The Seattle technology community gathered for a festive celebration Thursday evening as more than 700 attendees converged on Showbox SoDo for the annual GeekWire Gala. This year’s candy-themed holiday party, presented by First Tech Federal Credit Union, offered attendees a vibrant mix of entertainment, networking, and seasonal cheer.
The event featured diverse musical performances, including sets from the University of Washington’s Furmata A Cappella group, DJ Mixtress, and attendee participation in the Geekaroke lounge. Guests enjoyed an extensive culinary spread featuring a mashed potato bar, cold Thai noodles, sliders, and cupcakes, complemented by signature cocktails and an abundance of candy treats. A unique highlight was the custom macaron printing station by Macadons, where attendees could have their photos and pet images printed on the French confections.
Entertainment options abounded with a 360-degree photo booth, LED games, a caricature artist capturing guest portraits, and a spirited fashion contest celebrating holiday attire. Before the main
festivities began, the event honored several “Uncommon Thinkers” – local innovators making significant contributions to their fields. The distinguished honorees included protein design researcher Ingrid Swanson Pultz, fusion energy specialist Uri Shumlak, Stoke Space CEO Andy Lapsa, TerraPower Isotopes’ Chris Dunckley, and AI researcher Hannaneh Hajishirzi. This awards program, now in its second year, received support from Greater Seattle Partners.
The event’s success was made possible through the collaboration of various sponsors. While First Tech Federal Credit Union served as the presenting sponsor, additional support came from gold sponsors Greater Seattle Partners and Network of Giving. Delta Air Lines participated as a silver sponsor, while Showbox Presents, Washington State Department of Commerce, and ALLtech contributed as supporting sponsors.
The Lollipop Lounge hosted the karaoke festivities, where even Keion Mauldin from First Tech Federal Credit Union took to the microphone. Throughout the venue, interactive elements kept guests engaged, from the popular candy bar to the creative photo opportunities. The custom printing station for macarons remained busy throughout the evening, producing personalized treats featuring various images submitted by attendees.
The gala served as a testament to the vibrant nature of Seattle’s technology community, bringing together professionals from various sectors for an evening of celebration and connection. The combination of traditional holiday party elements with unique tech-oriented features created an atmosphere that reflected the innovative spirit of the region’s technology sector.
GeekWire co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop were present to help guide the evening’s proceedings, along with other community leaders who contributed to the event’s programming. The fashion contest, hosted by Lisa Weeks and Jonathan Sposato, showcased the creative and festive spirit of attendees, with participants displaying an array of holiday-themed attire.
The successful evening demonstrated the strong sense of community within Seattle’s technology sector, providing a platform for professionals to connect while celebrating the year’s achievements in an engaging and festive environment. The mixture of networking opportunities, entertainment, and recognition of local innovation leaders created a comprehensive celebration that captured the essence of the region’s technology community during the holiday season.