Respect and Inclusion: Our Stance Against Harassment at the WE23 Annual Conference and Career Fair

In response to the harassment, disrespect, and blatant disregard for behaviors that value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at recent diversity-serving career fairs, SWE recently outlined expectations for attendees, as well as steps SWE is taking to promote a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all at its WE23 event in Los Angeles from Oct. 26 – 28. Learn more.

Rapid reporting system for attendees of harassment and unacceptable behavior: Attendees who experience or witness harassment or unacceptable behavior should send an email to safety@swe.org. Reports must include the badge number of the individual reporting the matter so SWE can verify them; no one who reports an incident will be identified without their consent.

Plan Ahead and Expect Delays Entering the Convention Center

Security at WE23

Los Angeles is a big city. So please use common sense to remain safe. Only wear your badge inside the convention center or event hotels. And when walking in the evening, stick to well lit streets and always walk in pairs at a minimum. Keep cell phones tucked away, pay attention to your surroundings, and leave valuables at home.

At WE23, SWE will ban firearms or weapons of any kind from entering the Los Angeles Convention Center for the duration of the event.

During this time, all doors to the Center will be locked and entry will only be permitted through designated entrances. There will be four entrances for the WE23 Annual Conference. These four entrances will have metal detectors that attendees/exhibitors/groups must enter through.

The four main entrances will be South Lobby, Figueroa Drive shuttle drop-off, Kentia parking lot entrance to South Building, and West Lobby. Attendees will be able to exit the building from various places; however, to re-enter the building attendees/exhibitors/groups must go back through the metal detectors at the four main entrances. When going through the metal detectors, laptops must be removed and passed along to security personnel before proceeding through the metal detectors.

All those entering the Los Angeles Convention Center will be subject to metal detectors and bag checks. SWE reserves the right to refuse entry to those who do not cooperate with these safety protocols. As SWE has done in the past, a mix of armed and non-armed security professionals will help monitor doors and checkpoints.

WE23 Rules & Regulations.

Onsite Collegiate Registration is Now Sold Out

WE23 and IIBI Registration Hours

Attendee Registration Hours (PT):
LACC – South Hall Lobby
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023: 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 27, 2023: 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023: 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Invent It. Build It. Registration Hours (PT):
LACC West Hall, Petree Pre-Function
Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023: 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

On-Site Career Fair Hours

The career fair is on-site only and all times are in PT.

Location: LACC — South Hall
Thursday, Oct. 26
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. — Professional and Collegiate members
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. — All registrants

Friday, Oct. 27 
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. — Professionals only — members and non-members
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Professional and Collegiate members only
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. — All registrants

Are you interested in connecting with employers in the U.S. that offer sponsorship of foreign nationals? Navigate to the Exhibitors section of the WE23 mobile app. Within each exhibitor profile, it will state whether or not that employer is considering foreign national candidates. Please note that the exhibitor information provided in the mobile app is a reflection of the employer details submitted to SWE and may be incomplete for some organizations.

Upload Your CV to the Career Center

Upload your CV to the SWE Career Center, and flag it as attending WE23. Recruiters will be reviewing candidates in the SWE Career Center during and after the conference! Download the steps to upload your resume and tag WE23 here.

Don’t Miss These Three Dynamic Keynotes

SWE has assembled three powerhouse speakers for your keynote sessions at WE23! Be sure to add each of these to your customized schedule in the WE23 app.

Thursday, Oct. 26 | 8:30 – 9:45 a.m. PT
Kate Maxwell, CTO, Defense & Intelligence, Microsoft Worldwide Public Sector
The Woman in the Arena 
It takes courage to lead, to be different, and to show up as an agent of change, particularly in the face of naysayers. Learn what it means to be The Woman in the Arena who strives, who struggles, who never loses track of who she is and what she stands for, and who lives – without limits.

Friday, Oct. 27 | 8:30 – 9:45 a.m. PT
Joannie Fu, Vice President, Network & Edge Group (NEX), NEX Execution Office (NEO), Intel
Be Extraordinary – Embrace the Power of Authentic Intersectionality 
Explore the technological future through the lens of intersectionality. Discover the significance of going beyond surface-level diversity to understand the intricate layers of each person’s identity and the value in amplifying every voice, recognizing diverse perspectives, and providing equal opportunities for shaping a fair and innovative technological future.

Saturday, Oct. 28 | 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. PT
Maryam Brown, President, SoCalGas
The Lever 
Explore the history of the lever, one of engineering’s earliest tools. Touching on the energy transition, the life of SWE Member Yvonne Young Clark, and stories from her own life journey, Brown will encourage SWE members to use the levers of their minds to lift up their colleagues and women in general through the power of inspired engineering.

