AlterConf is a traveling conference series that provides safe opportunities for marginalized people and those who support them in the tech and gaming industries. By highlighting the powerful voices and positive initiatives of local community members, we build hope and strengthen the community’s resolve to create safer spaces for everyone.

The conferences go beyond the limited definitions and basic discussions of diversity to create a deeper, more nuanced conversation. Each conference features a wide range of speakers delivering critical analyses of tech and gaming culture and presenting their vision for what our community can be.

We invite you to join us as we work toward a more inclusive future.

Participate – Apply by May 20, 2017 – 12:00am

Organize

Work with our team to make AlterConf happen in Chicago, IL. You will receive an honorarium and support along the way. Check out our Organizer page for details.

Represent

Become an ambassador and introduce us to potential sponsors, suggest participants, and spread the word locally. We gift honorariums to ambassadors!

Connect

Help us find the people that make AlterConf happen. Suggest venues, speakers, sponsors, or connect us with the local tech or gaming community.

Speak

GIve a talk on tech or gaming in relation to an aspect of diversity or inclusivity. No speaking experience required, and you’ll receive an honorarium! See talk ideas.

Freelance

Photograph, sketchnote, or blog about the event. No professional experience required! You’ll receive an honorarium and credit for your work on the AlterConf site.

Sponsor

Show your company’s commitment to building a more inclusive community. When people consider working with you or for you, you’ll stand out because of it.

Donate

Contribute financially to help us provide accessible events, captioned videos, and financial support to marginalized people for the important work they do.

Volunteer

Make an impact by ensuring the comfort and safety of attendees on the day of the event. All selected volunteers receive free AlterConf admission.

Published by cypheroftyr

Tanya DePass is the founder and Director of I Need Diverse Games, a non-profit organization based in Chicago, which is dedicated to better diversification of all aspects of gaming. I Need Diverse Games serves the community by supporting marginalized developers attend the Game Developer Conference by participating in the GDC Scholarship program, helps assist attendance at other industry events, and is seeking partnership with organizations and initiatives. Tanya is a lifelong Chicagoan who loves everything about gaming, #INeedDiverseGames spawn point, and wants to make it better and more inclusive for everyone. She founded and was the EIC of Fresh Out of Tokens podcast where games culture was discussed and viewed through a lense of feminism, intersectionality and diversity. Now she’s a co-host on Spawn on Me Podcast. Along with all of that, she’s the Programming Coordinator for OrcaCon, she often speaks on issues of diversity, feminism, race, intersectionality & other topics at multiple conventions throughout the year. Her writing about games and games critique appears in Uncanny Magazine, Polygon, Wiscon Chronicles, Vice Gaming, Paste Games, Mic, and other publications.