First, there are historically more tech communities per capita in the Dallas / Fort Worth areas than just about any place in the world. I’ve been a part of the DFW Community for a long time now – part of my role over 20 years ago, when Microsoft moved my family and I to Texas, was helping to support, grow and run the tech communities.
Covid changed a lot. Lots of communities didn’t make, others started new and fresh. Here are some of the most active communities that I’m a part of… and least on a semi-regular basis. Someone recently asked me about other tech communities in the Dallas area that I would recommend… so here you go!
Dallas Software Developers (DSD) / Commit Your Code (CYC)
I put these together since they are largely the same organizers and same community. The difference is that DSD meets about twice a month and CYC is one of the best annual tech conferences around. They both represent a community of people that help each other out, are committed to see people succeed and grow in their careers. I cannot recommend getting involved with these communities enough.
DSD – Join the Discord! Join the Meetup Group. Follow them on LinkedIn. So much of this community takes place outside of the meetups. There are daily calls, cohorts, and a level of connectivity that is contagious (in the best way).
Dallas UX / Big Design Conference (UX / Design)
Like DSD/CYC, Dallas UX and The Big Design Conference have the same organizers.
Dallas UX is a monthly Meetup – the 3rd Monday each month at the Dallas Improving offices (a lot of local communities are host by my friends at Improving). Though, it looks like they don’t always meet at Improving, this month’s meetup is in a different location – so be sure to check the specific meeting!
Big Design is an annual conference – typically in April or May. The last couple of years it has been a single-track conference in Grapevine Texas. I really enjoy the format and how it brings people together for a common experience. There is something to be said about bigger is not always better. It looks like the official website is being rebuilt, check out this recap from last year’s event.
Def Con 940 / B-Sides (Cyber Security)
DefCon 940 is a monthly community, while B-Sides DFW is an annual event and is the local instance of a global community (they are everywhere). The DefCon and B-Sides communities are very much similar and a lot of the same people – all focused on Cyber Security and related topics.
DefCon 940 – 3rd Monday of every month (Same as Dallas UX). The best part of DefCon are the people. Very open and willing to help people grow. It’s also such an “on brand” venue – they literally meet underground, in the basement of Graffiti Pasta in Denta TX – try the Rasta Pasta – it’s delicious.
Graffiti Pasta
B-Sides DFW – I’ve been to the last 2 years in Dallas. Both were held at the UT Dallas Campus in Richardson. It’s a free 1-day event, and includes speakers, workshops (like lock picking and IoT soldering) and several capture the flag style events. It’s a great time and fantastic people. This year’s B-Sides will be on November 7, 2026
GDG Dallas
GDG Cloud Southlake is the largest Google Developer Groups in the region. Here’s the best part – they meet twice a month, once in person and once online. The monthly in-person events are purely to connect and meet with others. They meet at the local Flying Saucer for food and drinks and connections. The next in-person event will be October 1 – see you there!
The online meetings are where they focused on learning together and having what most people would think of as traditional user group topics.
The main organizer Jim, is someone I’ve known since 2013 – aver 20 years! Jim does a great job promoting not just GDG events, but he stays connected with so many of the other tech events that are happening around Dallas.
Dallas AI Collective
This global community has been key for several local AI focused events – helping to increase knowledge and approaches to leveraging AI. There is a Dallas Chapter and a North Dallas Chapter. Be sure to follow them on LinkedIn as well! Also, if you’re in the area – sign up for their AI Let’s /Hack Together! event this Saturday in Frisco. Hope to see you there!
Note: There is also Dallas AI that also puts on several events. Follow them on LinkedIn as well. You really could learn every day on the month in Dallas! Both of these groups have been critical for people building out their AI strategies.
North Dallas Developers
This group used to be the North Dallas .NET Developers, but they have since branched out to all things developer related. A great group of people, they meet on the 1st Wednesday of every month at the Improving offices in Plano. The biggest difference between the North Dallas Developers and the Dallas Software Developers in the pace of meetings and the focus. I would describe DSD as being more focused on new developers are people really working to break into the industry, why the North Dallas Developers group is more focused on every level of topic and developer interest. The other difference is that while DSD is active all month long with online communities and engagement, Noth Dallas Develoeprs is really an event you can attend once a month.
Wrap Up
That’s 7 communities and 3 conferences to spice up your life!
- Dallas Software Developers (Thurs … 1 – 2 times month) / Commit Your Code Conference
- Dallas UX3rd Monday / Big Design Conference April/May
- DefCon 940 3rd Monday / B-Sides DFW November (Cyber Security)
- GDG – Tech meetup at the Flying Saucer – 1st Thursday
- AI Collective (Dallas / North Dallas) / Dallas AI Org (various events)
- North Dallas Developers 1st Wed
What communities have I missed? What are your go to events you look forward to every month? Let me know over on Linked In!
