This free event series features Chicago’s movers and shakers talking tech, comedy, sports, food and media as part of the first-ever Made in Chicago Week, celebrating “the city that works.” The event is thrown by General Assembly, an educational company focused on teaching 21st-century skills across the country. GA launched in Chicago last November and celebrates its first year of workshops, courses and events with a special week of free events and classes. Here’s everything you can learn for free at the first Made in Chicago Week.
Nov 5: General Assembly First Birthday & Made in Chicago Week Kickoff
General Assembly is turning 1, and Made in Chicago Week is here so you can celebrate with a free night of food, drinks and conversation. Raise a glass to a wonderful year of classes and events, instructors and students as well as to the week of festivities ahead. (Brad’s Deals, 640 N Lasalle St, Suite 460, 6–9pm. Free)
Nov 9: Building a Business People Love: Foodpreneur Edition
When the passion behind food meets the realities of business, things can get a little messy. But in the right hands, the two intersect to create the places and brands we love and keep coming back to. This panel of local “foodpreneurs” includes Ian Stuart-Hoff, operations manager at healthy meal delivery service Sprig, and Philip Tadros, cofounder and CEO of Bow Truss Coffee Roasters, Aquanaut Beer and Doejo, who share recipes for success. Stick around for conversation, bites and drinks. (Grind, 2 N LaSalle St, 14th Floor, 6–8pm. Free)
Nov 10: Introduction to User Experience Design
Delve into UX during this introduction to core concepts and human-computer interaction with senior interaction designer at Devbridge Group Kole Hainz as your guide. (GA Chicago @ Space, 444 N Wabash Ave, 5th Floor, noon–1pm. Free)
Nov 10: The Future of Media: How Tech is Disrupting Journalism & Content Creation
The times are a-changin’ and those who work in media know the ups and downs of the digital world as well as anyone. Panelists Erin Bassett, director of digital content and cofounder of the Windy City Blogger Collective, and Time Out’s own assistant editor Clayton Guse talk tech and its impact as well as share their predictions for what is yet to come. (After-Words Books, 23 E Illinois St, 6–8pm. Free)
Nov 11: Introduction to Digital Marketing
Search engines, metrics and optimization may not mean much to you yet, but this course will give you the tools to master marketing in the digital age with marketing manager Joe Anhalt. (GA Chicago @ Space, 444 N Wabash Ave, 5th Floor, noon–1pm. Free)
Nov 11: Get in the Game: A Sports & Technology Panel
Chicago is a huge sports city, but we’re also leading the way where sports and technology intersect. Meet the people at the forefront of the future of sports as they discuss how technology is improving the games we love. Panelists include cofounder of Swingbyte Nathan Wojtkiewicz, reporter and producer for Crain’s Chicago Business Danny Ecker, and Kevin Brilliant, business strategy and analytics manager for thee Chicago Bulls. (After-Words Books, 23 E Illinois St, 6–8pm. Free)
Nov 12: How to Find the Funny & Make People Love You
Cards Against Humanity’s creative director Amy Nicole Schwartz and community director Jenn Bane discuss how Chicago became a comedy hub and how our organizations have changed over the years. They'll also share lessons on how to really find the funny and win people’s hearts—in life and at work. Stick around for post-event drinks and networking. (After-Words Books, 23 E Illinois St, 6–8pm. Free)
Nov 13: Introduction to Building Websites
Get a one-hour intro to coding, designed to show that anyone can master the basics. This free course will be taught by software engineer Jeff Belser. (GA Chicago @ Space, 444 N Wabash Ave, 5th Floor, 12–1pm. Free)
Nov 16: Open House
Get to know all about General Assembly at a school-themed open house, complete with a home room introduction to the GA courses, instructors and community, a science fair where you can see the projects created by GA’s students, and a pizza party with adult juice boxes. (After-Words Books, 23 E Illinois St, 6:30–8:30pm. Free)
Nov 17: Trending in Tech
Leaders in tech share their experience and insight into how products can change traditional industries and how company culture can foster innovation. Uber’s general manager in Illinois and Indiana Chris Taylor, senior associate of Chicago Ventures Ezra Galston, and Avant’s chief financial officer Suk Shah fill out the tech-talking panel. (Rise Interactive, 1 S. Wacker Dr, Suite 300, 6–8pm. Free)