Call for Speakers: Scenic City Summit 2027

We’re looking for practitioners, leaders, and first-time speakers from every corner of tech to share what they know at Scenic City Summit 2027, July 22–23, 2027, at the UTC University Center in Chattanooga, TN.

About the Conference

Scenic City Summit is Chattanooga’s community-run, non-profit tech conference, now in its 12th year. It started with developers and has grown to include everyone who builds, runs, secures, and leads technology. That means software engineers, infrastructure and systems folks, DevOps and cloud engineers, PowerShell and automation pros, SQL and data professionals, AI practitioners, security teams, and tech leaders.

Over two days, 300+ people from across the Southeast come together for practical sessions, honest conversations about leadership and careers, and the hallway track. First-time and experienced speakers are equally welcome.

Session Formats

• 45-minute sessions: the core of the program
• 90-minute deep dives: extended, hands-on or in-depth sessions

Topics

• AI & machine learning (generative AI, LLMs, agents)
• Architecture & platform engineering
• Automation & infrastructure as code (DSC, Ansible, Terraform, Bicep)
• Cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP)
• Containers & Kubernetes
• Data engineering, analytics & BI
• DevOps, CI/CD & testing
• Leadership, careers & community (professional skills, mentorship, open source)
• Observability & reliability
• PowerShell
• Security & identity
• Software development (.NET, Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Go and more; web, mobile & IoT)
• SQL & database administration
• Systems & network administration (Windows Server, Linux, Active Directory)
• UX, design & accessibility

If you work in tech and have a story worth telling, we want to hear it. Real-world case studies and lessons learned are especially welcome in any area.

Categories

When you submit, choose the category that best fits your talk.

Creating: building, designing and innovating

For those who build things: code, scripts, data pipelines, models, products and experiences. This category covers software development, automation and tooling, data engineering, AI applications, system and API design, prototyping, and the creative process behind technology. Whether you’re shipping an app, writing the PowerShell module your whole team depends on, or building with AI, show us how you create.

Stewarding: operating, securing and sustaining systems

For those who keep technology running, secure and reliable. This category covers infrastructure and systems administration, cloud operations, DevOps and CI/CD, database administration and performance, automation at scale, security operations, site reliability engineering and compliance. Share how you keep servers, databases, pipelines and platforms stable, secure and resilient.

Leading: guiding teams, shaping strategy and driving change

For those who lead people, influence direction and work through organizational challenges. This category covers engineering and IT leadership, team dynamics, organizational change, technology strategy, decision-making and building healthy tech cultures. Whether you lead formally or informally, share how you create impact through others.

Exploring: growing skills, sharing knowledge and evolving practices

For those who love learning and teaching others. This category covers mentorship, skill development, career growth and career changes, learning methods, and keeping up in a fast-moving field, including how AI is changing the way we work. Share your journey, your teaching approach, or how people in tech can keep growing throughout their careers.

Why Speak at Scenic City Summit?

Reach a cross-discipline room of developers, admins, DevOps engineers, data folks and tech leaders from across the Southeast

Share your experience with a welcoming, community-run audience

Connect with fellow speakers and the people shaping Chattanooga’s tech scene

Help grow the regional tech community

How to Submit

Submit your proposal here on Sessionize with:

     Session title and description

     Key takeaways for attendees

     Technical level (Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced)

     Preferred format (45 or 90 minutes)

     A short professional bio

     Previous speaking experience, if any (none is fine)

Important Dates

Call for speakers opens: 1 November 2026

Submission deadline: 1/5/2027

Speakers notified: 1/25/2027

Conference: July 22–23, 2027

We look forward to reading your proposal. See you in the Scenic City.

Speakers traveling more than 50 miles from Chattanooga may request travel expenses up to $125