Networking & Special Events

Affinity Group Meet-Up Rooms

Use the WE22 Online Schedule to search by “Affinity Group” to find over 40 sessions planned by SWE AGs. This year, SWE will have three Affinity Group Lounges by each AG type for WE22 attendees to network, learn, build community, and grow.

Affinity Group Networking Lounge: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion AGs

• Join sessions hosted by the following SWE AGs: African-American, Asian Connections, HeForSWE, Indigenous Peoples, Latinos, and LGBTQ+ and Allies. This networking lounge gives attendees the ability to connect with Affinity Group members in different Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion AGs.

Affinity Group Networking Lounge: Business and Interests AGs:

• Join sessions hosted by the following SWE AGs: Entrepreneurs, Global Women Engineers, SWE Members in Small Businesses, Technical Career Path, Public Policy, and Women in Government

Affinity Group Networking Lounge: Career Stages AGs

• Join sessions hosted by the following SWE AGs: Community Colleges, GradSWE Community, Early Career Professionals, Mid-Career Professionals, and Late Career and Retiree. This networking lounge gives attendees the ability to connect with Affinity Group members in different Career Stages AGs.

Virtual Networking on Hopin

Save the Date & Time for Virtual Networking: On Friday, October 21, join the People area here at 3:00 AM C.T. / 8:00 AM UTC or 12:00 P.M. CT / 5:00 P.M. UTC to engage in virtual networking. These virtual networking sessions will last 3 minutes each and attendees can engage in as many or as few as they want. This experience allows attendees to quickly meet and expand their network. While speed networking via the People area is always available with others logged into the area,  we are encouraging virtual attendees to join during these times to increase the overall number of people they can meet and network with! Learn more about networking on the Hopin Platform here. 

WE22 Closing Celebration

Saturday, October 22 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Hilton Americas – Houston, Grand Ballroom D-L

You are invited to the WE22 closing celebration! Join us at the Hilton Americas hotel across the street from the convention center immediately following the last keynote speaker. There will be food, drinks, music, and a retro arcade featuring classic games such as Galaga and Space Invaders. You’ll also have a chance to win an array of sweSwag playing the claw machine. SWE President Dayna Johnson, the emcee of the event, will host a special segment, Engineers Make (and Sometimes Bake) The Impossible, featuring contestants from Netflix’s Baking Impossible. You won’t want to miss it!

Rainbow Lounge

There will be a Rainbow Lounge at WE22 to offer a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals. SWE will continue to offer a larger room to each of the broader Affinity Group types (one room for Business Interests and one for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), however, SWE recognizes that the LGBTQ+  group, in particular, is more vulnerable and needs a safe space.

Committee Meet-up & Committee Dinner

All members of SWE committees, boards, and Affinity Groups are invited to attend this meet-up and dinner. The first two hours are an opportunity to meet with your committee members, prospective members, and those in other committees. The final hour is for dinner, introductions, and a moment of appreciation and recognition. This event is by invite only. Invitations will be issued by email in early September to committee chairs and coordinators, who will then pass the invites on directly to their members. Registration is due by Oct. 1, 2022. The registration link will be shared via the email invite in advance.

Hospitality Suites

Thursday, October 20
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
George R. Brown Convention Center, Level 3

Year after year, Hospitality Suites are an attendee favorite. Offering refreshments, giveaways, informal networking, and fun environments, the suites provide unique opportunities to connect with new colleagues and potential employers in a relaxed space. Each suite has its own entertainment and brings something exciting to the table – they are not to be missed! Access to the Hospitality Suites is included with registration. *Note that some suites may be invite-only. Refer to the Mobile App for details of each suite.

Participating Organizations:

3M
The Aerospace Corporation
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Amazon
The Boeing Company 
Corning Incorporated
Eaton
GLOBALFOUNDRIES
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
Medtronic
Milwaukee Tool
Mortenson
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Siemens
Southern Company 
TC Energy
TE Connectivity Ltd.
Texas Instruments 
Trane Technologies
Turner Construction
United Parcel Service (UPS)

Women of Color Luncheon

Thursday, October 20
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Marriott Marquis in Houston, Ballroom 5

The Women of Color Lunch is an in-person, invitation-only event designed for intentional networking, sharing of best practices, and a focused session from a subject matter expert. Join attendees from all backgrounds, industries, and career levels for this engaging meal. Those who identify as a woman of color are encouraged to self-nominate to be invited to attend. Space is limited, so don’t hesitate! Nominations are open now until September 30, 2022 and invitations will be sent out in October. Attendees must be registered for WE22 to participate. Nomination form here.