Conferences are opportunities for technology entrepreneurs and start-ups to look for co-founders, investors and partners. They also provide a forum for established businesses to showcase their services and products, as well as share best practice. An international centre for business and innovation, New York City hosts several technology conferences each year.

Social Media Week

Social Media Week spurs a worldwide conversation about connecting the world through technology. Events are held in 18 cities including London, Mumbai, Chicago, Sydney, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Milan and Jakarta. The theme for 2016 is ‘The Invisible Hand’, and events will delve into the hidden forces of technology and look at ways to harness them for good. Now in its eight year, Social Media Week New York attracts thousands of marketing, media and technology professionals. Held at The TimesCenter and the SVA Theatre from February 22 to 26, the expected line-up of 230 speakers include New York Times Company CEO Mark Thompson, CollegeHumor co-founder Ricky Van Veen, and Refinery29 co-founder Philippe von Borries. Go to http://socialmediaweek.org/newyork for more information. (Twitter: @smwnyc)

Techweek NYC

The fourth annual Techweek NYC takes place from October 10 to 16. At previous events, key note speakers included Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and Buzzfeed founder Jonah Peretti. The event attracts businesses and innovators from every aspect of the technology sector, from Fortune 500 CEOs sharing their success stories to start-ups looking for investors. Techweek also includes events in Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City and Toronto. Speaker sessions showcase breakthrough trends and success stories to educate delegates on what is relevant and innovative. The Entrepreneur Expo is an opportunity for companies to present their services and provide advice to tech entrepreneurs and start-ups, while the launch Competition reveals the best new businesses in the New York area. Several events are also hosted by sponsors and partners. For further information go to www.techweek.com/newyork. (Twitter: @TechweekNYC)

In a city like New York, a constant round of business planning and development is the rule, rather than the exception. New York City is comprised of five boroughs, each of which competes for market share of technology business initiatives to increase employment, as well as to create a solid business base.

The Boom in New York City Tech Initiatives

One of former Mayor Bloomberg’s major initiatives was to create greater competition with Silicon Valley by providing funding for hi tech industries in New York City. Mayor di Blasio has continued this trend to New York City’s advantage. New York City has continued to extend tax breaks to attract technology companies, with Buzzfeed being granted a four million dollar tax credit at the end of Decemeber, 2014,  for its new 194, 000 sq/ft headquarters. Another company to benefit from a tax break was Etsy, with a five million dollar tax break and 200, 000 sq/ft of office space in Brooklyn.

More than $1.7 billion has been acquired through venture capital investments, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association, a rise of 138 percent. Evidently, tech initiatives and media disciplines are aiming to help New York City achieve goals competitive with the rest of the world.