepreneur & Technologist Community, and our valued sponsors who make this event possible. Whether you’re looking to forge new partnerships, celebrate collective achievements, or simply be part of the conversation shaping the Central Coast’s business landscape, this is where you need to be.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 (8:30am – 10:30am)
Venue: Ventana Grill
Audience: Technologists, business leaders, and entrepreneurs

SIGs – Special Interest Groups

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are a vital part of Softec’s TEC Community, offering a unique and valuable space for deep, engaging discussions. Unlike more formal seminars, SIGs foster a more intimate environment reminiscent of a campfire conversation, where every voice can be heard, and personal experiences are shared freely. This smaller, community-driven setting encourages members to deep-dive into topics with focus and personal connection, facilitating meaningful exchanges that are both supportive and enlightening.

These groups provide a platform for members to explore specific interests within technology, ranging from coding to cybersecurity, management, communications, and much more. SIGs communities gain specialized knowledge with deeper relationships, enhancing their professional networks and personal growth. SIGs exemplify the spirit of collaboration and continuous learning that is central to Softec’s mission, making them an invaluable resource within the TEC Community.

Women in Tech Dinner

Softec’s annual Women in Tech Dinner is a key event dedicated to addressing the underrepresentation of women in the tech industry. We are committed to supporting the growth and advancement of women in technology on the Central Coast. Our mission is to empower these talented professionals through opportunities for networking, professional development, and educational enrichment.

Each year, this event brings together a diverse group of women who share a passion for technology and innovation. By providing resources, mentorship, and a supportive community, we aim to inspire and equip women to excel in their technical careers and make significant contributions to the industry. The pandemic caused Softec to suspend this event, but it will return in 2025.

Recognizing the significance of women’s issues in our industry, Softec has appointed a dedicated Board of Directors member to serve as the Women’s Issues Advocate. This role underscores Softec’s commitment to addressing and supporting gender-related concerns within the TEC community.

Tech Reads

Softec’s Tech Reads program offers an exceptional opportunity for our members to engage directly with thought-leading authors in the business and technical fields. We host insightful podcast interviews with thought leaders who are shaping industry perspectives through their written work.

Softec’s members actively participate, meeting the authors and posing their questions in a dynamic Q&A session. This direct interaction enriches the experience, allowing members to delve deeper into topics, clarify complex ideas, and gain practical insights that can be applied to their professional lives. Tech Reads broadens knowledge, fosters community, and connects members to the cutting edge of technology and business.