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Monday, August 18
 

10:00am CDT

People First Hearts, AI Smarts
Monday August 18, 2025 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
AI is transforming business at breakneck speed-but the true winners won’t be those who simply automate or cut the workforce. The future belongs to leaders who harness AI to amplify human potential, foster innovation, and build organizations where people thrive.

Join our exclusive workshop, “People First Hearts & AI Smarts,” designed specifically for small business executives ready to future-fit their companies for the Intelligence Age.

You’ll discover:
• How to use AI as a strategy engine, not just a cost-cutter-unlocking new value by empowering your team, not replacing them.
• The six levers of a people-first mindset: purpose, leadership, engagement, well-being, opportunity, and appreciation-proven drivers of retention, innovation, and growth.
• Practical frameworks for integrating AI into your operations, HR, and customer experience while maintaining ethical, responsible practices.
• Actionable steps to build an “AI Factory,” launch an AI Academy, and create a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement.

Walk away with a roadmap to lead your business through change, outpace competitors, and ensure your organization is not just more intelligent, but more human.

Ready to lead the way? Secure your spot and future-proof your business-because in the age of AI, people are still your greatest asset.
Event Organizers

Monday August 18, 2025 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Virtual

7:00pm CDT

Music Industry Night – Forward Fest Edition 
Monday August 18, 2025 7:00pm - 10:00pm CDT
Every other Monday night, something special happens at COPA — local musicians take the stage, the house band keeps the energy flowing, and artists, producers, and music lovers come together to share ideas, stories, and sounds. It’s not just a jam session; it’s a chance to jam with other musicians, meet the people behind the music, connect with others building creative careers, and be part of a growing community that supports each other’s work. Forward Fest gives us the perfect reason to turn up the volume, welcome new faces, and keep building something real — together. COPA exists to make space for artists and entrepreneurs, and Monday Industry Night is one of the ways we do it.

Community Organizations Promoting the Arts empowers community arts organizations and creative professionals by providing space that promotes programming for both youth and adults, so they can collectively advance missions, achieve goals, expand access to critical resources and create—together.  https://copamadison.org/

2841 Index Road, Fitchburg WI



Hosted by COPA (Community Organizations Promoting the Arts)
Event Organizers
DS

Dale Sticha

COPA (Community Organizations Promoting the Arts)
avatar for Naomi Shumway

Naomi Shumway

Git Gud Gaming Lounge
Monday August 18, 2025 7:00pm - 10:00pm CDT
COPA (Community Organizations Promoting The Arts) 2841 Index Road, Fitchburg WI
 
Tuesday, August 19
 

9:00am CDT

DevFest
Tuesday August 19, 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm CDT
DevFest WI is an inclusivity-themed conference for any and all folks in tech. Now in our seventh year, we're returning again to the beautiful UW Memorial Union for a day filled with a wide variety of talks on topics related to building inclusive and accessible products, teams, and environments.

Hosted by Women In Tech / GDG
Event Organizers
avatar for Jillana Kelly

Jillana Kelly

Forward Fest Board
Sponsors

Tuesday August 19, 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm CDT
University of Wisconsin Memorial Union 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706
  Premium, In Person (DevFest)

3:00pm CDT

Pressure Chamber 2025
Tuesday August 19, 2025 3:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

SEPARATE REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR ALL ATTENDEES -  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 
Free for Greater Madison Chamber Members and Forward Fest Pass Holders | $30 for Non-Members

Pressure Chamber returns for its 12th year as emerging companies pitch for the coveted "golden suitcase" and a reserved spot in the Chamber's exclusive Greater Madison startup meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms this fall.

Participating companies will present in front of a panel of national investors and a live audience, with the winning company chosen based on a combination of judges' scoring and audience votes.

Thank you to Presenting Sponsor Michael Best; Supporting Sponsors State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), UW–Madison Office of Business Engagement and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; Reception Sponsor Fetch; Registration Sponsor TruStage; Voting Sponsor Associated Bank; Community Sponsors JP Cullen and The Gialamas Company, Inc.; Investor Sponsors 4490 Ventures, Baird Capital, Idea Fund and Rock River Capital Partners; and Venue Sponsor FPC Live.

Hosted by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce.
Event Organizers
avatar for Sharla Rowe

Sharla Rowe

Events Coordinator, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce

Tuesday August 19, 2025 3:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
The Sylvee 25 S Livingston St, Madison, WI 53703

4:30pm CDT

AIpocalypse? The tectonic moment for brand and creativity in the time of Artificial General Intelligence and beyond
Tuesday August 19, 2025 4:30pm - 6:00pm CDT
Optimist or pessimist? Architect or casualty? The world is changing—now—and creativity, branding, and identity will never be the same.

AIpocalypse is a bold, live-studio experience hosted by technologist and thought leader **Matt Boatright-Simon**, joined by a powerhouse lineup of visionary artists, strategists, futurists, and AI experts. Together, they explore the radical disruption—and unexpected possibility—AI brings to the creative world.

Will humanity be rendered obsolete? Will we unlock superpowers beyond imagination? Or are we entering entirely uncharted terrain?

From provocative demos to unscripted conversations, **AIpocalypse** dives into the cultural, economic, and existential stakes of Artificial General Intelligence.

This description written by a human + AI hybrid
Event Organizers
avatar for Matt Boatright-Simon

Matt Boatright-Simon

SPEAK.STUDIO
https://www.mattboatrightsimon.com/ FOUNDER/CEO BIO SPEAK.STUDIO founder and CEO Matt Boatright-Simon is a developer/coder, UX and UI designer, thought leader, entrepreneur, stage play & screenwriter, and filmmaker. Boatright-Simon is a pioneer in experimentation & development... Read More →
Tuesday August 19, 2025 4:30pm - 6:00pm CDT
SPEAK STUDIO HQ at The Hub @ 2352 S Park Street 53703
  Premium, In Person (Apocalypse?)