Saturday, Oct. 28 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. PT | JW Marriott — Diamond Ballroom
Step into a world where reality blurs and imagination takes center stage with our closing celebration, “A Show Without Limits.” This captivating event seamlessly blends the mesmerizing art of magic with the vibrant allure of paint illusion. The closing celebration will feature magic performances, an art illusion presentation, 360-degree photo booth, and DJ.

Earn CEUs at This Year’s Inspirational Insights Sessions

The WE23 Inspirational Insights sessions are designed to engage and inspire attendees on a range of relevant and thought-provoking topics. The dates and times of the Inspirational Insights and The State of Women in Engineering sessions are included below.

SWE is happy to provide seven Inspirational Insights sessions eligible to earn 0.1 CEU/1.0 PDH each (The State of Women in Engineering session is not eligible for CEUs). To earn CEUs, you must attend the entire session and pass the post-session survey with an 80%. SWE will not award partial credit or adjusted CEUs to individuals who do not successfully meet the criteria. Please note: If you attend any of the WE23 Inspirational Insights and meet the criteria to earn CEUs, SWE will issue your certificate to the name and email you provide in the survey by Dec. 1. Learn More.

Shuttle Bus Schedule

SWE has shuttle routes that will connect participating hotels with the Los Angeles Convention Center. Find the routes and more information online.

On-Site Parking

Parking at the LACC is in the South Hall and West Hall Garages. Parking in the South Hall Garage is $25; the West Hall Garage will range from $25-30. Security escorts will be available in the evening at the parking garage. Additional parking information can be found online.

Connect With SWE Affinity Groups at WE23

At WE23, SWE Affinity Groups (AGs) will lead a wide variety of in-person sessions including panels, discussion, and networking opportunities. Learn more about AG WE23 sessions.

Visit the Rainbow Lounge

The WE23 Rainbow Lounge in Room 307 at the Los Angeles Convention Center offers a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies. In addition to being a drop-in place to connect and socialize, the lounge will offer:

• A beading activity, where you can make your own keychain inspired by various Pride flags (this activity will be available until supplies run out).
• A Sensory Station, including a variety of fidget toys and pop-its for a fun mental break in between sessions

Stop by the Lounge to spend time with the SWE LGBTQ+ community and allies! Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. PT Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. PT on Saturday.

Prayer/Meditation Room

At WE23, we are proud to provide attendees with a quiet space for meditation or prayer. We value your time with us and recognize the importance of self-care during a hectic and exciting program. Room 150A in the Los Angeles Convention Center will be open to all Thursday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. PT and will include prayer mats as well as chairs.

Volunteering at WE23 and Invent It. Build It.

Fulfilling a volunteer role at WE23 and/or IIBI is easy, fun, and makes you eligible to earn a registration refund post-event. To be eligible for the volunteer refund, you must check in for your shift at the WE23 Volunteer Room 401 or IIBI Volunteer Check-In (Friday, Petree C; Saturday, table next to attendee registration in Petree Hall Pre-Function).

Be sure you have completed the online training and read your volunteer descriptions thoroughly, and check in 10 minutes before the start of your shift. View WE23 and IIBI volunteer opportunities.

Download the WE23 App and Prepare for Your WE23 Experience!

Make the most of your WE experience by downloading the SWE mobile app. Download the WE23 mobile app to access the WE23 on-site schedule. Search “SWE Event Apps” in your app store.

If you are participating from home, view the virtual schedule online.

The WE23 app helps you create a schedule and catch all the highlights of the conference. Find a list of our SWE Career Fair exhibitors, keynote speakers, Inspirational Insights, Snap Sessions, hospitality suites, and so much more! Choose what interests you most among hundreds of professional development sessions and networking events.

Have a question during a keynote session or Inspirational Insights? Submit yours through the WE23 app during these events for a chance for it to be addressed by the speaker!

• Download the App on the Apple Store
• Download the App on Google Play

Already Have the SWE Events App?

Follow these steps:

• Open the SWE Events App on your phone or mobile device
• Tap the More menu in the lower right corner
• On the next page, tap Find an Event menu option
• At the top of the next page, tap WE23 to install

If WE23 is not appearing as an option, uninstall and reinstall the app on your device.

Professional Headshots Are By Appointment Only

On-site professional headshots are taken on an appointment-only basis and sign-ups have closed as all time slots have been filled.