By Chris Fleck

More than 2,000 registrants, 25 speakers, 100 sponsors and organizations from across South Florida are expected at ITPalooza, a gathering of the region’s nonprofit technology user groups.

The fifth annual event, Dec. 8 at Signature Grand in Fort Lauderdale, is daytime learning and nighttime networking – a full day of tech and geekspeak in which attendees may choose the parts in which they want to participate.

This year’s theme – “Cloud, Security, IoT and Me” – covers the hottest topics in IT today, and the event will be a great place to learn from experts in the industry and meet new contacts with whom to engage.

I attend every year, always learning something valuable while meeting new contacts. My favorite part is learning about startups in the area building new technology and IT shops operating on the bleeding edge of tech.

In addition to a hiring fair, technical sessions and vendor exhibits, ITPalooza will feature a dedicated management track focused on the unique needs of CIOs and other top-level IT executives. It’s being held in conjunction with the iCoast CIO Council. The audience typically ranges from IT pros and developers plus analysts, CIOs and tech CEOs.

ITPalooza is organized by the South Florida Technology Alliance, a nonprofit organization that promotes the growth, success and awareness of the South Florida technology community for more than 20 years.

Advance tickets are available at itpalooza.org.

Sponsorships are also available, with an opportunity to join Amazon Web Services, Tesla Motors and 100 other sponsors that want to engage with the South Florida Tech community. ↵

Chris Fleck is on the board of the South Florida Technology Alliance and vice president of emerging solutions for Citrix Systems (Nasdaq: CTXS), a Fort Lauderdale company that provides secure delivery of applications and data.