7:00pm CDT

Pitch Karaoke: low stakes and high fun practice
Tuesday August 19, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm CDT
This 2-hour event is designed for entrepreneurs, creators, and aspiring founders attending Forward Fest with and without pitches. Many participants may be working on new ideas or navigating early stages of their ventures. In the high-stakes world of business pitches and product demos, this session offers a refreshing way to build confidence in the chaos. Participants will practice speaking off-the-cuff, rebounding from mistakes, and getting reps in for thinking on their feet culminating in pitches to the group from a few volunteers—all in a fun, low-stakes, high-energy setting. Those with active pitches or those wanting to develop their pitches are welcome. Attendees should be ready to participate in all activities.​​​​

Hosted by Amalgam Improv and Git Gud Lounge
Event Organizers
avatar for Ben Rush

Ben Rush

Founder, Amalgam Improv
Hello! I'm Ben, and I am a scientist and improviser. I've been performing improv, running side hussles, and conducting research for many years! I run Amalgam Improv, which is a new improv group in Madison, WI, focused on independent improv teams and fusing topics with improv, like... Read More →
Tuesday August 19, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm CDT
Git Gud Lounge 2841 Index Road-Madison,WI 
 
Wednesday, August 20
 

6:00pm CDT

Cinema Showcase – Forward Fest Edition
Wednesday August 20, 2025 6:00pm - 9:00pm CDT
Join us for COPA Presents: Cinema Showcase - where we showcase screenings from some of Wisconsin’s most talented and visionary filmmakers—many of whom have gained national and international recognition, including at festivals like Cannes. More than just a night at the movies, COPA Movie Night often includes live workshops, behind-the-scenes conversations, and interactive Q&As with the creators themselves. Whether it’s screenwriting, directing, or DIY filmmaking tips, each event offers a hands-on opportunity to explore film as both a creative art form and a launchpad for entrepreneurial ventures.

Celebrate local cinema, connect with fellow storytellers, and discover how Wisconsin filmmakers are turning artistic passion into professional opportunity.

Community Organizations Promoting the Arts empowers community arts organizations and creative professionals by providing space that promotes programming for both youth and adults, so they can collectively advance missions, achieve goals, expand access to critical resources and create—together.  https://copamadison.org/

2841 Index Road, Fitchburg WI

Hosted by COPA (Community Organizations Promoting the Arts) & Wisconsin 48hr Film Project
Event Organizers
DS

Dale Sticha

COPA (Community Organizations Promoting the Arts)
avatar for Naomi Shumway

Naomi Shumway

Git Gud Gaming Lounge
Wednesday August 20, 2025 6:00pm - 9:00pm CDT
COPA (Community Organizations Promoting The Arts) 2841 Index Road, Fitchburg WI
 
Thursday, August 21
 

6:00pm CDT

Play & Pitch: Game Night for Innovators
Thursday August 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
Join us for a casual and collaborative evening where entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators can gather to unwind, network, and share ideas over their favorite games. Whether you're into board games, console classics, virtual reality, or PC multiplayer, Git Gud is a space where creativity meets community.

Meet fellow makers, startup founders, artists, and tech enthusiasts in a relaxed environment that celebrates fun and innovation. Bring your favorite game or just show up ready to play. Expect spontaneous connections, creative sparks, and maybe even the start of your next big idea.

This special edition of Git Gud Game Night is powered by the Network for Health Technology & Innovation (NHTI) — supporting entrepreneurs at the intersection of creativity, community, and business. It’s part of Forward Fest, Wisconsin’s largest tech and entrepreneurship festival, and hosted by Git Gud Lounge, a vibrant hub for games, collaboration, and creation.

Hosted by Git Gud Lounge & NHTI (Network for health technology & innovation)
Event Organizers
avatar for Naomi Shumway

Naomi Shumway

Git Gud Gaming Lounge
Thursday August 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
Git Gud Lounge  2841 Index Road, Fitchburg Wi
 
Friday, August 22
 

11:00am CDT

Big Time! Your Big Biz Story in a Big Way
Friday August 22, 2025 11:00am - 1:00pm CDT
BIG TIME! Tell Your Big Biz Story in a Big Way

Harness the power of storytelling! In this engaging workshop, we'll transform your entrepreneurial journey—whether heart-wrenching, heroic, or humorous —into a compelling narrative that revisits your 'why' and reconnects with your audience.

Open to all entrepreneurs! Perfect for small business owners and creative thinkers from all backgrounds who believe in building businesses with purpose. Inclusive and diverse perspectives encouraged here.

What you'll take away:

- Innovative approaches to share your unique business story
- A renewed connection to the purpose that drives your work
- Creative techniques to uncover a new drive for positive change

Through meaningful conversation and practical exercises, we'll explore powerful storytelling themes, like SUSTAINABILITY, PURPOSE, INCLUSIVITY, CREATIVITY, EMPOWERMENT.

Hosted by 100state
Event Organizers
avatar for Laura Paisley Beck

Laura Paisley Beck

Head Content Creator, Wa'am Writes, LLC
Laura Paisley Beck, born and raised in Door County, WI, is a recovering insurance agent and award-winning salesperson from decades of corporate positions in Madison, WI. She has written articles and columns for various publications including the Peninsula Pulse, Door County Living... Read More →
Friday August 22, 2025 11:00am - 1:00pm CDT
100state 17 S Fairchild Floor 7 Madison
  Premium, In Person (Big Biz Story)
 
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