Queens Tech Night, a free networking and community-building event for techies, will return for a meet-up in LIC next month. Pictured are attendees at a previous Queens Tech Night (Photo provided by Ben Guttmann)
Oct. 29, 2021 By Michael Dorgan
Queens Tech Night, a free networking and community-building event for techies, will return for a meet-up in Long Island City next month – with a slightly different twist.
The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 at a new advanced manufacturing facility inside the Plaxall Gallery, located at 5-25 46th Ave. The facility is operated by Eventscape, a Canadian-based firm that constructs state-of-the-art interior and exterior designs.
Ben Guttmann, a co-organizer of Queens Tech Night, said attendees will once again be able to connect with other techies but this time around they will also be able to tour the new 20,000 square foot Eventscape facility.
“We will showcase how the technical world and the physical world can come together,” said Guttmann.
Eventscape creates ultra-modern structures for ceilings, walls, atriums and entrances. Some of the company’s work includes a sculpture exhibit at 30 Hudson Yards in Manhattan. The building is known for its observation deck called “The Edge.”
Guttmann said that the event will be in an open house format and leaders from Eventscape will give a presentation to showcase the innovative projects they are working on.
Queens Tech Night will take place at the Eventscape facility in Long Island City, pictured. (Photo via Instagram @eventscape)
Queens Tech Night will also feature representatives from the University of Pennsylvania who will speak on how advanced manufacturing techniques – like those used by Eventscape – are changing traditional building methods, Guttmann said.
Like in past events, attendees will also be able to meet and network with other people who work in the tech world.
There will also be representatives from local institutions and non-profits tabling at the event. For instance, the civic association BetaNYC will have a table along with the Tech Incubator at Queens College, the Queens Library and the soccer franchise Queensboro FC.
“We are really excited…it should be a ton of fun,” said Guttmann, who co-founded the Long Island City-based marketing agency Digital Natives Group. He sold the business over the summer.
The aim of Queens Tech Night is to create a community that works together to innovate, Guttmann said.
Guttmann says that people from all professional backgrounds are welcome at the event. There will also be free refreshments including wine provided by SquareWine & Spirits, a wine and liquor store located on Jackson Avenue.
Queens Tech Night was first held in November 2019 and another event took place in January of 2020. The organizers did not host a Tech Night for the rest of 2020 due to COVID-19.
The meet-up returned in June 2021 and Guttmann said the plan is to do three or four events per year.
Guttmann organizes the event with Kaufman Astoria Studios, the Long Island City Partnership and Plaxall.
He said the meet-ups are capped at about 200 people and past events have all been held at full capacity. Tickets can be reserved via Eventbrite and all attendees must show proof of vaccination to gain entry.
