So You Want a Career in Biotech? Roanoke’s Got You.
The Emerging Technology Conference, powered by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC), returns to Hotel Roanoke on October 30–31, 2025, bringing together innovators, founders, and future-makers shaping what’s next in biotech, AI, manufacturing, cybersecurity, and energy. Over two packed days, attendees will dive into keynotes, panels, and live demos from national thought leaders—think MapQuest’s Chris Heivly (now an early-stage investor and venture capitalist), SpaceX engineer Ben Kellie, and Microsoft’s Stefani Quarles.
Whether you’re a student curious about career paths, a researcher exploring commercialization, or a pro looking to stay ahead of the curve, this is the place to plug into Virginia’s fast-growing innovation ecosystem.
The Talent Track: Your Fast Pass to a Biotech, Tech, or Manufacturing Career
If you’re a college student, recent grad, researcher, or early-career professional interested in biotech, technology, or advanced manufacturing, the Talent Track at the Emerging Technology Conference was built for you. It’s a one-day, insider experience designed to help you turn classroom knowledge and lab skills into real-world career connections.
And here’s the best part — the 🌟first 20 Get2KnowNoke eligible followers get in completely free🌟 – See details below. That means full access to the conference (keynotes, panels, and networking events) plus your own curated lineup of Talent Track exclusives.
Talent Track Agenda (October 30):
| Time | Talent Track Program | Why You Should Join |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 am | Informal Meet-Up During Check-In | Skip awkward intros — mingle with peers, future coworkers, and research-minded folks from the moment you walk in. |
| 11:00 am | Carilion Innovation Panel | Get the real story behind medical device, human factors, and product life cycles — from practitioners doing it day in/day out. |
| 3:15 – 4:15 pm | Employer Roundtables | Sit down (rotating groups) with 3–5 regional companies in the tech, biotech, and manufacturing industries. |
| 5:00 – 6:00 pm | Talent Track Happy Hour & Hybrid Networking / Interview Space | Mix, match, chat, and even interview in a casual setting. Beer (or nonalcoholic drinks) + real conversations = opportunities. |
What You Get (On Top of All That)
Signing up for the Talent Track unlocks a bundle of extras:
- Complimentary registration to the full Emerging Tech Conference (all keynotes, panels, tracks)
- A dedicated career coach to help you map your next move and introduce you to regional employers
- A custom job report built around your location, strengths, and role preferences
- A first-person experience of Roanoke life—why it’s a hidden gem for biotech, tech, and quality of life
You’re getting a curated experience designed to maximize your time there, which translates into opportunity.
How Do I Get a Free Entry?
Am I Eligible?
If you are a college student, recent grad, researcher, or early-career professional interested in a career in biotech, technology, or advanced manufacturing, then the talent track was curated for you!
How Do I Register?
CLICK HERE. And use the code MEASEVIP at checkout for a free entry. The code is only valid for the first 20 eligible people who attempt to use it, so DO NOT WAIT!
If you’re not a student/early-career professional, but you’d still like to attend. Use the code ETC25! for 25% off!
What to Expect at the Emerging Technology Conference
The Talent Track is a great way for young professionals and students to get engaged, but the Emerging Technology Conference itself has so much more to offer to professionals from all tech pathways and career levels. Here’s what’s going down October 30–31:
Across two action-packed days, the Emerging Technology Conference brings together some of the sharpest minds shaping the future of biotech, AI, manufacturing, and cybersecurity. Chris Heivly, cofounder of MapQuest and venture capitalist, kicks things off with a keynote on building talent pipelines that actually work, and Patrick Thean closes with a masterclass on turning strategy into action. Between those bookends? Six immersive tracks—spanning everything from lab-to-market biotech to AI in pharma, startup funding, and advanced manufacturing—plus hands-on demos in Immersive Alley, quick-hit Tech Talks & Coffee, and networking everywhere you turn.
See the full agenda →
Every session is a chance to glean one nugget of insight, meet someone doing what you want to do, or think differently about your path forward.
But Wait — There’s More: The Conference Has 10 Tracks
Why Roanoke? Because the Future of Biotech Lives Here.
Roanoke isn’t just a pretty mountain town—it’s a Mountain Metro where clean air meets clear thinking.
Grab your free pass with code MEASEVIP or ETC25 for 25% off.
Through Project VITAL (Virginia’s Innovation Talent and Life-Sciences) and regional partners like RBTC, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Carilion Clinic, Virginia Tech, and the Roanoke Regional Partnership have created a world where you control the future of biotech. Thanks to the robust ecosystem, startups and companies receive concierge-level support, a collaborative community, and more bang for your buck so you don’t waste capital on overhead.
That means more startups, more internships, and more job opportunities for people just like you who want to make an impact (and still make it to the trail by 5:30).
So, if you’re ready to explore what your future in biotech could look like, join us at the Emerging Technology Conference.