RenderATL 2025 Cements its Status as the Ultimate Tech, Music and Culture Convergence

RenderATL just wrapped its 2025 edition, and this year’s celebration of code, culture, and community was the biggest and boldest yet.

The annual tech-meets-culture experience returned to Atlanta earlier this month, attracting more than 15,000 participants during Atlanta Tech Week and over 8,000 official badge-holders at the flagship RenderATL event.

What started as the South’s first React-focused developer conference has now grown into a cultural and industry-defining juggernaut, blending the lines between technical learning and creative expression.

The theme? Merge the brilliance of tech with the soul of the culture.

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Three Days of Code, Culture, and Community

The event kicked off in signature Render fashion with workshops and skill-building sessions led by thought leaders in software engineering, AI, product design, and leadership. That momentum spilled into the RenderATL Ponce Rooftop Kickoff, presented by Uber, which transformed Skyline Park into a vibrant tech playground, complete with interactive games, DJ sets curated by AfroFuture, and networking under the Atlanta skyline.

Throughout the three-day experience, attendees had access to more than 80 technical workshops and panel sessions. The lineup was stacked, featuring powerhouses like OpenAI, Netflix, Microsoft, Reddit, Disney, and Intuit Mailchimp. Sessions covered everything from remote-first work culture to AI in creative industries and product design for Gen Z users.

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“RenderATL 2025 was more than a tech conference; it was a cultural moment,” said RenderATL Founder and CEO Justin E. Samuels. “We’ve always believed in merging community and code, and this year we leveled up with experiences that reflected the creativity and energy that make tech exciting.”

Black Excellence and Bold Conversations

The conference didn’t shy away from cultural conversations either. A standout moment came during a packed fireside chat with David Banner, Okla Jones III (Essence), Justin Samuels, and Daylon Goff (Black Ambition), who explored how to build a cross-industry brand rooted in authenticity.

Another hit was the AI Summit presented by IBM, which sold out ahead of the event and featured executive-level insight into how artificial intelligence is transforming work and creativity. Zillow also hosted an insightful session, with Chief People Officer Dan Spaulding and the leadership team diving deep into the future of hybrid work.

If the sessions weren’t enough, attendees also got hands-on with an executive AI workshop in partnership with General Assembly, further bridging the gap between emerging tech and practical skills.

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Boosting Atlanta’s Economy and Creative Scene

Beyond the buzz, RenderATL had a massive impact on Atlanta itself. Organizers estimate the conference reinvested more than $55 million into the local economy, supporting Black-owned businesses, local vendors, and small entrepreneurs across the city.

The entire city was buzzing with activity. As the anchor of Atlanta Tech Week, RenderATL helped activate 215+ events across the city,from startup pitch nights and founder dinners to community coding sessions and late-night mixers.

And of course, it wouldn’t be RenderATL without a party. The conference closed with its now-iconic music festival, and this year’s vibes were straight out of the islands. Caribbean legends Wayne Wonder, Elephant Man, Alison Hinds, and Kevin Lyttle brought down the house, turning the tech crowd into a pulsing sea of flags, wine-downs, and joyful chaos.

This cultural fusion sets RenderATL apart, it’s not just a conference, it’s a movement.

What’s Next?

After a record-breaking year, RenderATL already has its sights set on the future. The 2026 edition is scheduled for August 12–13, 2026, promising even more innovation, inspiration, and culture-driven programming.

In a world where most conferences are stale and predictable, RenderATL proves that the future of tech is not only diverse, it’s vibrant, rhythmic, and unapologetically alive.

Main Image Credit: RenderATL